2009 MINI Convertible inflation pressure

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
107
MINI Cooper S tire inflation pressures
Tire size Pressure specifications in psi/kPa
Speeds up to a
max. of 100 mph /
160 km/hSpeeds including those exceeding
100 mph / 160 km/h
All pressure specifications
in the table are indicated in
psi/kilopascal with cold
tires. Cold = ambient tem-
perature
195/55 R 16 87 V
195/55 R 16 87 V RSC
195/55 R 16 87 H M+S RSC
195/55 R 16 87 V M+S RSC33/230 33/230 33/230 33/230 38/260 38/260
205/45 R 17 84 V M+S RSC
205/45 R 17 84 V RSC
205/40 R 18 82 W RSC
175/60 R 16 82 H M+S RSC38/260 38/260 38/260 38/260 41/280 41/280
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page159.

Wheels and tires
108
MINI John Cooper Works tire inflation pressures
Tire size Pressure specifications in psi/kPa
Speeds up to a
max. of 100 mph/
160 km/hSpeeds including those exceeding
100 mph / 160 km/h
All pressure specifications in
the table are indicated in
psi/kilopascal with cold tires.
Cold = ambient temperature
185/50 R 17 86 H M+S XL RSC
205/45 R 17 84 V M+S RSC
205/45 R 17 84 W RSC38/260 38/260 38/260 38/260 41/280 41/280
205/40 R 18 82 W RSC 41/280 41/280 41/280 41/280 44/300 44/300
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page159.

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
109
MINI Cooper Convertible tire inflation pressures
Tire size Pressure specifications in psi/kPa
Speeds up to a
max. of 100 mph /
160 km/hSpeeds including those exceeding
100 mph / 160 km/h
All pressure specifications
in the table are indicated in
psi/kilopascal with cold
tires. Cold = ambient tem-
perature
175/65 R 15 84 T M+S
175/65 R 15 84 H
175/65 R 15 84 H M+S
175/60 R 16 82 H M+S RSC
195/55 R 16 87 H
195/55 R 16 87 H RSC
195/55 R 16 87 H M+S RSC
195/55 R 16 87 V M+S RSC
205/45 R 17 84 V RSC
205/45 R 17 84 V M+S RSC
205/40 R 18 82 W RSC35/240 35/240 35/240 35/240 38/260 38/260
Emergency wheel:
115/70 R 15 90 M60/420 60/420 – – 60/420 60/420
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page159.

Wheels and tires
110
MINI Cooper S Convertible tire inflation pressures
Tire size Pressure specifications in psi/kPa
Speeds up to a
max. of 100 mph /
160 km/hSpeeds including those exceeding
100 mph / 160 km/h
All pressure specifications
in the table are indicated in
psi/kilopascal with cold
tires. Cold = ambient tem-
perature
195/55 R 16 87 V
195/55 R 16 87 V RSC
195/55 R 16 87 H M+S RSC
195/55 R 16 87 V M+S RSC35/240 35/240 35/240 35/240 38/260 38/260
205/45 R 17 84 V M+S RSC
205/45 R 17 84 V RSC
205/40 R 18 82 W RSC
175/60 R 16 82 H M+S RSC39/270 39/270 39/270 39/270 42/290 42/290
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page159.

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
111
MINI John Cooper Works Convertible tire inflation pressures
Tire size Pressure specifications in psi/kPa
Speeds up to a
max. of 100 mph/
160 km/hSpeeds including those exceeding
100 mph / 160 km/h
All pressure specifications in
the table are indicated in
psi/kilopascal with cold tires.
Cold = ambient temperature
185/50 R 17 86 H M+S XL RSC
205/45 R 17 84 V M+S RSC
205/45 R 17 84 W RSC39/270 39/270 39/270 39/270 42/290 42/290
205/40 R 18 82 W RSC 42/290 42/290 42/290 42/290 45/310 45/310
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page159.

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
115
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 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;
failure 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.
Specialist tire dealers and your MINI Dealer can
supply 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 page65.<

Replacing components
132
1Connector and cable for lighter socket
2Connection hose for connecting the com-
pressor and tire valve
3On/off switch
4Pressure gauge for indicating the tire infla-
tion pressure
5Release button for reducing the tire inflation
pressure
Reinflating the tire
1.Unscrew the dust cap from the tire valve of
the defective tire.
2.Screw connection hose2 onto the tire valve.
3.Insert connector 1 into the lighter socket in
the interior of the vehicle, page88.
4.Switch on the compressor using switch3.
5.Inflate the tire to at least 26 psi/180 kPa and
at most 36 psi/250 kPa.
To check the inflation pressure, switch off
the compressor briefly.
Do not run the compressor for longer
than 6 minutes, otherwise the device
will overheat and possibly be damaged.<
If an air pressure of 26 psi/180 kPa is not
reached:
1.Unscrew connection hose2 and drive the
vehicle forward and backward about 33 ft/
10 m to distribute the liquid sealant in the
tires evenly.
2.Repeat the procedure.
If an inflation pressure of 26 psi/180 kPa
still cannot be reached, the tire is too
heavily damaged. Please contact the nearest
MINI Dealer.<
Distributing liquid sealant
Immediately drive for approx. 10 minutes, so
that the liquid sealant is uniformly distributed.
Do not exceed speeds of 40 mph/
60 km/h.
If possible, do not drop below 10 mph/
20 km/h.<
Checking tire inflation pressure
1.After driving for approx. 10 minutes, pull
over at a suitable location.
2.Screw connection hose2 onto the tire valve.
3.Check the tire inflation pressure.
The tire pressure must be at least
18 psi/130 kPa. If it is not, do not con-
tinue driving.<
If a tire pressure of at least 18 psi/130 kPa is
displayed:
1.Switch on the compressor. Correct the tire
inflation pressure to the specified value,
page104.
2.Replace the tire as soon as possible.
Driving on
Do not exceed the permitted maximum
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h; doing so may
result in an accident.<
Replace the defective tire as soon as possible
and have the new wheel/tire assembly bal-
anced.
Have the Mobility System refilled.
Tire change set
When changing a tire, always observe the safety
measures and the procedure for changing tires
described below.
In case of a flat tire, the tire change set is
not needed due to the availability of the
Mobility System.<

Replacing components
134
9.Pull the space-saver spare tire underneath
the vehicle out towards the rear.
10.Position the space-saver spare tire with the
valve facing upward.
11.Unscrew the valve extension from the valve
of the space-saver spare tire.
12.Unscrew the dust cap from the extension
and place it on the valve of the space-saver
spare tire.
Due to its different dimensions, the dam-
aged wheel cannot be placed in the recess
for 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 page130.<
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
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
of any kind. To do so could cause accidents and
personal injury.<
1.Place the jack at the jacking point closest to
the wheel.