2009 MINI Clubman winter tires

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
99
RSC – Run-Flat Tires
You will recognize Run-Flat Tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side of
the tire, page100.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
XL
Designation for specially reinforced tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires regularly for tread wear, signs
of damage and for foreign objects lodged in the
tread. Check the tread depth.
Tread depth
The tread depth should not drop below 1/8 in/
3 mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of
1/16 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below 1/8 in/
3 mm there is an increased risk of high-speed
hydroplaning, even when only small amounts of
water are present on the road surface.
Winter tires
When winter tires wear down past a tread depth
of 1/6 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less
suitable for winter conditions. In the interest of
safety, new tires should be installed.
Minimum tread depth
Wear indicators in the base of the tread groove
are distributed around the tire's circumference; the letters TWI, for Tread Wear Indicator, on the
tire's sidewalls identify tires that incorporate
these wear indicators. When tire tread is worn
down to the level of the wear indicators, the
remaining tread depth is 1/16 in/1.6 mm.
Tire damage
Please note that low-profile tires cause wheels,
tires and suspension parts to be more suscepti-
ble to road hazard and consequential damages.
Unusual vibrations encountered during normal
vehicle operation can indicate tire failure or
some other vehicle defect. This can, for exam-
ple, be caused by driving over curbs. The same
applies to any other abnormal road behavior,
such as pulling severely to the right or left.
In these cases, reduce speed immediately
and have wheels and tires thoroughly
checked. To do so, drive carefully to the nearest
MINI Dealer or tire shop that works according to
MINI repair procedures with correspondingly
trained personnel. If necessary, have the vehicle
towed there.
Otherwise tire damage can be extremely dan-
gerous for vehicle occupants and other road
users.<
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding:
DOT ... 0309 means that the tire was manufac-
tured in week 3 of 2009.
For various reasons, such as the development
of brittleness, the manufacturer of your MINI
recommends tire replacement after no more
than 6 years, regardless of the actual wear of
the tires.

Wheels and tires
100
Run-Flat Tires*
The symbol identifying Run-Flat Tires is a circle
with the letters RSC on the sidewall.
Run-Flat Tires comprise a conditionally self-sup-
porting tire and a special rim. The reinforcement
in the sidewalls ensures that the tire can con-
tinue to be used subject to certain restrictions,
even if depressurized.
For information on continuing to drive with a flat
tire, refer to Indication of a flat tire, page59.
New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and tires mounted only
by your MINI Dealer or a specialized tire
shop that has specially trained personnel work-
ing in accordance with the specifications of the
MINI manufacturer. If this work is not carried out
properly, there is a danger of subsequent dam-
age and related safety hazards. Make sure that
the new wheels are balanced.<
Retreaded tires
The manufacturer of your MINI recom-
mends that you avoid using retreaded
tires, as this could impair driving safety. The
causes for this include potentially different tire
casing structures and often wide variations in
tire age, which can result in a limited service
life.<
Correct wheels and tires
The manufacturer of your MINI recom-
mends 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 dimen-
sions, variations in factors such as manufactur-
ing tolerances can result in contact between tire
and bodywork, ultimately leading to serious
accidents. The manufacturer of your MINI can-
not evaluate non-approved wheels and tires to
determine if they are suited for use, and there-
fore 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 combination for
your vehicle.
The correct combination of wheels and tires is
also necessary to ensure reliable operation of
various vehicle systems such as ABS and DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single brand and
tread configuration. After a tire has been dam-
aged, mount the previous wheel and tire combi-
nation again as soon as possible.
Wheels with Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM electronics
When mounting new tires or changing over from
summer to winter tires, or vice versa, only use
wheels with TPM electronics; otherwise the Tire
Pressure Monitor may not be able to detect a
puncture, refer to page61. Your MINI Dealer will
be glad to advise you.
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.

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
101
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 MINI recommends the use
of winter tires on snowy roads or if temperatures
drop below 457/ +76. Although all-season
M+S tires provide 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; fail-
ure to do so could result in tire damage and
accidents.<
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
Depending on the individual use, front and rear
tires may exhibit different wear and tear.
In order to maintain an even wear and tear, the
wheels may be rotated between the axles. Your
MINI Dealer will be glad to advise you.Always check the inflation pressure after the tire
rotation, if necessary change the pressure.
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
John Cooper Works:
>185/50 R 17 86 H M+S XL RSC
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, it can be useful
to briefly deactivate the DSC or activate the DTC,
refer to page57.<

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
119
located beneath the floor mat or level load floor
in the cargo bay.
1Folding chock and cover for defective wheel
2Vehicle jack
3Wheel stud wrench
4Hub cover remover
5Flat screwdriver/Phillips screwdriver
6Torx insert bit for screwdriver
7Towing eyelet
The onboard tool kit includes a pouch with
a plastic bag in which you can place the dam-
aged wheel.
Removing the space-saver spare tire
The space-saver spare tire is located under the
tire change set in the cargo bay.
1.Fold up the floor mat.
2.Unscrew the nut, arrow, and remove the
space-saver spare tire.
Driving with the space-saver spare tire
Drive cautiously and do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. Changes may
occur in vehicle handling such as lower track sta-
bility during braking, longer braking distances
and changes in self-steering properties when
close to the handling limit. These properties are
more noticeable 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 page116.<
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 in-
cline. If the wheel is changed on a surface
with a more severe slope, take additional
precautions to secure the vehicle from
rolling.
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

From A to Z
144
From A to Z
INDEX
A
Accessories, refer to Your
individual vehicle4
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate control74
Additives
– coolant105
– engine oil104
Adjusting temperature inside
the car, refer to Air
conditioner71
Adjusting temperature inside
the car, refer to Automatic
climate control72
Air conditioner70
Air conditioning mode
– air conditioner71
– automatic climate control72
– ventilation74
Air distribution
– automatic73
– individual72
– manual72
Air flow rate71,72
– air conditioning system71
– automatic climate control72
– heating, ventilation71
Air outlets, refer to Air vents70
Air pressure, checking, refer to
Tire inflation pressure94
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode71,73
Air supply
– air conditioner71
– automatic climate control72
– ventilation74
Air vents70
Airbags63
– sitting safely29
– warning lamp64
Airing, refer to Ventilation74AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications93
Alarm system24
All-season tires, refer to Winter
tires101
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode71,73
Ambient lighting69
Antenna, care108
Antifreeze
– coolant105
– washer fluid44
Antilock Brake System ABS56
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system24
Anti-theft system
19
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights142
Approved engine oils104
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights142
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest77
Ashtray79
Assistant systems, refer to
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC56
Audio device, external77
AUTO program for automatic
climate control73
Automatic
– air distribution73
– air flow rate73
– cruise control44
– headlamp control65
Automatic climate control70
– automatic air distribution73Automatic transmission with
Steptronic39
– interlock39
– overriding selector lever
lock41
– shiftlock39
– sport program40
AUX-In, refer to External audio
device77
Average fuel consumption47
– setting the units49
Average speed48
Axle loads, refer to
Weights142B
Background lighting, refer to
Ambient lighting69
Backrests, refer to Seats29
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb115
Band-aids, refer to First aid
pouch122
Bar, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away124
Battery120
– charging120
– disposal27,120
– jump starting122
– temporary power failure120
Battery renewal
– remote control27
Being towed124
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts32
Belts, refer to Safety belts32
Beverage holders, refer to Cup
holders79
Blower, refer to Air flow
rate71,72
Bonnet102

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
149
Lighter79
– socket79
Lighting
– lamps and bulbs112
– of the instruments68
– of vehicle, refer to Lamps65
Limit137
Load85
Load securing equipment,
refer to Securing cargo86
Lock buttons of doors, refer to
Locking22
Locking
– adjusting confirmation
signal20
– from inside22
– from outside20
– without remote control, refer
to Convenient access25
Locking and unlocking doors
– confirmation signals20
– from inside22
– from outside19
Low beams65
– automatic65
– replacing bulb113
Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support30
Luggage compartment doors,
refer to Splitdoor23
Luggage compartment
partition net, refer to
Partition net85
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack87
Lumbar support30
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires101
Maintenance, refer to Service
Booklet
Maintenance system106
Malfunction warnings, refer to
Check Control53
Manual air distribution72Manual mode
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic40
Manual operation
– door lock22
– fuel filler door92
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission41
Manual transmission39
Manual washing109
Master key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control18
Maximum cooling73
Maximum speed
– with winter tires101
Medical assistance, refer to
First aid pouch122
Microfilter
– for air conditioner72
– for automatic climate
control74
– MINI Maintenance
System106
Microfilter/activated-charcoal
filter
– MINI Maintenance
System106
Microphone for telephone14
MINI Internet page4
MINI Maintenance System106
Mirror dimming feature33
Mirrors32
– exterior mirrors32
– heating33
– interior rearview mirror33
Mobile phone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest77
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Mobile phone, installation
location, refer to Center
armrest77
Mobile phone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Mobility System116
Modifications, technical, refer
to For your own safety4Monitoring system for tire
pressures, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor58
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher41
– refer to Wiper system42
Multifunctional steering
wheel, refer to Buttons on
the steering wheel11
N
Neck support, refer to Head
restraints31
Nets, refer to Storage
compartments78
New tires100
Number of cylinders, refer to
Engine data140
Nylon rope, refer to Tow
rope124
O
OBD socket, refer to Socket for
Onboard Diagnosis106
Octane ratings, refer to Fuel
specifications93
Odometer46
Oil consumption103
Oil level103
Oil, refer to Engine oil103
Old batteries, refer to
Disposal120
Onboard tool kit112
Opening and closing
– convenient access25
– from inside22
– from outside19
– using the door lock21
– via the remote control19
Opening and unlocking
– from inside22
Opening/closing the splitdoor
– 24
Outlets
– refer to Ventilation74
Outlets, refer to Air vents70

From A to Z
150
Output, refer to Engine
data140
Outside temperature
display46
– changing unit of measure49
– on onboard computer49
Outside-air mode
– automatic climate control73
Overheated engine, refer to
Coolant temperature46
P
Paintwork, care109
Park Distance Control PDC55
Parking
– vehicle38
Parking aid, refer to Park
Distance Control PDC55
Parking brake38
Parking lamps, replacing
bulb114
Parking lamps/low beams65
Partition net85
Parts and accessories, refer to
Your individual vehicle4
Pathway lighting65
Personal Profile18
Pinch protection system
– windows28
Plastic parts, care110
Pollen
– refer to Microfilter for air
conditioner72
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic
climate control74
Power failure120
Power windows28
Power windows, refer to
Windows28
Pressure monitoring of tires,
refer to Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM60
Pressure monitoring, tires58
– Flat Tire Monitor58
Pressure, tires94Protective function, refer to
Pinch protection system
– windows28
Puncture
– Flat Tire Monitor58
R
Radio key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control18
Radio position, refer to Radio
readiness37
Radio readiness37
– switched off37
– switched on37
Rain sensor42
Range, refer to Cruising
range47
Reading lamps69
Rear door, refer to
Clubdoor23
Rear doors, refer to
Splitdoor23
Rear double doors, refer to
Splitdoor23
Rear fog lamp68
– indicator lamp126
– replacing bulb116
Rear lamps
– bulb replacement115
Rear lamps, refer to Tail
lamps115
Rear seat backrest, folding84
Rear seats
– folding the backrests84
Rear window heating71,73
Rearview mirror, refer to
Mirrors32
Recirculated-air mode71,73
Recirculation of air, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode71,73
Reclining seat, refer to
Backrest30
Refueling92
Releasing
– bonnet102Remote control18
– battery renewal27
– convenient access25
– garage door opener75
– malfunctions21,26
– service data106
– splitdoor21
Replacement remote
control18
Replacing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs112
Replacing tires, refer to New
wheels and tires100
Reporting safety defects6
Reserve warning, refer to Fuel
gauge47
Reservoir for washer
systems44
Restraint systems
– for children34
– refer to Safety belts32
Reverse gear
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic40
– manual transmission39
Roadside Assistance122
Roadside parking lamps67
– replacing bulb114
Roadworthiness test, refer to
Service requirements51
Roof load capacity142
Roof-mounted luggage
rack87
Rope, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away124
RSC Runflat System
Component, refer to Run-
Flat Tires100
Rubber parts, care109
Runflat System Component
RSC, refer to Run-Flat
Tires100
Run-Flat Tires100
– flat tire59
– new tires100
– tire inflation pressure94
– winter tires101
Runflat Tyres, refer to Run-Flat
Tires100

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
151
S
Safety belts32
– damage32
– indicator lamp32
– reminder32
– sitting safely29
Safety belts, care110
Safety systems
– airbags63
– Antilock Brake System
ABS56
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC56
– safety belts32
Safety tires, refer to Run-Flat
Tires100
Screw thread for tow
fitting124
Seat adjustment
– mechanical30
Seats29
– adjusting the seats30
– heating31
– sitting safely29
Securing the vehicle
– from inside22
– from outside19
Selector lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic39
Selector lever lock
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic, refer to
Shiftlock39
– overriding manually41
Selector lever positions
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic39
Service car, refer to Roadside
Assistance122
Service data in the remote
control106
Service Interval Display, refer
to Condition Based Service
CBS106
Service, refer to Roadside
Assistance122Service requirement display,
refer to Condition Based
Service CBS106
Service requirements51
Settings
– clock, 12h/24h mode49
Shifting gears
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic40
– manual transmission39
Shiftlock
– automatic transmission, refer
to Changing selector lever
positions39
Side airbags63
Side door, rear, refer to
Clubdoor23
Side turn signal indicator
– replacing bulb115
Side windows, refer to
Windows
28
Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Sitting safely29
– airbags29
– safety belts29
– with head restraint29
Size, refer to Dimensions141
Sliding/tilt sunroof
– refer to Glass sunroof,
electric27
Slot for remote control37
Smokers' package, refer to
Ashtray79
Snap-in adapter, refer to
Center armrest storage
compartment77
Snow chains101
Socket for Onboard Diagnosis
OBD106
Socket, refer to Connecting
electrical appliances79
Space-saver spare tire
– changing tires118
– inflation pressure94
Spare wheel, refer to Space-
saver spare tire118
Special oils, refer to Approved
engine oils104Speed140
– with winter tires101
Speed control, refer to Cruise
control44
Speedometer12
Split rear seat backrest, refer to
Expanding the cargo bay84
Splitdoor23
– opening from outside24
– unlocking with remote
control21
Sport button57
Stability control, refer to
Driving stability control
systems55
Start/stop button37
– starting the engine37
– switching off the engine38
Starting assistance, refer to
Jump starting122
Starting, refer to Starting the
engine37
Starting the engine
– start/stop button37
Start-off assistance, refer to
– DSC56
– Hill Start Assist57
Status of this Owner's Manual
at time of printing4
Steering wheel33
– adjustment33
– buttons on steering wheel11
– lock37
– shift paddles40
Steptronic, refer to Automatic
transmission with
Steptronic39
Storage area
– cargo bay84
Storage compartment, front
passenger side78
Storage compartments78
Storage space
– storage compartments78
Storing the vehicle111
Storing tires101
Stowage, refer to Storage
compartments78