If a remote control accidentally left in the cargo
area is detected in the locked vehicle after the
tailgate is closed, the tailgate opens again
slightly. The hazard warning system flashes and
an acoustic signal sounds.
Power windows and electrical glass
sunroof
When the engine is switched off, the windows
and the sunroof can be operated as long as
neither the doors nor the tailgate are opened.
When the door and tailgate are closed again
and the remote control is detected inside the
vehicle, the windows and the sunroof can be
operated again.
Insert the remote control into the ignition lock
to be able to operate the windows and the sun‐
roof while the engine is switched off and the
doors are open.
Switching on the radio ready state Press the Start/Stop button to switch on the
radio ready state, refer to page 48.
Do not depress the brake or the clutch; other‐
wise, the engine will start.
Starting the engine The engine can be started or the ignition can
be switched on, refer to page 48, when a re‐
mote control is inside the vehicle. It is not nec‐
essary to insert a remote control into the igni‐
tion lock.
Switching off the engine in cars with
Steptronic transmission
The engine can only be switched off with the
selector lever in position P, refer to page 55.
To switch off the engine with the selector lever
in position N, the remote control must be in‐
serted in the ignition lock.Before driving a vehicle with Steptronic
transmission into a car wash1.Insert the remote control into the ignition
switch.2.Depress the brake pedal.3.Move the selector lever to position N.4.Switch the engine off.
The vehicle can roll.
Malfunction The Comfort Access functions can be disturbed
by local radio waves, such as by a mobile
phone in the immediate vicinity of the remote
control or when a mobile phone is being
charged in the vehicle.
If this occurs, open or close the vehicle using
the buttons on the remote control or use the
integrated key in the door lock.
To start the engine afterward, insert the remote
control into the ignition switch.
Warning lights The warning light in the instrument
cluster lights up when you attempt to
start the engine: the engine cannot be
started.
The remote control is not in the vehicle or has a
malfunction. Take the remote control with you
inside the vehicle or have it checked. If neces‐
sary, insert another remote control into the ig‐
nition switch.
The warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up while the engine is run‐
ning: the remote control is no longer in‐
side the vehicle.
After switching off the engine, the engine can
only be started again within approx. 10 sec‐
onds if no door has been opened.
The indicator lamp lights up: replace
the remote control battery.
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Take the remote control with you
Take the remote control with you when
leaving the vehicle so that children, for exam‐
ple, cannot operate the power windows and in‐
jure themselves. ◀
If, after having been opened and closed a num‐
ber of times in close succession, a window can
only be closed, the system is overheated. Let
the system cool down for several minutes with
the ignition switched on or the engine running.
Opening, closing
Front windows
To open:
▷Press the switch to the resistance point. The
window opens while the switch is held.▷Press the switch beyond the resistance
point. The window opens automatically in
the radio ready state and higher.
Press again briefly to stop the opening pro‐
cedure.
To close:
▷Pull the switch to the resistance point. The
window closes while the switch is held.▷Pull the switch beyond the resistance point.
The window closes automatically.
Pressing the switch stops the motion.
MINI Countryman: rear windows
To open:
▷Press the switch to the resistance point. The
window opens while the switch is held.▷Press the switch beyond the resistance
point. The window opens automatically in
the radio ready state and higher.
To close:
▷Pull the switch to the resistance point. The
window closes while the switch is held.▷Pull the switch beyond the resistance point.
The window closes automatically.
Pressing the switch stops the motion.
After the ignition is switched off
The windows can be operated for approx. 1 mi‐
nute after the remote control is removed or the
ignition is switched off.
Take the remote control with you
Take the remote control with you when
leaving the vehicle so that children, for exam‐
ple, cannot operate the power windows and in‐
jure themselves. ◀
Pinch protection system If the closing force exceeds a specific value as a
window closes, the closing action is inter‐
rupted.
The window reopens slightly.
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Danger of pinching even with pinch pro‐
tection
Even with the pinch protection system, check
that the window's closing path is clear; other‐
wise, the closing action may not stop in certain
situations, e.g., if thin objects are present. ◀
Do not use window accessories
Do not install any accessories in the range
of movement of the windows; otherwise, the
pinch protection system will be impaired. ◀
Closing without the pinch protection
system
Danger of pinching
Monitor the closing process and make
sure that the closing path of the window is
clear; otherwise, injuries may result. ◀
If there is an external danger or, for example, if
ice on the windows prevents a window from
closing normally, the window can be closed
manually.1.Pull the switch past the resistance point and
hold it there. Pinch protection is limited and
the window reopens slightly if the closing
force exceeds a certain value.2.Pull the switch past the resistance point
again within approx. 4 seconds and hold it
there.
The window closes without pinch protec‐
tion.MINI Countryman: safety switch
With the safety switch, the rear windows are
prevented from being opened or closed via the
switches in the rear passenger area, such as by
children.
Press the button. The LED lights up if the safety
function is switched on.
Safety switch for rear operation
Press the safety switch when transporting
children in the rear; otherwise, injury may result
if the windows are closed without supervi‐
sion. ◀
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AdjustingVehicle equipment
This chapter describes all series equipment as
well as country-specific and special equipment
offered for this model series. Therefore, it also
describes equipment that may not be found in
your vehicle, for instance due to the selected
special equipment or the country version. This
also applies to safety-related functions and sys‐
tems.
When using the features and systems described
here, adhere to local regulations.
Sitting safely
The ideal seating position can make a vital con‐
tribution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving.
The seating position plays an important role in
an accident in combination with:▷Safety belts, refer to page 37▷Head restraints, refer to page 39.▷Airbags, refer to page 71.
Seats
Note before adjusting Do not adjust the seat while driving
Never attempt to adjust the driver's seat
while driving. The seat could respond with un‐
expected movement and the ensuing loss of
vehicle control could lead to an accident. ◀
Do not incline the backrest too far to the
rear
Do not incline the backrest on the front passen‐
ger side too far to the rear during driving. Oth‐
erwise, there is the danger of sliding under the
safety belt in an accident. This would eliminate
the protection normally provided by the belt. ◀
Front seat adjustment
Forward/backward
Pull the lever, arrow 1, and slide the seat into
the desired position, arrows 2.
After releasing the lever, move the seat forward
or back slightly to make sure it engages prop‐
erly.
Height
Pull the lever up or push it down repeatedly, ar‐
rows 1, until the desired height is reached, ar‐
rows .
Backrest MINI Countryman:
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Pull the lever, arrow 1, and apply your weight
to the backrest or lift it off, as necessary.
MINI Paceman:
Pull the lever, arrow 1, and apply your weight
to the backrest or lift it off, as necessary, ar‐
rows 2.
Lumbar support
You can also adjust the contour of the backrest
to obtain additional support in the lumbar re‐
gion.
The upper hips and spinal column receive sup‐
plementary support to help you maintain a re‐
laxed, upright sitting position.
The graphic shows the MINI Countryman as an
example.
Turn the wheel to increase or decrease the cur‐
vature.
MINI Countryman: rear seat adjustment Observe the following when adjusting
Do not adjust the rear seats during a trip;
otherwise, there is a risk of passenger injury.
Make sure that the locking mechanisms of the
rear seats engage properly. Otherwise the re‐
straining effect of the safety belts during an ac‐
cident could be reduced. ◀
Forward/backward
Pull the lever and slide the seat into the desired
position.
Release the lever and move the seat slightly
forward or back so that it engages properly.
Backrest Adjust the backrest tilt, refer to page 100.
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Putting on the belt1Large buckle tongue2Small buckle tongue3Small belt buckle4Large belt buckle
Buckle tongue 1 must be inserted in belt
buckle 4. Make sure you hear the buckle
tongue engage in the belt buckle.
Insert the buckle tongue into the belt buckle in
such a way that the belt lies smoothly against
the body of the buckled person and is not
twisted.
Stowing the center safety belt
If the center seat is not occupied, insert the belt
buckles 3 and 4 into the respective holders, ar‐
rows.
Move the buckle tongues to the belt holder on
the headliner, refer to page 38, and insert them
into the provided holders.
Safety belt reminder for driver's seat
and front passenger seat
The indicator lamps light up and a sig‐
nal sounds. Check whether the safety
belt has been fastened correctly.
Damage to safety belts In the case of strain caused by accidents or
damage:
Have the safety belts, including the safety belt
tensioners, replaced and have the belt anchors
checked.
Checking and replacing safety belts
Have the work performed only by your
service center; otherwise, it cannot be ensured
that this safety feature will function properly. ◀
Head restraints Correctly set head restraintA correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the
risk of spinal injury in the event of an accident.
Adjusting the head restraint
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
approx. at ear level.
MINI Countryman: the center rear head re‐
straint is not height adjustable.Seite 39AdjustingCONTROLS39
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Height adjustment
To raise: pull.
To lower: press the button, arrow 1, and push
the head restraint down until it engages.
MINI Countryman: additionally press button 2
on the rear head restraints only if you wish to
remove them.
Removing Only remove the head restraint if no one will be
sitting in the seat in question.
Before transporting passengers
Reinstall the head restraint before trans‐
porting anyone in the seat; otherwise, the pro‐
tective function of the head restraint is unavail‐
able. ◀
Front
1.Pull the head restraint upward as far as
possible.2.MINI Countryman: tilt the backrest back
slightly.MINI Paceman: fold the backrest forward if
necessary.3.Press button 1 and pull out the head re‐
straint all the way to the stop.
MINI Countryman: additionally press but‐
ton 2 using a suitable tool.4.Pull out the head restraint.5.Fold back the backrest.
Rear
1.Pull the head restraint upward as far as
possible.2.Fold the backrest forward slightly.3.Press button 1 and pull out the head re‐
straint all the way to the stop.
MINI Countryman: additionally press but‐
ton 2 using a suitable tool.4.Pull out the head restraint completely.5.Fold back the rear seat backrest.
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors
General information
The mirror on the passenger side is more
curved than the driver's mirror.
Estimating distances correctly
Objects reflected in the mirror are closer
than they appear. Do not estimate the distance to the traffic behind you based on what you see
in the mirror, as this will increase your risk of an
accident. ◀
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Ignition onAll electrical consumers can operate. Most indi‐
cator and warning lights light up for different
lengths of time.
To save battery power when the engine is off,
switch off the ignition and any unnecessary electronic systems/power consumers.
Radio ready state and ignition off All indicator and warning lights in the displays
go out.
The ignition switches off automatically when
the driver's door is opened. Pressing the Start/
Stop button again switches the ignition back
on.
For example, the ignition is not switched off in
the following situations:▷Depress the clutch or brake pedal.▷The low beams are switched on.
Starting the engine
General information Enclosed areas
Do not let the engine run in enclosed
areas; otherwise, breathing of exhaust fumes
may lead to loss of consciousness and death.
The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide,
an odorless and colorless but highly toxic gas. ◀
Unattended vehicle
Do not leave the car unattended with the
engine running; otherwise, it presents a poten‐
tial source of danger.
Before leaving the car with the engine running,
shift to neutral or engage transmission posi‐
tion P and set the parking brake firmly; other‐ wise, the vehicle may begin to roll. ◀
Frequent starting in quick succession
Avoid repeated futile attempts at starting
the car and avoid starting the car frequently in
quick succession. Otherwise, the fuel is not
burned or is inadequately burned, and there is
the danger of overheating and damaging the
catalytic converter. ◀
Do not wait for the engine to warm-up while
the vehicle remains stationary; start driving
right away, but at moderate engine speeds.
Do not depress the accelerator when starting
the engine.
Starting the engine
Manual transmission
Remote control in the ignition lock or with
Comfort Access inside the vehicle, refer to
page 28.
1.Depress the brake pedal.2.Depress the clutch pedal.3.Press the Start/Stop button.
The ignition is activated automatically for a cer‐
tain time and is stopped as soon as the engine
starts.
Steptronic transmission
Remote control in the ignition lock or, with
Comfort Access, inside the vehicle, refer to
page 28.
1.Depress the brake pedal.2.Move the selector lever to position P or N.Seite 49DrivingCONTROLS49
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