Page 92 of 148

Wheels and tires
90
Tire coding
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire 
makes it easier to identify and choose the right 
tires.
Tire size
Speed code letter
Q = up to 100 mph or 160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph or 190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph or 210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph or 240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph or 270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph or 300 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of the 
US Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable 
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and 
maximum section width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA 
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear 
Traction AA A B C 
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to 
Federal Safety Requirements in addition 
to these grades.<
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating 
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested 
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded 
150 would wear one and one-half (1γ) times as 
well on the government course as a tire graded 
100. The relative performance of tires depends 
upon the actual conditions of their use, how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the 
norm due to variations in driving habits, service 
practices and differences in road characteristics 
and climate.
Traction
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 government test sur-
faces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C 
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is 
based on straight-ahead braking traction 
tests, and does not include acceleration, corner-
ing, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteris-
tics.<
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest, B, 
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the 
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate 
heat when tested under controlled conditions 
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sus-
tained high temperature can cause the material 
of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and 
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire 
failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of 
performance which all passenger car tires must  e.g.
Nominal width in mm
Aspect ratio in Ξ
Radial belt construction
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating,
not on ZR tires
Speed code letter, in
front of the R on ZR tires
225/45 R 17 91 V
e.g.
Manufacturer's code 
for tire make
Tire size and 
tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 4706 
         
        
        
     
        
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From A to Z
142
Temperature of coolant, refer 
to Coolant temperature44
Temperature setting
– air conditioner65
– automatic climate control67
Tensioning straps, refer to 
Securing cargo80
The individual vehicle5
Third brake lamp, refer to 
Center brake lamp106
Three-point safety belt30
Tightening the lug bolts
– keys108
– torque110
Tightening torque, refer to 
Tightening the lug bolts110
Tire change set
– MINI Mobility System108
– space-saver spare tire108
Tire failure
– MINI Mobility System106
– space-saver spare tire108
Tire inflation pressure86
– loss56
– space-saver spare tire86
Tire pressure monitoring, refer 
to Flat Tire Monitor55
Tire Quality Grading90
Tires
– age91
– breaking in76
– changing, refer to Changing 
wheels108
– condition91
– damage91
– flat tire92
– inflation pressure86
– minimum tread depth91
– new tires92
– pressure monitoring, refer to 
Flat Tire Monitor55
– puncture56
– size90
– wear indicators, refer to 
Minimum tread depth91
– winter tires93
Tires with safety features, refer 
to Run-Flat Tires92Tools, refer to Onboard tool 
kit102
Torque130
– lug bolts110
Tow bar114
Tow fitting113
– screw thread113
Tow fittings for tow-starting 
and towing away113
Towing113
– car with automatic 
transmission114
– methods
114
Tow rope114
Tow-starting113
Track width, refer to 
Dimensions131
Traction control, refer to
– DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control54
Trailer towing
– trailer load and gross 
weight132
Transmission
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic37
– manual transmission37
– overriding selector lever lock 
for automatic transmission 
with Steptronic39
Transporting children safely33
Transport securing devices, 
refer to Securing cargo80
Tread depth, refer to Minimum 
tire tread91
Trip-distance counter, refer to 
Trip odometer44
Triple turn signal activation40
Trip odometer44
Trunk lamp, refer to Cargo area 
lamp62
Trunk lid, refer to Tailgate23
Turning circle, refer to 
Dimensions131
Turn signal indicator
– front, replacing bulb104
– rear, replacing bulb105
– side, replacing bulb105Turn signal indicators39
– indicator lamp12
Tying down loads, refer to 
Cargo loading80
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading 
UTQR90
Units
– average consumption47
– temperature47
Universal garage door opener, 
refer to Integrated universal 
remote control69
Universal remote control69
Unlatching, refer to 
Unlocking24
Unlocking
– from inside22
– from outside19
– tailgate24
– without remote control, refer 
to Convenient access24
Upholstery, care100
V
Valve
– dust cap109
Vehicle
– battery111
– breaking in76
– cargo loading78
– dimensions131
– Identification Number, refer 
to Engine compartment95
– parking36
– storage101
– weight132
Vehicle jack108
Ventilation
– air conditioner68
Vents, refer to Air vents64
Vents, refer to Ventilation68
Volume of cargo area132 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 145 of 148

ReferenceAt a glance Controls Driving tips Mobility
 143
W
Warning and indicator 
lamps13,116
Warning messages, refer to 
Check Control51
Warning triangle112
Washer fluid42
– capacity of reservoir42
Washer fluid reservoir42
Washer fluid reservoir, refer to 
Washer fluid42
Waste tray, refer to Ashtray72
Waterfall lighting, refer to 
Ambient lighting63
Water on roads, refer to 
Driving through water77
Wear indicators in tires, refer to 
Minimum tread depth91
Weights132
Welcome lamps59
Wheelbase, refer to 
Dimensions131
Wheels, new92
Wheels and tires86
Wheelslip control, refer to
– All-Season Traction Control 
ASC54
Wheel stud wrench
– space-saver spare tire108
Width, refer to 
Dimensions131
Windows26
– convenient operation20
– opening, closing26
Window washer reservoir, 
refer to Washer fluid
– volume, refer to 
Capacities133
Window washer system40
– washer fluid42
– washer nozzles41
Windshield
– cleaning41
– defrosting and removing 
condensation66,67
Windshield, defrosting, refer to 
Defrosting windows66,67Windshield wiper blades, 
changing102
Windshield wipers, refer to 
Wiper system40
Winter tires93
– storage93
Wiper blade replacement102
Wiper blades, care101
Wiper system40
Work in the engine 
compartment94
Wrench/screwdriver, refer to 
Onboard tool kit102
X
Xenon lamps
– replacing bulb103