airbag MINI Hardtop 2 Door 2006 Owner's Manual

3
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
Driving:
Ignition lock53
Starting the engine53
Switching off the engine54
Parking brake54
Manual transmission55
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic56
Parking lamps/Low beams59
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher60
Instrument lighting61
Fog lamps61
Interior lamps61
Washer/wiper system62
Washer fluid63
Cruise control64
Everything under control:
Odometer66
Clock66
Fuel gauge66
Coolant temperature gauge67
Tachometer68
Service interval display68
Onboard computer69Technology for safety and driving
convenience:
Driving stability control systems71
Flat Tire Monitor73
Airbags75
Park Distance Control (PDC)77
Controlling the climate for pleasant
driving:
Air conditioning system78
Automatic climate control81
Interior conveniences:
Glove compartment84
Center armrest84
Drinks holders, ashtray85
Cigarette lighter, 12 V power supply85
Integrated universal remote control86
Loading and transporting cargo:
Luggage compartment in the MINI88
Luggage compartment in the MINI
Convertible89
Loading cargo90
Roof-mounted luggage rack93OPERATION, CARE, MAINTENANCE
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures96
General driving notes96
Refueling99
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure101
Tire coding105
Tire condition106
Run Flat tires108
New wheels and tires109
Snow chains110

18
INDICATOR AND WARNING LAMPS
Red: check as soon as possible
Airbags +
There is a malfunction in the airbag
system. Have the system checked
as soon as possible.
More information on page76.
Brake pads
The brake pads have reached the
minimum safe limit for lining wear.
Have the brake pads replaced immediately.
More information on page117.
Yellow: check as soon as possible
Antilock Brake System (ABS) +
The ABS has failed. Conventional
braking efficiency is available. Have
the system checked as soon as possible.
More information on page71.
Display of the malfunction
described above in Canadian mod-
els.
All Season traction Control (ASC)/
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
+
Indicator lamp flashes:
System active: drive and braking forces are
regulated.
The indicator lamp stays lit: ASC/DSC deac-
tivated with button or defective.
In the event of a defect: have the system
checked as soon as possible.
More information on page71.
Engine+
The exhaust emissions have deteri-
orated.
Have the vehicle checked as soon as possi-
ble.
Display of the malfunction
described above in Canadian mod-
els.
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.

42
SAFE SEATING POSITION
The 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 page75.
Head restraint
A 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.<
Safety belt
Fasten your safety belt before each drive.
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.
Expectant mothers should always
wear their safety belts, taking care to
position the belt in the pelvic area against
the lower hips, where it will not exert pres-
sure against the abdomen.
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.
Do not route the belt across your neck, or
run it across sharp edges. Be sure that the
belt does not become caught or jammed.
Avoid twisting the belt while routing it
firmly across the hips and shoulder; wear it
as snugly against your body as possible and
do not allow it to rest against hard or frag-
ile objects. Otherwise, the belt in the pelvic
area could slide over the hips in the event
of a frontal impact, leading to abdominal
injury. Avoid wearing 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 diminished.<
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 close
Make 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 release
1. 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
MINI
Press 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
Convertible
The 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.<
In principle, all seats in your MINI or MINI
Convertible except for the driver's seat are
suitable for installing universal child-
restraint systems for all age groups that
have been approved for the age group in
question.
Children should always sit in the rear
Accident 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 rear seat positions in your vehicle meet
the recommendations of the SAE J1819 stan-
dard for securely mounting child-restraint
systems in motor vehicles.
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 page75.
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.<
Commercially available child-restraint sys-
tems are designed to be secured with a lap
belt or with the lap-belt section of a lap-
and-shoulder belt. Incorrectly or improperly
installed child-restraint systems can
increase the risk of injury to children.
Always follow the instructions on installing
the system precisely.

75
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
AIRBAGS
The following airbags are located under the
marked covers:
MINI
1 Side airbags in the backrests
2 Head airbags
3 Front airbags
MINI Convertible
1 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. 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 airbags
An 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-

76
AIRBAGS
tivated 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 airbags
As an example, the illustration shows the
indicator lamp for front passenger airbags
on the headliner of the MINI.
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
154
A
ABS Antilock Brake System71
indicator lamp17,18
Accessories, refer to Your
individual vehicle6
Activated-charcoal filter83
Adjusting interior
temperature79,82
Air circulation, refer to
Recirculated air mode79,82
Air conditioning system78
Air distribution
air conditioning system79
automatic climate control82
Air outlets, refer to
Ventilation80,83
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure101
Air volume
air conditioning system79
automatic climate control82
Airbags75
passenger airbag status
lamp76
safe seating position42
warning lamp18
AKI, refer to Fuel quality99
All Season traction Control
(ASC)71
indicator lamps17,18 All-season tires, refer to Winter
tires110
Antenna120
Antifreeze
coolant115
washer fluid63
Antilock Brake System (ABS)71
indicator lamp17,
18
Anti-theft system24
Approved axle load, refer to
Weights149,150
Approved engine oils115
Approved gross vehicle weight,
refer to Weights149,150
ASC All Season traction
Control71
indicator lamps17,18
Ashtray85
Assistant systems, refer to
All Season traction Control
(ASC)71
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)71
AUTO program, refer to
Automatic air distribution82
Automatic
air distribution82
air volume82
cruise control64
Automatic car washes119
Automatic climate control81 Automatic transmission with
Steptronic
ignition53
indicator lamp57
interlock53
selector lever lock56
shiftlock56
towing142
tow-starting143
Average consumption70
setting units70
Average speed70
setting units70
Axle loads, refer to
Weights149,150
B
Backrests, refer to
Adjusting seats44
Backup lamp
bulb replacement129
Bar, towing142
Base plate for telephone or
mobile phone84
Battery138
charging138
disposal138
indicator lamp16
jump-starting140
power failure138
Battery care68,118 Belts, refer to Safety belts46
Beverage holders85
Black ice, refer to Temperature
warning69
Blower
air conditioning system79
automatic climate control82
Blower, refer to Air volume79
Blowers, refer to Draft-free
ventilation80,83
Bonnet111
indicator lamp17
Bottle holders, refer to
Beverage holders85
Brake discs
brake system97
break-in procedures96
Brake fluid117
level117
warning lamp16
Brake lamps, bulb
replacement129
Brake pads117
break-in procedures96

warning lamp18
Brake system117
brake fluid117
brake pads117
break-in procedures96
disc brakes97
warning lamp17

EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
157
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control71
indicator lamp17
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)71
indicator lamp17
E
Easy entry to the rear45
EBD Electronic Brake Force
Distribution71
Electric glass sunroof33
Electric power windows31
initializing32
Electrical malfunction
automatic transmission with
Steptronic58
convertible top38
door lock27
driver's door27
fuel filler door100
glass sunroof, electric34
tailgate30
Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD)71
Electronic Stability Program
(ESP), refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)71 Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
convertible top38
driver's door27
fuel filler door100
glass sunroof, electric34
tailgate30
transmission lock, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic56
Engine
break-in procedures96
data146
electronics18
indicator lamp18
speed68
starting53
switching off54
Engine compartment
MINI COOPER and MINI
COOPER Convertible112
MINI COOPER S and MINI
COOPER S Convertible113
Engine coolant115
Engine data146
Engine oil114
capacity151
indicator/warning lamp16
recommended oils115
specified oil grades115 Engine oil level114
indicator/warning lamp16
Engine oil level, checking114
Engine oil pressure, indicator/
warning lamp16
Engine output, refer to Engine
data146
Entry to the rear45
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC)71
Exhaust system, refer to
Hot exhaust system98
Exterior mirrors48
folding in and out48
Eyelet, for towing and tow-
starting141
F
Failure of an electrical
consumer138
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts46
Filling canister, refer to MINI
Mobility System136
Filling hose, refer to MINI
Mobility System136
Filter, refer to
Microfilter80
Microfilter/Activated-
charcoal filter83 Flat
Run Flat tires
74
Flat tire
Flat Tire Monitor73,74
MINI Mobility System135
space-saver spare tire131
Flat Tire Monitor73
indicator lamp17
Flat tire, refer to Changing
tires133
Flat tire, refer to Tire
condition106
Floor mats121
Fog lamps61
indicator lamp61
Foldable rear backrest88,89
Folding roof, refer to
Convertible top with
integrated sliding sunroof35
Foot braking, refer to General
driving notes97
Front airbags75
Front turn signal indicators,
bulb replacement128
Fuel99
average consumption70
gauge66,67
quality99
tank capacity151

EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
158
Fuel filler door99
unlocking in the event of
electrical malfunction100
Fuel tank capacity151
Fuses139
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control86
Gas, refer to Average
consumption70
Gas, refer to Fuel quality99
Gasoline gauge, refer to Fuel
gauge66,67
Gasoline, refer to Fuel
quality99
Gear indicator, for automatic
transmission with
Steptronic57
Gear shifts, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic56
Gearshift lever
automatic transmission with
Steptronic56
manual transmission55
General driving notes96 Glass sunroof, electric33
convenience operation27
opening and closing in the
event of an electrical
malfunction34
remote control26
Glove compartment84
Gross weight, refer to
Weights149,150
H
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake54
Hazard warning flashers12
Head airbags75
Head restraints44
Headlamp flasher60
indicator lamp19
Headlamp washer reservoir63
capacity, refer to
Capacities151
Headlamp washer system
cleaning headlamps63
washer fluid63
Headlamps
bulb replacement128
care120
Heated mirrors48
Heated rear window
air conditioning system79
automatic climate control82 Heating78
exterior mirrors48
rear window79,82
seats47
windshield79,82
Heavy load, refer to Loading92
Height adjustment
seats43
steering wheel47
Height, refer to
Dimensions147,148
High beams60
bulb replacement128
headlamp flasher60
indicator lamp19
High Performance Synthetic
Oil, refer to Engine oil115
capacity151
recommended oils115
specified oils115
Holders for beverages85
Horn12
Hot exhaust system98
Hydraulic brake117
Hydroplaning
97
I
Ignition53
Ignition key24
Ignition key positions, refer to
Ignition lock53 Ignition lock53
Illuminated vanity mirror48
Imitation leather120
Imprint2
Index154
Indicator and warning lamps,
overview16
Indicator/warning lamp
airbags76
ASC72
brakes117
coolant temperature67
DSC72
fasten safety belts46
Flat Tire Monitor74
fog lamps61
reserve fuel capacity66,67
Individual air distribution83
Individual settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory49
Inflation pressure monitor,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor73
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure101
Inspection68
Instrument cluster, refer to
Display elements13
Instrument lighting61
Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit12