2009 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE winter tires

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.<

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.<

From A to Z
158
From A to Z
INDEX
A
Accessories, refer to Your
individual vehicle4
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate control82
Additives
– coolant115
– engine oil115
Adjusting temperature inside
the car, refer to Air
conditioner79
Adjusting temperature inside
the car, refer to Automatic
climate control80
Air conditioner78
Air conditioning mode
– air conditioner79
– automatic climate control80
– ventilation82
Air distribution
– automatic81
– individual80
– manual80
Air flow rate79,81
– air conditioning system79
– automatic climate control81
– heating, ventilation79
Air outlets, refer to Air vents78
Air pressure, checking, refer to
Tire inflation pressure102
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode79,81
Air supply
– air conditioner79
– automatic climate control80
– ventilation82
Air vents78
Airbags70
– sitting safely34
– warning lamp72
Airing, refer to Ventilation82AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications101
Alarm system24
All-season tires, refer to Winter
tires112
Always Open Timer54
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode79,81
Ambient lighting77
Antenna, care119
Antifreeze
– coolant115
– washer fluid50
Antilock Brake System ABS63
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system
24
Anti-theft system19
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights155
Approved engine oils115
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights155
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest85
Ashtray87
Assistant systems, refer to
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC63
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control81
Audio device, external85
AUTO program for automatic
climate control81
Automatic
– air distribution81
– air flow rate81
– cruise control50
– headlamp control73
Automatic climate control78
– automatic air distribution81
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC81Automatic transmission with
Steptronic45
– interlock46
– overriding selector lever
lock47
– shiftlock46
– sport program46
AUX-In, refer to External audio
device85
Average fuel consumption53
– setting the units56
Average speed54
Axle loads, refer to
Weights155B
Background lighting, refer to
Ambient lighting77
Backrests, refer to Seats34
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb126,127
Band-aids, refer to First aid
pouch134
Bar, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away136
Battery132
– charging132
– disposal27,132
– jump starting134
– temporary power failure132
Battery renewal
– remote control27
Being towed136
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts37
Belts, refer to Safety belts37
Beverage holders, refer to Cup
holders87
Blower, refer to Air flow
rate79,81
Bonnet113

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
163
License plate lamp, bulb
replacement127
Light switch73
Light-alloy wheels, care121
Light-emitting diodes
LEDs124
Lighter87
– socket87
Lighting
– lamps and bulbs123
– of the instruments76
– of vehicle, refer to Lamps73
Limit149
Load94
Load securing equipment,
refer to Securing cargo95
Lock buttons of doors, refer to
Locking22
Locking
– adjusting confirmation
signal20
– from inside22
– from outside20
– without remote control, refer
to Convenient access26
Locking and unlocking doors
– confirmation signals20
– from inside22
– from outside19
Low beams73
– automatic73
– replacing bulb124
Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support35
Luggage compartment
– emergency operation, refer
to Manual release24
– Increasing the capacity93
– opening from the inside24
Luggage compartment lid
– emergency operation, refer
to Manual release24
Luggage compartment lid,
refer to Tailgate23
Luggage compartment, refer
to Cargo bay23
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack95
Lumbar support35M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires112
Maintenance, refer to Service
Booklet
Maintenance system117
Malfunction
– convertible top32
– trunk lid24
Malfunction warnings, refer to
Check Control60
Manual air distribution80
Manual mode
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic46
Manual operation
– door lock22
– fuel filler door100
– power convertible top32
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission47
– trunk lid24
Manual transmission45
Manual washing120
Master key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control18
Maximum cooling81
Maximum speed
– with winter tires112
Medical assistance, refer to
First aid pouch134
Microfilter
– for air conditioner80
– for automatic climate
control82
– MINI Maintenance
System117
Microfilter/activated-charcoal
filter
– MINI Maintenance
System117
Microphone for telephone14
MINI Internet page4
MINI Maintenance System117
Mirror dimming feature38Mirrors38
– exterior mirrors38
– heating38
– interior rearview mirror38
Mobile phone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest85
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Mobile phone, installation
location, refer to Center
armrest85
Mobile phone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Mobility System128
Modifications, technical, refer
to For your own safety4
Monitoring system for tire
pressures, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor65
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher47
– refer to Wiper system48
Multifunctional steering
wheel, refer to Buttons on
the steering wheel11
N
Neck support, refer to Head
restraints36
Nets, refer to Storage
compartments86
New tires111
Number of cylinders, refer to
Engine data152
Nylon rope, refer to Tow
rope136
O
OBD socket, refer to Socket for
Onboard Diagnosis117
Octane ratings, refer to Fuel
specifications101
Odometer52
Oil consumption114
Oil level114

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