
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
 41
Seat belt reminder
Front seats
The indicator lamps come on and an 
acoustic signal sounds. Check whether 
the safety belt has been fastened cor-
rectly. The "Fasten safety belts" 
reminder is issued when the driver's safety belt 
has not been fastened. The "Fasten safety belts" 
reminder is also activated at road speeds above 
approx. 5 mph or 8 km/h if the front passenger's 
safety belt has not been fastened, if objects are 
placed on the front passenger seat, or if driver or 
front passenger unfasten their safety belts.
Damage to safety belts
If the safety belts are damaged or stressed 
in an accident: have the safety belt system 
and its seat-belt tensioners replaced and the 
belt anchors checked. Have this work carried out 
only by a MINI dealer or by a workshop that has 
specially trained personnel working in accor-
dance with the specifications of the MINI manu-
facturer; otherwise, correct operation of these 
safety systems is not ensured.<
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors
The front passenger's mirror is more con-
vex than the driver's mirror. The objects 
seen in the mirror are closer than they appear. 
Do not gauge your distance from traffic behind 
you on the basis of what you see in the mirror; 
otherwise, there is an increased risk of an 
accident.<1Adjusting the left or right exterior mirror
2Folding mirrors in and out
*
Manual adjustment
The mirrors can also be adjusted manually: press 
the edge of the glass.
Folding mirrors in and out*
Turn the knob beyond the pressure point in 
direction 2. The mirrors can be folded in at road 
speeds up to approx. 20 mph/30 km/h.
This can be beneficial in narrow streets, for 
example, or for moving mirrors that were folded 
in by hand back out into their correct positions.
Automatic heating*
At outside temperatures below a certain limit, 
both exterior mirrors are automatically heated 
while the engine is running or the ignition 
switched on.
Interior rearview mirror
To reduce glare from vehicles behind you when 
you are driving at night:
Turn the knob. 

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. 

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
 161
Bottle holders, refer to 
Cupholders89
Brake Assist65
Brake fluid, refer to Service 
requirements60
Brake lamps
– replacing bulbs129
Brake pads, breaking in92
Brake rotors93
– brakes92
– breaking in92
Brake system92
– breaking in92
– disc brakes93
– MINI Maintenance 
System119
Brakes
– ABS65
– breaking in92
– MINI Maintenance 
System119
– parking brake47
– service requirements60
Brakes, refer to Braking 
safely93
Breakdown service, refer to 
Roadside Assistance136
Break-in period92
Breaking in the clutch92
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps 
and bulbs125
Button for starting the 
engine46
Buttons on the steering 
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65 
warning5
Can holders, refer to 
Cupholders89
Capacities158
Car battery, refer to Vehicle 
battery135
Car care121
Car key, refer to Keys/remote 
controls20Car phone
– installation location, refer to 
Center armrest87
– refer to separate Owner's 
Manual
Car wash, care121
Car washes121
Care121
– car washes121
– car-care products121
– CD/DVD drives124
– external121
– high-pressure washers122
– internal123
– leather123
– manual washing122
– upholstery and fabrics123
– windows122
– wiper blades122
Cargo area
– capacity157
Cargo bay94
– Comfort Access29
– cover94
– lamp78
– opening from outside26
Cargo bay, expanding94
Cargo bay lamp78
Cargo bay lid, refer to 
Tailgate26
Cargo loading95
– securing cargo96
– stowing cargo96
– vehicle94
Cargo, securing96
Carpets, care123
Catalytic converter, refer to 
Hot exhaust system92
Center armrest87
Center brake lamp129
Center console, refer to 
Around the center 
console14
Central locking system21
– Comfort Access28
– from inside25
– from outside21
Changing bulbs
125
Changing wheels132Chassis number, refer to 
Engine compartment117
Check Control62
Child restraint systems43
Child seats43
Child-restraint fixing system 
LATCH44
Chock, folding
– space-saver spare tire132
Chrome parts, care123
Chrome parts, refer to 
Care121
Cigarette lighter89
Cleaning headlamps52
– washer fluid53
Clock55
– 12h/24h mode59
– setting time62
Closing
– from inside25
– from outside21
Clothes hooks88
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting the 
engine47
Comfort Access28
– replacing the battery30
– what to observe before 
entering a car wash29
Comfort area, refer to Around 
the center console14
Compartment for remote 
control, refer to Ignition 
lock46
Computer56
Condensation, refer to When 
the vehicle is parked93
Condition Based Service 
CBS119
Configuring settings, refer to 
Personal Profile20
Confirmation signals for 
vehicle locking/unlocking23
Connecting vacuum cleaner, 
refer to Connecting electrical 
appliances89
Consumption indicator
– average fuel consumption56 

From A to Z
166
Oil consumption117
Oil level117
Oil, refer to Engine oil117
Oil types118
Old batteries, refer to 
Disposal135
Onboard vehicle tool kit125
Opening and closing
– Comfort Access28
– from inside25
– from outside21
– using the door lock24
– via the remote control21
Opening and unlocking
– from inside25
Outlets
– refer to Ventilation84
Outlets, refer to Air vents80
Output, refer to Engine 
data154
Outside temperature 
display55
– changing unit of measure59
– on onboard computer59
Outside-air mode
– automatic climate control83
Overheated engine, refer to 
Coolant temperature55
P
Paintwork, care122
Park Distance Control PDC64
Parking
– vehicle47
Parking aid, refer to Park 
Distance Control PDC64
Parking brake47
Parking lamps, replacing 
bulb127
Parking lamps/low beams75
Parts and accessories, refer to 
Your individual vehicle4
Pathway lighting75
Personal Profile20
Pinch protection system
– windows32
Plastic parts, care124Pollen
– refer to Microfilter for air 
conditioner82
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic 
climate control84
Power convertible top32
Power failure135
Power windows31
Power windows, refer to 
Windows31
Pressure monitoring of tires, 
refer to Tire Pressure Monitor 
TPM69
Pressure monitoring, tires67
– Flat Tire Monitor67
Pressure, tires104
Protective function, refer to 
Pinch protection system
– windows32
Puncture
– Flat Tire Monitor67
R
Radio key, refer to Integrated 
key/remote control20
Radio position, refer to Radio 
readiness46
Radio readiness46
– switched off46
– switched on46
Rain sensor52
Range, refer to Cruising 
range56
Reading lamps79
Rear fog lamp78
– indicator lamp140
– replacing bulb129
Rear lamps
– bulb replacement129
Rear lamps, refer to Tail 
lamps128
Rear luggage rack97
Rear seat backrest, folding94
Rear seats
– folding the backrests94
Rear window heating81,83Rearview mirror, refer to 
Mirrors41
Recirculated-air mode81,83
Recirculation of air, refer to 
Recirculated-air 
mode81,83
Reclining seat, refer to 
Backrest38
Refueling102
Releasing
– bonnet116
Remote control20
– battery renewal30
– Comfort Access28
– garage door opener85
– malfunctions24,29
– service data119
– tailgate23
Replacement remote 
control20
Replacing bulbs, refer to 
Lamps and bulbs125
Replacing tires, refer to New 
wheels and tires114
Reporting safety defects6
Reserve warning, refer to Fuel 
gauge56
Reservoir for washer 
systems53
Restraint systems
– for children43
– refer to Safety belts40
Reverse gear
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic49
– manual transmission48
Roadside Assistance136
Roadside parking lamps77
– replacing bulb127
Roadworthiness test, refer to 
Service requirements60
Roof load capacity157
Roof-mounted luggage 
rack97
Rope, refer to Tow-starting, 
towing away138
RSC Runflat System 
Component, refer to Run-flat 
tires114