dashboard MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE 2009 Owners Manual

Adjustments
34
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 page40.
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 do not lean their
heads against the side airbags, otherwise seri-
ous injuries could result if the airbags suddenly
deployed.<
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 page70.
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 page36.
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 passenger'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 clothing and
regularly pull the belt in the upper-body area
taut, otherwise its restraining effect could be
impaired.<
Safety belts, refer to page37.
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
incline the backrest too far to the rear while the

Technology for driving comfort and safety
70
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 page34 to
ensure the best possible personal protec-
tion.<
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-
g e r s i d e f r e e f r o m o b s t r u c t i o n , i . e . d o n o t c o v e r i t
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
160
Consumption, refer to Average
fuel consumption53
Control Display
– settings55
Controls and displays10
Convenience operation
– convertible top22
Convenience start, refer to
Starting the engine44
Convenient access26
– replacing the battery27
Convenient operation
– windows20
Convertible top29
Coolant115
– checking level115
– filling115
Coolant temperature52
Cooling fluid, refer to
Coolant115
Cooling, maximum81
Copyright2
Cruising range53
Cup holders87
Curb weight, refer to
Weights155
Current fuel consumption54
D
Dashboard instruments, refer
to Displays12
Dashboard lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting76
Dashboard, refer to Cockpit10
Data152
– capacities156
– dimensions153
– engine152
– weights155
Date
– setting59
Daytime running lamps74
DBC Dynamic Brake Control,
refer to Brake assist63
Deactivating front passenger
airbags71
Deadlocking, refer to
Locking20Defect
– door lock22
– fuel filler door100
Defogging windows80,82
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows80,82
Defrosting windows80,82
Defrosting windows and
removing condensation
– air conditioner80
– automatic climate control82
Differential, breaking in90
Digital clock52
Dimensions153
Dipstick, engine oil114
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals47
Displacement, refer to Engine
data152
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting76
Displays12
– instrument combination12
Displays and controls10
Displays, care122
Disposal
– of coolant115
– remote control battery27
– vehicle battery132
Distance remaining to service,
refer to Service
requirements57
Distance warning, refer to Park
Distance Control PDC62
Diving stability control
systems62
Door key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control18
Door lock22
Door lock, confirmation
signals20
Doors, manual operation22
DOT Quality Grades109
Drinks holders, refer to Cup
holders87
Drive-off assistant, refer to Hill
Start Assist64
Driving dynamics control, refer
to Sport button64Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams73
Driving notes90
Driving off on inclines, refer to
Hill Start Assist64
Driving through water91
Driving tips, refer to Driving
notes90
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function82
DTC Dynamic Traction Control
DTC63
Dynamic Brake Control DBC,
refer to Brake assist63
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC63
Dynamic Traction Control63
E
Electric power windows
– initializing29
Electrical malfunction
– convertible top32
– door lock22
– fuel filler door100
– trunk lid24
Electronic brake-force
distribution63
Electronic Stability Program
ESP, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC63
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– convertible top32
– door lock22
– fuel filler door100
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission47
– trunk lid24
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance134