CONTROLSOpening and closing
36
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
pressing the appropriate switch.
> The "Convertible top not locked" indicator
lamp lights up; refer to page 182.
Interruption
A convertible top which is not completely
open or closed is hazardous.<
The automatic movement is immediately inter-
rupted when the switch for the convertible top
operation is released. The procedure can be
continued in the desired direction by pressing
the appropriate switch.
If the opening or closing procedure is inter-
rupted by releasing the respective switch, the
convertible top stays in its current position for
several seconds before it slowly moves into a
more stable position. The procedure can be con-
tinued by pressing the appropriate switch.
The opening and closing procedure is also inter-
rupted in case of a mech anical blockage. In this
case, in order to operate the convertible top
again:
1. Switch off the ignition and then switch it on
again.
2. Press the switch to continue the procedure
in the desired direction.
Opening and closing procedure
Do not interrupt and restart the closing
procedure several times one after
another, or the convertible top mechanism
could be damaged. <
If the convertible top can be moved in only
one direction after several consecutive
attempts to operate it, the convertible top system has overheated. A
llow the system to cool
down for approx. 4 minutes. <
If the battery was disconnected, e.g. for
changing batteries or vehicle storage,
reinitialize the power windows, refer to page 33.
Otherwise, the windows cannot be lowered or
the convertible top cannot be opened. <
Convenience operation
For convenience operation using the remote
control, refer to page24; for operation via the
door lock, refer to page 26.
Manual closing in the event of an
electrical malfunction
Only close the convertible top manually if
it is absolutely necessary. Never open it
manually. Improper handli ng of the convertible
top can result in damage . The closing procedure
must be completely finished. Otherwise,
damage or injury could result. <
Before closing
1.Remove Allen key and screwdriver from
vehicle tools, refer to page165.
2. Pry out luggage compartment lamp from
the left side trim using the screwdriver.
3. Use the screwdriver and turn the gold-
colored screw, refer to arrow, one and a half
turns in the direction of the arrow.
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CONTROLSOpening and closing
38
Closing the sliding sunroof
1.Insert the hexagon wrench into the recess in
the center of the roof and push upward,
refer to arrow 1.
2. Turn the hexagon wrench in the direction of
arrow 2.
3. Open both locking mechanisms and remove
the locking pieces.
Ensure that the locking pieces do not
fall on the vehicle; otherwise it could
be damaged. <
4. Insert the pins into th e respective recess in
the cowl, refer to arrow.
Locking the convertible top
Turn hexagon wrench in the opposite direction
of arrow 2 until the convertible top is securely
locked.
Please contact your MINI dealer to have
the electrical malfunction repaired. <
MINI Convertible: wind
deflector
With the convertible top open, the wind deflec-
tor keeps air movement in the passenger com-
partment to a minimum, thus providing you with
a more pleasant drive, even at higher speeds.
Do not let the wind deflector come into
contact with pointy objects as these may
damage the net. Do not place objects on the
installed wind deflector. When stowing the wind
deflector, ensure that it is not damaged by
objects. <
Before installing
1.Take the wind deflector out of the pouch.
2. Unfold the wind deflec tor, refer to arrows 1.
3. Press the locking device together until it
engages, refer to arrow 2.
Installing and folding up
1.Push out retaining pin 2 on one side until it
engages.
2. Insert wind deflector wi th retaining pins into
the openings 1 and 2 on that side of the
vehicle.
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CONTROLSTransporting children safely
52
Child seat security
MINI Coupe, MINI Roadster
The safety belt for the passenger can be pre-
vented from being pulled out in order to secure
child restraint systems.
MINI Convertible
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.
Locking 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.
Unlocking 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
fixing 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. <
MINI Convertible: 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 t hat bo th l owe r LATCH ancho rs
are properly engaged and that the child
restraint system rests fi rmly 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. <
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Transporting children safelyCONTROLS
53
MINI Coupe:
For child restraint systems with tether straps,
there is an additional anchor, arrow.
MINI Convertible:
There are two additional anchors for child
restraint systems with tether straps, arrows.
Placement of the tether strap
Make sure the upper tether strap does not
run over sharp edges and is not twisted as
it passes to the top anchor. Otherwise, the strap
will not properly secu re the child restraint
system in the event of an accident. <
MINI Coupe
1Direction of travel
2 Head restraint
3 Partition
4 Rear cargo well
5 Tether strap hook
6 Anchor
7 Seat backrest
8 Tether strap of the child restraint system
Attaching upper tether strap to the
attachment point
1.Removing front cargo area cover, see
page 108.
2. Slide the head restraint upward.
3. Guide the tether strap between the head
restraint holders.
4. Attach the tether strap to the anchor using
the hook.
5. Push the head restraint into its lowermost
position.
6. Pull the tether strap tight.
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CONTROLSTransporting children safely
54
MINI Convertible
Ensure that the upper strap9 is passed
between the seat backrest 8 and the roll-
over protection system with cross member 3;
otherwise, the strap will not properly secure the
child restraint system.<
1 Direction of travel
2 Head restraint
3 Rollover protection system with cross
member
4 Cargo area cover
5 Rear cargo well
6 Tether strap hook
7 Anchor
8 Seat backrest
9 Tether strap of the child restraint system
Attaching upper tether strap to the
attachment point
1.Slide the head restraint upward.
2. Unlock backrest and sl ightly fold forward,
refer to page 110.
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 tether strap tight.
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CONTROLSDriving
56
Radio readiness and ignition off
All indicator and warning lamps in the displays
go out.
The ignition switches off automatically if the
driver's door is opened. Pressing the Start/Stop
button again switches the ignition back on.
The ignition is not switched off in situations such
as the following:
> The clutch or brake is depressed
> The low beams are switched on
Starting the engine
Do not allow the engine to run in enclosed
areas; otherwise, inha lation of the noxious
exhaust gases can lead to loss of consciousness
and death. Exhaust gases contain carbon
monoxide, an odorless and colorless, but highly
toxic gas. Never leave an unattended vehicle
with the engine running; otherwise, such a
vehicle represents a potential safety hazard.
Before leaving the car while the engine is run-
ning, place the transmission in neutral or move
the selector lever to position P and forcefully
apply the parking brake to prevent the car from
moving. <
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion or repeated start attempts in which
the engine does not start. Otherwise, the fuel is
not burned or inadequate ly burned and there is
a danger of overheating and damaging the
catalytic converter. <
Do not let the engine warm up with the vehicle
at a standstill. Move off immediately at a
moderate engine speed.
When starting the engi ne, do not depress the
accelerator pedal.
Manual transmission
Key in ignition lock or inside vehicle with
Comfort Access, refer to page 31.
1. Depress the brake.
2. Depress the clutch.
3. Press the Start/Stop button.
Automatic transmission
Key in ignition lock or inside vehicle with
Comfort Access, refer to page 31.
1. Depress the brake.
2. Shift the selector lever into position P or N.
3. Press the Start/Stop button.
The starter operates auto matically for a certain
time, and stops automati cally as soon as the
engine has started.
Switching off the engine
Always take the key with you when you
leave the vehicle.
When parking, apply the parking brake force-
fully; otherwise, the vehicle could begin to roll.
Secure the vehicle on steep upward and down-
ward slopes, for example, turn the steering
wheel towards the curb. <
Manual transmission
1.With the car at a standstill, press the Start/
Stop button.
2. Shift into first gear or reverse.
3. Forcefully apply the parking brake.
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DrivingCONTROLS
59
Sport program and manual mode M/S
Move the selector lever from position D to the
left into the M/S shifting slot:
The Sport program is activated and DS is
displayed. This position is recommended for
a performance-oriented driving style.
To deactivate the Sport program or manual
mode M/S, move the selector lever to the right
into position D.
Shifting with the selector lever
Push the selector lever forward or pull it back to
activate manual operation. Steptronic shifts the
gear.
> Pull the selector lever in the + direction.
Transmission shifts up.
> Push the selector leve r in the – direction.
Transmission shifts down.
The selected gear is displayed in the tacho-
meter, e.g. M1.
To use the automatic mode again, move the
selector lever to the right into position D.
Upshifts and downshifts are executed only when
they will result in a pl ausible combination of
engine and vehicle speed; thus, for example, a
downshift that would cause the engine to over-
rev will not be executed by the system. The
selected gear is displayed briefly, followed by
the current gear.
Shifting on the steering wheel
With the selector lever in position D, automatic
drive, you can shift gears using the shift paddles
on the steering wheel. The transmission auto-
matically switches to manual mode. If you do not shift gears with the shift paddles or
accelerate for a certai
n amount of time, the
transmission automatically returns to D, auto-
matic drive.
> Pull one of the shift paddles.
Transmission shifts up.
> Push one of th e shift paddles.
Transmission shifts down.
M1 through M6 are displayed in the tachometer.
Manually releasing the selector lever
lock
Should the selector lever refuse to move out of
position P even though the ignition is switched
on, the brake is depressed and the button on the
selector lever is pressed, the selector lever lock
can be overridden:
1. Unclip the sleeve of the selector lever.
2. Pull the sleeve up over the selector lever
until the sleeve is insi de out. Disconnect the
cable connector if necessary.
3. Insert extractor hook 1 from the toolkit into
the loop on the passenger's side.
4. Pull the loop up.
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CONTROLSTechnology for driving comfort and safety
76
property damage. Loud sound sources outside
or inside the car can drown out the PDC signal.<
Driving stability control
systems
Your MINI has a number of systems that help to
maintain the vehicle's stability even in adverse
driving conditions.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed,
even with driving stability control systems.
An appropriate driving style always remains the
responsibility of the driver. Therefore do not
reduce the additional safe t y m a r g i n b y e n g a g i n g
in hazardous driving thereby running the risk of
an accident. <
Antilock Brake System ABS
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during
braking. Safe steering response is maintained
even during full braking. Active safety is thus
increased.
Braking safely, refer to page 107.
ABS is operational every time you start the
engine.
Cornering Brake Control CBC
Driving stability and stee ring characteristics are
further enhanced while braking in turns or
during a lane change.
Electronic brake-force distribution EBV
The system controls the brake pressure in the
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
Brake Assist
Rapidly depressing the brake causes this system
to automatically develop maximum braking
force. Thus, the system helps keep braking
distance to a minimum. At the same time, all the
benefits provided by ABS are exploited.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake for the
duration of the full braking application.
Dynamic Stability Control DSC
The concept
DSC prevents the driving wheels from losing
traction when you pull away from rest or
accelerate.
DSC also detect s unstable driving conditions
such as when the vehicle's rear end fishtails or
the vehicle is sliding on its front wheels. In these
cases, DSC helps the ve hicle maintain a safe
course within physical limits by reducing engine
output and through braking actions at the indi-
vidual wheels.
Every time that the engine is started, DSC is
ready to operate.
Deactivating DSC
Press the button until the DSC OFF indicator
lamp on the speedometer is on and DSC OFF is
displayed on the tachometer. DSC is deacti-
vated. Stabilizing and propulsion promoting
actions are no longer executed.
When driving with snow chains or to 'rock free'
in snow, it can be helpfu l to switch off DSC for a
brief period.
To increase vehicle stabil ity, activate DSC again
as soon as possible.
Activating DSC
Press the button again: the DSC indicator lamps
in the display elements go out.
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 914 786 - \251 07/12 BMW AG