
Opening and closing
28
Warning lamps
The warning lamp comes on when an 
attempt is made to start the engine: the 
engine cannot be started. The remote 
control is not inside the vehicle or is malfunc-
tioning. Take the remote control with you inside 
the vehicle or have it checked. If necessary, 
insert another remote control into the ignition 
lock.
The warning lamp comes on when the 
engine is running: the remote control is 
no longer inside the vehicle. After the 
engine is switched off, the engine can only be 
restarted within approx. 10 seconds.
The indicator lamp comes on: replace 
the battery in the remote control.
Replacing the battery
The remote control for Comfort Access contains 
a battery that will need to be replaced from time 
to time.
1.Remove the cover.
2.Insert the new battery with the plus side fac-
ing up.
3.Press the cover on to close.
Take the old battery to a recycling center 
or to your MINI dealer.<
Glass sunroof, electric*
To prevent injuries, exercise care when 
closing the glass sunroof and keep it in 
your field of vision until it is shut.
Take the key with you when you leave the car; 
otherwise, children could operate the sunroof 
and possibly injure themselves.<
Tilting
>Press the switch backward to the resistance 
point and hold it there.
Both glass sunroofs are tilted.
Releasing the switch stops the movement.
>With the ignition switched on, press the 
switch backward beyond the resistance 
point.
Both closed sunroofs are tilted fully.
Pressing again stops the movement.
Opening, closing
With the ignition switched on and the glass sun-
roof tilted, press the switch backward and hold it 
there.
The front glass sunroof opens.
The rear glass sunroof is closed.
Releasing the switch stops the movement.
The glass sunroof can be closed in the same way 
by pressing the switch forward.
The front glass sunroof remains in a tilted posi-
tion. The rear glass sunroof is tilted. Pressing on 
the switch again closes both sunroofs com-
pletely.
Convenient operation via door lock or Comfort 
Access, refer to page20,22,27. 

Opening and closing
30
Do not close the windows until the closing 
procedure for the convertible top is fin-
ished. Otherwise, it is not ensured that the side 
windows will close properly against the rubber 
seals of the convertible top. Convertible top, 
refer to page31.<
After switching off the ignition
When the ignition is switched off, the windows 
can still be operated for approx. 1 minute as 
long as no door is opened.
Take the key with you when you leave the 
car; otherwise, children could operate the 
electric windows and possibly injure them-
selves.<
MINI: pinch protection system
This function does not apply to the MINI Con-
vertible.
If the closing force exceeds a specific value as a 
window closes, the closing action is interrupted 
and the window reopens slightly.
Even though there is the pinch protection 
system, always ensure that the window's 
travel path is clear; otherwise, the safety system 
might fail to detect certain kinds of obstructions, 
such as thin objects, and the window would con-
tinue closing.
Do not install any accessories that might inter-
fere with window movement. Otherwise, the 
pinch protection system could be impaired.<
Closing without pinch protection
If there is an external danger, or if ice on the win-
dows, etc., prevents you from closing the win-
dows normally, the window can be closed man-
ually.
1.Press the switch upward and hold it there. 
Pinch protection is limited and the window 
reopens slightly if the closing force exceeds 
a certain value.
2.Press the switch upward again within 
approx. 4 seconds and hold it there. The 
window closes without pinch protection.
Convertible top with 
integrated sliding 
sunroof
To conserve battery power, if possible 
operate the convertible top only while the 
engine is running.
Prior to closing the convertible top, check for 
and remove all debris from the windshield 
frame; otherwise, the closing of the top may be 
hampered.<
Opening and closing the sliding sunroof
To open:
Press the switch backward until the desired posi-
tion or the end position is reached.
To close:
Press the switch forward.
The sliding sunroof can be operated up to a road 
speed of 74 mph / 120 km/h.
Power convertible top
The fully automatic convertible top provides 
protection from the weather, combined with 
simple and easy operation.
So that you can get the most enjoyment out of 
your MINI Convertible, here are some helpful 
tips:
>It is recommended that you close the con-
vertible top whenever the vehicle is parked. 
The closed convertible top not only protects 
the vehicle interior from damage due to 
unforeseen bad weather, but also provides a 
certain degree of protection against theft. 
Always keep your valuables inside the 
locked luggage compartment, even if the 
convertible top is closed. 

 31
AT A GLANCE REFERENCE MOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
>Do not mount any roof rack systems on the 
convertible top.
>When opening the wet convertible top, e.g., 
after driving in the rain, water drops may 
enter the luggage compartment. In order to 
avoid water stains or soiling, remove all 
objects from the luggage compartment, if 
necessary.
If the temperature drops below +10 7/
–12 6, do not operate the convertible 
top; otherwise, damage may occur.
Do not leave a wet convertible top open for 
more than one day, since the humidity may 
cause damages.
Do not place any objects on the convertible top, 
as they could otherwise fall off while the con-
vertible top is being operated and result in prop-
erty damage or personal injury.
If the rollover protective system is extended, do 
not operate the convertible top.
Always completely finish the operation of the 
convertible top. Driving off before an opening or 
closing procedure is completely finished can 
lead to property damage or personal injury.
Do not reach into the moving parts during the 
opening and closing procedure. Keep children 
away from the pivoting range of the convertible 
top.
For safety reasons, only operate the convertible 
top while the vehicle is standing.<
While opening and closing, the convertible 
top pivots upward. If operating the con-
vertible top inside a garage or under a bridge, or 
similar low structure, ensure the minimum clear-
ance is 7 ft/2 m; otherwise, the vehicle may be 
damaged.<
Before opening and closing
>Please observe the previous safety instruc-
tions.
>Please ensure the luggage compartment 
roller cover is in its lowest position, refer to 
page95; otherwise, the convertible top can-
not be opened.>Ensure the cargo does not push against the 
luggage compartment roller cover from 
below.
>Make sure that the liftgate is closed.
Opening and closing the convertible top
To open:
Press the switch backward in order to open the 
sliding/tilting sunroof. Pressing the button again 
opens the convertible top.
To close:
Press the switch forward
Operating while driving
The convertible top may be opened or closed 
while driving not faster than 20 mph/30 km/h.
While operating the convertible top, pay 
close attention to the surrounding traffic; 
otherwise, an accident may happen. Try to avoid 
operating the convertible top while reversing 
the vehicle since the rear view is very limited 
during the convertible top's movement. Do not 
operate the convertible top when driving on 
winding and rough roads or during windy condi-
tions.<
For better control
>The LED lights up during convertible top 
operation until the opening or closing pro-
cedure is completely finished.
>The LED flashes after releasing the switch. 
The opening or closing procedure has not 
yet been completed. The procedure can be 
continued in the desired direction by press-
ing the appropriate button.
>The indicator lamp Convertible top not 
locked, refer to page153, lights up. 

 35
AT A GLANCE REFERENCE MOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
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 page41.
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 occupants keep their heads 
away from the side airbag and do not lean 
against the head-level airbag in the MINI; other-
wise injuries can occur when the airbag is trig-
gered.<
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 page70.
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 page37.
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.
Number of safety belts
Never allow more than one person to 
wear a single safety belt. Never allow 
infants or small children to ride in a passenger'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 page38. 

Transporting children safely
42
To lock the safety belt
1.Secure the child restraint system with the 
belt.
2.Pull the belt strap all the way out.
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 fix-
ing 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
4Rear cargo well
5Anchor
6Seat backrest
7Tether strap of the child restraint system 

 43
AT A GLANCE REFERENCE MOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
1.Push the head restraint upward.
2.Guide the tether strap between the head 
restraint holders.
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 not properly secure the 
child restraint system.<
1Direction of travel
2Head restraint
3Rollover protection system with cross mem-
ber
4Cargo area cover
5Rear cargo well
6Tether strap hook
7Anchor
8Seat backrest
9Tether strap of the child restraint system1.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. 

Technology for driving comfort and safety
72
The front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are not activated.
Most child seats are detected by the 
system. This particularly applies to 
child seats that were required by NHTSA at 
the time of manufacture of the vehicle. After 
installing a child seat, check that the indica-
tor lamp for the front passenger airbags 
comes on. It indicates that the child seat has 
been detected and that the front passenger 
airbags are deactivated.<
>T h e  i n d i c a t o r  l a m p  d o e s  n o t  c o m e  o n  a s  l o n g  
as a person of sufficient size and in a correct 
sitting position is detected on the seat.
The front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are activated.
>The indicator lamp does not come on if the 
seat is empty.
The front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are not activated.
Operational readiness of airbag system
As of radio readiness, page44, 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 severe accident occurs.<
MINI Convertible: Roll-
over 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. 
Alwa ys wea r your safe ty 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 page58.< 

 87
AT A GLANCE REFERENCE MOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
MINI Convertible
The storage compartment cannot be locked.
Clothes hooks
There are clothes hooks on the grab handles in 
the rear passenger compartment.
Items of clothing hung from the hooks 
must not obstruct the driver's view. Do not 
hang heavy objects from the hooks; otherwise, 
they could endanger the car's occupants, e.g. in 
case of heavy braking or sudden swerving.<
In the cargo area
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, you 
have the following storage options:
>Hooks
* for hanging up items such as shop-
ping or tote bags on the left and right side-
walls of the cargo area
>Net
* on the rear cargo well and side trim for 
smaller objects; for attaching to the lashing 
eyes and the hook
* on the cargo area side-
wall
Cupholders and ashtray*
Cupholders
Two cupholders are located in the front of the 
center console; another is in the rear at the back 
of the center console.
Use lightweight, nonbreakable containers 
and do not transport hot beverages. Oth-
erwise, there is an increased risk of injury in the 
event of an accident.
damage it.<
Ashtray*
The ashtray is located in one of the cupholders in 
the center console.
Emptying
Remove the entire ashtray.
Lighter
With the engine running or the ignition switched 
on, press in the cigarette lighter.
The lighter can be pulled out as soon as it pops 
back out.
Hold or touch the hot cigarette lighter by 
the knob only. Holding or touching it in 
other areas could result in burns. 
When leaving the car, always remove the key so 
that children cannot operate the cigarette 
lighter and burn themselves.<
Connecting electrical 
appliances
In your MINI, you can use electrical devices such 
as a flashlight, car vacuum cleaner, etc., up to 
approx. 200 watts at 12 volts, as long as one of 
the following sockets is available. Avoid damag-
ing the sockets by attempting to insert plugs of 
unsuitable shape or size.
Cigarette lighter socket
Remove the lighter* or cover from the socket.