2008 MINI COOPER tire size

Wheels and tires
102
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 4707
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ReferenceAt a glance Controls Driving tips Mobility
105
Recommended tire brands
For each tire size, the manufacturer of your MINI
recommends certain tire brands. They are
marked with a clearly visible MINI designation
on the sidewall of the tire.
When properly used, these tires meet the high-
est standards in terms of safety and handling
characteristics.
Run-Flat Tires*
When mounting new tires or changing over from
summer to winter tires and vice versa, mount
Run-Flat Tires for your own safety. Keep in mind
that no space-saver spare tire is available in the
event of a flat. Your MINI Dealer will be glad to
advise you.
Special characteristics of winter tires
The manufacturer of your MINI recommends
winter tires for driving in adverse winter road
conditions. Although all-season M+S tires pro-
vide better winter traction than summer tires,
they generally fail to provide the same levels of
cold-weather performance as winter tires.
Pay attention to speed
Always comply with the speed limit for the
winter tires mounted on your car; failure
to do so could result in tire damage and acci-
dents.<
If the car is capable of speeds higher than that
permitted for the winter tires, a label stating the
maximum permitted speed for the mounted
tires must be displayed in your field of view. Spe-
cialist tire dealers and your MINI Dealer can sup-
ply these labels.
Storage
Always store wheels and tires in a cool, dry place
with as little exposure to light as possible.
Always protect tires against all contact with oil,
grease and fuels.
Do not exceed the maximum tire inflation pres-
sure indicated on the sidewall of the tire.
Swapping wheels among the axles
The manufacturer of your MINI recommends
that you do not swap the front wheels with the
rear wheels.
Snow chains*
Only certain types of fine-link snow chains have
been tested by the manufacturer of your MINI,
classified as road-safe and recommended. Con-
tact your MINI Dealer for more details.
Only attach snow chains in pairs to the front
wheels with the following tires.
>175/65 R 15 M+S
>175/60 R 16 M+S
Observe the manufacturer's instructions when
mounting snow chains. Do not exceed a speed
of 30 mph or 50 km/h.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor if
snow chains are mounted, otherwise the
instrument might issue an incorrect reading.
When driving with snow chains, you may find it
helpful to deactivate ASC or DSC temporarily,
refer to page58.<
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Replacing components
124
Driving with the space-saver spare tire
Drive cautiously and do not exceed a speed of
50 mph/80 km/h.
You must expect changes in vehicle handling
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. Mount a wheel and
tire of the original size as soon as possible, to
avoid any safety risks.<
Check the tire inflation pressure at the ear-
liest opportunity and correct it if neces-
sary. Replace the defective tire as soon as possi-
ble and have the new wheel/tire assembly
balanced.<
Preparing for a tire change
Observe the safety precautions regarding
flat tires on page119.<
Additional safety measures when chang-
ing tires:
Only change the tire when parked on a surface
that is level, firm and not slippery.
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 capacity.
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the engine
when the vehicle is supported by the jack; other-
wise there is a risk of fatal injury.<
1.Place the foldable chock
* behind the front
wheel on the other side of the vehicle or in
front of the wheel if the vehicle is on an
incline. If the wheel is changed on a surface
with a more severe slope, take additional
precautions to secure the vehicle from roll-
ing.
2.Uncover the lug bolts if necessary.If the wheel is equipped with a hub cover,
pry it off using the screwdriver from the tire
change kit.
3.Loosen the lug bolts by a half turn.
Jacking up the vehicle
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.<
1.Place the jack at the jacking point closest to
the wheel.
The jack base must be perpendicular to the
surface beneath the jacking point.
2.During jacking up, insert the jack head in the
square recess of the jacking point.
3.Jack the vehicle up until the wheel you are
changing is raised off the ground.
Mounting 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.Lift the new wheel into place.
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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
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From A to Z
158
Steptronic, refer to Automatic
transmission with
Steptronic41
Storage area
– cargo bay86
Storage compartment, front
passenger side79
Storage compartments79
Storage space
– storage compartments79
Storing the vehicle113
Storing tires105
Stowage, refer to Storage
compartments79
Summer tires, refer to Wheels
and tires96
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching off
– engine40
Switching off the engine
– start/stop button39
Switching the cooling function
on and off75
Symbols4
T
Tachometer48
Tailgate23
– convenient access26
– opening/closing24
– opening from outside24
– unlocking with remote
control21
Tail lamp, refer to Tail
lamps117
– replacing bulb117
Tail lamps117
– replacing bulbs in MINI118
– replacing bulbs in MINI
Clubman118
Tank volume, refer to
Capacities148
Technical data144
Technical modifications4Telephone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest78
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Telephone call, refer to the
Owner's Manual for the
telephone
Temperature display
– ice warning48
– outside temperature48
– setting the units51
Temperature of coolant, refer
to Coolant temperature48
Temperature setting
– air conditioner72
– automatic climate control74
Tensioning straps, refer to
Securing cargo89
The individual vehicle4
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center brake lamp119
Three-point safety belt33
Tightening the lug bolts
– keys122,123
– torque125
Tightening torque, refer to
Tightening the lug bolts125
Tire change set
– MINI Mobility System122
– space-saver spare
tire122,123
Tire failure
– Flat Tire Monitor60
– indicator/warning lamp60
– MINI Mobility System120
– Run-Flat Tires60
– space-saver spare tire122
– Tire Pressure Monitor61
Tire inflation pressure96
– loss60
– space-saver spare tire
96
Tire pressure monitoring, refer
to Flat Tire Monitor59
Tire Pressure Monitor TPM61
– limitations of system61
– resetting system61
– warning lamp62
Tire Quality Grading102Tires
– age103
– breaking in84
– changing, refer to Changing
wheels122
– condition103
– damage103
– inflation pressure96
– inflation pressure loss62
– minimum tread depth103
– new tires104
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor59
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM61
– puncture60
– Run-Flat Tires104
– size102
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth103
– winter tires105
Tires with safety features, refer
to Run-Flat Tires104
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit114
Torque144
– lug bolts125
Tow bar129
Tow fitting129
– screw thread129
Tow fittings for tow-starting
and towing away129
Towing129
– car with automatic
transmission129
– methods129
Tow rope130
Tow-starting129
TPM, refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor61
Track width, refer to
Dimensions145
Traction control, refer to
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC58
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