
Adjustments
36
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.
On the front passenger seat as well, do not 
incline the backrest too far to the rear while the 
vehicle is being driven; otherwise, there is a dan-
ger in the event of an accident of sliding under 
the safety belt, eliminating the protection nor-
mally provided by the belt.<
Comply with the instructions on head restraint 
height on page37 and on damaged safety belts 
on page39.
Seat adjustment
Observe the instructions on page36 to 
ensure the best possible personal protec-
tion.<
Longitudinal adjustment
Pull the lever, arrow1, and slide the seat into the 
desired position, arrows2.
After releasing the lever, move the seat slightly 
forward or back so that it engages properly.
Height
Pull up or push down the lever repeatedly, 
arrows 1, until the desired height is reached, 
arrows 2.
Backrest
Pull the lever, arrow 1, and apply your weight to 
the backrest or lift it off, as necessary, arrows 2.
Lumbar support*
You can also adjust the contour of the backrest 
to obtain additional support in the lumbar 
region.
The upper hips and spinal column receive sup-
plementary support to help you maintain a 
relaxed, upright sitting position.
Turn the wheel to increase or decrease the cur-
vature. 

 37
AT A GLANCE REFERENCE MOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
Getting in back
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.
Return seat to original position
The driver's seat has a mechanical memory 
function for the forward/back setting and the 
backrest adjustment.
1.Slide the seat to return to its starting posi-
tion.
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, page36.<
2.Fold the backrest back up to lock the seat.
When moving the seat backward, 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 func-
tion.< 

Adjustments
38
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.
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 reduce the drain on the 
battery.
The LEDs stay lit.
Switching off
Press button longer.
Safety belts
Observe the instructions on page36 to 
ensure the best possible personal protec-
tion.<
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.
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, page36. 

 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. 

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AT A GLANCE REFERENCE MOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
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 acci-
dent.<
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 acci-
dent.<
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 page71.
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 sys-
tems. 

Technology for driving comfort and safety
70
tute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the 
driver's responsibility to maintain correct tire 
pressure, even if underinflation has not reached 
the level at which the TPMS low tire pressure tell-
tale illuminates.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined 
with the low tire pressure telltale. When the sys-
tem detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash 
for approximately one minute and then remain 
continuously lit. This sequence will continue 
upon subsequent vehicle startups as long as the 
malfunction exists. When the malfunction indi-cator is illuminated, the system may not be able 
to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended. 
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of 
reasons, including the installation of replace-
ment or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle 
that prevent the TPMS from functioning prop-
erly. Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale 
after replacing one or more tires or wheels on 
your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or 
alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to 
continue to function properly.
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 page35 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-
ger side free from obstruction, i.e. do not cover it 
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  

 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. 

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.<