2009 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE belt

Technology for driving comfort and safety
70
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the
marked covers:
MINI:
1Front airbags
2Side airbags in backrests
3Head airbags at the front and rearMINI Convertible:
1Front airbags
2Side/head airbags in the backrests
Protective effect
Observe the instructions on page34 to
ensure the best possible personal protec-
tion.<
The front airbags help protect the driver and
front passenger by responding to frontal
impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-
vide adequate restraint. When needed, the head
and side airbags help provide protection in the
event of side impact. The relevant side airbag
supports the side upper body area. The head air
bag supports the head.
The side/head airbag in the MINI Convertible
protects the head during impact.
The airbags are designed to not be triggered in
every type of collision, e.g. not in minor acci-
dents, certain rollover situations or rear impacts.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or
modify them in any other way.
Keep the dashboard and window on the passen-
g e r s i d e f r e e f r o m o b s t r u c t i o n , i . e . d o n o t c o v e r i t
with adhesive film or coverings, and do not affix
any holders such as for a navigation device or a
mobile phone.
Do not attach seat covers, cushions or other
objects not specifically approved for seats with
integral side airbags to the front seats. Do not hang items of clothing such as coats or jackets
over the backrests. Do not attempt to remove
the airbag retention system from the vehicle. Do
not modify the individual components of the
system or its wiring in any way. This includes the
upholstered covers on the steering wheel,
instrument panel, seats and roof posts, as well as
the sides of the roof lining. Do not attempt to
remove or dismantle the steering wheel.
Do not touch the individual components imme-
diately after the system has been triggered,
because there is a danger of burns.
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation, or
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have
the testing, repair, removal, and disposal of air-
bag generators executed only by a MINI Dealer
or a workshop that works according to repair
procedures of the manufacturer of your MINI
with correspondingly trained personnel and has
the required explosives licenses. Otherwise,
unprofessional attempts to service the system
could lead to failure in an emergency or undes-
ired airbag activation, either of which could
result in personal injury.<
Warning notices and information about the air-
bags can also be found on the sun visors.

Technology for driving comfort and safety
72
Operational readiness of airbag system
As of radio readiness, page43, the warning
lamp comes on briefly to indicate that the entire
airbag system and the belt tensioners are oper-
ational.
Airbag system malfunction
>The warning lamp does not come on when
radio readiness or the ignition is switched
on.
>The warning lamp stays lit continuously.
In the event of a fault in the airbag system,
have it checked without delay, otherwise
there is the risk that the system will not function
as intended even if a sufficiently severe accident
occurs.<
MINI Convertible:
Rollover protection
system
The rollover system is automatically activated
during an accident or dangerous driving situa-
tion, during extreme tilt of the longitudinal axis,
or during loss of ground contact. The roll bar
located behind the rear seat headrest is pro-
jected within a fraction of a second.
In addition to the reinforced windshield frame,
the rollover protection system ensures the nec-
essary head clearance for all occupants of the
vehicle.Never block the travel path of the rollover
protection system with any objects.
Always wear your safety belt, it protects you in
a minor car accident and, depending on the
severity of the accident, the seat belt tensioner
and the multilevel airbag system will protect
you.<
Lowering
If the rollover protection system releases acci-
dentally, have your MINI Service check it.
If the rollover protective system is
extended, do not operate the convertible
top.
Never attempt to modify the individual compo-
nents or the electrical wiring of the rollover pro-
tective system.
Have the necessary work on the rollover protec-
tion system of your MINI only carried out by an
authorized MINI Dealer.
Faulty repair may lead to the failure of the sys-
tem or malfunctions.
Check the system regularly and in order to
ensure a long service life of all functions, it is
mandatory to maintain the service intervals,
refer to page57.<

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
93
MINI Convertible: Luggage
compartment
Do not place any objects on the luggage
compartment roll-up cover, as it may
damage the cover or the convertible top.<
Loading aid
When the convertible top is closed, you can load
the vehicle more easily by releasing the convert-
ible top and folding it up.
1.Release the convertible top using the han-
dles, see arrows 1.
2.Lift the convertible top, see arrow 2.
3.Fold back the handles and place them on
holders3.
Expanding the luggage compartment
volume
You can enlarge the luggage compartment vol-
ume when the convertible top is closed.
1.Fold the convertible top upwards, refer to
Loading aid
2.Pull the luggage compartment's roll-up
cover from its lower storage area and
towards the rear, then swing upward, see
arrows 1.3.Push cover into the upper storage areas, see
arrows 2 and place down horizontally.
To operate the convertible top, move the
luggage compartment cover back to its
lower position.<
Through-loading system
To be able to transport larger objects, the rear
backrest can be folded down.
1.If necessary, use the integrated key and
open the backrest lock 1.
2.Press button2 and fold down backrest
together with the belt strap.
3.Fold the backrest forward.
When folding the backrest back into its
original position, always ensure that the
catch engages securely. A loose backrest might
fail to prevent cargo from entering the passen-
ger compartment during sudden braking or eva-
sive maneuvers, posing a potential hazard to
occupants.
The belt guide loop, see page37, must be
closed.<

Things to remember when driving
94
Determining cargo limit
1.Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise, overloading
can result in damage to the vehicle and un-
stable driving conditions.<
2.Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kilograms or YYY
pounds.
4.The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the XXX amount equals
1,400 lbs. and there will be four 150 lbs. pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs:
1,400 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 650 lbs.
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated
in step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of
the load from your trailer will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for
transporting a trailer to determine how this
may reduce the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
Load
The permissible load is the sum of the occu-
pants' weights and the weight of the cargo. The
greater the weight of the occupants, the less
cargo/luggage can be transported.
Stowing cargo
>Position heavy objects as low and as far for-
ward as possible, ideally directly behind the
rear seat backrests.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
>For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is
not occupied, secure each safety belt in the
respective opposite buckle.
>Do not stack higher than the top edge of the
backrests.
MINI

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
109
Tire coding
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire
makes it easier to identify and choose the right
tires.
Tire size
Speed code letter
Q = up to 100 mph or 160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph or 190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph or 210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph or 240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph or 270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph or 300 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of the
US Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition
to these grades.<
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1γ) times as
well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test sur-
faces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration, corner-
ing, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteris-
tics.<
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest, B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sus-
tained high temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car tires must
e.g.
Nominal width in mm
Aspect ratio in Ξ
Radial belt construction
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating,
not on ZR tires
Speed code letter, in
front of the R on ZR tires225/45 R 17 91 V
e.g.
Manufacturer's
code for tire make
Tire size and
tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 5008

Care
122
Floor mats can be removed to be cleaned. When
putting the floor mats, back in, make sure that
the seat rails do not extend over the floor mats
as this may damage them.
Lint on floor mats arises from manufacturing
and can be removed by repeated vacuuming.
Interior plastic parts
These include:
>Plastic surfaces
>Lamp glass
>Display panes
>Matte parts
Only clean with water and, if necessary, solvent-
free plastic cleaners.
Do not use solvents such as alcohol, lac-
quer thinner, cold cleaners, fuel, or similar,
as these will damage the surfaces.<
Decorative strips*
Only clean decorative strips with moist cloths.
Wipe dry with a soft cloth.
Safety belts
Do not use cleansers since they can
destroy the fabric.<
Displays
To clean displays such as radios or display ele-
ments, use a display cleaning cloth or a soft,
non-scratching, lint-free cloth.
Avoid pressing too hard when cleaning
the display as this can cause damage.<
Do not use chemical or abrasive house-
hold cleaning agents. Keep fluids of any
kind away from the device. Surfaces or electrical
components may otherwise become corroded
or damaged.<
CD/DVD drives
Do not use cleaning CDs as this could
damage parts of the drive.<
Vehicle storage
If you are not going to drive your car for more
than three months, please ask for advice from
your MINI dealer or a workshop that works
according to MINI manufacturer specifications.

Indicator and warning lamps
138
Indicator and warning lamps
Indicator and warning lamps can light up in var-
ious combinations and colors in indicator area 1
or2. See the table for information on causes and
how to react. Note whether a lamp comes on
alone or in combination with another. Some
lamps can light up in different colors. Corre-
sponding distinctions are made in the text.
12Cause What to do
Turn signals
High beams/headlamp flasher
switched on
Fog lamps switched on
Rear fog lamp switched on
Fasten safety belts Fasten your safety belt, refer also to
page37.
Indication in US models
Parking brake applied Release the parking brake.
Indication in Canadian models
Parking brake applied Release the parking brake.
Outside temperature warning Drive cautiously, refer also to page52.

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
141
Belt tensioners and/or airbag system
failedHave the system checked immedi-
ately. Fasten the safety belts anyway.
Power steering failed You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Steering response will be
markedly different. Have the system
checked without delay.
Lights up:
Emergency calling system failed or
malfunctioningHave the system checked as soon as
possible.
Lights up in red:
Engine malfunction
Stop the car and switch off the
engine. You cannot continue your
journey. Contact your MINI Dealer.
Lights up in yellow:
Full engine power no longer available You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Have the engine
checked as soon as possible.
Indicator lamp1 flashes:
Engine malfunction under high load.
High engine load will result in dam-
age to the catalytic converterYou can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Have the vehicle
checked without delay.
Indicator lamp1 comes on:
Engine malfunction with adverse
effect on exhaust emissionsYou can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Have the car checked as
soon as possible.
12Cause What to do