2009 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE run flat

Adjustments
34
Adjustments
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital contri-
bution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving. In con-
junction with the safety belts, the head restraints
and the airbags, the seated position has a major
influence on your safety in the event of an acci-
dent. To ensure that the safety systems operate
with optimal efficiency, we strongly urge you to
observe the instructions contained in the follow-
ing section.
For additional information on transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page40.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance
between yourself and the airbags. Always
grip the steering wheel on the rim, with your
hands in the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions, to
minimize the risk of injury to the hands or arms
in the event of the airbag being triggered off.
No one and nothing is to come between the air-
bags and the seat occupant.
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the
front passenger side as a storage area. Ensure
that the front passenger is correctly seated, e.g.
that no feet or legs are propped against the
dashboard. Otherwise, leg injury could result if
the front airbag suddenly deployed.
Make sure that passengers do not lean their
heads against the side airbags, otherwise seri-
ous injuries could result if the airbags suddenly
deployed.<
Even if you follow all the instructions, injuries
resulting from contact with airbags cannot be
fully excluded, depending on the circumstances.
The ignition and inflation noise may provoke a
mild hearing loss in extremely sensitive individ-
uals. This effect is usually only temporary.
For airbag locations and additional information
on airbags, refer to page70.
Head restraint
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the
risk of neck injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint in such a way
that its center is at approx. ear level. Oth-
erwise, there is an increased risk of injury in the
event of an accident.<
Head restraints, refer to page36.
Safety belt
Before every drive, make sure that all occupants
wear their safety belts. Airbags complement the
safety belt as an additional safety device, but
they do not represent a substitute.
Never allow more than one person to wear
a single safety belt. Never allow infants or
small children to ride in a passenger's lap.
Make sure that the belt in the lap area sits low
across the hips and does not press against the
abdomen. The safety belt must not rest against
the throat, run across sharp edges, pass over
hard or fragile objects or be pinched. Fasten the
safety belt so that it is pulled taut across the lap
and shoulder, fitting the body snugly without any
twists. Otherwise the belt could slide over the
hips in the event of a frontal collision and injure
the abdomen. Avoid wearing bulky clothing and
regularly pull the belt in the upper-body area
taut, otherwise its restraining effect could be
impaired.<
Safety belts, refer to page37.
Seats
Note before adjusting
Never attempt to adjust your seat while
the vehicle is moving. The seat could
respond with unexpected movement, and the
ensuing loss of vehicle control could lead to an
accident.
On the front passenger seat as well, do not
incline the backrest too far to the rear while the

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
55
Settings and information
Operating principle
Certain settings and information are only avail-
able when the ignition is switched on, the vehi-
cle is at a standstill and the doors are closed.
1Button for:
>Selecting display
>Setting values
>Confirming selected display or set values
>Calling up computer information53
2Calling up Check Control60
3Displaying vehicle check60
4Initializing the Flat Tire Monitor65
Resetting the Tire Pressure Monitor67
5Setting formats and units of measure, reset-
ting to factory settings576Adjusting settings
>Confirmation signals when locking and
unlocking the vehicle20
>Response during unlocking
procedure19
>Automatic locking23
>Pathway lighting73
>Daytime running lamps74
>Triple turn signal activation47
7Setting the time59
8Setting the date59
9Exiting the menu

Technology for driving comfort and safety
66
5.Press and hold the button until the display
changes.
6.Start driving.
Initialization is completed while the car is on
the move, without any feedback.
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamps come on in yellow
and red. An acoustic signal also sounds.
There is a flat tire or substantial loss of
tire pressure.
1.Reduce speed and stop the vehicle with cau-
tion. Avoid sudden braking and steering
maneuvers.
2.Check whether your vehicle is equipped
with normal tires or Run-Flat Tires.
The symbol identifying Run-Flat Tires
is a circle with the letters RSC on the
sidewall, refer to Run-Flat Tires, page111.<
Normal tires
1.Determine which tire is damaged.
If this cannot be determined, contact
your MINI Dealer.<
2.Repair the flat tire, refer to page127, or
change the damaged tire, refer to page129.
Run-Flat Tires*
1.Cautiously reduce speed to below 50 mph
or 80 km/h. Avoid sudden braking and
steering maneuvers. Do not exceed a speed
of 50 mph or 80 km/h.
Do not continue driving if the vehicle is
not equipped with Run-Flat Tires,
page111, otherwise a serious accident
could result.<
2.At the next opportunity, check the air pres-
sure in all four tires.
If all four tires are inflated to the cor-
rect pressures, the Flat Tire Monitor
might not have been initialized. The system
must then be initialized.<3.In the event of complete tire pressure loss,
0 psi/0 kPa, you can estimate the possible
distance for continued driving on the basis
of the following guidelines:
>With a light load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km
>With a medium load:
2 persons, cargo bay full, or 4 persons
without luggage:
approx. 94 miles/150 km
>With a full load:
4 persons, load compartment full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive cautiously and do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph or 80 km/h, otherwise an
accident may occur. In the event of pressure
loss, vehicle handling changes. This includes
reduced tracking stability in braking, extended
braking distance and altered natural steering
characteristics.
If unusual vibration or loud noises occur during
the journey, this may be an indication that the
damaged tire has finally failed. Reduce the vehi-
cle speed and stop as soon as possible. Other-
wise, sections of the tire may come loose and
cause accidents. Do not continue driving and
contact your MINI Dealer. The warning lamps light up in yellow.
There is a malfunction in the Flat Tire
Monitor or the system has failed. Have
the system checked as soon as possible.
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM*
The concept
TPM checks the inflation pressures of the four
mounted tires. The system notifies you if there is
a significant loss of pressure in one or more tires.

Technology for driving comfort and safety
68
1.Reduce speed and stop the vehicle with cau-
tion. Avoid sudden braking and steering
maneuvers.
2.Check whether your vehicle is equipped
with normal tires or Run-Flat Tires.
The symbol identifying Run-Flat Tires
is a circle with the letters RSC on the
sidewall, refer to the Owner's Manual for
Vehicle.<
Normal tires
1.Determine which tire is damaged.
If this cannot be determined, contact
your MINI Dealer.<
2.Repair the flat tire or change the damaged
tire, refer to page129.
Run-Flat Tires*
1.Cautiously reduce speed to below
50 mph/80 km/h. Avoid sudden braking and
steering maneuvers. Do not exceed a speed
of 50 mph/80 km/h.
Do not continue driving if the vehicle is
not equipped with Run-Flat Tires, oth-
erwise a serious accident could result.<
2.In the event of complete tire pressure loss,
0 psi/0 kPa, you can estimate the possible
distance for continued driving on the basis
of the following guidelines:
>With a light load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km
>With a medium load:
2 persons, cargo bay full, or 4 persons
without luggage:
approx. 94 miles/150 km
>With a full load:
4 persons, load compartment full:
approx. 30 miles/50 kmDrive cautiously and do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h, otherwise an
accident may occur. In the event of pressure
loss, vehicle handling changes. This includes
reduced tracking stability in braking, extended
braking distance and altered natural steering
characteristics.
If unusual vibration or loud noises occur during
the journey, this may be an indication that the
damaged tire has finally failed. Reduce the vehi-
cle speed and stop as soon as possible. Other-
wise, sections of the tire may come loose and
cause accidents. Do not continue driving and
contact your MINI Dealer.<
Malfunction
The small warning lamp flashes in yel-
low and then lights up continuously; the
larger warning lamp comes on in yel-
low.
On the onboard monitor, the tires are shown in
gray and a message appears. No punctures can
be detected.
This type of message is shown in the following
situations:
>If there is a malfunction.
Have the system checked.
>If a wheel without TPM electronics has been
mounted.
>If TPM is temporarily malfunctioning due to
other systems or devices using the same
radio frequency.
Message for unsuccessful system reset
Both warning lamps come on in yellow.
The system is not reset after a tire has
been changed, for example.
Check the tire inflation pressure and
reset the system, refer to the Owner's Manual
for Vehicle.

Wheels and tires
102
Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressures
Information for your safety
It is not merely the tires' service life, but also driv-
ing comfort and, to a great extent, driving safety
that depend on the condition of the tires and the
maintenance of the specified tire pressure.
Checking pressure
Check the tire inflation pressure regularly
and correct it, if necessary: at least twice a
month and before starting long trips. If you fail to
observe this precaution you may be driving on
tires with incorrect tire pressures, a condition that
can not only compromise your vehicle's driving
stability, but also lead to tire damage and the risk
of an accident. Do not drive with deflated, i.e. flat
tires, except when using Run-Flat Tires. A flat tire
will seriously impair your vehicle's handling and
braking response. Attempts to drive on a flat tire
can lead to loss of control over the vehicle.<
Check the tire inflation pressures only on
cold tires. This means after a maximum of
1.25 miles/2 km driving or when the vehicle has
been parked for at least 2 hours. When tires are
warm, the tire inflation pressure is higher.
After adjusting the tire inflation pressure,
reinitialize the flat tire monitor, page65,
or reset the tire pressure control, page67.<
Checking the tire inflation pressure of
the space-saver spare tire*
A valve extension for checking the inflation pres-
sure is located behind the bumper.
Inflation pressure specifications
The tables below provide all the correct inflation
pressures for the specified tire sizes at ambient
temperature.
The tire inflation pressures apply to the
tire sizes approved and the tire brands
recommended by the manufacturer of your
MINI. Your MINI Dealer will be glad to advise
you.<
For correct identification of the right tire infla-
tion pressures, observe the following:
>Tire sizes for your vehicle
>Load conditions
>Maximum allowable driving speed
Tire inflation pressures for driving up to
100 mph or 160 km/h
For normal driving speeds of up to 100 mph or
160 km/h and to achieve optimum driving com-
fort, adjust pressures to the respective tire infla-
tion pressures listed on the following pages in
the columns for traveling speeds up to a maxi-
mum of 100 mph or 160 km/h.
These tire inflation pressures can also be found
on the driver's-side door post when the driver's
door is open.
The maximum permissible speed for these
tire pressures is 100 mph or 160 km/h. Do
not exceed this speed, otherwise tire damage
and accidents could occur.<

Wheels and tires
110
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either sep-
arately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.<
RSC – Run-Flat Tires
You will recognize Run-Flat Tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side of
the tire, page111.
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 ... 5008 means that the tire was manufac-
tured in week 50 of 2008.

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
111
For various reasons, such as the development of
brittleness, the manufacturer of your MINI rec-
ommends tire replacement after no more than
6 years, regardless of the actual wear of the
tires.
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, page66.
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 page67. Your MINI Dealer will
be glad to advise you.

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.<