MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE 2009 Workshop Manual
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 49
Intermittent wipe or rain sensor*
If the car is not equipped with a rain sensor, the 
intermittent-wipe time is preset.
If the car is equipped with a rain sensor, the time 
between wipes is controlled automatically and 
depends on the intensity of the rainfall. The rain 
sensor is mounted on the windshield, directly in 
front of the interior rearview mirror.
Activating intermittent wipe or rain 
sensor
Press button, arrow3.
Deactivate the rain sensor before entering 
an automatic car wash. Failure to do so 
could result in damage caused by undesired 
wiper activation.<
Adjusting the sensitivity of the rain 
sensor
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.Press the button to select the desired sensi-
tivity.
7.Wait, or press and hold the button until the 
display changes.
The settings are stored.
Deactivating intermittent wipe or rain 
sensor
Press the button again, arrow3.
Brief wipe
Press the lever downward once, arrow2.
Cleaning windshield and headlamps*
Pull the lever, arrow 4.
Washer fluid is sprayed onto the windshield and 
the wipers are operated briefly.
When the vehicle lighting system is switched on, 
the headlamps are cleaned at regular and 
appropriate intervals.
In cars equipped with an alarm system, the 
headlamps cannot be cleaned when the bonnet 
is open.
Do not use the washers when the washer 
fluid reservoir is empty, otherwise you will 
damage the washer pump. 
Only use the washers if the bonnet has been 
completely closed, otherwise the headlamp 
washer system
* may be damaged. Do not use 
the washers if there is any danger that the fluid 
will freeze on the windshield. If you do, your 
vision could be obscured. For this reason, use 
antifreeze.< 
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Driving
50
Window washer nozzles
The window washer nozzles are heated auto-
matically
* while the engine is running or the 
ignition is switched on.
MINI: Rear window wiper
0Rear wipers parked
1To switch on intermittent wipe  :
Turn the cap to level1.
Operation is continuous in reverse gear.
Cleaning the rear window
2To clean the rear window during intermit-
tent wipe  :
Turn the cap further to level2 and hold it 
there.
3To clean the rear window when wipers are 
parked :
Turn the cap to level3 and hold it there.
Do not use the washers when the washer 
fluid reservoir is empty, otherwise you will 
damage the washer pump.<
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable. 
Therefore, keep it away from ignition 
sources, store it only in the closed original con-
tainer and keep it out of reach of children, oth-
erwise there is a risk of personal injury. Comply 
with the instructions on the container.<
Washer fluid reservoir
Only refill washer fluid that contains anti-
freeze when the engine is cool, to avoid 
contact with hot engine parts. Otherwise, fluid 
spills constitute a fire hazard and a risk to per-
sonal safety.<
Fill with water and, if required, with a washer 
antifreeze, according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
Mix the water and antifreeze before filling 
the washer fluid reservoir to make sure 
the correct concentration is maintained.<
Capacity
Approx. 2.6 US quarts/2.5 liters.
With headlamp washer system: 
Approx. 4.8 US quarts/4.5 liters.
Cruise control*
The concept
Cruise control is available at vehicle speeds of at 
least approx. 20 mph or 30 km/h. The car then 
stores and maintains the speed that you specify 
using the button on the steering wheel.
Do not use cruise control when driving at 
constant speed is prevented by adverse 
conditions, e.g. winding roads, dense traffic or 
poor road conditions due to, e.g., snow, rain, ice 
or loose surfaces. Otherwise you could lose con-
trol of the vehicle and cause an accident as a 
result.< 
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Activating
1Resuming cruise control
2Activating/deactivating cruise control
3Maintaining, storing and increasing speed
4Maintaining, storing and decreasing speed
Indicator lamp in the speedometer lights up. The 
cruise control system is ready and can be acti-
vated.
Activating/deactivating cruise control
Press button 2.
In addition, the system is automatically deacti-
vated:
>When the brakes are applied
>When the clutch is depressed
>When the automatic transmission is in selec-
tion lever position N
>When the driving stability control system is 
active
Cruise control is not deactivated by depressing 
the accelerator pedal. Once the accelerator 
pedal is released, the stored speed is achieved 
again and maintained.
The stored speed is cleared when the ignition is 
switched off.
Maintaining current speed
Press button3.
The system maintains and stores the current 
vehicle speed.
If, on a downhill grade, the engine braking effect 
is not sufficient, the controlled speed may be 
exceeded. On uphill grades vehicle speed may 
drop if the engine output is insufficient.
Increasing speed
Press button3 repeatedly until the desired 
speed is reached. Every time you press the but-
ton, the speed increases by approx. 1 mph or 
approx. 2 km/h.
Accelerating using the button
Press and hold button3.
The vehicle accelerates without pressure on the 
accelerator pedal. After the button is released, 
the driving speed is maintained and stored.
Decreasing speed
Press button4 repeatedly until the desired 
speed is reached.
The functions here are the same as for increas-
ing the speed or accelerating, except that the 
speed will be decreased.
Resuming a speed stored beforehand
Press button 1.
The last speed stored is achieved again and 
maintained.
The stored speed is cleared when the ignition is 
switched off.
Display in tachometer*
Selected speed is displayed briefly.
If  --- mph or --- km/h is displayed briefly 
in the tachometer, the conditions neces-
sary for operation may not be fulfilled.<
Malfunction
The warning lamp in the tachometer 
lights up if the system fails.  
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Everything under control
52
Everything under control
Odometer, outside 
temperature display, 
clock
1Outside temperature display and clock or 
current speed
2Odometer and trip odometer
3Resetting the trip odometer
Units of measure
Select the respective units of measure, miles or 
km for the odometer as well as 7 or 6 for the 
outside temperature, page56.
Outside temperature display, time
Setting the time, refer to page59.
Outside temperature warning
When the displayed temperature sinks to 
approx. +377/+36, a signal sounds and a 
warning lamp lights up. There is an increased 
risk of black ice.
Black ice can also form at temperatures 
above +377/+36. You should therefore 
drive carefully on bridges and shaded roads, for 
example, otherwise there is an increased risk of 
an accident.<
Current vehicle speed
To have the current speed shown in the upper 
display otherwise serving for the outside tem-
perature display and clock.1.Press the button in the turn indicator lever 
repeatedly until the current speed appears 
in the lower display.
2.Wait for the speed display to automatically 
move to the upper display.
The outside temperature then appears in the 
lower display.
Odometer and trip odometer
Resetting the trip odometer
With the ignition switched on, press knob 3 in 
the tachometer.
When the vehicle is parked
To display the time, outside temperature and 
odometer briefly after the key is removed from 
the ignition lock:
Press knob 3 in the tachometer.
Tachometer
Never operate the engine with the needle in the 
red overspeed zone of the gauge. In this range, 
the fuel supply is interrupted to protect the 
engine.
Coolant temperature
A warning lamp will come on if the coolant, and 
therefore the engine, becomes too hot. 
Check coolant level, refer to page115. 
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 53
Fuel gauge
Fuel tank capacity
You can find information on refueling on 
page101.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies for a longer period, 
when you are driving in mountainous areas, for 
example, the indicator may fluctuate slightly.
MINI Cooper, MINI Cooper S
Approx. 13.2 US gallons/50 liters.
Reserve
Once the fuel level has fallen to the reserve zone 
of approx. 2.1 gallons/8 liters, the remaining 
indicator lamps change from orange to red, 
arrow. The tachometer
 displays the remaining 
cruising range. An indicator lamp comes on 
when the remaining range is less than approx. 
30 miles/50 km.
If the range displayed is less than 
30 miles/50 km, be sure to refuel; other-
wise engine functions are not guaranteed and 
damage could occur.<
Computer*
Displays in tachometer
Press the button in the turn indicator lever 
repeatedly to call up various items of informa-
tion.
The following items of information are displayed 
in the order listed:
>Cruising range
>Average fuel consumption
>Current fuel consumption
>Average speed
>Current vehicle speed
>MINI Convertible: Always Open Timer
To set the corresponding units of measure, refer 
to Formats and units of measure on page56.
Cruising range
Displays the estimated cruising range available 
with the remaining fuel. The range is calculated 
on the basis of the way the car has been driven 
over the last 18 miles/30 km and the amount of 
fuel currently in the tank.
If the range displayed is less than 
30 miles/50 km, be sure to refuel; other-
wise engine functions are not guaranteed and 
damage could occur.<
Average fuel consumption
Calculated for the time the engine has been run-
ning.
To reset average fuel consumption: press the 
button in the turn indicator lever for approx. 
2seconds. 
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Everything under control
54
Current fuel consumption
Displays the current fuel consumption to allow 
you to see whether your current driving style is 
conducive to fuel economy with minimum 
exhaust emissions.
Average speed
Periods with the vehicle parked and the engine 
switched off are not included in the calculations 
of average speed.
To reset average speed: press the button in the 
turn indicator lever for approx. 2 seconds.
Current vehicle speed
To have the current speed shown in the upper 
display otherwise serving for the outside tem-
perature display and clock.
1.Press the button in the turn indicator lever 
repeatedly until the current speed appears 
in the lower display.
2.Wait for the speed display to automatically 
move to the upper display.
The outside temperature then appears in the 
lower display of the computer.
Always Open Timer*
If driving the MINI Convertible with its soft top 
down, the driving times are displayed digitally 
on the tachometer.
The following driving times are displayed:
>"Trip": actual driving time
>Total driving time
Reset "Trip" display: push button on turn signal 
lever or "Resetting the trip odometer" for 
approx. 2 seconds, refer to page12.
Similar to Always Open Timer
The Always Open Timer measures the time while 
driving with the soft top down.
1LED hour display
2Minute dispaly 
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 55
Settings and information
Operating principle
Certain settings and information are only avail-
able when the ignition is switched on, the vehi-
cle is at a standstill and the doors are closed.
1Button for:
>Selecting display
>Setting values
>Confirming selected display or set values
>Calling up computer information53
2Calling up Check Control60
3Displaying vehicle check60
4Initializing the Flat Tire Monitor65
Resetting the Tire Pressure Monitor67
5Setting formats and units of measure, reset-
ting to factory settings576Adjusting settings
>Confirmation signals when locking and 
unlocking the vehicle20
>Response during unlocking 
procedure19
>Automatic locking23
>Pathway lighting73
>Daytime running lamps74
>Triple turn signal activation47
7Setting the time59
8Setting the date59
9Exiting the menu 
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Everything under control
56
Exiting displays
1.Briefly press the button in the turn indicator 
lever repeatedly until "HOME" is displayed.
2.Press the button for a longer period.
The display again shows the outside tempera-
ture and the time.
Displays are also exited if no entries are made 
for approx. 8 seconds.
Next setting or item of information
1.Within a setting or item of information, 
briefly press the button in the turn indicator 
lever repeatedly until "NEXT" is displayed.
2.Press the button for a longer period.
The display changes directly to the next setting 
or item of information.
Formats and units of 
measure
To set the formats and units of measure. The set-
tings are stored for the remote control currently 
in use, refer also to Personal Profile on page18.
1.Switch on the ignition, refer to page43.
2.Briefly press the button in the turn indicator 
lever repeatedly until "SET/INFO" is displayed.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, arrow.
> Fuel consumption: l/100 km, mpg, 
km/l
*
> Distance covered: mls, km
> Time: 12h, 24h mode
> Date: day.month dd.mm, 
month/day mm/dd
> Temperature: 7, 6
7.Press and hold the button until the display 
changes. 
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 57
8.Press the button briefly to change the for-
mat or unit of measure.
9.Press and hold the button until the display 
changes.
The settings are stored.
Resetting to factory settings
The settings for formats and units of measure 
can be reset to the factory settings. The settings 
are stored for the remote control currently in 
use, refer also to Personal Profile on page18.
1.Briefly press the button in the turn indicator 
lever repeatedly until "SET/INFO" is dis-
played.
2.Press and hold the button until the display 
changes.
3.Briefly press the button repeatedly until the 
symbol and "SET" are displayed.
4.Press and hold the button until the display 
changes.5.Briefly press the button repeatedly until 
"RESET" is displayed.
6.Press and hold the button until the display 
changes to the first setting. 
The settings are reset.
Service requirements
The remaining driving distance and the date of 
the next scheduled service are briefly displayed 
immediately after you start the engine or switch 
on the ignition.
The extent of service work required can be 
read out from the remote control by your 
MINI Dealer.<
Displaying vehicle check
For certain maintenance operations, you can 
view the respective distance remaining or due 
date individually in the tachometer. 
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Everything under control
58
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 
corresponding symbol and "SERVICE-INFO" 
are displayed.
5.Press and hold the button until the display 
changes.
6.Briefly press the button to display the indi-
vidual service items, refer to the following 
information.
Possible displays
1Button for selecting information
2Engine oil
3Front brakes
4Rear brakes
5Vehicle check
6Roadworthiness test
7Brake fluid8Exit display56
9Next setting or item of information56