MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE 2008 Owner's Guide

29
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
TAILGATE To open from the outsidePress the button in the handle strip or the
button on the remote control, refer to
page26. The tailgate is unlocked and can
be opened.
Tailgate on the MINI Convertible
The maximum load that may be
placed on the open tailgate is
175 lbs/80 kg.<
To close
To avoid injuries, as with all closing
procedures be sure that the travel
path of the tailgate is clear when it is
closed.<
Handle recesses on the MINIThe handle recesses in the interior trim
panel of the tailgate make it easier to pull it
down.

30
TAILGATEManual release in the MINI In the event of an electrical malfunction,
you can also unlock the tailgate manually.
1. Fold the rear seat bench upward
2. Pull the ring.
The tailgate is released.
Manual release in the MINI
ConvertibleIn the event of an electrical malfunction,
you can also unlock the tailgate manually.
1. Use a master key or ignition key to
release the catches of the rear backrests,
refer to Through-loading system on
page94
2. Fold the rear bench seat upward and
remove the hook attached to it
3. Using the hook, reach backward
between the convertible top and the
rear backrest to pull one of the levers for
releasing the folding rear backrests,
refer to page95
4. Fold rear backrests forward

31
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
TAILGATE ELECTRIC POWER WINDOWS5. Pull the handle, see arrow.
The tailgate is released.
To open the windows >Press the switch downwards.
The window opens until you release the
switch or
>Tap the switch downwards.
The window opens automatically.
Tapping the switch again stops the oper-
ation.To close the windows
Make sure that the closing range of
the windows is unobstructed, other-
wise personal injury could result when the
windows close.<
From ignition key position 1:
Press the switch upwards.
The window closes until you release the
switch.
Watch the closing process to ensure
that no one is injured.<
After the ignition has been switched off:
You can continue using the electric power
windows for a limited period as long as no
one opens either of the doors.
When leaving the vehicle, always
take the ignition key with you. Other-
wise children could operate the power win-
dows and injure themselves.<

32
ELECTRIC POWER WINDOWSConvenience operationFor convenience operation using the
remote control refer to page26, for opera-
tion via the door lock refer to page27.To initialize power windows
If the battery is disconnected, e.g. for
changing batteries or vehicle storage,
reinitialize the power windows. Otherwise
the windows will not be lowered when the
convertible top or doors are opened.<
1. Close the doors
2. Close both windows
3. Press both switches of the power win-
dows upwards for approx. one second.
In the event of a system malfunction,
please contact your MINI Dealer.
Power windows in the MINI
ConvertibleTo open the windows:
>Briefly press the button:
First the rear windows, then the front
windows open automatically.
Tapping the switch again stops the oper-
ation.
>Press the button:
First the rear windows, then the front
windows open until the button is
released.
To close the windows:
Press the button.
First the rear windows, then the front win-
dows close until the button is released.
Do not close the windows until the
closing procedure for the convertible
top is finished. Otherwise it is not ensured
that the side windows will close properly
against the rubber seals of the convertible
top. Convertible top, refer to page35.
While the vehicle is in motion, always close
the rear windows first or all four windows
at the same time. Otherwise the windows
will not close tightly if the vehicle is being
driven at higher speeds.<

33
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
GLASS SUNROOF, ELECTRIC
*
To raise
Press the switch.
>The closed glass sunroof is raised.
>The closed glass sunroof automatically
moves into the raised position.
Do not use force to close the glass
sunroof from its raised position, oth-
erwise the mechanism will be damaged.<
To open and close
Be sure that adequate clearance is
maintained for the opening path of
the glass sunroof; otherwise damage can
occur. Observe the glass sunroof while it is
closing, to make sure that no one is
injured.<
>Push the switch backwards to the resis-
tance point.
The glass sunroof opens for as long as
the switch is held in this position.
>Push the switch backwards past the
resistance point. The glass sunroof opens
automatically. Tapping the switch again
stops the operation.
The glass sunroof is closed in the same
manner by pushing the switch forward.
After the ignition has been switched
offYou can continue using the glass sunroof
for a limited period as long as no one opens
either of the doors.
If a door is opened during operation, the
opening/closing process stops immedi-
ately.
When leaving the vehicle, remove the
ignition key from the lock and close
the doors. Otherwise children could oper-
ate the sunroof and injure themselves.<

34
GLASS SUNROOF, ELECTRIC
*
ROLLER SUN BLIND
*
Pinch protection system
If, while closing, the glass sunroof encoun-
ters resistance within roughly the last 8 in/
20 cm, the closing procedure is interrupted
and the roof reopens.
Despite the pinch protection system,
make sure that the travel path of the
sunroof is not obstructed whenever it is
closed. Otherwise, it is not guaranteed that
the closing procedure will be interrupted,
for instance if the obstructions are thin.<
Closing without the pinch protection sys-
tem:
You can disable the pinch protection sys-
tem by pressing the switch past the pres-
sure point and holding it. When closing the
sunroof from the raised position, ensure
that its travel path is not obstructed, since
the pinch protection system is not active in
this position.Convenience operationFor convenience operation using the
remote control refer to page26, for opera-
tion via the door lock refer to page27.
Manual opening and closing In the event of an electrical malfunction,
you can also open and close the glass sun-
roof manually:
1. Slide the cover panel towards the inte-
rior and remove it
2. Move the glass sunroof in the desired
direction using the hexagon wrench
from the onboard tool kit, refer to
page132.
To open1. Press the button in the handle, see
arrow 1;
the cap is unlocked
2. Guide the roller sun blind towards the
back.To close1. Use the handle to pull the roller sun
blind forwards
2. Engage the handle in the device, see
arrow 2.

35
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
CONVERTIBLE TOP WITH INTEGRATED SLIDING SUNROOFOpening and closing the sliding
sunroofTo open:
Press button 2 until the desired sunroof
position is reached.
To close:
Press button 1.
The sliding sunroof can be operated up to a
road speed of 75 mph / 120 km/h.
Power convertible top So that you can get the most enjoyment
out of your MINI Convertible, please
observe the following tips:
>It is recommended that you close the
convertible top whenever the vehicle is
parked.
The closed convertible top not only pro-
tects the vehicle interior from damage
due to unforeseen bad weather, but also
provides a certain degree of protection
against theft
>Even when the convertible top is closed,
keep valuable items in the locked lug-
gage compartment or in the lockable
glove compartment
>Do not mount any roof rack systems on
the convertible top
>To avoid damage, do not operate the
convertible top at temperatures below
147/–106.
Do not leave the convertible top
folded for more than one day if it is
wet, to prevent permanent damage from
moisture. Do not place any objects on the
convertible top, as they could otherwise fall
off while the convertible top is being oper-
ated and result in damage or personal
injury.<
Driving off before an opening or clos-
ing procedure is completely finished
can lead to damage or personal injury.
Make sure that the convertible top's travel
path is clear and do not reach into the con-
vertible top mechanism during opening or
closing procedures, otherwise injuries may
result. Keep children away from the swivel-
ing area of the convertible top while it is in
operation.<
Before closing the convertible top, remove
any foreign objects from the windshield
frame. They could prevent the convertible
top from closing.
To conserve battery power, if possible
operate the convertible top only
while the engine is running.
Only operate the convertible top when the
vehicle is at a standstill. Otherwise, the pro-
cedure cannot be carried out or it will be
interrupted.
In order to operate the convertible top, the
loading aid must be locked and the luggage
compartment cover must be in its lower
position, refer to page94.<

36
CONVERTIBLE TOP WITH INTEGRATED SLIDING SUNROOFOpening and closing the convertible
topObserve the instructions and safety precau-
tions described above.
To open:
While the vehicle is stationary, press but-
ton 2 to open the sliding sunroof. Pressing
the button again opens the convertible top.
The side windows move down when the
button for convertible top operation is
pressed.
The windows close again when you keep
the button pressed for more than two sec-
onds after the opening procedure is fin-
ished and the LED has gone out.
To close:
Press button 1 until the convertible top and
sliding sunroof are closed.
If the convertible top is left open for a
longer period of time, it may be necessary
to support the first automatic closing pro-
cedure. If the convertible top or sliding sun-
roof stops just before the closing procedure
is finished:
1. Unlock the loading aid, refer to page94
2. Close the convertible top and sliding
sunroof completely
3. Lock the loading aid, refer to page94.
Checking>The LED lights up during convertible top
operation until the opening or closing
procedure is completely finished
>The LED flashes for approx. 60 seconds
after the button is released. The opening
or closing procedure has not yet been
completed. The procedure can be contin-
ued in the desired direction by pressing
the appropriate button
>The LED flashes rapidly. The convertible
top cannot be operated.
The luggage compartment cover is not in
its lower position, refer to page94, or the
loading aid is not correctly locked, refer
to page94.

37
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
CONVERTIBLE TOP WITH INTEGRATED SLIDING SUNROOFInterruptionThe automatic movement is immediately
interrupted when the buttons for convert-
ible top operation are released. The proce-
dure can be continued in the desired direc-
tion by pressing the appropriate buttons.
If the opening or closing procedure is inter-
rupted by releasing the respective button,
the convertible top stays in its current posi-
tion for several seconds before it slowly
moves into a more stable position. The pro-
cedure can be continued by pressing the
appropriate button.
Movement is also interrupted when there
is a mechanical blockage. In this case, in
order to operate the convertible top again:
1. Turn off the ignition and then switch it
on again
2. Press the button to continue the proce-
dure in the desired direction.Opening and closing procedure
Do not interrupt and restart the clos-
ing procedure several times one after
another, or the convertible top mechanism
could be damaged.<
If the convertible top can be moved in
only one direction after several con-
secutive attempts to operate it, the con-
vertible top system has overheated. Allow
the system to cool down for approx.
20 minutes.<
If the battery is disconnected, e.g. for
changing batteries or vehicle storage,
reinitialize the power windows, refer to
page32. Otherwise the windows will not
be lowered when the convertible top is
opened. remote control refer to page26, for opera-
tion via the door lock refer to page27.
Manual closing in the event of an
electrical malfunction
Only close the convertible top manu-
ally if it is absolutely necessary. Never
open it manually. Improper handling of the
convertible top can result in damage. The
closing procedure must be completely fin-
ished. Otherwise, damage or injury could
result.<

38
CONVERTIBLE TOP WITH INTEGRATED SLIDING SUNROOFBefore closing1. Fold the rear bench seat upward and
remove the special hexagon wrench
attached to it
1. Open the tailgate
2. Release the loading aid, refer to page94
3. Remove the cover from the side panel on
the left-hand side
4. Using the screwdriver from the onboard
tool kit, refer to page132, unscrew the
screw, arrow, in the direction of the
arrow by rotating it one and a half turns.
Releasing the convertible top
Depending on the vehicle model, it
may also be necessary to release the
convertible top in order to close it.<
1. Press the lever with the hexagon wrench
to release the convertible top, see arrow
1, and lift the side frame, see arrow 2.
If necessary, insert an object between
that side frame and the body to prevent
the convertible top from locking again
2. Release the second side frame.