34
HEATED SEATS
*
HEAD RESTRAINTS
The seat cushion and backrest can be
heated with the ignition key in position 2.
Select the temperature setting:
Press each button briefly.
Direct deactivation from second tempera-
ture setting.
Press the button for a longer period.
Adjusting the head restraintsTo raise: pull the head restraint upward.
To lower: press the button and push the
head restraint downward.
You can reduce the risk of spinal
injury and whiplash by adjusting the
head restraint to a height at which it is
centered roughly at ear level.
2. Press the button and remove the head
restraint at the same time.
Installation1. Press the button and at the same time
insert the head restraint in the reception
points
2. Adjust the head restraint.
To avoid possible violation of
traffic laws, never retract the head
restraints unless the rear seats are empty.
Always ensure that the head restraints are
raised before transporting passengers in
the rear seat.<
36
MIRRORS Adjusting exterior mirrors1 Switch for choosing between the left and
right mirror
2 Switch for 4-way adjustment.
Manual adjustmentThe mirrors can also be adjusted manually:
Press the edge of the lens.Electric heating*Both mirrors are heated automatically
when the ignition key is in position 2.
Interior rearview mirror To reduce glare from vehicles behind you
when you are driving at night:
Tilt the lever forward.Illuminated vanity mirrorFrom ignition key position 1:
1. Fold down the sun visor
2. Fold the cover panel upwards.Sun visorsCan be swung sideways.
38
AIRBAGS TRANSPORTING CHILDRENDo not make any changes yourself to the
individual components and wiring. This
includes the padded cover of the steering
wheel, in the instrument panel and the roof
supports, as well as the sides of the roof-
liner and the original backrest covers on the
front seats. Do not attempt to remove or
dismantle the steering wheel. In view of
the applicable safety regulations, arrange
for your MINI center to dispose of the
airbag generators. Unprofessional
attempts to service the system could lead
to failure in an emergency or undesired
airbag activation, either of which could
result in personal injury. Do not touch the
individual components directly after the
system has been triggered, as otherwise
there is a danger of burns.<
At all times, occupants should sit
upright and be properly restrained
(infants and small children in appropriate
child-restraint systems; larger children and
adults using the safety belts). Never let an
occupant's head rest near or on a head
airbag because the inflating airbag could
cause serious or fatal injury. A child which
is not properly restrained could place his or
her head on or near the airbag.<
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp on the instru-
ment panel shows the airbag
system status starting from igni-
tion key position 1.
System operational:
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly.
System malfunction:
>The indicator lamp does not come on
>The indicator lamp fails to go out after
the engine has been started, or it comes
on during normal driving.
A system defect could prevent the airbags
from deploying in response to a severe
impact occurring within the system's
normal triggering range.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible by your MINI center.
Children younger than 13 years and/or
smaller than 5 ft (150 cm) should only
travel in the rear in suitable restraint
systems.
Commercially-available child-restraint
systems are designed to be secured with a
lap belt or with the lap belt portion of a
combination lap/shoulder belt. Improperly
or inadequately installed restraint systems
can increase the risk of injury to children.
Always read and follow the instructions
that come with the system.
If you use a child-restraint system with a
tether strap:
41
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
TRANSPORTING CHILDREN VEHICLE MEMORY LATCH child-restraint systemOpen the cover.
The illustration is an example showing
the mounts for the LATCH (Lower Anchors
and Tethers for Children) child-restraint
mounting system at the right rear.
The system is also available at the left rear
position.
Always follow all manufacturer's
instructions and observe all safety
precautions when installing the LATCH
child-restraint system.<
How the system functionsDoubtless you have often reflected on how
great it would be if you could configure
your vehicle's various adjustment settings
to meet your own personal requirements.
In developing this vehicle, the manufac-
turer has incorporated a number of options
that your MINI center can program to
reflect your individual preferences. What the system can doYour MINI center can provide you with
details on the capabilities of the Vehicle
Memory system.
Examples for Vehicle Memory:
>Signals an acknowledgement when
locking or unlocking your vehicle
>Automatic locking after starting off
>Automatic unlocking when the parking
brake is applied
>Selective central locking
First open the driver's door, then the
whole car
>Automatic opening/closing of sliding/tilt
sunroof
>Opening/closing windows and/or
sliding/tilt sunroof via remote control
>Speed-dependent windshield wiper>Automatic activation of windshield
wipers on cleaning
>"Follow me home" lamps
Low beams light up for a short time after
the engine has been switched off
>Locking when engine is running (with
second key)
>Stop function of power windows on
opening/closing
>Activating/deactivating daytime driving
lamps
*
>Switching on interior lamps via remote
control.
This symbol draws your attention to
other Vehicle Memory functions
described in the Owner's Manual.<
42
IGNITION LOCK STARTING THE ENGINE 0 Steering locked
1 Steering unlocked
2 Ignition switched on
3 Starting the engine0 Steering locked The key can be inserted or removed in this
position only.
To lock the steering:
1. Remove the key
2. Turn the steering wheel slightly to the
left or right until the lock engages.
Vehicles with Continuously Variable
automatic Transmission (CVT):
Do not move the selector lever from posi-
tion "P" until the engine is running.
Your vehicle is equipped with an interlock.
Therefore, the ignition key cannot be
turned to position 0 and removed until the
selector lever is in position "P" (Interlock).<
1 Steering unlocked Individual electrical accessories are ready
for operation.
You will find that it is often easier to turn
the ignition key from position 0 to posi-
tion 1 when you move the steering wheel
slightly to help disengage the lock.2 Ignition switched onAll electrical accessories are ready for oper-
ation.3 Starting the engine
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Step on the clutch when starting the
vehicle. A lockout prevents the engine from
starting if the clutch is not depressed.<
Do not allow the engine to warm up with
the vehicle at a standstill. Move off imme-
diately at a moderate engine speed.
Do not allow the engine to run in
enclosed spaces. The exhaust gases
contain carbon monoxide, an odorless and
colorless, but highly toxic gas.
Breathing the exhaust gases poses an
extreme health risk, and can lead to uncon-
sciousness and death.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with
the engine running. An unattended vehicle
with a running engine represents a poten-
tial safety hazard. When driving, standing
at idle or when parking, take precautions to
avoid contact between the hot exhaust
system and easily flammable materials
(grass, hay or leaves, for example). Such
contact could lead to a fire, resulting in
serious personal injury and property
damage.<
43
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
STARTING THE ENGINE SWITCHING OFF THE ENGINE StartingWhen starting the engine, do not press the
accelerator pedal.
Do not actuate the starter for too
short a time. Do not turn it for more
than approx. 20 seconds. Release the igni-
tion key immediately when the engine
starts.
Extended starting attempts, characterized
by excessively frequent or long periods
with the starter engaged, can lead to
damage in the catalytic converter.<
If the engine does not start on the first
attempt (the engine is very hot or cold, for
instance):
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Cold starts at extremely low temperatures
(as of approx. +5 7(Ð15 6)):
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter
>For the initial start attempt, allow the
starter to remain engaged somewhat
longer (approx. 10 seconds).
Manual transmission1. Engage the parking brake
2. Put the manual gearshift lever in neutral
3. Press the clutch pedal
4. Start the engine.Continuously Variable automatic
Transmission (CVT)*1. Press the footbrake
2. Put the selector lever in position P or N
3. Starting the engine.
Move the selector lever to position N
and engage the parking brake before
leaving your vehicle with the engine
running.
Do not leave the vehicle with the engine
running. An unattended vehicle with a
running engine represents a potential
safety hazard.<
You should never remove the ignition
key when the vehicle is in motion, as
the steering lock could engage.
When you leave the vehicle, always remove
the ignition key and engage the steering
lock.
When you park on downward slopes,
engage the parking brake.<
Manual transmissionTurn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.Continuously Variable automatic
Transmission (CVT)*Engage selector lever position P, turn the
ignition key to position 1 or 0.
44
PARKING BRAKE The parking brake is designed primarily to
prevent the vehicle from rolling when it is
parked. It operates against the rear wheels.To engageLever automatically locks in position.
The warning lamp in the instrument cluster
comes on when the ignition key is in posi-
tion 2, see page 16.To release1. Pull up slightly
2. Press the button
3. Push the lever downwards.
If, in exceptional circumstances,
it should be necessary to engage the
parking brake while the vehicle is
in motion, do not pull the lever with
excessive pressure. Keep your thumb
pressed against the release button while
carefully pulling the lever up to apply
moderate pressure.
Excessive pressure can lead to overbraking
and loss of traction (fishtailing) at the rear
axle.
The brake lamps do not come on when the
parking brake is engaged.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on hills and inclined surfaces, as
first gear or reverse may not provide
adequate resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with CVT:
Place the selector lever in P.<
45
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
MANUAL TRANSMISSION The manual gearshift lever neutral plane
lies in the gear plane of the 3rd/4th gear.
When shifting from each gear into
"Neutral", the manual gearshift lever
springs back automatically into the gear-
shift lever neutral plane.6-speed transmission*
When changing gear in the 5th/6th
gear plane, press the gearshift lever
to the right to prevent shifting to a gear of
the 3rd/4th gear plane.<
Reverse Before selecting reverse gear, ensure the
vehicle is stationary; then, fully press the
clutch pedal and pause briefly before
moving the gearshift lever into position.
As you do this, the backup lamps will turn
on automatically when the ignition key is
in position 2.
5-speed transmission:
Press the gearshift lever to the right and to
the back.
6-speed transmission:
Press the gearshift lever to the left to over-
come the slight resistance and press
forwards.
As you do this, the backup lamps will turn
on automatically when the ignition key is
in position 2.
Do not hold the vehicle in place on
slopes by slipping or "riding" the
clutch. Use the parking brake instead.
Riding the clutch causes the clutch
assembly to wear out sooner.<