belt MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE 2009 User Guide

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
93
MINI Convertible: Luggage
compartment
Do not place any objects on the luggage
compartment roll-up cover, as it may
damage the cover or the convertible top.<
Loading aid
When the convertible top is closed, you can load
the vehicle more easily by releasing the convert-
ible top and folding it up.
1.Release the convertible top using the han-
dles, see arrows 1.
2.Lift the convertible top, see arrow 2.
3.Fold back the handles and place them on
holders3.
Expanding the luggage compartment
volume
You can enlarge the luggage compartment vol-
ume when the convertible top is closed.
1.Fold the convertible top upwards, refer to
Loading aid
2.Pull the luggage compartment's roll-up
cover from its lower storage area and
towards the rear, then swing upward, see
arrows 1.3.Push cover into the upper storage areas, see
arrows 2 and place down horizontally.
To operate the convertible top, move the
luggage compartment cover back to its
lower position.<
Through-loading system
To be able to transport larger objects, the rear
backrest can be folded down.
1.If necessary, use the integrated key and
open the backrest lock 1.
2.Press button2 and fold down backrest
together with the belt strap.
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 passen-
ger compartment during sudden braking or eva-
sive maneuvers, posing a potential hazard to
occupants.
The belt guide loop, see page37, must be
closed.<

Things to remember when driving
94
Determining cargo limit
1.Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise, overloading
can result in damage to the vehicle and un-
stable 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 passengers from XXX kilograms or YYY
pounds.
4.The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the XXX amount equals
1,400 lbs. and there will be four 150 lbs. pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs:
1,400 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 650 lbs.
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage
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, part of
the 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.
Load
The 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/luggage can be transported.
Stowing cargo
>Position heavy objects as low and as far for-
ward as possible, ideally directly behind the
rear seat backrests.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
>For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is
not occupied, secure each safety belt in the
respective opposite buckle.
>Do not stack higher than the top edge of the
backrests.
MINI

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109
Tire coding
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire
makes it easier to identify and choose the right
tires.
Tire size
Speed code letter
Q = up to 100 mph or 160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph or 190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph or 210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph or 240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph or 270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph or 300 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of the
US Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition
to these grades.<
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1γ) times as
well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test sur-
faces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration, corner-
ing, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteris-
tics.<
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest, B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sus-
tained high temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car tires must
e.g.
Nominal width in mm
Aspect ratio in Ξ
Radial belt construction
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating,
not on ZR tires
Speed code letter, in
front of the R on ZR tires225/45 R 17 91 V
e.g.
Manufacturer's
code for tire make
Tire size and
tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 5008

Care
122
Floor mats can be removed to be cleaned. When
putting the floor mats, back in, make sure that
the seat rails do not extend over the floor mats
as this may damage them.
Lint on floor mats arises from manufacturing
and can be removed by repeated vacuuming.
Interior plastic parts
These include:
>Plastic surfaces
>Lamp glass
>Display panes
>Matte parts
Only clean with water and, if necessary, solvent-
free plastic cleaners.
Do not use solvents such as alcohol, lac-
quer thinner, cold cleaners, fuel, or similar,
as these will damage the surfaces.<
Decorative strips*
Only clean decorative strips with moist cloths.
Wipe dry with a soft cloth.
Safety belts
Do not use cleansers since they can
destroy the fabric.<
Displays
To clean displays such as radios or display ele-
ments, use a display cleaning cloth or a soft,
non-scratching, lint-free cloth.
Avoid pressing too hard when cleaning
the display as this can cause damage.<
Do not use chemical or abrasive house-
hold cleaning agents. Keep fluids of any
kind away from the device. Surfaces or electrical
components may otherwise become corroded
or damaged.<
CD/DVD drives
Do not use cleaning CDs as this could
damage parts of the drive.<
Vehicle storage
If you are not going to drive your car for more
than three months, please ask for advice from
your MINI dealer or a workshop that works
according to MINI manufacturer specifications.

Indicator and warning lamps
138
Indicator and warning lamps
Indicator and warning lamps can light up in var-
ious combinations and colors in indicator area 1
or2. See the table for information on causes and
how to react. Note whether a lamp comes on
alone or in combination with another. Some
lamps can light up in different colors. Corre-
sponding distinctions are made in the text.
12Cause What to do
Turn signals
High beams/headlamp flasher
switched on
Fog lamps switched on
Rear fog lamp switched on
Fasten safety belts Fasten your safety belt, refer also to
page37.
Indication in US models
Parking brake applied Release the parking brake.
Indication in Canadian models
Parking brake applied Release the parking brake.
Outside temperature warning Drive cautiously, refer also to page52.

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
141
Belt tensioners and/or airbag system
failedHave the system checked immedi-
ately. Fasten the safety belts anyway.
Power steering failed You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Steering response will be
markedly different. Have the system
checked without delay.
Lights up:
Emergency calling system failed or
malfunctioningHave the system checked as soon as
possible.
Lights up in red:
Engine malfunction
Stop the car and switch off the
engine. You cannot continue your
journey. Contact your MINI Dealer.
Lights up in yellow:
Full engine power no longer available You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Have the engine
checked as soon as possible.
Indicator lamp1 flashes:
Engine malfunction under high load.
High engine load will result in dam-
age to the catalytic converterYou can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Have the vehicle
checked without delay.
Indicator lamp1 comes on:
Engine malfunction with adverse
effect on exhaust emissionsYou can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Have the car checked as
soon as possible.
12Cause What to do

From A to Z
158
From A to Z
INDEX
A
Accessories, refer to Your
individual vehicle4
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate control82
Additives
– coolant115
– engine oil115
Adjusting temperature inside
the car, refer to Air
conditioner79
Adjusting temperature inside
the car, refer to Automatic
climate control80
Air conditioner78
Air conditioning mode
– air conditioner79
– automatic climate control80
– ventilation82
Air distribution
– automatic81
– individual80
– manual80
Air flow rate79,81
– air conditioning system79
– automatic climate control81
– heating, ventilation79
Air outlets, refer to Air vents78
Air pressure, checking, refer to
Tire inflation pressure102
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode79,81
Air supply
– air conditioner79
– automatic climate control80
– ventilation82
Air vents78
Airbags70
– sitting safely34
– warning lamp72
Airing, refer to Ventilation82AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications101
Alarm system24
All-season tires, refer to Winter
tires112
Always Open Timer54
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode79,81
Ambient lighting77
Antenna, care119
Antifreeze
– coolant115
– washer fluid50
Antilock Brake System ABS63
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system
24
Anti-theft system19
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights155
Approved engine oils115
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights155
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest85
Ashtray87
Assistant systems, refer to
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC63
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control81
Audio device, external85
AUTO program for automatic
climate control81
Automatic
– air distribution81
– air flow rate81
– cruise control50
– headlamp control73
Automatic climate control78
– automatic air distribution81
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC81Automatic transmission with
Steptronic45
– interlock46
– overriding selector lever
lock47
– shiftlock46
– sport program46
AUX-In, refer to External audio
device85
Average fuel consumption53
– setting the units56
Average speed54
Axle loads, refer to
Weights155B
Background lighting, refer to
Ambient lighting77
Backrests, refer to Seats34
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb126,127
Band-aids, refer to First aid
pouch134
Bar, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away136
Battery132
– charging132
– disposal27,132
– jump starting134
– temporary power failure132
Battery renewal
– remote control27
Being towed136
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts37
Belts, refer to Safety belts37
Beverage holders, refer to Cup
holders87
Blower, refer to Air flow
rate79,81
Bonnet113

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161
Engine
– breaking in90
– data152
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature52
– speed152
– starting44
– starting, convenient
access26
– switching off44
Engine compartment114
Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant115
Engine oil
– adding115
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils115
– approved engine oils115
– capacity115
– checking level114
– dipstick114
– intervals between changes,
refer to Service
requirements57
– MINI Maintenance
System117
Engine oil level, checking114
Engine output, refer to Engine
data152
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine44
Error messages, refer to Check
Control60
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC63
Event data recorders118
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system90
Exterior mirrors38
– adjusting38
– automatic heating38
– folding in and out38
External audio device85
External care
– 119Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing
away135
– for tying down loads95
F
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control60
Failure of an electrical
consumer133
Fasten safety belts reminder,
refer to Seat belt
reminder37
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts37
Filter
– microfilter for air
conditioner80
– microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic
climate control82
Fine wood, care122
First aid pouch134
Fixture for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock43
Flash when locking/
unlocking20
Flat tire
– Run-Flat Tires111
– Tire Pressure Monitor TPM66
Flat Tire Monitor FTM65
– indicating a flat tire66
– initializing the system65
– malfunction66
– snow chains65
– system limits65
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition110
Floor mats, care121
Fog lamps
– replacing bulb125,127
Folding rear seat backrest92
Folding roof, refer to
Convertible top with
integrated sliding sunroof29
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely91
Footwell lamps76For your own safety4
Front airbags70
Front fog lamps76
– indicator lamp138
– replacing bulb125
Front seat adjustment34
Frost on windows, refer to
Defrosting windows80,82
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor65
Fuel101
– gauge53
– high-quality brands101
– quality101
– specifications101
– tank capacity
156
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge53
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge53
Fuel filler door100
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction100
Fuses133
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control83
Gasoline
– refer to Average
consumption53
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge53
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel101
Gear indicator
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic45
Gear shifting
– automatic transmission46
– manual transmission45
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic46
– manual transmission45
General driving notes90

From A to Z
164
Oil, refer to Engine oil114
Old batteries, refer to
Disposal132
Onboard tool kit123
Opening and closing
– convenient access26
– from inside22
– from outside19
– using the door lock22
– via the remote control19
Opening and unlocking
– from inside22
Outlets
– refer to Ventilation82
Outlets, refer to Air vents78
Output, refer to Engine
data152
Outside temperature
display52
– changing unit of measure56
– on onboard computer56
Outside-air mode
– automatic climate control81
Overheated engine, refer to
Coolant temperature52
P
Paintwork, care120
Park Distance Control PDC62
Parking
– vehicle44
Parking aid, refer to Park
Distance Control PDC62
Parking brake45
Parking lamps, replacing
bulb125
Parking lamps/low beams73
Parts and accessories, refer to
Your individual vehicle4
Pathway lighting73
Personal Profile18
Pinch protection system
– windows29
Plastic parts, care122Pollen
– refer to Microfilter for air
conditioner80
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic
climate control82
Power convertible top30
Power failure132
Power windows28
Power windows, refer to
Windows28
Pressure monitoring of tires,
refer to Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM66
Pressure monitoring, tires65
– Flat Tire Monitor65
Pressure, tires102
Protective function, refer to
Pinch protection system
– windows29
Puncture
– Flat Tire Monitor65
R
Radio key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control18
Radio position, refer to Radio
readiness43
Radio readiness43
– switched off43
– switched on43
Rain sensor49
Range, refer to Cruising
range53
Reading lamps77
Rear fog lamp76
– indicator lamp138
– replacing bulb127
Rear lamps
– bulb replacement127
Rear lamps, refer to Tail
lamps126
Rear luggage rack*96
Rear seat backrest, folding92
Rear seats
– folding the backrests92
Rear window heating79,82Rearview mirror, refer to
Mirrors38
Recirculated-air mode79,81
Recirculation of air, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode79,81
Reclining seat, refer to
Backrest35
Refueling100
Releasing
– bonnet113
Remote control18
– battery renewal27
– convenient access26
– garage door opener83
– malfunctions21,27
– service data117
– tailgate21
Replacement remote
control18
Replacing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs123
Replacing tires, refer to New
wheels and tires111
Reporting safety defects6
Reserve warning, refer to Fuel
gauge53
Reservoir for washer
systems50
Restraint systems
– for children40
– refer to Safety belts37
Reverse gear
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic46
– manual transmission45
Roadside Assistance134
Roadside parking lamps75
– replacing bulb125
Roadworthiness test, refer to
Service requirements57
Roof load capacity155
Roof-mounted luggage
rack95
Rope, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away136
RSC Runflat System
Component, refer to Run-
Flat Tires111

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165
Rubber parts, care121
Runflat System Component
RSC, refer to Run-Flat
Tires111
Run-Flat Tires111
– flat tire66
– new tires111
– tire inflation pressure102
– winter tires112
Runflat Tyres, refer to Run-Flat
Tires111
S
Safety belts37
– damage38
– indicator lamp37
– reminder37
– sitting safely34
Safety belts, care122
Safety systems
– airbags70
– Antilock Brake System
ABS63
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC63
– safety belts37
Safety tires, refer to Run-Flat
Tires111
Screw thread for tow
fitting136
Seat adjustment
– mechanical35
Seats34
– adjusting the seats35
– heating37
– sitting safely34
Securing the vehicle
– from inside22
– from outside19
Selector lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic46
Selector lever lock
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic, refer to
Shiftlock46
– overriding manually47Selector lever positions
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic46
Service car, refer to Roadside
Assistance134
Service data in the remote
control117
Service Interval Display, refer
to Condition Based Service
CBS117
Service, refer to Roadside
Assistance134
Service requirement display,
refer to Condition Based
Service CBS117
Service requirements57
Settings
– clock, 12h/24h mode56
Shifting gears
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic46
– manual transmission45
Shiftlock
– automatic transmission, refer
to Changing selector lever
positions46
Side airbags70
Side turn signal indicator
– replacing bulb126
Side windows, refer to
Windows28
Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Sitting safely34
– airbags34
– safety belts34
– with head restraint34
Size, refer to Dimensions153
Sliding/tilt sunroof
– refer to Glass sunroof,
electric27
Slipstream deflector, refer to
Wind deflector33
Slot for remote control43
Smokers' package, refer to
Ashtray87
Snap-in adapter, refer to
Center armrest storage
compartment85
Snow chains112Socket for Onboard Diagnosis
OBD117
Socket, refer to Connecting
electrical appliances87
Space-saver spare tire
– changing tires129
– inflation pressure102
Spare wheel, refer to Space-
saver spare tire129
Special oils, refer to Approved
engine oils115
Speed152
– with winter tires112
Speed control, refer to Cruise
control50
Speedometer12
Split rear backrest, refer to
Through-loading system93
Split rear seat backrest, refer to
Expanding the cargo bay92
Sport button64
Stability control, refer to
Driving stability control
systems62
Start/stop button43
– starting the engine44
– switching off the engine44
Starting assistance, refer to
Jump starting134
Starting, refer to Starting the
engine44
Starting the engine
– start/stop button43
Start-off assistance, refer to
– DSC63
– Hill Start Assist64
Status of this Owner's Manual
at time of printing4
Steering wheel39
– adjustment39
– buttons on steering wheel11
– lock43
– shift paddles
46
Steptronic, refer to Automatic
transmission with
Steptronic45
Storage area
– cargo bay92