dashboard MINI Convertible 2009 Owner's Manual

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
35
Adjustments
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital contri-
bution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving. In con-
junction with the safety belts, the head restraints
and the airbags, the seated position has a major
influence on your safety in the event of an acci-
dent. To ensure that the safety systems operate
with optimal efficiency, we strongly urge you to
observe the instructions contained in the follow-
ing section.
For additional information on transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page41.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance
between yourself and the airbags. Always
grip the steering wheel on the rim, with your
hands in the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions, to
minimize the risk of injury to the hands or arms
in the event of the airbag being triggered off.
No one and nothing is to come between the air-
bags and the seat occupant.
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the
front passenger side as a storage area. Ensure
that the front passenger is correctly seated, e.g.
that no feet or legs are propped against the
dashboard. Otherwise, leg injury could result if
the front airbag suddenly deployed.
Make sure that passengers keep their heads
away from the side airbag and do not lean
against the cover of the head airbag of the MINI;
otherwise, serious injuries can result when the
airbag deploys.<
Even if you follow all the instructions, injuries
resulting from contact with airbags cannot be
fully excluded, depending on the circumstances.
The ignition and inflation noise may provoke a
mild hearing loss in extremely sensitive individ-
uals. This effect is usually only temporary.
For airbag locations and additional information
on airbags, refer to page71.
Head restraint
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the
risk of neck injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint in such a way
that its center is at approx. ear level. Oth-
erwise, there is an increased risk of injury in the
event of an accident.<
Head restraints, refer to page37.
Safety belt
Before every drive, make sure that all occupants
wear their safety belts. Airbags complement the
safety belt as an additional safety device, but
they do not represent a substitute.
Never allow more than one person to
wear a single safety belt. Never allow
infants or small children to ride in a pas-
senger's lap.
Make sure that the belt in the lap area sits low
across the hips and does not press against the
abdomen. The safety belt must not rest against
the throat, run across sharp edges, pass over
hard or fragile objects or be pinched. Fasten the
safety belt so that it is pulled taut across the lap
and shoulder, fitting the body snugly without
any twists. Otherwise the belt could slide over
the hips in the event of a frontal collision and
injure the abdomen. Avoid wearing bulky cloth-
ing and regularly pull the belt in the upper-body
area taut, otherwise its restraining effect could
be impaired.<
Safety belts, refer to page38.
Seats
Note before adjusting
Never attempt to adjust your seat while
the vehicle is moving. The seat could
respond with unexpected movement, and the
ensuing loss of vehicle control could lead to an
accident.
On the front passenger seat as well, do not

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
71
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the
marked covers:
MINI:
1Front airbags
2Side airbags in backrests
3Head airbags at the front and rearMINI Convertible:
1Front airbags
2Side/head airbags in the backrests
Protective effect
Observe the instructions on page35 to
ensure the best possible personal pro-
tection.<
The front airbags help protect the driver and
front passenger by responding to frontal
impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-
vide adequate restraint. When needed, the head
and side airbags help provide protection in the
event of side impact. The relevant side airbag
supports the side upper body area. The head air
bag supports the head.
The side/head airbag in the MINI Convertible
protects the head during impact.
The airbags are designed to not be triggered in
every type of collision, e.g. not in minor acci-
dents, certain rollover situations or rear impacts.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or
modify them in any other way.
Keep the dashboard and window on the passen-
ger side free from obstruction, i.e. do not cover it
with adhesive film or coverings, and do not affix
any holders such as for a navigation device or a
mobile phone.
Do not attach seat covers, cushions or other
objects not specifically approved for seats with
integral side airbags to the front seats. Do not hang items of clothing such as coats or jackets
over the backrests. Do not attempt to remove
the airbag retention system from the vehicle. Do
not modify the individual components of the
system or its wiring in any way. This includes the
upholstered covers on the steering wheel,
instrument panel, seats and roof posts, as well as
the sides of the roof lining. Do not attempt to
remove or dismantle the steering wheel.
Do not touch the individual components imme-
diately after the system has been triggered,
because there is a danger of burns.
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation, or
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have
the testing, repair, removal, and disposal of air-
bag generators executed only by a MINI Dealer
or a workshop that works according to repair
procedures of the manufacturer of your MINI
with correspondingly trained personnel and has
the required explosives licenses. Otherwise,
unprofessional attempts to service the system
could lead to failure in an emergency or undes-
ired airbag activation, either of which could
result in personal injury.<
Warning notices and information about the air-
bags can also be found on the sun visors.

From A to Z
164
Consumption, refer to Average
fuel consumption54
Control Display
– settings56
Controls and displays10
Convenience operation
– convertible top22
Convenience start, refer to
Starting the engine44
Convenient access26
– replacing the battery27
Convenient operation
– windows20
Convertible top30
Coolant118
– checking level118
– filling118
Coolant temperature53
Cooling fluid, refer to
Coolant118
Cooling, maximum82
Copyright2
Cruising range54
Cup holders88
Curb weight, refer to
Weights159
Current fuel consumption55
D
Dashboard instruments, refer
to Displays12
Dashboard lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting77
Dashboard, refer to Cockpit10
Data156
– capacities160
– dimensions157
– engine156
– weights159
Date
– setting60
Daytime running lamps75
DBC Dynamic Brake Control,
refer to Brake assist64
Deactivating front passenger
airbags72
Deadlocking, refer to
Locking20Defect
– door lock22
– fuel filler door102
Defogging windows81,82
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows81,82
Defrosting windows81,82
Defrosting windows and
removing condensation
– air conditioner81
– automatic climate control82
Differential, breaking in92
Digital clock53
Dimensions157
Dipstick, engine oil117
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals48
Displacement, refer to Engine
data156
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting77
Displays12
– instrument combination12
Displays and controls10
Displays, care125
Disposal
– of coolant118
– remote control battery27
– vehicle battery135
Distance remaining to service,
refer to Service
requirements58
Distance warning, refer to Park
Distance Control PDC63
Diving stability control
systems63
Door key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control18
Door lock22
Door lock, confirmation
signals20
Doors, manual operation22
DOT Quality Grades112
Drinks holders, refer to Cup
holders88
Drive-off assistant, refer to Hill
Start Assist65
Driving dynamics control, refer
to Sport button65Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams74
Driving notes92
Driving off on inclines, refer to
Hill Start Assist65
Driving through water93
Driving tips, refer to Driving
notes92
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function83
DTC Dynamic Traction Control
DTC64
Dynamic Brake Control DBC,
refer to Brake assist64
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC64
Dynamic Traction Control64
E
Electric power windows
– initializing29
Electrical malfunction
– convertible top32
– door lock22
– fuel filler door102
– trunk lid24
Electronic brake-force
distribution64
Electronic Stability Program
ESP, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC64
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– convertible top32
– door lock22
– fuel filler door102
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission48
– trunk lid24
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance137