steering wheel adjustment MINI Hardtop 2 Door 2008 Owner's Manual

Adjustments
30
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 page36.
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 page64.
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 page32.
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 cloth-
ing and regularly pull the belt in the upper-body
area taut, otherwise its restraining effect could
be impaired.<
Safety belts, refer to page33.
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

Adjustments
34
you on the basis of what you see in the mirror;
otherwise there is an increased risk of an acci-
dent.<
1Adjusting the left or right exterior mirror
2Folding mirrors in and out
*
Manual adjustment
The mirrors can also be adjusted manually: press
the edge of the glass.
Folding mirrors in and out*
Turn the knob beyond the pressure point in
direction 2. The mirrors can be folded in at road
speeds up to approx. 20 mph/30 km/h.
This can be beneficial in narrow streets, for
example, or for moving mirrors that were folded
in by hand back out into their correct positions.
Automatic heating*
At outside temperatures below a certain limit,
both exterior mirrors are automatically heated
while the engine is running or the ignition
switched on.
Interior rearview mirror
To reduce glare from vehicles behind you when
you are driving at night:Turn the knob.
Interior mirror, automatic dimming*
The automatic dimming feature of the interior
rearview mirror
* is controlled by two photo cells
in the mirror. One photo cell is in the mirror
frame, arrow; the other is on the back of the mir-
ror.
In order to ensure that the system functions cor-
rectly, keep the photo cells clean, do not cover
the area between the interior rearview mirror
and windshield, and do not affix adhesive labels
or stickers of any kind to the windshield directly
in front of the mirror.
Steering wheel
Adjustments
Do not adjust the steering wheel position
while the car is in motion, otherwise there
is a risk of accident due to an unexpected move-
ment.<
1.Fold the lever down.
2.Move the steering wheel to the preferred
distance and angle to suit your seated posi-
tion.

Indicator and warning lamps
140
Selector lever position P not engaged.
Ignition cannot be switched offEngage selector lever position P when
you wish to switch off the ignition,
page39.
Lights up in red:
Electric steering wheel lock malfunc-
tioningThe engine can no longer be started. If
applicable, do not switch off the
engine. Contact your MINI Dealer.
Lights up in yellow:
Electric steering wheel lock engaged Move the steering wheel before start-
ing the engine.
Cruise control system failed Have the system checked.
Park Distance Control failed Have the system checked.
Bulb of exterior lighting system failed Have the exterior lighting checked as
soon as possible.
Low-beam headlamp or fog lamp
failedHave the lamps checked as soon as
possible.
High-beam headlamp failed Have the high-beam headlamps
checked.
Rear fog lamp failed Have the rear fog lamp checked.
Headlamp beam throw adjustment
system failedHave the headlamp beam throw
adjustment system checked.
Coolant level too low Add coolant immediately, page108.
Engine oil pressure too low Stop immediately and switch off the
engine. You cannot continue your
journey. Contact your MINI Dealer.
12Cause What to do

From A to Z
154
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic41
– manual transmission41
General driving notes84
Glass sunroof, electric27
– convenient operation20,22
– opening, closing28
– raising28
– remote control20
Glove compartment77
Grills, refer to Air vents71
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights146,147
H
Halogen lamps
– replacing bulb115
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake40
Hands-free system14
Hazard warning flashers14
Head airbags64
Headlamp control,
automatic66
Headlamp flasher43
– indicator lamp11,131
Headlamps
– replacing bulb115
Headlamps, care112
Head restraints32
– sitting safely30
Heated
– mirrors34
– rear window72,74
– seats33
Heating71
– mirrors34
– rear window72,74
– seats33
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing
cargo88
Height, refer to
Dimensions145
Height adjustment
– seats31
– steering wheel34High beams68
– headlamp flasher68
– indicator lamp131
– replacing bulb115
High water, refer to Driving
through water85
Hills85
Hill Start Assist59
Holders for cups80
Homepage4
Horn10
Hot exhaust system84
Hydroplaning84
I
Ice warning48
Icy roads, refer to Outside
temperature warning48
Ignition39
– switched off39
– switched on39
Ignition key, refer to
Integrated key/remote
control18
Ignition key position 1, refer to
Radio readiness39
Ignition key position 2, refer to
Ignition on39
Ignition lock39
Imprint2
Indicator and warning
lamps13,131
– Tire Pressure Monitor TPM62
Indicator lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting69
Individual air distribution73
Individual settings, refer to
Personal Profile18
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM61
Initializing
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM60
– glass sunroof, electric28
Instrument cluster, refer to
Displays12
Instrument lighting69Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit10
Instrument panel, refer to
Displays12
Integrated key18
Integrated universal remove
control76
Interior lamps69
– remote control21
Interior rearview mirror34
– automatic dimming
feature34
Interlock41
Intermittent mode of the
wipers44
Internet page4
J
Jacking points124
Jets, refer to Window washer
nozzles46
Jumpering, refer to Jump
starting128
Jump starting128
K
Key, refer to Keys/remote
controls18
Keyless go, refer to Convenient
access26
Keyless opening and closing,
refer to Convenient
access26
Key Memory, refer to Personal
Profile18
Kick-down42
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic42
Knock control95
L
Lamps, refer to Parking lamps/
Low beams66
Lamps and bulbs, replacing
bulbs115

ReferenceAt a glance Controls Driving tips Mobility
157
RSC Runflat System
Component, refer to Run-
Flat Tires104
Rubber parts, care113
Runflat System Component
RSC, refer to Run-Flat
Tires104
Run-Flat Tires104
– flat tire60
– new tires104
– tire inflation pressure96
– winter tires105
Runflat Tyres, refer to Run-Flat
Tires104
S
Safety belts33
– damage33
– indicator lamp33
– reminder33
– sitting safely30
Safety belts, care113
Safety systems
– airbags64
– All-Season Traction Control
ASC58
– Antilock Brake System
ABS58
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC58
– safety belts33
Safety tires, refer to Run-Flat
Tires104
Screw thread for tow
fitting129
Seat adjustment
– mechanical31
Seats30
– adjusting the seats31
– heating33
– sitting safely30
Securing the vehicle
– from inside22
– from outside19
Selector lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic41Selector lever lock
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic, refer to
Shiftlock41
– overriding manually43
Selector lever positions
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic41
Service, refer to Roadside
Assistance127
Service car, refer to Roadside
Assistance127
Service data in the remote
control110
Service Interval Display, refer
to Condition Based Service
CBS110
Service requirement display,
refer to Condition Based
Service CBS110
Service requirements53
Settings
– clock, 12h/24h mode51
Shifting gears
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic42
– manual transmission41
Shiftlock
– automatic transmission, refer
to Changing selector lever
positions41
Side airbags64
Side door, rear, refer to
Clubdoor23
Side turn signal indicator
– replacing bulb117
Side windows, refer to
Windows28
Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Sitting safely30
– airbags30
– safety belts30
– with head restraint30
Size, refer to Dimensions145
Sliding/tilt sunroof
– refer to Glass sunroof,
electric27
Slot for remote control39Smokers' package, refer to
Ashtray80
Snap-in adapter, refer to
Center armrest storage
compartment78
Snow chains105
Socket, refer to Connecting
electrical appliances80
Socket for Onboard Diagnosis
OBD110
Space-saver spare tire
– changing tires122
– inflation pressure96
Spare wheel, refer to Space-
saver spare tire122
Special oils, refer to Approved
engine oils108
Speed144
– with winter tires105
Speed control, refer to Cruise
control46
Speedometer12
Splitdoor23
Split rear seat backrest, refer to
Expanding the cargo bay86
Sport button59
Stability control, refer to
Driving stability control
systems57
Start/stop button39
– starting the engine39
– switching off the engine40
Starting, refer to Starting the
engine39
Starting assistance, refer to
Jump starting128
Starting the engine
– start/stop button39
Start-off assistance, refer to
– ASC58
– DSC58
– Hill Start Assist59
Status of this Owner's Manual
at time of printing4
Steering wheel34
– adjustment34
– buttons on steering wheel11
– lock
39
– shift paddles42