change time MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE 2009 User Guide
Page 73 of 172
REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
 71
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, page40.
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.
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 the NHTSA 
at the time of manufacture of the vehicle. 
After installing a child's seat, check that the 
indicator lamp for the front passenger air-
bags comes on. It indicates that the child's 
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. 
Page 76 of 172
Lamps
74
Setting the duration or deactivating the 
function
1.Switch on the ignition, refer to page43.
2.Briefly press the button in the turn indicator 
lever repeatedly until "SET/INFO" is dis-
played.
3.Press and hold the button until the display 
changes.
4.Briefly press the button repeatedly until the 
symbol and "SET" are displayed.
5.Press and hold the button until the display 
changes.
6.Briefly press the button repeatedly until the 
display shows the illustrated symbol.
7.Press and hold the button until the display 
changes.8.Briefly press the button to select:
>
The function is deactivated.
> ... 
Select the corresponding duration, e.g. 
40 seconds.
9.Press the   button for a longer period.
The setting is stored.
Daytime running lamps*
The light switch can remain in the lamps off, 
parking lamps or automatic headlamp control
* 
position.
In the lamps off position, the exterior lighting is 
automatically switched off after the vehicle is 
parked. In the parking lamps position, the park-
ing lamps will stay on after the ignition is 
switched off.
Switch on the parking lamps separately if 
needed.
Activating/deactivating daytime 
running lamps
The setting is stored for the remote control in 
use, refer to Personal Profile, page18.
1.Switch on the ignition, refer to page43.
2.Briefly press the button in the turn indicator 
lever repeatedly until "SET/INFO" is dis-
played.
3.Press and hold the button until the display 
changes. 
Page 77 of 172
REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
 75
4.Briefly press the button repeatedly until the 
symbol and "SET" are displayed.
5.Press and hold the button until the display 
changes.
6.Briefly press the button repeatedly until the 
display shows the illustrated symbol, arrow.
7.Press and hold the button until the display 
changes.
8.Briefly press the button to select:
>
Daytime running lamps activated.
>
Daytime running lamps deactivated.
9.Press the button for a longer period.
The setting is stored.High beams/roadside 
parking lamps
1Turn signal indicators/roadside parking 
lamps
*
2Switching on high beams
3Switching off high beams/headlamp flasher
Roadside parking lamps, left or right*
The vehicle can be illuminated on one side for 
parking. Comply with local regulations when 
doing so.
Switching on
After parking the vehicle, press the lever up or 
down, arrow 1.
The roadside parking lamps drain the bat-
tery. Therefore, do not leave them on for 
unduly long periods of time, otherwise the bat-
tery might not have enough power to start the 
engine.<
Switching off
Press the lever up or down to the pressure point. 
Page 82 of 172
Climate
80
Air distribution
Direct the flow of air to the win-
dows  , to the upper body area 
 or to the footwell  . Interme-
diate settings are possible.
Windshield heating*
The windshield heating is switched 
off automatically after a short time.
Defrosting windows and removing 
condensation
1.Set air flow rate to the maximum level.
2.Set air distribution to position  .
Condensation is removed from the windows 
more quickly when the cooling function
* is 
also activated.
3.Set to the highest temperature, red.
4.Deactivate recirculated-air mode.
5.Turn on windshield heating if necessary.
6.Turn on rear window defroster if necessary.
Microfilter
The microfilter captures dust and pollen. The 
microfilter is changed by your MINI Dealer dur-
ing routine maintenance work.
Automatic climate control*
1Air flow rate, manual
2AUTO program
3Automatic recirculated-air control 
AUC
*/Recirculated-air mode
4Maximum cooling
5Air distribution, manual6Temperature
7Defrosting windows and removing conden-
sation
8Cooling function
9Rear window defroster
10Windshield heating
*
Comfortable interior climate
AUTO program2 offers the ideal air distribution 
and air flow rate for almost all conditions, refer 
to AUTO program below. All you need to do is 
select an interior temperature which is comfort-
able for you.
The following sections inform you in detail about 
how to adjust the settings.Most settings are stored for the remote control 
currently in use, refer also to Personal Profile set-
tings on page19. 
Page 83 of 172
REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
 81
Air flow rate, manual
Press the – button to reduce air flow. Press 
the + button to increase it.
You can reactivate the automatic mode 
for the air flow rate with the AUTO button.
The air flow rate is lowered or switched off 
entirely to save on battery power. The display 
remains the same.
Switching the system on/off
Reduce the air flow by pressing the – button 
repeatedly until the system is switched off. All 
indicators go out.
Press the AUTO button to switch the automatic 
climate control back on.
AUTO program
The AUTO program adjusts the air 
distribution to the windshield and 
side windows, towards the upper body area and 
into the footwell for you. The air flow rate and 
your temperature specifications will be adapted 
to outside influences in accordance with sea-
sonal changes, e.g. sunlight.
The cooling function is automatically switched 
on along with the AUTO program.
Convertible Program
If the soft top is open, the Convertible Program is 
activated.During the Convertible Program, the 
automatic climate control is optimized for driv-
ing with the soft top down. Furthermore, with 
increasing vehicle speed, the airflow is also 
increased.
If attaching the wind reflector, the perfor-
mance of the Convertible Program can be 
significantly improved.<
Automatic recirculated-air control 
AUC*/Recirculated-air mode
Switch on the desired operating 
mode by pressing the button 
repeatedly.
Display of operating modes
No display: outside air flows in continuously.
AUC mode: a sensor detects pollutants 
in the outside air. If necessary, the sys-
tem blocks the supply of outside air and 
recirculates the inside air. As soon as the con-
centration of pollutants in the outside air has 
decreased sufficiently, the system automatically 
switches back to outside air supply.
At outside temperatures below approx. 
417/+56, the AUC mode may be restricted 
due to the increased risk of window condensa-
tion.
Recirculated-air mode: the supply of 
outside air is permanently shut off. The 
system then recirculates the air cur-
rently within the vehicle.
If condensation starts to form on the 
inside window surfaces, press the AUTO 
button or switch off the recirculated-air mode 
and, if necessary, increase the air flow rate.
The recirculated-air mode should not be used 
over an extended period of time, otherwise the 
air quality inside the car will deteriorate contin-
uously.<
Maximum cooling
At outside temperatures above 
327/06 and when the engine is 
running, you obtain a maximum 
cooling effect as soon as possible.
The automatic climate control goes into recircu-
lated-air mode at the lowest temperature. Air 
flows at maximum rate from the vents for the 
upper body area. You should therefore open 
them for maximum cooling.
Air distribution, manual
The flow of air is directed to the 
windows, to the upper body area or 
to the footwell as selected.
You can switch the automatic air 
distribution back on by pressing the AUTO but-
ton. 
Page 122 of 172
Care
120
Steam jets/high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure 
washers, ensure that you maintain a suffi-
cient distance to the vehicle and do not exceed a 
maximum temperature of 1407/606.
If the distance is too close, the pressure too high, 
or the temperature too high, parts of the vehicle 
can be damaged, or water can penetrate. 
Observe the operating instructions for high-
pressure washers.<
Do not spray sensors such as Park Dis-
tance Control with high-pressure washers 
for a long time or at a distance of less than 
1 ft/30 cm.<
Manual washing
Use a great deal of water and, if necessary, car 
shampoo when washing your car by hand. Clean 
the vehicle with a sponge or a washing brush 
applying a slight amount of pressure.
Before cleaning the windshield, deacti-
vate the rain sensor or turn off the ignition 
to prevent unintentional wiping.<
Observe local regulations regarding wash-
ing vehicles by hand.<
Headlamps
Do not wipe dry and do not use abrasive or cor-
rosive cleaning agents. Remove dirt and con-
tamination, such as insects, by soaking with 
shampoo and then washing with plenty of 
water.
Do not remove accumulated ice and snow with 
an ice scraper; use window de-icers instead.
Windows
Clean the outside and inside of the windows and 
mirrors with a window cleaner.
Do not clean the mirrors with cleaners 
containing quartz.<
Wiper blades
Clean with soapy water and change regularly to 
prevent the formation of streaksWax, preservatives and dirt on the win-
dows cause streaks when the windshield 
wipers are on, and can cause premature wear of 
the wiper blades and interfere with the rain sen-
sor.<
Care of the convertible top
The appearance and service life of the convert-
ible top largely depends on its proper care and 
operation.
Please follow these instructions:
>Never attempt to fold and stow the convert-
ible top in the convertible compartment 
when the top is wet or frozen. Otherwise 
water stains, mildew, and chafe marks may 
occur.
>Should water stains still appear on the head-
lining, use a microfibre cloth and interior 
cleaning solution to remove them.
>If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area 
for a longer period of time, make sure that 
there is sufficient ventilation.
>Remove any bird droppings immediately, 
since they have corrosive properties which 
will corrode the convertible top and damage 
the rubber seals.
When attempting to remove stains from 
the convertible top, do not use spot 
removers, paint thinners, solvents, gasoline, or 
similar fluids. These cleaners may damage the 
rubber seals. The improper care or cleaning 
methods may cause the convertible top and its 
seams to leak.<
Use special convertible top cleaning agents if 
attempting to remove heavy stains.
Always read and follow the manufacturer's 
instructions.
Use an impregnating agent to treat the convert-
ible top once a year.
Paintwork, care
Regular care maintains the vehicle's value and 
protects the paint from the long-term effects of 
paint-damaging substances. 
Page 126 of 172
Replacing components
124
When working on electrical systems, 
always begin by switching off the con-
sumer in question, otherwise short circuits could 
result. To avoid possible injury or equipment 
damage when replacing bulbs, observe any 
instructions provided by the bulb manufac-
turer.<
Caring for headlamps, refer to page120.
For any bulb replacement not described 
below, contact a MINI Dealer or a work-
shop that has specially trained personnel work-
ing in accordance with the specifications of the 
MINI manufacturer.<
For checking and adjusting headlamp aim, 
please contact your MINI Dealer.<
Light-emitting diodes LEDs
Light-emitting diodes installed behind translu-
cent lenses serve as the light sources for many of 
the controls and displays in your vehicle. These 
light-emitting diodes are related to conven-
tional laser diodes, and legislation defines them 
as Class 1 light-emitting diodes.
Do not remove the covers or expose the 
eyes directly to the unfiltered light source 
for several hours, otherwise this could cause irri-
tation to the retina.<
Bi-Xenon lamps*
The service life of these bulbs is very long and 
the probability of failure very low, provided that 
they are not switched on and off an excessive 
number of times. If a xenon lamp fails neverthe-
less, switch on the fog lamps and continue the 
journey with great care, provided that local leg-
islation does not prohibit this.
Have any work on the xenon lamp system, 
including bulb replacement, carried out 
only by a MINI Dealer or a workshop that has 
specially trained personnel working in accor-
dance with the specifications of the MINI manu-
facturer. Due to high voltage, there is a risk of 
fatal injury if work on the xenon lamps is carried 
out improperly.<
Halogen low beams and high beams
H13 bulb, 60/55 watts
The H13 bulb is pressurized. Therefore, 
wear safety glasses and protective gloves. 
Otherwise there is a risk of injury if the bulb is 
damaged.<
Be careful when installing the cover, oth-
erwise leaks could occur and cause dam-
age to the headlamp system.<
Accessing the lamp from the engine 
compartment
The low-beam/high-beam bulb can be changed 
from the engine compartment.
Removing the cover:
1.Press the tab.
2.Flip open the cover and take it out of the 
holder.
Follow the same steps in reverse order to reat-
tach the cover.
Be careful when installing the cover, oth-
erwise leaks could occur and cause dam-
age to the headlamp system.<
Replacing the bulb
1.Turn the lamp counterclockwise, arrow1, 
and remove it, arrow2. 
Page 131 of 172
REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
 129
Compressor
1Hose with manometer
2Compressor
3Connector for power supply
Reinflating the tire
1.Screw hose1 with manometer onto the tire 
valve.
2.Insert connector 3 into the lighter socket in 
the interior of the vehicle, page87.
3.Switch on compressor2.
4.Inflate the tire to at least 26 psi/180 kPa and 
at most 36 psi/250 kPa.
To check the air pressure, shut off the device 
for a short time.
Do not run the compressor for longer 
than 6 minutes, otherwise the device 
will overheat and possibly be damaged.<
If an air pressure of 26 psi/180 kPa is not reached:
1.Unscrew hose 1 and drive the vehicle for-
ward and backward about 33 ft/10 m to dis-
tribute the liquid sealant in the tires evenly.
2.Repeat the procedure.
If an air pressure of 26 psi/180 kPa still 
cannot be reached, the tire is too severely 
damaged. Please contact the nearest MINI 
Dealer.<
Distributing liquid sealant
Immediately drive for approx. 10 minutes, so 
that the liquid sealant is uniformly distributed.
Do not exceed speeds of 
40 mph/60 km/h.
If possible, do not drop below 
10 mph/20 km/h.<
Checking tire inflation pressure
1.After driving for approx. 10 minutes, pull 
over at a suitable location.
2.Screw the hose with manometer back onto 
the tire valve.
3.Check the tire inflation pressure.
The tire pressure must be at least 
18 psi/130 kPa. If it is not, do not con-
tinue driving.<
If a tire pressure of at least 18 psi/130 kPa is dis-
played:
1.Switch on the compressor. Correct the tire 
inflation pressure to the specified value, 
page102.
2.Replace the tire as soon as possible.
Driving on
Do not exceed the permitted maximum 
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h; doing so may 
result in an accident.<
Replace the defective tire as soon as possible 
and have the new wheel/tire assembly bal-
anced.
Have the MINI Mobility System refilled.
Tire change set
When changing a tire, always observe the safety 
measures and the procedure for changing tires 
described below.
In case of a flat tire the tire change set is 
not needed due to the availability of the 
MINI Mobility System.<
Changing wheels
Space-saver spare tire*
To change a space-saver spare tire, proceed as 
follows:
>Remove space-saver spare tire, page130
>Prepare for tire change, page131
>Jack up vehicle, page131
>Mount space-saver spare tire, page132 
Page 133 of 172
REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
 131
9.Pull the space-saver spare tire underneath 
the vehicle out towards the rear.
10.Position the space-saver spare tire with the 
valve facing upward.
11.Unscrew the valve extension from the valve 
of the space-saver spare tire.
12.Unscrew the dust cap from the extension 
and place it on the valve of the space-saver 
spare tire.
Due to its different dimensions, the dam-
aged wheel cannot be placed in the recess 
for the space-saver spare tire.<
Driving with the space-saver spare tire
Drive cautiously and do not exceed a 
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. Changes may 
occur in vehicle handling such as lower track sta-
bility during braking, longer braking distances 
and changes in self-steering properties when 
close to the handling limit. These properties are 
more noticeable with winter tires.<
Only one space-saver spare tire may be 
mounted at one time. Mount a wheel and 
tire of the original size as soon as possible, to 
avoid any safety risks.<
Check the tire inflation pressure at the ear-
liest opportunity and correct it if neces-
sary. Replace the defective tire as soon as possi-
ble and have the new wheel/tire assembly 
balanced.<
Preparing for a tire change
Observe the safety precautions regarding 
flat tires on page127.<
Additional safety measures when chang-
ing tires: 
Only change the tire when parked on a surface 
that is level, firm and not slippery.
The vehicle or the jack could slip sideways on 
soft or slippery support surfaces, such as snow, 
ice, flagstones, etc. 
Do not use a wooden block or similar object as a 
support base for the jack, as this would prevent 
it from extending to its full support height and 
reduce its load-carrying capacity. 
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the engine 
when the vehicle is supported by the jack; other-
wise there is a risk of fatal injury.<
1.Place the foldable chock
* behind the front 
wheel on the other side of the vehicle or in 
front of the wheel if the vehicle is on an 
incline. If the wheel is changed on a surface 
with a more severe slope, take additional 
precautions to secure the vehicle from roll-
ing.
2.Uncover the lug bolts if necessary.
If the wheel is equipped with a hub cover, 
pry it off using the screwdriver from the tire 
change kit.
3.Loosen the lug bolts by a half turn.
Jacking up the vehicle
The vehicle jack is designed for changing 
wheels only. Do not attempt to raise 
another vehicle model with it or to raise any load 
of any kind. To do so could cause accidents and 
personal injury.<