2004 MINI COOPER flat tire

88
TIRE INFLATION PRESSUREModel Tires
Pressures specified in psi / kilopascal
MINI COOPER175/65 R 15 84 H
175/65 R 15 84 Q M+S30 / 210 35 / 240 35 / 240 35 / 240
195/55 R 16 87 H
195/55 R 16 87 H M+S
205/45 R 17 84 V
205/45 R 17 84 V M+S30 / 210 30 / 210 35 / 240 35 / 240
175/65 R 15 84 Q M+S
175/60 R 15 82 Q M+S
195/55 R 16 87 Q M+S
205/45 R 17 84 Q M+S33 / 230 33 / 230 38 / 260 38 / 260
Space-saver spare tire T 115/70 R 15 90 M 61 / 420 61 / 420 61 / 420 61 / 420
MINI COOPER S195/55 R 16 87 V
195/55 R 16 87 V M+S30 / 210 30 / 210 35 / 240 35 / 240
205/45 R 17 84 V
205/45 R 17 84 Q M+S
205/45 R 17 84 V M+S
195/55 R 16 87 Q M+S33 / 230 33 / 230 38 / 260 38 / 260
175/60 R 16 82 Q M+S 36 / 250 36 / 250 41 / 280 41 / 280
All-season tires, M+S, should be inflated to the same pressures as summer tires. Figures as stated here apply to the manufacturer's
approved or recommended tires; your MINI Dealer will be happy to provide information on request.
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90
TIRE CODINGTraction 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 govern-
ment test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction per-
formance.
The traction grade assigned to this
tire is based on straight-ahead brak-
ing traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics. B and C, representing the tire's resistance
to the generation of heat and its ability to
dissipate heat when tested under con-
trolled conditions on a specified indoor lab-
oratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature
can lead to a sudden flat tire. The grade C
corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the labora-
tory test wheel than the minimum required
by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive loading,
either separately or in combination, can
cause heat buildup and possible tire fail-
ure. lar symbol containing the letters RSC on
the side of the tire, refer to page 93.M+SWinter and all-season tires.
These have better winter performance
properties than summer tires.
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92
WHEEL AND TIRE REPLACEMENT
Unprofessional attempts by laymen
to service 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.<
The correct wheel and tire combination
also affects various systems that would
otherwise be impaired, e.g. ABS or DSC.
Have the wheels balanced after each tire or
wheel replacement.
The manufacturer of your MINI rec-
ommends that you avoid using
retread tires, as this could impair driving
safety. 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.<
The correct wheels and tires
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.<
Recommended tire makes:
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread
configuration from a single manufacturer.
In the event of a flat tire, remount the pre-
vious wheel and tire combination as soon
as possible.
Run Flat tires:
If your MINI is equipped with Run Flat tires
– refer to Run Flat tires – use only these
tires, since no space-saver spare tire may be
available in the event of a flat. Special characteristics of winter tires The manufacturer of your MINI recom-
mends winter tires for driving in adverse
winter road conditions. While all-season
tires with the M+S designation provide bet-
ter winter traction than summer tires, they generally do not achieve the full perfor-
mance of winter tires.
For mounting winter tires, refer to the
descriptions under Tire condition, page 91,
and Wheel and tire replacement.
Run Flat tires:
If your MINI is equipped with Run Flat tires
– refer to Run Flat tires – use only these
tires, since no space-saver spare tire may be
available in the event of a flat.
Observing speeds:
Never exceed the maximum speed
for which the winter 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. The technicians at your MINI
Dealer will be glad to assist you with the
required professional knowledge and spe-
cialized equipment.<
StorageStore tires in a cool, dry place, protecting
them against light whenever possible. Pro-
tect the tires against contact with oil,
grease and fuel. Do not exceed the maxi-
mum tire inflation pressure specified on
the tire sidewall.
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93
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
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 driving
remains possible to a restricted degree in
the event of a pressure drop or even a flat
tire.
When mounting or replacing summer
Run Flat tires with winter tires, or vice
versa, use Run Flat tires again since no
space-saver spare tire is available in the
event of a flat. In this event, the manufac-
turer of your MINI recommends consulting
your MINI Dealer. Your MINI Dealer has the
necessary special equipment and expertise
for handling Run Flat tires.<
Continuing driving with a damaged
tire Depending on the load, you can continue
driving with Run Flat tires at a maximum
speed of 50 mph / 80 km/h.
If there is a total loss of tire inflation pres-
sure, 0 psi / 0 kPa, or obvious tire damage,
you can gauge the mileage for continued
driving on the basis of the following indica-
tions:
>With a light load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
approx. 155 miles / 250 km
>With a medium load:
2 persons, full cargo area, or
4 persons without luggage:
approx. 95 miles / 150 km
>With a full load:
4 persons or more, full cargo:
approx. 30 miles / 50 km.Drive cautiously. Do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph / 80 km/h. In case of
tire pressure loss you must expect changes
in vehicle handling such as lower track sta-
bility during braking, longer braking dis-
tances and changes in self-steering proper-
ties when close to the handling limit.
For safety reasons, the manufacturer of
your MINI recommends not having dam-
aged Run Flat tires repaired. In this case,
consult your MINI dealer.<
Tire change setYour MINI is additionally equipped with a
tire change set. This is located in the MINI
COOPER in the cargo area under the floor
mat.
In the MINI COOPER S the tire change set is
located in a separate bag which is attached
to the eyelets on the cargo area floor by
means of tie-down straps.
When changing a tire, always observe the
safety measures on page 116, and follow
the procedure described on page 117 ff.
In case of a flat tire, the tire change
set is not needed, since your MINI has
Run Flat tires.<
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94
SNOW CHAINS
*
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 only these approved
fine-link snow chains. Their use is only per-
mitted in pairs on the front wheels on win-
ter tires of the following types:
>175/65 R 15 M+S
>175/60 R 16 M+S.
When fitting, comply with the manufac-
turer's instructions. With chains, do not
exceed a speed of 30 mph / 50 km/h.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor
after attaching snow chains to the
tires.
When driving with snow chains, it can be
helpful to switch off the ASC or DSC for a
brief period, refer to pages 59, 60.<
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110
ONBOARD TOOL KIT WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES The picture shows as an example the tire
change set with onboard tools for vehicles
with the space-saver spare tire.
Depending on the level of equipment
options, your MINI is fitted with a special
onboard tool kit stored at the locations
described below:
Storage locationMINI Mobility System with tire change set
and onboard tools:
>In the cargo area under the floor mat.
Tire change set and onboard tools for Run
Flat tires:
>Tire change set:
In the cargo area in a separate pouch,
refer to page 123
>Onboard tool kit:
on the left-hand side of the cargo area
behind the side trim panel.
Tire change set with space-saver spare tire:
>In the cargo area under the floor mat.
Windshield wiper1. Rotate the wiper arm completely out
from the windshield
2. Set the wiper blade at an angle
3. Press the securing spring, arrow
4. Unhook the wiper blade towards the
windshield
5. Pull the wiper blade past the wiper arm
toward the top
6. Insert the new wiper blade
7. Press into position until you hear it
engage.
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116
LAMPS AND BULBS REPAIRING A FLAT TIRE Cargo area lamps 5 Watt bulb
1. Press the lamp cover to the left and out
with a screwdriver.
2. Remove and replace the bulb.
Footwell lamps5 Watt bulb
1. Press out the lamp cover with a screw-
driver
2. Remove and replace the bulb.Glove compartment lamp5 Watt bulb
1. Press out the lamp cover with a screw-
driver
2. Remove and replace the bulb.Safety measures in the event of a flat
tire:
Stop the vehicle as far as possible from
passing traffic. Switch on the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
Turn the steering wheel to the straight-
ahead wheel position and engage the
steering lock. Engage the parking brake and
shift into 1st or reverse gear – selector lever
in P.
All passengers should be outside the vehi-
cle and well away from your immediate
working area – behind a guardrail, for
instance.
If a portable hazard warning lamp is avail-
able, set it up on the roadside at an appro-
priate distance from the rear of the vehicle.
Comply with all safety guidelines and regu-
lations.<
In the event of a flat tire, different proce-
dures should be followed depending on the
equipment included in your MINI:
>Vehicles with Run Flat tires, refer to
page 93
>Vehicles with a space-saver spare tire,
refer to the following section
>Vehicles with MINI Mobility System,
refer to page 121.
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120
CHANGING TIRES: MINI WITH SPACE-SAVER SPARE TIRE
*
Fitting the space-saver spare tire
1. 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 bolts Tighten 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 han-
dling such as lower track stability during
braking, longer braking distances and
changes in self-steering properties when
close to the handling limit. These effects
are more pronounced when driving with
winter tires.
Only one space-saver spare tire may
be mounted at one time. Reinstall a
wheel and tire of the original size as soon
as possible.<
Check the tire inflation pressure at
the earliest opportunity and correct it
if necessary.<
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