MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE 2008 Owners Manual

89
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
CENTER ARMREST
*
DRINKS HOLDERS, ASHTRAY
Storage compartmentsDepending on the equipment version
*, the
center armrest between the front seats
contains a compartment or a base plate for
a mobile phone.
To open:
Slide the cover backwards.
The cover slides along guide rails and
can be opened fully by pushing it
back and lifting it slightly.<
To close:
Push the cover forwards.
Beverage holdersBeverage holders are at the front or top of
the center console. Another is located at
the end of the center console in the rear.
Do not place any glass containers in
the beverage holders, as this
increases the risk of injury in the event of
an accident. age holders in the center console.

90
CIGARETTE LIGHTER, 12 V POWER SUPPLYLighterPress the cigarette lighter in.
Remove as soon as the lighter jumps back
out.
Hold or touch the hot cigarette lighter
by the knob only. Holding or touching it
in other areas could result in burns. supplySuitable as a power socket for flashlights,
car vacuum cleaners, etc., up to a rating of
approx. 200 watts at 12 volts.
Avoid damaging the socket with plugs of
different shapes or sizes.
If the vehicle is equipped with a MINI
Mobility System, the 12 V socket is also for
supplying the compressor.
12 V socket in the luggage
compartment* of the MINI ConvertibleThe socket is located in the luggage com-
partment on the left-hand side of the rear
panel, arrow.

91
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
INTEGRATED UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL
*
The concept
The integrated universal remote control
takes the place of up to three different con-
trol devices for different radio-remote-con-
trolled systems such as gate openers and
household alarm systems. The integrated
universal remote control detects and learns
the signal transmitted by the original con-
trol device.
The signal of an original control device can
be programmed onto one of the three
memory buttons 1. The system in question
can then be operated by means of the pro-
grammed memory button 1. Signal trans-
mission is indicated by LED 2.
If you decide to sell your vehicle one day, in
the interest of your own security, remem-
ber to delete the programs before the vehi-
cle leaves your possession, refer to page92.
While programming is in progress
and before operating any pro-
grammed system by remote control using
the integrated universal remote control,
make sure that the movement area of the
system in question is clear of people, ani-
mals and inanimate obstructions, in order
to avoid possible injury or damage. Also
comply with the safety precautions issued
for the original control device.<
Checking compatibility
If this symbol is shown on the pack-
aging or in the operating instruc-
tions of the original control device,
it is safe to assume that the remote-con-
trolled system is compatible with the inte-
grated universal remote control.
If you have any additional question,
please contact your MINI Dealer or
call: 1-800-355-3515.
You can find more information on the
Internet at:
www.miniusa.com or
www.homelink.com.
HomeLink is a registered trademark of
Johnson Controls, Inc.<
Programming1 Memory buttons
2LEDFixed-code control device1. Switch on the ignition
2. For first-time start-up: press both outer
buttons 1 for approx. 20 seconds until
LED 2 flashes. This clears all three mem-
ory buttons 1
3. Hold the original control device approx.
2 to 8 in/5 to 20 cm away from memory
buttons 1.
The required distance between the
control device and memory
buttons 1 may vary, depending on the
system of the original control device in
question.<

92
INTEGRATED UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL
*
4. Simultaneously press the command but-
ton of the original control device and the
desired memory button 1 on the inte-
grated universal remote control. The LED
2 begins to flash slowly. Release both
buttons when LED 2 starts flashing rap-
idly. If LED 2 does not start to flash rap-
idly after approx. 15 seconds, change the
distance between the two devices
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to program other
original control devices.
The corresponding memory button 1 is
now programmed with the signal of the
original control device.
You can operate the system with the igni-
tion key in position 2 or 3.
If the system cannot be operated
after repeated attempts at program-
ming, check whether the original control
device is equipped with an alternating-
code system. You can either check the oper-
ating instructions of the original control
device for this information, or you can
press and hold down the programmed
memory button 1 of the integrated univer-
sal remote control. If LED 2 of the inte-
grated universal remote control flashes
rapidly for a brief period and then remains
on for approx. two seconds, the original
control device is equipped with an alternat-
ing-code system. In this case, the memory
buttons 1 are programmed as described for
an alternating-code control device. instructions of the system in question in
order to program the integrated universal
remote control. Read through the operat-
ing instructions for information on syn-
chronization.
Observe the following additional instruc-
tions when you program an alternating-
code control device:
You will find programming easier if
you have the assistance of a second
person.<
1. Park your vehicle within range of the
radio-remote-controlled device
2. Program the integrated universal
remote control as described above in the
section on fixed-code programming
3. Locate the button on the receiver of the
target device, for example on the upper
part of the drive
4. Press the button on the receiver of the
target device. Once you have completed
step 4, you have approx. 30 seconds to
complete step 5
5. Press the programmed memory
button 1 of the integrated universal
remote control three times.
The corresponding memory button 1 is
now programmed with the signal of the
original control device.
Consult your MINI Dealer if you have
any questions.<
Deleting memory buttonsPress both outer buttons 1 for approx.
20 seconds until LED 2 flashes: all memory
buttons are cleared.
It is not possible to delete individual mem-
ory buttons 1.

93
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT IN THE MINILuggage compartment coverWhen the tailgate is opened, the luggage
compartment cover is also raised.
Never place any heavy or hard objects
on the luggage compartment cover;
otherwise occupants could be injured dur-
ing braking maneuvers.<
RemovalTo load bulky luggage, the compartment
cover can be removed.
1. Remove the retaining straps on the tail-
gate
2. Pull the luggage compartment cover out
towards the rear.
Foldable rear backrest1. Pull lever
2. Fold the rear backrest forwards.
When folding the backrest back into
its original position, always ensure
that the catch engages securely. A loose
backrest might fail to prevent cargo from
entering the passenger compartment dur-
ing sudden braking or evasive maneuvers,
posing a potential hazard to occupants.<

94
LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT IN THE MINI CONVERTIBLELoading aidWhen the convertible top is closed, you can
load the vehicle more easily by releasing
the convertible top and folding it up.
1. Release the convertible top using the
handles, see arrows 1
2. Lift the convertible top, see arrow 2
3. Fold back the handles and place them on
holders 3.
After folding the loading aid back
down, lock the handles in place again
completely to operate the convertible
top.<
Expanding the luggage compartment
volumeYou can enlarge the luggage compartment
volume when the convertible top is closed.
1. Fold the convertible top upwards, refer
to Loading aid
2. Detach the luggage compartment cover
from the brackets, see arrow 1, and
engage it on the upper support pins, see
arrow 2
3. Place the luggage compartment cover
into a horizontal position.
To operate the convertible top, move
the luggage compartment cover back
to its lower position.<
Through-loading systemTo be able to transport larger objects, the
rear backrest can be folded down.
1. Unlock the catch for the rear backrest
with an ignition key or master key

95
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT IN THE MINI CONVERTIBLE LOADING CARGO2. Pull the lever to release the catch
3. Fold the backrest forward.
When folding the backrest back into
its original position, always ensure
that the catch engages securely. A loose
backrest might fail to prevent cargo from
entering the passenger compartment dur-
ing sudden braking or evasive maneuvers,
posing a potential hazard to occupants.<
Avoid overloading the vehicle so that
the permissible carrying capacity of
the tires is not exceeded. Overloading can
lead to overheating and damage inside the
tires. Depending on the circumstances, this
can result in sudden air loss.<

96
LOADING CARGODetermining cargo limit1. Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard:
The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never
exceed XXX kg or YYY lbs, as this could
otherwise result in damage to the vehi-
cle and unstable driving conditions.<
2. Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding
in your vehicle
3. Subtract the combined weight of the
driver and passenger from XXX kilo-
grams or YYY pounds
4. The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load
capacity.
For example, if the YYY amount equals
1,400 lbs. and there will be four 150-lbs.
passengers in your vehicle, the amount
of available cargo and luggage load
capacity is 800 lbs.:
1,400 lbs. minus 600 lbs. = 800 lbs.
5. Determine the combined weight of lug-
gage and cargo being loaded on the
vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and luggage
load capacity calculated in Step 4
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer,
load from your trailer will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for
transporting a trailer to determine how
this may reduce the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
Cargo and luggage load capacityThe permissible load is the sum of the occu-
pants' weights and the weight of the cargo.
The greater the weight of the occupants,
the less cargo can be transported.

97
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
LOADING CARGOStowing cargo >Place heavy cargo as far forward as possi-
ble, directly behind the backrests, and as
low as possible
>Cover sharp edges and corners
>Do not pile objects higher than the top
edges of the backrests.
For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is
unoccupied, fasten each safety belt in the
opposite buckle. This provides additional
stabilization for the backrests.
Securing the loadAs an example, the illustration shows the
luggage compartment of the MINI.
>Secure smaller and lighter items using
the luggage compartment net
* or elas-
tic straps
>Secure larger and heavier items with
load-securing devices
*. Lashing eyelets
are provided at the inner corners of the
luggage compartment for attaching
these load-securing devices.
Comply with the information enclosed
with the load-securing devices.

98
LOADING CARGO ROOF-MOUNTED LUGGAGE RACK
*
Always position and secure the load
as described above. If you do not, it
can pose a danger to the passengers during
braking and evasive maneuvers, for exam-
ple.
Do not exceed the permissible gross weight
and axle load, refer to page155 ff; other-
wise the vehicle's operating safety is no
longer assured and it will not be in compli-
ance with the certification regulations.
Do not stow heavy or hard objects in the
passenger compartment without first
securing them. Otherwise they would be
thrown around during braking and evasive
maneuvers and endanger the occupants.<
When loading a roof-mounted lug-
gage rack on the MINI, make sure
that there is sufficient space for the move-
ment of the glass sunroof and that no
objects protrude into the swiveling area of
the tailgate; otherwise damage can occur.
Do not secure the roof-mounted luggage
rack to the MINI's trim strips or to the MINI
Convertible top. Otherwise, the lack of a
secure hold could lead to damage or acci-
dents.<
Special roof-mounted luggage racks
for your MINI are available as acces-
sories from your MINI Dealer.<