2003 MINI COOPER wheels

83
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
FUEL SPECIFICATIONS ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)The engine uses lead-free gasoline only.
Required fuel:
>Premium Unleaded Gasoline,
min. 91 AKI.
AKI = Anti Knock Index.
Do not use leaded fuels. The use of
leaded fuels will cause permanent
damage to the emissions-control system's
oxygen sensor and the catalytic con-
verter.<
The concept The ABS keeps the wheels from locking
while braking, thereby enhancing active
driving safety.
ABS also includes Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD).Braking with ABSTo achieve optimal performance from ABS
when reacting to critical situations, you
should apply maximum pressure to the
brake pedal – panic stop.
Since the vehicle remains maneuverable,
you can still go around any obstacles with
the smallest possible steering movements.
Pulsation of the brake pedal in conjunction
with the sound of hydraulic regulation indi-
cates to you that you are driving at the limit
and reminds you to readapt your vehicle's
speed to road surface conditions.
Electronic Brake Force Distribution
(EBD)The system regulates the brake force distri-
bution between the front and rear axles. In
order to avoid an over-braking of the rear
wheels in certain situations, the EBD per-
manently monitors the slip values and reg-
ulates the slip on the rear axle depending
on that of the front axle.
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OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
TIRE CONDITION TIRE REPLACEMENTTire tread/tire damageInspect your tires frequently for tread wear,
signs of damage and for foreign objects
lodged in the tread. Check the tread depth.
The tread depth should not fall below1/8 in / 3 mm.
Below
1/8 in / 3 mm tread pattern depth,
there is an increased risk of hydroplaning,
even at relatively moderate speeds and
with only small amounts of water on the
road.
Wear indicators in the tread-groove base,
see arrow, are spread around the circum-
ference of the tire and are marked on the
side wall of the tire with TWI – Tread Wear
Indicator. The indicators in the tread indi-
cate at 1/16 in / 1.6 mm tread depth that
the legally permitted wear limit has been
reached.
Never continue to drive with a flat,
pressureless tire, except with Run Flat
tires. A pressureless, flat tire greatly
impairs steering and braking response, and
can lead to complete loss of control over
the vehicle. Avoid overloading the vehicle
so that the permitted load on the tires is
not exceeded. Overloading can lead to
overheating and increases the rate at
which damage develops inside the tires.
The ultimate result can assume the form of
a sudden air loss.
Unusual vibrations while driving, caused
for example by driving over a curb or simi-
lar, can indicate wheel or tire damage or
other damage to the vehicle. This is also
true for irregularities in the vehicle's han-
dling characteristics, such as a pronounced
tendency to pull to the left or right. Should
this occur, respond by immediately reduc-
ing your speed. Proceed carefully to the
nearest MINI Dealer or professional tire
center, or have the vehicle towed there to
have its wheels and/or tires inspected or
controlled. Tire damage – up to and includ-
ing blowouts – can endanger the lives of
both the vehicle occupants and other road
users.<
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread
configuration from a single manufacturer.
The manufacturer of your MINI tests and
approves wheel and tire combinations.
Do not use retreaded tires, since driv-
ing safety may be impaired. This is
due to the possible variations in casing
structures and, in some cases, to their
extreme age, which can lead to a decrease
in their durability. Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform
to Federal Safety Requirements in
addition to these grades.<
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89
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
WHEEL AND TIRE COMBINATIONS WINTER TIRESThe right choiceThe factory-approved normal and Run Flat
tires are matched to your vehicle and have
been selected to provide optimum safety
and driving comfort if used properly.
The manufacturer of your MINI rec-
ommends never mounting wheels
and tires that have not been specifically
approved by the manufacturer for use on
your particular model. Although other
wheels and tires may theoretically have the
same dimensions, variations in factors such
as manufacturing tolerances can result in
contact between tire and bodywork, ulti-
mately leading to serious accidents. The
manufacturer of your MINI cannot evaluate
non-approved wheels and tires to deter-
mine if they are suited for use, and there-
fore cannot ensure the operating safety of
the vehicle if they are fitted.<
The manufacturer of your MINI has tested
certain tire brands in each size, categorized
them as safe for use on the road, and
approved them. Contact your MINI Dealer
for more details.
The correct wheel and tire combina-
tion affects various systems that
would otherwise be impaired, e.g. ABS,
ASC+T and DSC. For this reason, use only
tires of the same manufacture and tread
configuration. In the event of a flat tire, for
example, remount the approved wheel and
tire combination as soon as possible.<
StorageStore tires in a cool, dry place, protecting
them against light whenever possible.
Protect the tires against contact with oil,
grease and fuel.
Choosing the right tireThe manufacturer of your MINI recom-
mends winter tires – M+S radial tires – for
driving in adverse winter road conditions.
While so-called all-season tires with M+S
designation provide better winter traction
than summer tires with the load ratings S,
T, H, V, W, they do not achieve the perfor-
mance of winter tires.
In the interest of safe tracking and steering
response, install winter tires made by the
same manufacturer having the same tread
configuration on all four wheels.
Before purchasing winter tires, check
whether your MINI is fitted with Run Flat
tires. You will recognize Run Flat tires by a
circular symbol containing the letters RSC
on the side of the tire, see page 116. In this
case, use only Run Flat tires, as in the event
of a flat tire there is no space-saver spare
tire.
Any MINI Dealer will be glad to advise you
on the selection of the right winter tires for
the relevant operating conditions.
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90
WINTER TIRES SNOW CHAINS
*
Observing speeds
Never exceed the maximum speed
for which the tires are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to ser-
vice tires can lead to damage and accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled profes-
sionals only. Your MINI Dealer will be glad
to assist you with both their expertise and
the proper equipment for your vehicle.<
Tire condition, tire inflation pressure
Below a tread depth of
3/16 in /
4 mm, winter tires display a percepti-
ble decrease in their ability to cope with
winter driving conditions, and should be
replaced in the interest of safety.<
Comply with the specified tire inflation
pressures and be sure to have the wheel
and tire assemblies balanced every time
you change the tires.
Only certain types of snow chains have
been tested by the manufacturer of your
MINI, classified as road-safe and approved.
Contact your MINI Dealer for more details.
The manufacturer of your MINI recom-
mends that you use these fine-link snow
chains only. Their use is only permitted in
pairs on the front wheels on winter tires of
the following type:
175/65 R 15.
When fitting, comply with the manufac-
turer's instructions. With chains, do not
exceed a speed of 30 mph / 50 km/h.
After fitting the snow chains, do not
activate the Flat Tire Monitor.
When driving with snow chains, it can be
helpful to switch off the ASC+T or DSC for a
brief period, see pages 62, 63.<
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100
CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLECare of special parts >Light-alloy wheels
*:
Use wheel cleaner especially during the
winter months, but do not use any
aggressive, acidic, strong alkali or rough
cleansers or steam jets above 140 7 /
60 6. Observe the manufacturer's
instructions
>Chrome parts
* such as cooler grille, door
handles, etc.:
Especially if exposed to road salt, care-
fully clean these parts with plenty of
water and possibly with a shampoo addi-
tive.
For additional treatment, use chrome
polish
>Rubber parts:
Treat only with water or rubber care
products
Do not use silicon sprays or other
silicon-containing care products,
otherwise noise and damage could
occur.<
>Plastic parts, imitation leather surfaces,
headliner, lamp glass, covering glass for
the instrument cluster, as well as matt
black molded parts:
Clean with water and, if necessary, plas-
tic care products. Do not dampen seats
and the headliner.
Never use solvents such as lacquer thin-
ner, heavy-duty grease remover, fuel or
similar
>Wood paneling
*:
Please clean wood paneling and other
wood parts only with a damp cloth. Dry
off with a soft cloth
>Safety belts:
Only clean using mild soap, leaving the
belts fitted.
Do not dry clean, as the fabric can be
destroyed.
Always roll up safety belts only when dry.
Dirty safety belts prevent unrolling and
thus negatively affect safety>Floor carpets and floor mats
*:
If heavily soiled, clean using interior
cleaner. Floor mats can be removed to
allow the interior to be cleaned
>Wiper blades:
Clean with soapy water. Replace wiper
blades twice a year, before and after the
cold season. This is particularly impor-
tant on vehicles fitted with a rain sensor.
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115
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
CHANGING TIRES – MINI WITH SPACE-SAVER SPARE TIRE
*
2. Insert the jack head for jacking up in the
square recess of the jacking point
3. Jack the vehicle up until the wheel you
are changing is raised from the ground.
The vehicle jack is designed for
changing wheels only. Do not
attempt to raise another vehicle model
with it or to raise any load of any kind. To
do so could cause accidents and personal
injury.<
Fitting the space-saver spare tire1. Unscrew the lug bolts and remove the
wheel
2. Remove accumulations of mud or dirt
from the mounting surfaces of the
wheel and hub. Clean the lug bolts
3. Fit the space-saver spare tire
4. Screw at least two lug bolts finger-tight
into opposite bolt holes
5. Screw in the remaining bolts
6. Tighten all the lug bolts firmly in a diag-
onal pattern
7. Lower the vehicle
8. Remove the jack.Tightening the lug boltsTighten the lug bolts in a diagonal pattern.
As soon as possible, have the secure
seating of the lug bolts – tightening
torque 88.5 lb ft / 120 Nm – checked using
a calibrated torque wrench. Otherwise, a
wheel coming loose can lead to a severe
accident.<
Replace the defective tire as soon as possi-
ble and have the new wheel/tire assembly
balanced.
Driving with the space-saver spare tireDrive cautiously. Do not exceed a speed of
50 mph / 80 km/h.
You must expect changes in vehicle hand-
ling such as delayed braking response,
longer braking distances, and changes in
self-steering properties when close to the
handling limits.
Only one space-saver spare tire may
be mounted at one time. Reinstall
wheels and tires of the same size and speci-
fication as soon as possible. Maintain pre-
scribed tire pressures, see page 85.<
Do not try to fit a full hubcap to the space-
saver spare tire, as the hubcap could be
damaged.
Check and correct the tire inflation
pressure at the earliest opportu-
nity.<
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116
FLAT TIRE– RUN FLAT TIRES
*
You will recognize Run Flat tires by a circu-
lar symbol containing the letters RSC on
the side of the tire.
Run Flat tires consist of self-contained tires
and special rims. The tire reinforcement
ensures that the tire retains some residual
safety in the event of pressure drop and
driving remains possible to a restricted
degree.
The reinforcement on the flanks of
the Run Flat tires means that it is usu-
ally not possible to detect an air loss from
outside.<
Flat tire The yellow indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up to indicate a flat tire.
In addition, a gong sounds, see pages 17,
64.
1. Reduce vehicle speed carefully to under
50 mph / 80 km/h, avoiding hard brake
applications and steering maneuvers.
2. Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph /
80 km/h.
3. Identify damaged tires; check tire infla-
tion pressures on all four wheels at the
next opportunity, see page 85
4. Correct the tire inflation pressure if you
wish to continue your journey and this is
permitted, see next text section
5. Have damaged tires changed by your
MINI Dealer, see page 88.Your MINI Dealer has the information
needed for working with Run Flat
tires and is equipped with the necessary
special tools. They provide advice if you
wish to replace the tires on your MINI, or re-
equip from summer to winter tires or vice
versa, also see pages 85, 88, 89.<
For safety reasons, do not have a
damaged safety tire repaired.<
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127
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
TOWINGTow-startingIt is not possible to start the engine of a
vehicle equipped with an automatic trans-
mission by towing or pushing.
For instructions on jump starting, refer to
page 124.
Never attempt to use your vehicle to push
another car, since damage to the energy-
absorbing bumpers could result.Towing a vehicle
Only tow vehicles with Continuously
Variable automatic Transmission
(CVT) with the front wheels raised or on a
special transport vehicle, otherwise the
transmission can be damaged.<
1. Place gear selector lever in neutral or idle
2. Towing speed:
Max. 45 mph / 70 km/h
3. Towing distance:
Max. 95 miles / 150 km
4. Leave the ignition key at position 1 to
ensure that the brake lamps, turn sig-
nals, horn and windshield wipers remain
operative, and to prevent the steering
lock detent from engaging
5. Switch on the hazard-warning system,
observe country-specific regulations.
Find some means of identifying the vehicle
in tow, for instance, place a sign or warning
triangle in the rear window.
Make sure that the ignition key
remains in position 1 even when the
electrical system has failed to prevent the
steering lock from engaging.
The steering and brakes are without power
assist when the engine is off. This means
that increased effort is required for steer-
ing and braking.<
Towing with a commercial tow truck >Do not tow with sling-type equipment
>Use a wheel-lift or flatbed carrier
>Please comply with applicable towing
laws.
Never allow passengers to ride in a
towed vehicle for any reason.<
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