air condition MINI Convertible 2009 Owner's Manual

REFERENCE
AT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
15
1MINI: Microphone for voice processing
system
* and for hands-free telephone*
MINI Convertible: Microphone in the steer-
ing column
2Indicator/warning lamp
* for front passen-
ger airbags72
4Hazard warning flashers
5Speedometer12
6Drive for audio CDs
7Switching audio sources on/off and adjust-
ing volume
8Air conditioner or automatic climate
control
*
9Switches in center console
10AUX-In port, USB-audio interface
*86
11Driving stability control systems
>Dynamic Stability Control DSC64
>Dynamic Traction Control
DTC* 64
12Sport button
*65 3
Reading lamps
*78
Color of ambient lighting
*78
Glass sunroof, electric
*27
MINI Convertible: opening and clos-
ing the sliding/tilting roof30
Interior lamps77
Temperature80, 82
Recirculated-air mode80, 82
Air distribution for air
conditioner81
Air distribution to the
windshield
*82
Air distribution to the upper body
area
*82
Air distribution to the footwell
*82
Automatic air distribution and flow
rate
*82
Maximum cooling
*82
Cooling function80, 83
Defrosting windows
*81, 82
Rear window defroster80, 82
Windshield heating
*81, 83
Air flow rate80, 81
Seat heating
*38
Power windows28
MINI Convertible: central power
window unit29
Rear fog lamp
*77
Fog lamps
*77
Central locking system, inside22

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
79
Climate
Equipment versions
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, your
MINI contains an air conditioner
or an automatic
climate control
*.
1Air conditioner
2Automatic climate control
*
Air vents
3Airflow directed toward the windshield and
side windows
4Air to the upper body area
5Air to the footwell

Climate
80
Air conditioner
1Air flow rate
2Cooling function
3Recirculated-air mode
4Temperature5Rear window defroster
6Air distribution
7Windshield heating
*
Air flow rate
Adjust the air flow rate. The higher the
rate, the more effective the heating or
cooling will be.
The air flow rate is lowered or switched off
entirely to save on battery power.
Switching the system on/off
Turn the air flow rate rotary switch to 0. Blower
and air conditioner are completely switched off
and the air supply is cut off.
Set any desired air flow rate to switch on the air
conditioner.
Cooling function
When the cooling function is on,
the air is cooled, dried, then
reheated according to the temper-
ature setting. The recirculated-air mode may be
switched on automatically. This function is only
available while the engine is running.
The cooling function helps prevent condensa-
tion on the windows or removes it quickly.
Depending on the weather, the windshield may
fog over briefly when the engine is started.
Recirculated-air mode
If the air outside the car has an
unpleasant odor or contains pollut-
ants, shut off the supply to the inte-
rior of the car temporarily. The system then
recirculates the air currently within the vehicle.
If condensation starts to form on the
inside window surfaces, switch off the
recirculated-air mode and, if necessary, switch
on the cooling function
or increase the air
flow rate.<
To prevent the air quality inside the vehi-
cle from deteriorating during extended
use of the recirculated-air mode, fresh air is
added briefly at regular intervals.<
Temperature
Turn upward, red, to increase the temper-
ature.
Turn downward, blue, to decrease the
temperature.
Rear window defroster
The defroster is switched off auto-
matically after a certain time.

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
81
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
3Recirculated-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 page18.
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.

Practical interior accessories
86
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.<
MINI Convertible: Locking
Use the integrated key to lock the remote con-
trol system, refer to page18.
Ventilation*
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, it may
be possible to ventilate the glove compartment.
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
conditioning or the automatic climate control,
high temperatures may result in the glove com-
partment.
Center armrest*
Storage compartment
The center armrest between the front seats con-
tains either a compartment or the cover for the
mobile phone base plate
* or the snap-in
adapter
*.
Opening
The cover slides along guide rails and can be
opened fully by pushing it back and lifting it.
Closing
Push the cover forwards.
Connection for external
audio device
>iPods/iPhones or USB devices such as MP3
players and USB memory sticks: Connect via
the USB-audio interface.
>iPhone/mobile phone music players: Con-
nect via the snap-in adapter
*, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual. Playback is only
possible if there is no device connected to
the USB-audio interface.
Connecting via the USB-audio interface
1Connection for audio playback:
TRS connector 1/8 in/3.5 mm
2USB interface
*

Things to remember when driving
92
Things to remember when driving
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to
each other. Please follow the instructions below
in order to achieve the optimal service life and
economy of operation for your vehicle.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do
not exceed the following:
>Gasoline engine
4,500 rpm or 100 mph/160 km/h
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the
transmission's kick-down mode.
After driving 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Engine and vehicle speeds can be gradually
increased.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-
tion potential until after an initial break-in
period. Therefore, drive cautiously during the
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized
contact and wear patterns between brake pads
and rotors. Drive cautiously during this break-in
period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch reaches its optimal
level only after a distance driven of approx.
300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period,
engage the clutch gently.
Following part replacement
The same break-in procedures should be
observed if any of the components mentioned
above have to be renewed in the course of the
vehicle's operating life.
General driving notes
Close the tailgate
Drive the vehicle only when the tailgate is
closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes could
penetrate the interior of the vehicle.<
If special circumstances make it absolutely nec-
essary to drive with the tailgate open:
1.Close all windows and the glass sunroof.
2.Switch off the recirculated-air mode and sig-
nificantly increase the air flow rate of the air
conditioner or automatic climate control,
page80 or81.
Hot exhaust system
In all vehicles, extremely high tempera-
tures are generated in the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed
adjacent to various sections of the exhaust sys-
tem, and never apply undercoating to them.
When driving, standing at idle and while park-
ing, take care to avoid possible contact between
the hot exhaust system and any highly flamma-
ble materials such as hay, leaves, grass, etc. Such
contact could lead to a fire, with the risk of seri-
ous personal injuries and property damage. Do
not touch hot exhaust tail pipes. Otherwise
there is a risk of burns.<
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This situation, known as hydroplaning, can
cause partial or complete loss of tire contact

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
93
with the road surface, so that the car cannot be
steered or braked properly.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases with declining
tread depth on the tires, refer also to Tread
depth on page113.
Driving through water
Drive through water on the road only if it is
not deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only
at walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the
vehicle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged.<
Parking brake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle with
the clutch; use the parking brake. Other-
wise greater clutch wear will result.<
For information on driving off using Hill Start
Assist*, refer to page65.
Braking safely
Your MINI is equipped with ABS. If you are in a
situation which requires full braking, it is best to
brake using maximum brake pressure. Since the
vehicle maintains steering responsiveness, you
can still avoid possible obstacles with a mini-
mum of steering effort.
The pulsation of the brake pedal, together with
the sound of hydraulic regulation, indicates that
ABS is actively taking effect.
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain, briefly
exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal every
few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to ensure
that this maneuver does not endanger other
road users. The heat generated in this process
helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure that
Then full braking force will be immediately avail-
able when it is needed.
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system,
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least braking is required. Even
light but consistent brake pressure can lead to high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.<
You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down, all the way to first gear if neces-
sary. This strategy helps you avoid placing
excessive loads on the brake system. Downshift-
ing in manual mode of the automatic transmis-
sion, page47.
Never drive with the clutch held down,
with the transmission in neutral or with
the engine switched off; otherwise, engine brak-
ing action will not be present or there will be no
power assistance to the brakes or steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
pedals, otherwise pedal function could be
impaired.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in operating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail
to cure.
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms while the automatic climate
control is in operation, and then exits under the
vehicle. Traces of condensed water under the
vehicle are therefore normal.
In the MINI Cooper S, the coolant pump may
continue to run for some time after the engine is
switched off. This will generate noise in the
engine compartment.

Wheels and tires
104
Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressures
Information for your safety
It is not merely the tires' service life, but also
driving comfort and, to a great extent, driving
safety that depend on the condition of the
tires and the maintenance of the specified tire
pressure.
Checking pressure
Check the tire inflation pressure regularly
and correct it, if necessary: at least twice a
month and before starting long trips. If you fail
to observe this precaution you may be driving
on tires with incorrect tire pressures, a condition
that can not only compromise your vehicle's
driving stability, but also lead to tire damage and
the risk of an accident. Do not drive with
deflated, i.e. flat tires, except when using Run-
Flat Tires. A flat tire will seriously impair your
vehicle's handling and braking response.
Attempts to drive on a flat tire can lead to loss of
control over the vehicle.<
Check the tire inflation pressures only on cold
tires. This means after a maximum of 1.25 miles/
2 km driving or when the vehicle has been
parked for at least 2 hours. When tires are warm,
the tire inflation pressure is higher.
After adjusting the tire inflation pressure,
reinitialize the flat tire monitor, page66,
or reset the tire pressure control, page68.<
Checking the tire inflation pressure of
the space-saver spare tire*
A valve extension for checking the inflation pres-
sure is located behind the bumper.
Inflation pressure specifications
The tables below provide all the correct inflation
pressures for the specified tire sizes at ambient
temperature.
The tire inflation pressures apply to
the tire sizes approved and the tire
brands recommended by the manufacturer
of your MINI. Your MINI Dealer will be glad to
advise you.<
For correct identification of the right tire infla-
tion pressures, observe the following:
>Tire sizes for your vehicle
>Load conditions
>Maximum allowable driving speed
Tire inflation pressures for driving up to
100 mph or 160 km/h
For normal driving speeds of up to 100 mph or
160 km/h and to achieve optimum driving com-
fort, adjust pressures to the respective tire infla-
tion pressures listed on the following pages in
the columns for traveling speeds up to a maxi-
mum of 100 mph or 160 km/h.
These tire inflation pressures can also be found
on the driver's-side door post when the driver's
door is open.

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
113
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either sep-
arately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.<
RSC – Run-Flat Tires
You will recognize Run-Flat Tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side of
the tire, page114.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
XL
Designation for specially reinforced tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires regularly for tread wear, signs
of damage and for foreign objects lodged in the
tread. Check the tread depth.
Tread depth
The tread depth should not drop below 0.12 in/
3 mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of
0.063 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below 0.12 in/
3 mm there is an increased risk of high-speed
hydroplaning, even when only small amounts of
water are present on the road surface.
Winter tires
When winter tires wear down past a tread depth
of 0.16 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less
suitable for winter conditions. In the interest of
safety, new tires should be installed.
Minimum tread depth
Wear indicators in the base of the tread groove
are distributed around the tire's circumference;
the letters TWI, for Tread Wear Indicator, on the
tire's sidewalls identify tires that incorporate
these wear indicators. When tire tread is worn
down to the level of the wear indicators, the
remaining tread depth is 0.063 in/1.6 mm.
Tire damage
Due to low-profile tires, please note that wheels,
tires and suspensions parts are more susceptible
to road hazards and consequential damages.
Unusual vibrations encountered during normal
vehicle operation can indicate tire failure or
some other vehicle defect. This can, for exam-
ple, be caused by driving over curbs. The same
applies to any other abnormal road behavior,
such as pulling severely to the right or left.
In these cases, reduce speed immediately
and have wheels and tires thoroughly
checked. To do so, drive carefully to the nearest
MINI Dealer or tire shop that works according to
MINI repair procedures with correspondingly
trained personnel. If necessary, have the vehicle
towed there.
Otherwise tire damage can be extremely dan-
gerous for vehicle occupants and other road
users.<
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding:
DOT ... 0309 means that the tire was manufac-
tured in week 3 of 2009.
For various reasons, such as the development of
brittleness, the manufacturer of your MINI rec-

Wheels and tires
114
ommends tire replacement after no more than
6 years, regardless of the actual wear of the
tires.
Run-Flat Tires*
The symbol identifying Run-Flat Tires is a circle
with the letters RSC on the sidewall.
Run-Flat Tires comprise a conditionally self-sup-
porting tire and a special rim. The reinforcement
in the sidewalls ensures that the tire can con-
tinue to be used subject to certain restrictions,
even if depressurized.
For information on continuing to drive with a flat
tire, refer to Indication of a flat tire, page67.
New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and tires mounted only
by your MINI Dealer or a specialized tire
shop that has specially trained personnel work-
ing in accordance with the specifications of the
MINI manufacturer. If this work is not carried out
properly, there is a danger of subsequent dam-
age and related safety hazards. Make sure that
the new wheels are balanced.<
Retreaded tires
The manufacturer of your MINI recom-
mends that you avoid using retreaded
tires, as this could impair driving safety. The
causes for this include potentially different tire
casing structures and often wide variations in
tire age, which can result in a limited service
life.<
Correct wheels and tires
The manufacturer of your MINI recom-
mends mounting only wheels and tires
that it has specifically approved for use on your
particular model. Although other wheels and
tires may theoretically have the same dimen-
sions, variations in factors such as manufactur-
ing tolerances can result in contact between tire
and bodywork, ultimately leading to serious
accidents. The manufacturer of your MINI can-
not evaluate non-approved wheels and tires to
determine if they are suited for use, and there-
fore cannot ensure the operating safety of the
vehicle if they are mounted.<
Your MINI Dealer will be glad to inform you
about the correct wheel and tire combination for
your vehicle.
The correct combination of wheels and tires is
also necessary to ensure reliable operation of
various vehicle systems such as ABS and DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single brand and
tread configuration. After a tire has been dam-
aged, mount the previous wheel and tire combi-
nation again as soon as possible.
Wheels with Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM electronics
When mounting new tires or changing over from
summer to winter tires, or vice versa, only use
wheels with TPM electronics; otherwise the Tire
Pressure Monitor may not be able to detect a
puncture, refer to page69. Your MINI Dealer will
be glad to advise you.