
Practical interior accessoriesCONTROLS
97
Glove compartment
Opening
Pull the handle to open the cover.
The light in the glove compartment comes on.
Closing
Fold cover up.To prevent injury in the event of an acci-
dent, close the glove compartment after
use while the vehicle is being driven. <
Ventilation
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, the
glove compartment can be ventilated and, if the
cooling function is switched on, can also be
cooled.
Opening
Rotate the switch in the direction of the arrow.
Closing
Rotate the switch in the opposite direction of the
arrow until it is in the vertical position. Depending on the temperature setting of the air
conditioner or the automatic climate control,
high temperatures may result in the glove com-
partment.
USB interface for data transfer
For the updating of navi
gation data, refer to
page 118 on USB media via the USB interface in
the glove box.
Observe the following when connecting:
> Do not forcibly connect the plug to the USB
interface.
> Do not connect devices such as fans or
lamps to the USB interface.
> Do not connect USB hard drives.
> Do not use the USB interface to recharge
external devices.
Connection for external
audio device
You can connect an external audio device such
as a CD or MP3 player an d play audio tracks over
the vehicle's speaker system, refer to the Enter-
tainment chapter starting on page 153.
Center armrest
The center armrest between the front seats con-
tains either a compartment or the cover for the
snap-in adapter, see page 174.
In the center armrest between the back seats,
there is a storage compartment.
In addition, do not position high accessory parts
directly on the center armrest on the rail; other-
wise they could be damaged when the center
armrest is opened or closed.
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CONTROLSPractical interior accessories
98
Center armrest front
Opening
Press the button, arrow, and lift the cover.
Center armrest rear
Removing
The center armrest in the rear can be removed
to increase the amount of storage room.
1.Turn handwheel counterclockwise until it
reaches the stop, arrow 1.
2. Push center armrest in the base plate gently
towards the back, arrow 2.
3. Raise the armrest in front and swing out.
Installing
1.Insert center armrest in the back into the
rear recess of the base plate, arrow 1.
2. Push to rear and swing down in front,
arrow 2.
3. Push center armrest in the base plate for-
ward.
4. Tighten handwheel by turning clockwise.
Ensure that the center armrest engages properly
when it is installed; ot herwise, it may be dam-
aged, for example, during braking maneuvers.
Storage compartments
Do not put any unsecured objects into the
interior of the vehicle; otherwise these
may endanger the occupant s, e.g., during brak-
ing and evasive maneuvers. <
Do not use the instrument panel as a shelf,
for example with non-slip mats; other-
wise, it could be damaged. <
In the vehicle interior
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, you
will find storage compartments in the front and
rear doors and in the center console.
Pockets
are provided on the backrest rear pan-
els of the front seats.
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Practical interior accessoriesCONTROLS
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Center Rail
Various accessory parts can be attached to the
Center Rail and installe d in different positions.
Do not use accessory parts near the hand
brake; otherwise these could be damaged
when the hand brake lever is operated. <
Smartphone holder
The upper part of the smartphone holder can be
rotated by 360°.
When installing in the front of the rail, make sure
that there is sufficient space, e.g., away from the
seat; otherwise, damage may be caused when
rotating.
1. Pull the lever 1 up to unlock the mounts.
2. First install the smartp hone on the Center
Rail with the mounts 2.
3. To secure, push lever 1 down. Ensure that
the lever can lock it properly.
When connecting a smartphone to the USB
audio interface, see page 154, guide the con-
nection cable under the smartphone holder.
Base plate
On the base plate, vari ous accessories can be
attached, such as cup holders, holders for sun-
glasses and cell phone holders.
Inserting base plate
The lever 3 can be locked in three positions.
0 Locking
1 Sliding along the rail
2 Inserting base plate
For inserting, move th e lever into position2.
Sliding and locking
1. Push lever 3 into position 1.
2. Slide the base plate.
3. Push lever 3 down into position 0.
Make sure not to press the lever beyond the
resistance point.
The base plate is fixed in position.
Lock the base plate in place before driv-
ing; otherwise, injuries may result in the
event of an accident. <
Example: cupholder
Put cupholder in the back between the rear
seats and push in.
Installing cupholder
1.Lock base plate in plac e if necessary, refer to
Sliding and locking.
2. Pull the lever 6 up to unlock the mounts.
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Things to remember when drivingDRIVING TIPS
107
MINI Paceman:
MINI Countryman: rear seat backrest
Before folding down the rear seat back-
rests, make sure that the range of motion
for the backrests is unobstructed. Particularly
with a folded down midd le section, make sure
that there is no one within the range of motion
of the backrest and that no one reaches into that
region. Otherwise, injury or damage can
result. <
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection,
observe the safety belt information on
page 42.<
5-seater: the rear seat ba ck is divided in the fol-
lowing proportions: 40-20-40.
When the outer rear seat backs are folded
down, no one may sit in the middle posi-
tion. <
If necessary, remove the third head restraint,
refer to Removing head restraints, page 41.
Open the center belt and insert in the take-up
on the headliner, see page 43.
Expand the cargo area by raising the rear seat
backrests to a steeper angle.
The backrests can be adjusted as needed in
10 stages between a comfort position and a
transport position or can be folded down.
In the comfort position, the backrests are as far
back as possible; in the transport position, they
are in an approximatel y vertical position.
Before installing a ch ild restraint system,
observe the instructio ns starting on page46. 1.
Hold on to the backrest near the top, for
example on the headrest, and pull on the
loop, arrow.
2. Lock backrest in the de sired position or fold
down.
Folding the backrests back into position
When folding the backre st, make sure that
the lock properly engages. Otherwise, for
example during braking and avoidance maneu-
vers, cargo can be thrown into the interior and
endanger the occupants. <
If the rear seat backrests are positioned at
a steeper angle, do not install child
restraint systems in the rear of the vehicle as
their protective featur es may be ineffective.<
When backrests are folded back from the
folded-down position, they lock in the transport
position.
To set the desired backrest angle or a comfort-
able position, pull the lo op forward and adjust
the backrest.
MINI Paceman: rear seat backrest
Before folding down the rear seat back-
rests, make sure that the range of motion
for the backrests is unobstructed; otherwise,
injury or dama ge can result.<
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DRIVING TIPSThings to remember when driving
108
1.Pull on the loop, refer to arrow.
The backrest is unlocked.
2. Fold the backrest forward.
Folding the backrests back into position
Hold the backrest in th e upper region, e.g. by
the head restraint, and fold it back into position.
When folding the backre st, make sure that
the lock properly engages. Otherwise, for
example during braking and avoidance maneu-
vers, cargo can be thrown into the interior and
endanger the occupants. <
MINI Countryman: cargo area privacy
screen
Between the cargo area and the rear seat back-
rest, there is a cargo area privacy screen. It can
be folded down and used as a loading platform.
When the rear seat backrests are folded
down, do not fold the privacy screen
upright. In an accident, cargo could fold down
the privacy screen and damage it. <
Folding down the privacy screen
1.If necessary, remove the cargo area cover,
refer to page 106.
2. Fold the privacy screen up and to the rear,
arrow 1. 3.
Release the locking mech anisms on the left
and right sides, arrows 2.
4. Grasp the outer sides of the privacy screen
and guide it downward.
Do not exceed the maximum load of
330 lbs/150 kg of the privacy screen when
it is in folded down in to the loading platform
position; otherwise, damage may occur.<
Folding the privacy screen forward
1. Fold down rear seat backrests.
2. Unlock privacy screen, see above.
3. Grasp the outer sides of the privacy screen
and guide it forward onto the folded-down
rear seat backrests.
Removing
1.Removing cargo area cover, page 106.
2. Fold the privacy screen up and to the rear
and unlock it, refer to Folding the privacy
screen forward.
3. Remove it from the guides on the cargo area
floor, arrows, and remove the privacy
screen.
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DRIVING TIPSThings to remember when driving
110
Installing behind the front seats
1.If necessary, remove the cargo area cover.
2. Fold down the rear seat backrests, refer to
Expanding cargo area.
3. Insert each cargo net mounting pin all the
way into its respective front mount in the
headliner, arrow 1, and push it forward.
4. Attach the hook, arrow 2, at the bottom of
each retaining strap to the respective eye on
the vehicle floor.
5. Lash the cargo net se curely. To do so,
tighten the retaining straps at the tensioning
buckles.
Removing
When removing and stowing the cargo net, pro-
ceed in the reverse sequence.
To fold closed, press the release button, arrow.
MINI Countryman: bag holders
Holders on the left and right side of the support
for the cargo area cover, arrow, e.g. for hanging
shopping bags or storage bags.
Only hang light shopping bags or suitable
items on the holders. Otherwise, this may
create a hazard due to flying objects, for exam-
ple in the event of braking and evasive maneu-
vers.
Transport heavy luggage only if it is appropri-
ately secured in the cargo area. <
Determining cargo limit
1.Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard:
The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise, this could
damage the vehicle and produce unstable
vehicle operating conditions. <
2. Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX pounds or YYY
kilograms.
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Things to remember when drivingDRIVING TIPS
111
4.The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the XXX amount equals
1,400 lbs and there will be four 150 lb- pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs:
1,400 lbs minus 750 lbs = 650 lbs.
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated
in step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of
the load from your trail er will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for
transporting a trailer to determine how this
may reduce the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
Load
4-seater:
5-seater: The permissible load is the sum of the occu-
pants' weights and the weight of the cargo. The
greater the weight of the occupants, the less
cargo/luggage can be transported.
Stowing cargo
>
Position heavy objects as low and as far for-
ward as possible, ideally directly behind the
rear seat backrests.
> Cover sharp edges and corners.
> For very heavy cargo wh en the rear seat is
not occupied, secure each safety belt in the
respective opposite buckle.
> Do not stack higher than the top edge of the
backrests.
> Use the cargo net, refer to page 109. Ensure
that no objects can penetrate through the
net.
MINI Countryman:
MINI Paceman:
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DRIVING TIPSThings to remember when driving
114
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 lo w engine speeds lowers
fuel consumption and reduces wear.
Coasting
When approaching a red traffic light, take your
foot off the accelerator and let the car roll to a
stop in the highest gear possible.
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 li ghts, railroad crossings or
in traffic jams.
Switch off any features that are not
currently required
Features such as air conditioning, seat heaters
and the rear window defroster require a great
deal of energy and result in greater fuel con-
sumption, especially in city driving and during
Stop & Go operation. For this reason, switch off
these features if they are not really needed.
Have the vehicle serviced
Have your vehicle servic ed 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, page 218.
Driving on poor roads
Your MINI with ALL4 drive is at home on any
type of street or road. It combines an all-wheel
drive system with the ad vantages of a normal
passenger car.
Do not drive on unpa ved terrain, as other-
wise the vehicle may be damaged. <
When you are driving on poor roads, there are a
few points which you shou ld strictly observe for
your own safety, for that of your passengers,
and for the safety of the vehicle:
> Familiarize yourself with the vehicle before
beginning to drive and do not take risks
under any circumstances.
> Adapt your speed to road conditions. The
steeper and rougher the road surface is, the
lower the speed should be.
> When driving on very steep uphill or down-
hill grades, make sure in advance that the
engine oil and coolant levels are close to the
maximum mark, refer to page 215.
> While driving, watch carefully for obstacles
such as rocks or holes. Try to avoid these
obstacles whenever possible.
> Make sure that the un dercarriage does not
touch the ground, for example on hilltops
and bumpy roads. The ground clearance of
the vehicle is a maximum of approx. 6.0 in/
15 cm. Please note that the ground clear-
ance can vary depending on loading and the
driving conditions of the vehicle.
> Only drive through road surface water up to
a maximum water depth of 1 ft/30 cm and
only at walking speed ; do not remain sta-
tionary.
> After driving through water at low speed,
lightly press the brake pedal several times to
dry the brakes and to prevent the braking
effect from being reduced by wetness.
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