78
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR
*
>If TPM is temporarily malfunctioning due
to other systems or devices using the
same radio frequency.
Declaration according to NHTSA/
FMVSS 138 Tire Pressure Monitoring
SystemEach tire should be checked monthly when
cold and inflated to the inflation pressure
recommended by the vehicle manufacturer
on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pres-
sure label. If your vehicle has tires of a dif-
ferent size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure
label, you should determine the proper tire
inflation pressure for those tires. As an
added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system, TPMS, that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or more of your
tires are significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure
telltale illuminates, you should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly underinflated tire causes
the tire to overheat and can lead to tire fail-
ure. Underinflation also reduces fuel effi-
ciency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle's handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substi-
tute for proper tire maintenance, and it is
the driver's responsibility to maintain cor-
rect tire pressure, even if underinflation has not reached the level at which the
TPMS low tire pressure telltale illuminates.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is com-
bined with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction,
the telltale will flash for approximately one
minute and then remain continuously lit.
This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle startups as long as the mal-
function exists. When the malfunction
indicator is illuminated, the system may
not be able to detect or signal low tire pres-
sure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may
occur for a variety of reasons, including the
installation of replacement or alternate
tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent
the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction tell-
tale after replacing one or more tires or
wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels
allow the TPMS to continue to function
properly.
116
NEW WHEELS AND TIRESThe correct wheels and tires
The manufacturer of your MINI rec-
ommends mounting only wheels and
tires that it has specifically approved 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, ultimately leading to serious
accidents. The manufacturer of your MINI
cannot evaluate non-approved wheels and
tires to determine if they are suited for use,
and therefore cannot ensure the operating
safety of the vehicle if they are mounted.<
Your MINI Dealer will be glad to inform you
about the correct wheel and tire combina-
tion for your vehicle.
The correct wheel and tire combination is
also important for various systems that
would otherwise be impaired, e.g. ABS or
DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single brand
and tread configuration. In the event of tire
damage, remount the previous wheel and
tire combination as soon as possible.
Wheels with Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM electronicsWhen mounting new tires or changing over
from summer to winter tires, or vice versa,
only use wheels with TPM electronics; oth-
erwise the Tire Pressure Monitor may not
be able to detect a puncture, refer to
page76. Your MINI Dealer will be glad to
advise you.Run-Flat TiresFor your own safety, use Run-Flat Tires
when mounting new tires or replacing
summer tires with winter tires or vice
versa. Keep in mind that no spare wheel is
available in the event of a flat. Your MINI
Dealer will be glad to advise you.
For safety reasons, the manufacturer
of your MINI recommends having
Run-Flat Tires replaced, not repaired, if they
are damaged.<
Tire designationFor each tire size, the manufacturer of your
MINI recommends certain tire brands. You
can recognize these by the clearly visible
designation on the tire's sidewall.
When used properly these tires meet the
highest standards regarding safety and
handling characteristics.
139
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
SPACE-SAVER SPARE TIRE
*
CHANGING TIRES
9. Pull out the space-saver spare tire
towards the rear underneath the vehi-
cle
10. Position the space-saver spare tire with
the valve facing upwards
11. Unscrew the valve extension from the
valve of the space-saver spare tire
12. Unscrew the dust cap from the exten-
sion and place it on the valve of the
space-saver spare tire.
Due to its different dimensions, the
damaged wheel cannot be placed in
the recess for the space-saver spare tire.<
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. Replace the defective tire as
soon as possible and have the new wheel/
tire assembly balanced.<
Additional safety measures in the
event of a tire change:
Change tires only on a flat, solid and non-
slippery surface.
The vehicle or the jack could slip sideways
on soft or slippery support surfaces, such as
snow, ice, flagstones, etc..
Do not use a wooden block or similar object
as a support base for the jack, as this would
prevent it from extending to its full support
height and reduce its load-carrying capac-
ity.
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the
engine when the vehicle is supported by
the jack – risk of fatal injury.<
Preparing for a tire change
Observe the safety precautions
regarding flat tires on page137.<
1. For vehicles with a space-saver spare
tire:
Place the folding chock behind the front
wheel on the other side of the vehicle;
on downward inclines, place it in front of
this wheel. If the wheel is changed on a
surface with a more severe slope, take
additional precautions to secure the
vehicle from rolling
2. Loosen the lug bolts by a half turn.
EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
170
Tire puncture
Run-Flat Tires75
Run Flat tires77
Tires
age112
air loss77
break-in procedures102
changing139
condition113
damage114
flat tire115
,137
inflation pressure108
pressure monitoring, refer to
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM76
replacement116
size, refer to New wheels and
tires116
storage117
tread113
wear indicator, refer to Tire
tread113
winter tires117
Tires with emergency
properties, refer to Run-Flat
Tires115
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit132
Torque
engine152
lug bolts140Tow bar148
Towing147
with automatic
transmission148
,149
Towing eyelet147
Tow rope148
Tow-starting149
TPM, refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor76
Track width, refer to
Dimensions153,154
Traction grades113
Transmission
automatic transmission with
Steptronic56
manual transmission55
Transmission lock, refer to
Range selection56
Transmission malfunction,
refer to Malfunction58
Transporting children safely50
Transporting securely, refer to
Securing the load97
Trash container, refer to
Ashtray89
Tread depth, refer to Tire
tread113
Treadwear grade112
Trip odometer67Trunk, refer to Luggage
compartment in the MINI
Convertible94
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions153
,154
Turn signal indicators61
indicator lamp19
Turn signal indicators on the
side, bulb replacement135
U
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading112
Units
average consumption71
average speed71
temperature70
Universal garage door
opener91
Universal remote control91
Unlocking
bonnet118
from inside28
from outside26
Used batteries, refer to
Disposal144
Using antifreeze64,122V
Vacuum cleaner, connecting,
refer to Cigarette lighter
socket90
Valve
core141
dust cap139
remover141
spare141
Valve remover, refer to
Onboard tool kit141
Valve stem and replacement
valve, refer to Onboard tool
kit141
Vanity mirror, illuminated48
Vehicle
battery144
break-in procedures102
care126
dimensions153
loading cargo95
parking104
storage129
washing126
weight155
,156
Vehicle battery144
Vehicle identification number,
refer to Engine
compartment119
,120
Vehicle illumination, refer to
Lamps60