2009 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE tire size

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
109
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 tires225/45 R 17 91 V
e.g.
Manufacturer's
code for tire make
Tire size and
tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 5008

Wheels and tires
112
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 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
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
MINI 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 page64.<

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
131
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 page127.<
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.<

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
165
Rubber parts, care121
Runflat System Component
RSC, refer to Run-Flat
Tires111
Run-Flat Tires111
– flat tire66
– new tires111
– tire inflation pressure102
– winter tires112
Runflat Tyres, refer to Run-Flat
Tires111
S
Safety belts37
– damage38
– indicator lamp37
– reminder37
– sitting safely34
Safety belts, care122
Safety systems
– airbags70
– Antilock Brake System
ABS63
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC63
– safety belts37
Safety tires, refer to Run-Flat
Tires111
Screw thread for tow
fitting136
Seat adjustment
– mechanical35
Seats34
– adjusting the seats35
– heating37
– sitting safely34
Securing the vehicle
– from inside22
– from outside19
Selector lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic46
Selector lever lock
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic, refer to
Shiftlock46
– overriding manually47Selector lever positions
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic46
Service car, refer to Roadside
Assistance134
Service data in the remote
control117
Service Interval Display, refer
to Condition Based Service
CBS117
Service, refer to Roadside
Assistance134
Service requirement display,
refer to Condition Based
Service CBS117
Service requirements57
Settings
– clock, 12h/24h mode56
Shifting gears
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic46
– manual transmission45
Shiftlock
– automatic transmission, refer
to Changing selector lever
positions46
Side airbags70
Side turn signal indicator
– replacing bulb126
Side windows, refer to
Windows28
Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Sitting safely34
– airbags34
– safety belts34
– with head restraint34
Size, refer to Dimensions153
Sliding/tilt sunroof
– refer to Glass sunroof,
electric27
Slipstream deflector, refer to
Wind deflector33
Slot for remote control43
Smokers' package, refer to
Ashtray87
Snap-in adapter, refer to
Center armrest storage
compartment85
Snow chains112Socket for Onboard Diagnosis
OBD117
Socket, refer to Connecting
electrical appliances87
Space-saver spare tire
– changing tires129
– inflation pressure102
Spare wheel, refer to Space-
saver spare tire129
Special oils, refer to Approved
engine oils115
Speed152
– with winter tires112
Speed control, refer to Cruise
control50
Speedometer12
Split rear backrest, refer to
Through-loading system93
Split rear seat backrest, refer to
Expanding the cargo bay92
Sport button64
Stability control, refer to
Driving stability control
systems62
Start/stop button43
– starting the engine44
– switching off the engine44
Starting assistance, refer to
Jump starting134
Starting, refer to Starting the
engine44
Starting the engine
– start/stop button43
Start-off assistance, refer to
– DSC63
– Hill Start Assist64
Status of this Owner's Manual
at time of printing4
Steering wheel39
– adjustment39
– buttons on steering wheel11
– lock43
– shift paddles
46
Steptronic, refer to Automatic
transmission with
Steptronic45
Storage area
– cargo bay92

From A to Z
166
Storage compartment, front
passenger side86
Storage compartments86
Storage space
– storage compartments86
Storage space, refer to
–
Luggage compartment in
the MINI Convertible93
Storing the vehicle122
Storing tires112
Stowage, refer to Storage
compartments86
Summer tires, refer to Wheels
and tires102
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching off
– engine44
Switching off the engine
– start/stop button43
Switching the cooling function
on and off82
Symbols4
T
Tachometer52
Tail lamp, refer to Tail
lamps126
– replacing bulb126
Tail lamps126
Tailgate23
– convenient access26
– opening from outside23
– opening/closing23
– unlocking with remote
control21
Tank volume, refer to
Capacities156
Technical data152
Technical modifications4
Telephone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest85
– refer to separate Owner's
ManualTelephone call, refer to the
Owner's Manual for the
telephone
Temperature display
– ice warning52
– outside temperature52
– setting the units56
Temperature of coolant, refer
to Coolant temperature52
Temperature setting
– air conditioner79
– automatic climate control82
Tensioning straps, refer to
Securing cargo95
The individual vehicle4
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center brake lamp127
Three-point safety belt37
Through-loading system93
Tightening the lug bolts
– keys130
– torque132
Tightening torque, refer to
Tightening the lug bolts132
Tire change set
– MINI Mobility System129
– space-saver spare tire130
Tire failure
– Flat Tire Monitor66
– indicator/warning lamp66
– MINI Mobility System128
– Run-Flat Tires66
– space-saver spare tire129
– Tire Pressure Monitor66
Tire inflation pressure102
– loss66
– space-saver spare tire102
Tire Pressure Monitor TPM66
– limitations of system67
– resetting system67
– warning lamp67
Tire pressure monitoring, refer
to Flat Tire Monitor65
Tire Quality Grading109Tires
– age110
– breaking in90
– changing, refer to Changing
wheels129
– condition110
– damage110
– inflation pressure102
– inflation pressure loss67
– minimum tread depth110
– new tires111
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor65
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM66
– puncture66
– Run-Flat Tires111
– size109
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth110
– winter tires112
Tires with safety features, refer
to Run-Flat Tires111
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit123
Torque152
– lug bolts132
Tow bar136
Tow fitting135
– screw thread136
Tow fittings for tow-starting
and towing away135
Tow rope136
Towing135
– car with automatic
transmission136
– methods136
Tow-starting135
TPM, refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor66
Track width, refer to
Dimension153
Traction control, refer to
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC63