
Cockpit
10
Cockpit
Around the steering wheel: Controls and displays
1Adjusting the exterior mirrors, folding them 
in and out
*39
2
Parking lamps73
Low beams73
Automatic headlamp control
*73
Adaptive Light Control
*75
Turn signals48
High beams75
Headlamp flasher48
Roadside parking lamps
*75
Computer
*54 

 39
AT A GLANCE REFERENCE MOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
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.<
Safety 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 acci-
dent.<
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. 

Adjustments
40
Interior rearview mirror
To reduce glare from vehicles behind you when 
you are driving at night:
Turn the knob.
Interior and exterior mirrors, 
automatic dimming feature*
It is controlled by two photosensors:
>inside the interior rearview mirror, arrow
>on the back of the mirror.
For proper function:
>Keep the photosensors clean
>Do not cover the area between the interior 
rearview mirror and the windshield
>Do not place stickers or decals on the wind-
shield in front of the mirror.
Steering wheel
Adjustments
Do not adjust the steering wheel position 
while the car is in motion; otherwise, there 
is a risk of accident due to an unexpected move-
ment.<
1.Fold the lever down.
2.Move the steering wheel to the preferred 
distance and angle to suit your seated posi-
tion.
3.Swing the lever back up.
Do not use force to swing the lever 
back up; otherwise, the mechanism 
will be damaged.< 

Driving
50
If the car is equipped with a rain sensor, the time 
between wipes is controlled automatically and 
depends on the intensity of the rainfall. The rain 
sensor is mounted on the windshield, directly in 
front of the interior rearview mirror.
Activating intermittent wipe or rain 
sensor
Press button, arrow3.
This symbol is displayed in the tacho-
meter.
Deactivate the rain sensor before entering 
an automatic car wash. Failure to do so 
could result in damage caused by undesired 
wiper activation.<
Adjusting the sensitivity of the rain 
sensor
1.Switch on the ignition, refer to page44.
2.Briefly press the button in the turn signal 
lever repeatedly until "SET/INFO" is dis-
played.
3.Press and hold the button until the display 
changes.
4.Briefly press the button repeatedly until the 
symbol and "SET" are displayed.5.Press and hold the button until the display 
changes.
6.Press the button to select the desired sensi-
tivity.
7.Wait, or press and hold the button until the 
display changes.
The settings are stored.
Deactivating intermittent wipe or rain 
sensor
Press the button again, arrow3.
Brief wipe
Press the lever downward once, arrow2.
Cleaning windshield and headlamps*
Pull the lever, arrow 4.
Washer fluid is sprayed onto the windshield and 
the wipers are operated briefly.
When the vehicle lighting system is switched on, 
the headlamps are cleaned at regular and 
appropriate intervals.
In cars equipped with an alarm system, the 
headlamps cannot be cleaned when the hood is 
open.
Do not use the washers when the washer 
fluid reservoir is empty; otherwise, you will 
damage the washer pump. 
Only use the washers if the hood has been com-
pletely closed; otherwise, the headlamp washer 
system
* may be damaged. Do not use the 
washers if there is any danger that the fluid will 
freeze on the windshield. If you do, your vision 
could be obscured. For this reason, use anti-
freeze.< 

 71
AT A GLANCE REFERENCE MOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
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 
upholstery in the center of the steering wheel, 
on the instrument cluster, the doors, and the 
roof pillars as well as the sides of the headliner. 
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.
Automatic deactivation of the front 
passenger airbags
An analysis of the impression in the front pas-
senger seat cushion determines whether and 
how the seat is occupied. The front and side air-
bags for the front passenger are activated or 
deactivated by the system accordingly.
The indicator lamp above the interior rear-
view mirror shows the current status of 
the front passenger airbags, deactivated or acti-
vated, refer to Status of front passenger airbags 
below.<
Before transporting a child on the front 
passenger seat, read the safety precau-
tions and handling instructions under Transport-
ing children safely, page41.
The front and side airbags can also be deacti-
vated by adolescents and adults sitting in certain 
positions; the indicator lamp for the front pas-senger airbags comes on. In such cases, the pas-
senger should change his or her sitting position 
so that the front passenger airbags are activated 
and the indicator lamp goes out. If the desired 
airbag status cannot be achieved by changing 
the sitting position, transport the relevant pas-
senger on a rear seat. Do not attach covers, 
cushions, ball mats or other items to the front 
passenger seat unless they are specifically rec-
ommended by the manufacturer of your MINI. 
Do not place any items under the seat which 
could press against the seat from below. Other-
wise, a correct analysis of the seat cushion is not 
ensured.<
Status of front passenger airbags
MINI:
MINI Convertible:
The indicator lamp for the front passenger air-
bags shows the functional status of the front 
passenger's front and side airbags in accordance 
with whether and how the front passenger seat 
is occupied. The indicator lamp shows whether 
the front passenger airbags are activated or 
deactivated.
>The indicator lamp comes on as intended 
when a child in a specially designated child 
restraint system is detected on the seat. 

Things to remember when driving
98
When loading, make sure that there is sufficient 
space for the movement of the glass sunroof 
and that no objects protrude into the swiveling 
area of the liftgate; otherwise, damage can 
occur.
Fasten roof-mounted cargo correctly and 
securely to prevent it from shifting or falling off 
during the trip.
Drive smoothly. Avoid sudden acceleration and 
braking maneuvers, and take corners gently.
Saving fuel
Fuel consumption depends on a number of dif-
ferent factors. The implementation of certain 
measures, your driving style and regular mainte-
nance can have an influence on fuel consump-
tion and on the environmental impact.
Remove unnecessary cargo
Additional weight increases fuel consumption.
Remove attached parts no longer in use
Remove auxiliary mirrors, roof- or rear-mounted 
luggage racks whenever you are not using 
them.
Attached parts on the vehicle affect its aerody-
namics and increase fuel consumption.
Check tire inflation pressure regularly
Check and, if necessary, correct tire inflation 
pressure at least twice a month and before start-
ing on a long trip.
Low inflation pressure increases rolling resis-
tance and thus leads to greater fuel consump-
tion and tire wear.
Drive off immediately
Do no t wa it for t he eng ine to  warm u p wh ile  the 
vehicle remains stationary. Start driving right 
away, but at moderate engine speeds. This is the 
fastest way for the cold engine to reach its oper-
ating temperature.
Think ahead while driving
Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking by 
maintaining a suitable distance to the vehicle 
driving ahead.
Driving smoothly and anticipating impending 
traffic situations reduces fuel consumption.
Avoid high engine speeds
Use first gear only for driving off. In second and 
higher gears, accelerate smoothly to a suitable 
engine and road speed. In doing so, avoid high 
engine speeds and shift up early.
When you reach your desired traveling speed, 
shift to the highest suitable gear and drive at 
constant speed.
As a rule: driving at low engine speeds lowers 
fuel consumption and reduces wear.
Coasting
When approaching a red traffic light, take your 
foot off the accelerator and let the vehicle coast 
to a halt in the highest suitable gear.
On a downhill gradient, take your foot off the 
accelerator and let the vehicle coast in a suitable 
gear.
Fuel supply is shut off automatically when the 
vehicle is coasting.
Switch off the engine during lengthy 
stops
Switch off the engine when stopping for lengthy 
periods, e.g. at traffic lights, railroad crossings or 
in traffic jams.
Have the vehicle serviced
Have your vehicle serviced regularly to achieve 
good economy and a long vehicle life. The man-
ufacturer of your MINI recommends having the 
vehicle serviced by a MINI dealer. Also note the 
MINI Maintenance System, page131. 

 133
AT A GLANCE REFERENCEMOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
Care
Car-care products
Regular cleaning and care helps to maintain the 
value of your MINI.
The manufacturer of your MINI recommends 
using manufacturer-approved products to clean 
and care for your vehicle.
MINI Service would be pleased to advise you on 
cleaning and care products and services for your 
MINI.
The ingredients of original MINI Care Prod-
ucts have been tested, and the products 
have been tested in the laboratory and in prac-
tice. They offer optimum care and protection for 
your vehicle.<
Do not use any cleansers containing alco-
hol or solvents as these may cause dam-
age.<
Cleaning agents may contain hazardous 
or health-damaging substances. Follow 
the warning and hazard instructions on the 
packaging. For interior cleaning, always open 
the doors or windows of the vehicle. 
Do not use any products that are not intended 
for cleaning the vehicle.<
External care
Washing your vehicle
Especially during the winter months the 
vehicle should be frequently washed. Dirt 
and road salt can damage the vehicle.<
After washing the vehicle, apply the 
brakes briefly to dry them; otherwise, 
water can reduce braking efficiency over the 
short term and the brake rotors can corrode.<
Car washes
Preference should be given to cloth car washes.
Do not use automatic high-pressure car 
washes; otherwise, water may drip into 
the vehicle around the windows.<
Before driving into the car wash, check if the sys-
tem is suitable for your MINI. Observe the fol-
lowing points:
>Vehicle dimensions, page167
>If necessary: fold in the outside mirrors, 
page39.
>Maximum permissible tire width
Avoid car washes with tracks higher than 
4 in/10 cm; otherwise, the chassis could 
be damaged.<
Preparations for driving into the car wash:
>Unscrew the rod antenna.
>Deactivate the rain sensor
* to prevent unin-
tentional wiping.
>Deactivate the rear window wiper
* and pro-
tect it from damage. Ask the car wash oper-
ator about measures that can be taken to 
protect the wipers.
>Remove additional attachments, e.g. spoil-
ers or telephone antennas, if there is a pos-
sibility that they could be damaged.
Automatic transmission
Before driving into the car wash, make sure that 
the vehicle can roll:
1.Place the remote control, even with Comfort 
Access, in the ignition lock.
2.Move the selector lever to position N.
3.Release the parking brake.
4.Switch off the engine.
5.Insert the remote control in the ignition lock 
so that the vehicle can roll. 

Care
134
Steam jets/high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure 
washers, make sure that you maintain suf-
ficient distance from the vehicle and do not 
exceed a maximum temperature of 1407/
606.
If the distance is too close, the pressure too high, 
or the temperature too high, parts of the vehicle 
can be damaged, or water can penetrate. 
Observe the operating instructions for high-
pressure washers.<
Do not spray sensors such as Park Dis-
tance Control with high-pressure washers 
for a long time or at a distance of less than 1 ft/
30 cm.<
Manual washing
Use a great deal of water and, if necessary, car 
shampoo when washing your car by hand. Clean 
the vehicle with a sponge or a washing brush 
applying a slight amount of pressure.
Before cleaning the windshield, deacti-
vate the rain sensor or turn off the ignition 
to prevent unintentional wiping.<
Observe local regulations regarding wash-
ing vehicles by hand.<
Headlamps
Do not wipe dry and do not use abrasive or cor-
rosive cleaning agents. Remove dirt and con-
tamination, such as insects, by soaking with 
shampoo and then washing with plenty of 
water.
Do not remove accumulated ice and snow with 
an ice scraper; use window deicers instead.
Windows
Clean the outside and inside of the windows and 
mirrors with a window cleaner.
Do not clean the mirrors with cleaners 
containing quartz.<
Wiper blades
Clean with soapy water and change regularly to 
prevent the formation of streaks.
Wax, preservatives and dirt on the win-
dows cause streaks when the windshield 
wipers are on, and can cause premature wear of 
the wiper blades and interfere with the rain sen-
sor.<
Care of the convertible top
The appearance and service life of the convert-
ible top largely depends on its proper care and 
operation.
Please follow these instructions:
>Never attempt to fold and stow the convert-
ible top in the convertible compartment 
when the top is wet or frozen. Otherwise, 
water stains, mildew, and chafe marks may 
occur.
>If water spots occur on the inside headliner 
despite precautions, remove them using a 
microfiber cloth and interior cleaner.
>If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area 
for a longer period of time, make sure that 
there is sufficient ventilation.
>Remove any bird droppings immediately, 
since they have corrosive properties which 
will corrode the convertible top and damage 
the rubber seals.
When attempting to remove stains from 
the convertible top, do not use spot 
removers, paint thinners, solvents, gasoline, or 
similar fluids. These cleaners may damage the 
rubber seals. The improper care or cleaning 
methods may cause the convertible top and its 
seams to leak.<
Use special convertible top cleaning agents if 
attempting to remove heavy stains.
Always read and follow the manufacturer's 
instructions.
Use an impregnating agent to treat the convert-
ible top once a year.