
 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. 

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.< 

Everything from A to Z
176
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic46
– manual transmission46
General driving notes92
Glass sunroof, electric28
– Convenient operation20,22
– opening, closing28
– remote control20
– tilting28
Glove compartment85
Grills, refer to Air vents78
Gross vehicle weight, refer to 
Weights169
H
Halogen lamps
– replacing bulb138
Handbrake, refer to Parking 
brake45
Hands-free system14,110
Hazard warning flashers14
Head airbags70
Head Light, refer to Adaptive 
Light Control75
Head restraints37
– sitting safely35
Headlamp control, 
automatic73
Headlamp flasher48
– indicator lamp11,152
Headlamps
– replacing bulb138
Headlamps, care134
Headlight glass lens138
Heated
– mirrors39
– rear window79,82
– seats38
Heating78
– mirrors39
– rear window79,82
– seats38
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing 
cargo96
Height adjustment
– seats36
– steering wheel40Height, refer to 
Dimensions167
High beams75
– headlamp flasher75
– indicator lamp152
– replacing bulb138
High water, refer to Driving 
through water93
Hill Assist64
Hills93
Holders for cups87
Homepage4
Hood127
Horn10
Hot exhaust system92
Hydroplaning93I
Ignition44
– switched off44
– switched on44
Ignition key position 1, refer to 
Radio readiness44
Ignition key position 2, refer to 
Ignition on44
Ignition key, refer to 
Integrated key/remote 
control18
Ignition lock44
Imprint2
Incoming call108
Indicator and warning 
lamps13,152
– Tire Pressure Monitor TPM68
Indicator lighting, refer to 
Instrument lighting76
Individual air distribution80
Individual settings, refer to 
Personal Profile18
Inflation pressure monitoring, 
refer to Tire Pressure Monitor 
TPM67
Initializing
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM65
– glass sunroof, electric29
Instrument cluster, refer to 
Displays12
Instrument lighting76Instrument panel, refer to 
Cockpit10
Instrument panel, refer to 
Displays12
Integrated key18
Integrated universal remote 
control83
Interior lamps77
– remote control21
Interior rearview mirror40
– automatic dimming 
feature40
Interlock46
Intermittent mode of the 
wipers49
Internet page4
J
Jacking points146
Jets, refer to Window washer 
nozzles51
Jumpering, refer to Jump-
starting148
Jump-starting148
K
Key Memory, refer to Personal 
Profile18
Key, refer to Keys/remote 
controls18
Keyless opening and closing, 
refer to Comfort Access26
Keyless-Go, refer to Comfort 
Access26
Keypad dialing108
Kickdown47
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic47
Knock control117
L
Lamps and bulbs, replacing 
bulbs137
Lamps, refer to Parking lamps/
Low beams73 

Everything from A to Z
180
Start/Stop button44
– starting the engine45
– switching off the engine45
Starting assistance, refer to 
Jump-starting148
Starting, refer to Starting the 
engine45
Starting the engine
– Start/Stop button44
Start-off assistance, refer to
– DSC63
– Hill Assist64
Status of this Owner's Manual 
at time of printing4
Steering wheel40
– adjustment40
– buttons on steering wheel11
– lock44
– shift paddles47
Steptronic, refer to Automatic 
transmission with 
Steptronic46
Storage area
– cargo area94
Storage compartment, front 
passenger side86
Storage compartments86
Storage space
– storage compartments86
Storage space, refer to
– Luggage compartment in the 
MINI Convertible95
Storing the vehicle136
Storing tires126
Stowage, refer to Storage 
compartments86
Summer tires, refer to Wheels 
and tires118
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching off
– engine45
Switching off the engine
– Start/Stop button44
Switching the cooling function 
on and off82
Symbols4T
Tachometer53
Tail lamp, refer to Tail 
lamps140
– replacing bulb140
Tail lamps140
Tank volume, refer to 
Capacities170
Technical data166
Technical modifications5
Telephone102
– hands-free system110
– installation location, refer to 
Center armrest85
– refer to separate Owner's 
Manual
– voice commands111
Telephone call, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for the 
telephone
Temperature display
– setting the units57
Temperature of coolant, refer 
to Coolant temperature53
Temperature setting
– air conditioner79
– automatic climate control81
Tempomat, refer to Cruise 
control51
Tensioning straps, refer to 
Securing cargo97
The individual vehicle4
Third brake lamp, refer to 
Center brake lamp141
Three-point safety belt38
Through-loading system95
Tightening the lug bolts
– keys144
– torque146
Tightening torque, refer to 
Tightening lug bolts146
Tire change set
– space-saver spare tire144Tire failure
– Flat Tire Monitor66
– indicator/warning lamp66
– MINI Mobility System142
– run-flat tires66
– space-saver spare tire144
– Tire Pressure Monitor67
Tire inflation pressure118
– loss66
– space-saver spare tire118
Tire Pressure Monitor TPM67
– limitations of system67
– resetting system67
– warning lamp68
Tire pressure monitoring, refer 
to Flat Tire Monitor65
Tire Quality Grading123
Tires
– age125
– breaking in92
– changing, refer to Changing 
wheels144
– condition124
– damage124
– inflation pressure118
– inflation pressure loss68
– minimum tread depth124
– new tires125
– pressure monitoring, refer to 
Flat Tire Monitor65
– pressure monitoring, refer to 
Tire Pressure Monitor 
TPM67
– puncture66
– size123
– wear indicators, refer to 
Minimum tread depth124
– winter tires126
– with emergency operation 
properties125
Tires with emergency 
operation properties, refer to 
Run-flat tires125
Tires with safety features, refer 
to Run-flat tires125
Tools, refer to On-board 
vehicle tool kit137
Torque166
– lug bolts146