
Opening and closing
34
The automatic movement is immediately inter-
rupted when the button for the convertible top
operation is released. The procedure can be
continued in the desired direction by pressing
the appropriate button.
If the opening or closing procedure is inter-
rupted by releasing the respective button, the
convertible top stays in its current position for
several seconds before it slowly moves into a
more stable position. The procedure can be con-
tinued by pressing the appropriate button.
The opening and closing procedure is also inter-
rupted in case of a mechanical blockage. In this
case, in order to operate the convertible top
again:
1.Turn off the ignition and then switch it on
again.
2.Press the button to continue the procedure
in the desired direction.
Opening and closing procedure
Do not interrupt and restart the closing
procedure several times one after
another, or the convertible top mechanism
could be damaged.<
If the convertible top can be moved in only
one direction after several consecutive
attempts to operate it, the convertible top sys-
tem has overheated. Allow the system to cool
down for approx. 4 minutes.<
If the battery was disconnected, e.g. for
changing batteries or vehicle storage,
reinitialize the power windows, refer to page31.
Otherwise, the windows cannot be lowered or
the convertible top cannot be opened.<
Convenient operation
For convenient operation using the remote con-
trol, refer to page21; for operation via the door
lock, refer to page24.
Manual closing in the event of an
electrical malfunction
Only close the convertible top manually if
it is absolutely necessary. Never open it
manually. Improper handling of the convertible
top can result in damage. The closing procedure
must be completely finished. Otherwise, dam-
age or injury could result.<
Before closing
1.Remove allen key and screwdriver from
vehicle tools, refer to page125.
2.Pry out luggage compartment lamp from
the left side trim using the screwdriver.
3.Use the screwdriver and turn the gold-col-
ored screw, see arrow, one and a half turns
in the direction of the arrow.
Releasing the convertible top
1.Push cover panel forward, see arrow1.
2.In order to unlock the convertible top use
the allen key to loosen the screws of the
locking devices, see arrows 2.
3.Release the second side frame.

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
35
Closing the convertible top
1.Place both hands on the convertible top on
the respective side frame.
2.Lift out both sides at the same time, and
swing the convertible top forward onto
the cowl.
3.Inside the vehicle, use a screwdriver to pry
out the cover in the center of the roof.
To close the sliding sunroof
1.Insert the hexagon wrench into the recess in
the center of the roof and push upward, see
arrow1.
2.Turn the hexagon wrench in the direction of
arrow 2.
3.Open both locking mechanisms and remove
the locking pieces.
4.Insert the pins into the respective recess in
the cowl, see arrow.
To lock the convertible top
Turn hexagon wrench in the opposite direction
of arrow 2 until the convertible top is securely
locked.
Please contact your MINI dealer to have
the electrical malfunction repaired.<
Wind deflector*
With the convertible top open, the wind deflec-
tor keeps air movement in the passenger com-
partment to a minimum, thus providing you with
a more pleasant drive, even at higher speeds.
Do not let the wind deflector come into
contact with pointy objects as these may
damage the net. Do not place objects on the
installed wind deflector. When stowing the wind
deflector, ensure that it is not damaged by
objects.<
Before installing
1.Take the wind deflector out of the pouch.
2.Unfold the wind deflector, see arrows 1.
3.Press the locking device together until it
engages, see arrow 2.

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
37
Adjustments
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital contri-
bution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving. In con-
junction with the safety belts, the head restraints
and the airbags, the seated position has a major
influence on your safety in the event of an acci-
dent. To ensure that the safety systems operate
with optimal efficiency, we strongly urge you to
observe the instructions contained in the follow-
ing section.
For additional information on transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page43.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance
between yourself and the airbags. Always
grip the steering wheel on the rim, with your
hands in the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions, to
minimize the risk of injury to the hands or arms
in the event of the airbag being triggered off.
No one and nothing should come between the
airbags and the seat occupant.
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the
front passenger side as a storage area. Ensure
that the front passenger is correctly seated, e.g.
that no feet or legs are propped against the
dashboard. Otherwise, leg injury could result if
the front airbag suddenly deployed.
Make sure that passengers keep their heads
away from the side airbag and do not lean
against the cover of the head airbag in the MINI;
otherwise, serious injuries can result if the airbag
deploys. <
Even if you follow all the instructions, injuries
resulting from contact with airbags cannot be
fully excluded, depending on the circumstances.
The ignition and inflation noise may provoke a
mild hearing loss in extremely sensitive individ-
uals. This effect is usually only temporary.
For airbag locations and additional information
on airbags, refer to page72.
Head restraint
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the
risk of neck injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint in such a way
that its center is at approx. ear level. Oth-
erwise, there is an increased risk of injury in the
event of an accident.<
Head restraints, refer to page39.
Safety belt
Before every drive, make sure that all occupants
wear their safety belts. Airbags complement the
safety belt as an additional safety device, but
they do not represent a substitute.
Never allow more than one person
to wear a single safety belt. Never
allow infants or small children to ride in a pas-
senger's lap.
Make sure that the belt in the lap area sits low
across the hips and does not press against the
abdomen. The safety belt must not rest against
the throat, run across sharp edges, pass over
hard or fragile objects or be pinched. Fasten the
safety belt so that it is pulled taut across the lap
and shoulder, fitting the body snugly without
any twists. Otherwise, the belt could slide over
the hips in the event of a frontal collision and
injure the abdomen. Avoid wearing bulky cloth-
ing and regularly pull the belt in the upper-body
area taut; otherwise, its restraining effect could
be impaired.<
Safety belts, refer to page40.
Seats
Note before adjusting
Never attempt to adjust your seat while
the vehicle is moving. The seat could
respond with unexpected movement, and the
ensuing loss of vehicle control could lead to an
accident.

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
39
1.Pull up the lever on the seat backrest,
arrow1.
The backrest folds forward.
2.Move the seat forward by pushing on the
backrest, arrow2.
Previous position
1.Push the seat back into its previous position.
Do not fold the backrest up until the
seat is in its previous position. Other-
wise, the seat will engage in its current posi-
tion. In this case, adjust the longitudinal
position manually, page38.<
2.Fold the backrest back up to lock the seat.
When moving the seat backwards, ensure
that you do not cause personal injury or
property damage.
Before driving off, engage the front seats and
seat backrests. Otherwise, there is a risk of acci-
dent due to unexpected movement.<
Head restraints
Correctly adjusted head restraint
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the
risk of neck injury in the event of an accident.
Correctly adjust the head restraints of all
occupied seats; otherwise, there is an
increased risk of injury in an accident.<
Height
Adjust the head restraint so that its center is
approximately at ear level.
Distance
Adjust the distance so that the head restraint is
as close as possible to the back of the head.
Height adjustment
To raise: pull up.
To lower: Press the button, arrow1, and slide
the head restraint down.
Removing
Only remove a head restraint if no one will be
sitting on the seat in question.
Reinstall the head restraint before trans-
porting passengers, as otherwise the
head restraint cannot provide its protective
function.<
MINI: Front
1.Pull up as far as it will go.
2.Fold the backrest forward slightly.
3.Press button1 and pull the head restraint
out as far as it will go.
4.Fold back the backrest.
MINI Convertible: Front
1.Pull up as far as it will go.
2.Fold the backrest forward slightly.

Adjustments
40
3.Press button1 and pull the head restraint
out as far as it will go.
4.Additionally press button 2 and pull the
head restraint out completely.
5.Fold back the backrest.
Rear
1.Pull up as far as it will go.
2.Press button1 and pull the head restraint
out completely.
Seat heating*
Switching on
Press once for each temperature level.
Three LEDs indicate the highest temperature.
If you continue driving within the next 15 min-
utes, the seat heating is automatically activated
at the previously set temperature.
The temperature is lowered or the heating is
switched off entirely to save on battery power.
The LEDs stay lit.
Switching off
Press button longer.
Safety belts
Observe the instructions on page37 to
ensure the best possible personal pro-
tection.
safety belt as an additional safety device, but
they do not represent a substitute.
Front and rear seats
Closing
Make sure you hear the lock engage in the belt
buckle.
The upper belt anchor is suitable for adults of
any stature as long as the seat is adjusted prop-
erly, page37.
Opening
1.Grasp the belt firmly.
2.Press the red button in the buckle.
3.Guide the belt into its reel.
MINI Convertible: rear belt guide
Please ensure that the belt guide loop,
arrow, is locked when putting on the rear
seat belts.<

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
43
Transporting children safely
The right place for
children
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle; otherwise, they could endanger
themselves and/or other persons by opening the
doors, for example.<
Children should always sit in the rear
Accident research has shown that the safest
place for children is on the rear seat.
Only transport children under the age of
13 or smaller than 5 ft/150 cm in the rear
in a child restraint system suitable for their age,
weight and size. Otherwise, there is an
increased risk of injury in the event of an
accident.<
Children 13 years of age or older must be buck-
led in with a safety belt as soon as there no
longer is any child restraint system that is appro-
priate for their age, size and weight.
Only install child seats in the rear when the
rear seat backrest is folded all the way
back and engaged. Otherwise, there is an
increased risk of injury in the event of an
accident.<
Exception for front passenger seat
Front passenger airbags
Should it be necessary to use a child
restraint system on the front passenger
seat, the front and side airbags must be deacti-
vated. Otherwise, there is an increased risk of
injury to the child if the airbags deploy, even if
the child is seated in a child restraint system.<
For more information on automatic deactivation
of the front passenger airbags, refer to page73.
Child restraint systems,
installation
Observe the child restraint system manu-
facturer's instructions when selecting,
installing and using child restraint systems. Oth-
erwise, the protective effect may be dimin-
ished.<
On the front passenger seat
After installing a child restraint system on
the front passenger seat, make sure that
the front and side airbags for the front passen-
ger are deactivated; otherwise, there is an
increased risk of injury if the airbags deploy.<
Seat position
Before installing a child restraint system, move
the front passenger seat as far back and up
*
as possible to obtain the best possible position
for the belt. Do not change the seat position
after this.
Child seat security
All rear safety belts and the safety belt for the
front passenger can be prevented from being
pulled out in order to secure child restraint
systems.
To lock the safety belt
1.Secure the child restraint system with
the belt.
2.Pull the belt strap all the way out.

Transporting children safely
44
3.Allow the belt strap to retract and pull it taut
against the child restraint system.
The safety belt is locked.
To unlock the safety belt
1.Open the belt buckle.
2.Remove the child restraint system.
3.Allow the safety belt strap to retract all
the way.
LATCH child-restraint
fixing system
LATCH: Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren.
To install and use the LATCH child restraint
system, follow the operating and safety
instructions provided by the manufacturer of the
system; otherwise, the protective function of the
seat may be compromised.<
Anchor points for LATCH anchors
Before installing the child seat, pull the belt out
of the area for the child-restraint fixing system.
The anchor points for the lower LATCH anchors
are located behind the labeled protective caps.
Make sure that both lower LATCH anchors
are properly engaged and that the child
restraint system rests firmly against the seat
backrest; otherwise, the protective function of
the seat may be compromised.<
Child restraint system with tether strap
Use the tether strap anchors to secure
child restraint systems only; otherwise, the
anchors could be damaged.<
There are two additional anchors for child
restraint systems with tether straps, arrows.
Placement of the tether strap
Make sure the upper retaining strap does
not run over sharp edges and is not
twisted as it passes to the top anchor. Other-
wise, the strap will not properly secure the child
restraint system in the event of an accident.<
MINI
1Direction of travel
2Head restraint
3Tether strap hook
4Cargo bay floor
5Anchor
6Seat backrest
7Tether strap of the child restraint system
1.Push the head restraint upward.
2.Guide the tether strap between the head
restraint holders.

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
45
3.Attach the tether strap to the anchor using
the hook.
4.Push the head restraint into its lowermost
position.
5.Attach the tether strap to the anchor using
the hook.
6.Pull the retaining strap tight.
MINI Convertible
Ensure that the upper strap9 is passed
between the seat backrest8 and the roll-
over protection system with cross member3;
otherwise, the strap will properly secure the
child restraint system.<
1Direction of travel
2Head restraint
3Rollover protection system with cross
member
4Cargo bay cover
5Cargo bay floor
6Tether strap hook
7Anchor
8Seat backrest
9Tether strap of the child restraint system
1.Push the head restraint upward.
2.Unlock backrest and slightly fold forward,
refer to page95.
3.Guide the tether strap between the head
restraint holders.
4.Attach the tether strap to the anchor using
the hook.
5.Fold backrest back and lock in place. Push
headrest down as far as possible.
6.Pull the retaining strap tight.