airbag MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE 2008 Owners Manual

3OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
Driving:
Ignition lock 53
Starting the engine 53
Switching off the engine 54
Parking brake 54
Manual transmission 55
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic56
Parking lamps/Low beams 60
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher 61
Instrument lighting 62
Fog lamps 62
Interior lamps 62
Washer/wiper system 63
Washer fluid64
Cruise control65
Everything under control:
Odometer 67
Clock 67
Fuel gauge 67
Coolant temperature gauge 68
Tachometer 69
Service interval display 69
Onboard computer70Technology for safety and driving
convenience:
Driving stability control systems72
Flat Tire Monitor 74
Tire Pressure Monitor76
Airbags 79
Park Distance Control (PDC)81
Controlling the climate for pleasant
driving:
Air conditioning system82
Automatic climate control85
Interior conveniences:
Glove compartment 88
Center armrest89
Drinks holders, ashtray 89
Cigarette lighter, 12 V power supply 90
Integrated universal remote control91
Loading and transporting cargo:
Luggage compartment in the MINI 93
Luggage compartment in the MINI
Convertible 94
Loading cargo 95
Roof-mounted luggage rack98
OPERATION, CARE, MAINTENANCESpecial operating instructions:
Break-in procedures 102
General driving notes 102
Refueling105
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure 108
Tire coding 112
Tire condition 113
Run-Flat Tires115
New wheels and tires 116
Snow chains117

18
INDICATOR AND WARNING LAMPSRed: have it checked soon
Airbags
+
There is a malfunction in the airbag
system. Have the system checked
as soon as possible.
More information on page80.
Yellow: have it checked soon
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
+
The ABS has failed. Conventional
braking efficiency is available. Have
the system checked as soon as possible.
More information on page72.
Canadian models display this
warning lamp.
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction ASC/Dynamic Stability
Control DSC
+
Indicator lamp flashes:
System active: drive and brake forces are
regulated.
Indicator lamp lights up continuously:
ASC/DSC has been deactivated at the but-
ton or is malfunctioning.
If there is a malfunction: have the system
checked as soon as possible.
More information on page72.
Engine
+
The exhaust emissions have deteri-
orated.
Have the vehicle checked as soon as possi-
ble.
Canadian models display this
warning lamp.
Engine electronics
* +
The engine electronics are mal-
functioning. You can continue to
drive with reduced engine output or engine
speed. Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible.
Brake pads
The brake pads have reached the
minimum safe limit for lining wear.
Have the brake pads replaced immediately.
More information on page103.

42
SAFE SEATING POSITIONThe ideal seating position can make a vital
contribution to relaxed, relatively fatigue-
free driving. Together with the safety belts
and airbags, the seating position also plays
an important role in providing occupants
with maximum levels of passive safety in
an accident. To ensure that the safety sys-
tems operate with optimal efficiency, we
strongly urge you to observe the instruc-
tions contained in the following section.
For additional information about trans-
porting children safely, refer to page50.Airbags
Always maintain an adequate dis-
tance between yourself and all of the
airbags. Always hold the steering wheel by
the rim with the hands at the 9 and
3 o'clock positions to keep any chance of
injury to hands or arms to an absolute min-
imum, should the airbag be deployed.
No one and nothing is to come between
the airbags and the seat occupant. Do not
use the front passenger airbag cover as a
storage surface for objects of any kind.
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 passenger
airbag suddenly deployed.
Make sure that passengers do not lean
their heads against the side or head airbag,
as injuries could result if the side airbags
were triggered.<
Even if all these instructions are followed, it
cannot entirely be ruled out that in some
circumstances injury may result from con-
tact with the airbags. In sensitive individu-
als, the ignition and inflation noise may
induce a mild hearing loss that is usually
temporary.
For airbag locations and additional infor-
mation on airbags, refer to page79.Head restraintA correctly adjusted head restraint reduces
the risk of injury to the cervical spine in the
event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint in such a
way that it is centered roughly at ear
level. Otherwise, there is an increased risk
of injury in the event of an accident. Airbags are an additional safety device and
work in conjunction with the safety belts,
but do not replace them. Your vehicle is
equipped with four seats, each of which is
provided with a safety belt.
Never allow more than one person to
wear a single safety belt. Never allow
infants or small children to ride in a passen-
ger'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 not twisted and sits as
snugly as possible against the lap and
shoulder. Otherwise the belt could slide
over the hips and injure the abdomen in
the event of a frontal collision. Avoid wear-
ing bulky clothing and pull the belt in the
upper-body area upward periodically to
retension it. Otherwise, the restraining
effect of the safety belt could be dimin-
ished.<
For information on using the safety belts,
refer to page46.

46
SAFETY BELTS
Comply with the instructions on
page42, or the occupants' personal
safety will be diminished.<
Make sure every occupant fastens his or
her safety belt. Airbags are an additional
safety device and work in conjunction with
the safety belts, but do not replace them.
To closeMake sure you hear the lock engage in the
belt buckle.
Safety belt reminder for the front seats
The indicator lamp flashes or lights
up. A signal also sounds. Check if
the safety belts have been properly
fastened.
The safety belt reminder is operational
above a speed of approx. 5 mph / 8 km/h.
The reminder can also occur if objects are
on the front passenger seat.
To release1. Press the red button in the belt buckle
2. Hold the belt
3. Guide the belt back into its reel.
Safety belt height adjustment in the
MINIPress the button and at the same time push
the entire unit upwards or downwards.
Also observe the instructions on adjusting
the seats on page42.Safety belt height in the MINI
ConvertibleThe seat belt height is adapted to your
body size if you are sitting correctly.

50
TRANSPORTING CHILDREN SAFELY The proper place for children
Do not leave children unattended in
the vehicle; otherwise they could
endanger themselves and others by open-
ing the doors, for example.<
Children should always sit in the rearAccident research shows that the safest
place for children is on the rear seats.
Only transport children under the age
of 13 or smaller than 5 ft/150 cm in
the rear in a child-restraint system suitable
for their age, weight and size. Otherwise
there is an increased risk of injury in the
event of an accident.<
Children 13 years of age or older must wear
a fastened safety belt as soon as a child-
restraint system is no longer suitable due
to their age, size or weight.
All of the seats in your MINI except for the
driver's seat meet the recommendations of
the SAE J1819 standard for securely mount-
ing child-restraint systems in motor vehi-
cles.Exception for the front passenger seat
Should it be necessary to use a child-
restraint system on the front passen-
ger seat, the front and side airbags for the
front passenger must be deactivated. Oth-
erwise, there is a significant risk of injury to
the child if the airbags deploy, even if the
child is seated in a child-restraint system.
Your MINI Dealer will be glad to advise
you.<
For additional information on automatic
deactivation of the front passenger airbags,
refer to page79.
Installing child-restraint systems
Always follow the manufacturer's
instructions when selecting, install-
ing and using child-restraint systems; oth-
erwise the system's protective effect could
be diminished.<

79
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
AIRBAGSThe following airbags are located under the
marked covers:MINI1 Side airbags in the backrests
2 Head airbags
3 Front airbags MINI Convertible1 Side/head airbags in the backrests
3 Front airbags Protective effect
Comply with the instructions on
page42, or the occupants' personal
safety will be diminished.<
The front airbags supplement the safety
belts by providing additional protection for
the driver and front passenger in the event
of a frontal collision in which the protec-
tion afforded by the belts alone may no
longer be sufficient. When needed, the
head and side airbags help to furnish pro-
tection in the event of side impact. Each of
the side airbags is designed to help support
the seat occupant's upper body. The corre-
sponding side/head airbag in the MINI Con-
vertible or the head airbag in the MINI sup-
ports the head.
The airbags are designed to not be trig-
gered in certain types of collisions, e.g. not
in minor accidents or rear impacts.
For information on the ideal seating posi-
tion, refer to page42.
Do not apply adhesive materials to
the cover panels of the airbags, cover
them or modify them in any other way. Do
not fit covers, cushions or other items to
the front seats that have not been specially
approved for seats with integrated side air-
bags. Do not hang clothing, e. g. jackets,
over the backrests.
Do not attempt to remove the airbag
restraint system from the vehicle. Do not
touch the individual components directly
after the system has been triggered; other-
wise there is a danger of burns. In the event
of malfunctions, deactivation or deploy-
ment of the airbag restraint system, have
the system checked, repaired or disassem-
bled only by a MINI Dealer or a workshop
with specially trained personnel working in
accordance with the specifications of the
MINI manufacturer and having the neces-
sary permits for handling explosive devices.
Unprofessional attempts to service the sys-
tem could lead to failure in an emergency
or undesired airbag activation, either of
which could result in personal injury.<
Warning notices and information regard-
ing airbags can also be found on the sun
visors.Automatic deactivation of the front
passenger airbagsAn analysis of the impression in the front
passenger seat cushion determines
whether and how the seat is occupied. The
system correspondingly activates or deacti-
vates the front and side airbags for the
front passenger.
The indicator lamp above the interior
rearview mirror shows the current
status of the front passenger airbags, deac-

80
AIRBAGStivated or activated, refer to Functional sta-
tus of the front passenger airbags below. <
Before transporting a child on the
front passenger seat, read the safety
notes and instructions under Transporting
children safely, refer to page50.
Adolescents and adults sitting in certain
positions could also deactivate the front
and side airbags for the front passenger;
the indicator lamp for the front passenger
airbags comes on. In such cases, the occu-
pant should change his or her sitting posi-
tion so that the front passenger airbags are
activated and the indicator lamp goes out.
If the airbags are not activated although
the seat occupant has changed his or her
position, have the occupant sit on a rear
seat. Do not attach covers, cushions, ball
mats or other items to the front passenger
seat unless they are specifically recom-
mended by the manufacturer of your MINI.
Do not place any objects under the seat
which could press against the seat from
below. Otherwise, a correct analysis of the
seat cushion is not ensured.<
Functional status of the front
passenger airbagsAs an example, the illustration shows the
indicator lamp for front passenger airbags
in the MINI Convertible.
In accordance with whether and how the
front passenger seat is occupied, the indi-
cator lamp for the front passenger airbags
shows the functional status of the front
and side airbags for the front passenger.
The indicator lamp shows whether the
front passenger airbags are activated or
deactivated.
>The indicator lamp comes on as intended
when a child in a specially designated
child-restraint system is detected on the
front passenger's seat.
The front and side airbags for the front
passenger are not activated.
>The indicator lamp does not come on
when the system detects a person of suf-
ficient size sitting correctly on the seat,
for example. The front and side airbags
for the front passenger are activated.
>The indicator lamp does not come on
when the seat is empty. However, the
front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are not activated. Operational readiness of the airbag
system
Starting from ignition key
position 1, the warning lamp in the
display elements lights up briefly
for confirmation that the entire airbag sys-
tem and the seat belt tensioners are opera-
tional.
Airbag system malfunctioning>The warning lamp does not come on
along with ignition key position 1
>The warning lamp stays lit continuously.
In the event of a malfunction, have
the airbag system checked immedi-
ately. Otherwise, there is a risk that the sys-
tem will not function as intended in an
accident of sufficient severity.<

EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
160
A
ABS Antilock Brake System72
indicator lamp17
,18
Accessories, refer to Your
individual vehicle6
Activated-charcoal filter87
Adjusting interior
temperature83
,86
Airbags79
passenger airbag status
lamp80
safe seating position42
warning lamp18
Air circulation, refer to
Recirculated air mode83
,86
Air conditioning system82
Air distribution
air conditioning system83
automatic climate control86
individual87
manual83
Air outlets, refer to
Ventilation84
,87
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure108
Air volume
air conditioning system83
automatic climate control86
AKI, refer to Fuel quality105
All-season tires, refer to Winter
tires117All Season traction Control
(ASC)72
indicator lamps17
,18
Antenna127
Antifreeze
coolant122
washer fluid64
Antilock Brake System (ABS)72
indicator lamp17,18
Anti-theft system24
Approved axle load, refer to
Weights155
,156
Approved engine oils122
Approved gross vehicle weight,
refer to Weights155
,156
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest89
ASC All Season traction
Control72
indicator lamps17
,18
Assistant systems, refer to
All Season traction Control
(ASC)72
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)72
Automatic
air distribution86
air volume86
cruise control65
Automatic car washes126
Automatic climate control85Automatic transmission with
Steptronic
ignition53
indicator lamp57
interlock53
selector lever lock56
shiftlock56
towing148
tow-starting149
AUTO program, refer to
Automatic air distribution86
Aux-In socket88
Average consumption71
setting units71
Average speed71
setting units71
Axle loads, refer to
Weights155
,156
B
Backrests, refer to
Adjusting seats44
Backup lamp
bulb replacement135
Bar, towing148
Base plate for telephone or
mobile phone89Battery144
charging144
disposal144
indicator lamp16
jump-starting146
power failure144
Battery care69
,125
Being towed148
Belts, refer to Safety belts46
Beverage holders89
Black ice, refer to Temperature
warning70
Blower
air conditioning system83
automatic climate control86
Blower, refer to Air volume83
Blowers, refer to Draft-free
ventilation84,87
Bonnet118
indicator lamp17
Bottle holders, refer to
Beverage holders89
Brake discs
brake system103
break-in procedures102
Brake fluid124
level124
warning lamp16
Brake lamps, bulb
replacement135

EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
164
Flat tire
Flat Tire Monitor74
,75
MINI Mobility System141
Run-Flat Tires75
space-saver spare tire137
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM76
Flat tire, refer to Changing
tires139
Flat tire, refer to Tire
condition113
Flat Tire Monitor74
indicator lamp17
issuing a flat tire warning75
malfunction75
,77
Floor coverings, carpets128
Floor mats128
Fog lamps62
indicator lamp62
Foldable rear backrest93
,94
Folding roof, refer to
Convertible top with
integrated sliding sunroof35
Foot braking, refer to General
driving notes103
Fresh air nozzles,
refer to Draft-free
ventilation84
Front airbags79
Front turn signal indicators,
bulb replacement134Fuel105
average consumption71
gauge67
,68
quality105
tank capacity157
Fuel filler door105
unlocking in the event of
electrical
malfunction106
,107
Fuses145
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control91
Gas, refer to Average
consumption71
Gas, refer to Fuel quality105
Gas cap105
Gasoline, refer to Fuel
quality105
Gasoline gauge, refer to Fuel
gauge67
,68
Gear indicator, for automatic
transmission with
Steptronic57
Gearshift lever
automatic transmission with
Steptronic56
manual transmission55Gear shifts, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic56
General driving notes102
Glass sunroof, electric33
convenience operation27
opening and closing in the
event of an electrical
malfunction34
remote control26
Glove compartment88
Gross weight, refer to
Weights155
,156
H
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake54
Hazard warning flashers12
Head airbags79
Headlamp flasher61
indicator lamp19
Headlamps
bulb replacement134
care127
Headlamp washer reservoir64
capacity, refer to
Capacities157
Headlamp washer system
cleaning headlamps64
washer fluid64
Head restraints44Heated rear window
air conditioning system83
automatic climate control86
Heating82
exterior mirrors48
mirrors48
rear window83
,86
seats47
windshield83
,86
Heavy load, refer to Loading97
Height, refer to
Dimensions153,154
Height adjustment
seats43
steering wheel47
High beams61
bulb replacement134
headlamp flasher61
indicator lamp19
High Performance Synthetic
Oil, refer to Engine oil122
recommended oils122
specified oils122
Holders for beverages89
Horn12
Hot exhaust system104
Hydraulic brake124
Hydroplaning103

EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
165
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
I
Ice warning, refer to Outside
temperature warning70
Ignition53
Ignition key24
Ignition key positions, refer to
Ignition lock53
Ignition lock53
Illuminated vanity mirror48
Imitation leather127
Imprint2
Index160
Indicator/warning lamp
airbags80
ASC73
brakes124
coolant temperature68
DSC73
fasten safety belts46
Flat Tire Monitor75
fog lamps62
reserve fuel capacity67
,68
Indicator and warning lamps
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM77
Indicator and warning lamps,
overview16
Individual air distribution87
Individual settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory49Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure108
Inflation pressure monitor,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor74
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM76
Inspection69
Instrument cluster, refer to
Display elements13
Instrument lighting62
Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit12
Integrated universal remote
control91
Interior lamp, remote
control26
Interior lamps62
Interior rearview mirror48
automatic dimming102
Interlock, refer to Steering
locked53
Intermittent operation of the
wipers63
Interval
display, service125
J
Jack137
,141
points140Jack, refer to Tire change set
MINI Mobility System141
Run-Flat Tires115
space-saver spare tire137
Jacking points140
Jets, refer to Ventilation84
,87
Jets, refer to Windshield
washer jets64
John Cooper Works Kit152
Jump-starting146
K
Keys24
Kickdown57
Knock control105
L
Lamp defect133
Lamp replacement, refer to
Lamps and bulbs133
Lamps, refer to Parking lamps/
Low beams60
Lamps and bulbs133
Lashing eyelets, refer to
Securing the load97
LATCH child-restraint fixing
system52
Leather care128
LEDs light-emitting diodes136
Length, refer to
Dimensions153
,154License plate lamp, bulb
replacement136
Lifting handle, space-saver
spare tire137
Light-alloy wheels, care127
Light-emitting diodes
(LEDs)136
Lighter90
Lighting
lamps and bulbs133
Lighting of the instruments62
Lights on warning61
Light switch60
Loading
securing cargo97
stowing cargo97
Loading the vehicle95
Loads, refer to Loading cargo95
Load securing devices, refer to
Securing the load97
Locking
from inside28
from outside26
Locking/unlocking the vehicle,
acknowledgment
signals26
,27
Low beams60
bulb replacement134
Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support44