Technology for driving comfort and safety
74
Functional requirement
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat
tire, the system must be initialized for the cor-
rect tire inflation pressure.
Each time you correct the pressure in a
tire, or change a wheel or tire, the system
must be reinitialized.<
System limitations
The Flat Tire Monitor is unable to warn the driver
of sudden, severe tire damage caused by exter-
nal factors, nor can it identify the gradual loss of
pressure that will inevitably occur in all four tires
over a lengthy period of time.
In the following situations, the system could be
delayed or malfunction:
>System has not been initialized
>Driving on snowy or slippery road surface
>Performance-oriented style of driving: slip in
the drive wheels, high lateral acceleration
>Snow chains are attached
When the vehicle is driven with a space-saver
spare tire
*, page183, the Flat Tire Monitor can-
not function.
Initializing the system
The initialization is completed during driv-
ing, which can be interrupted at any time.
When driving resumes, the initialization is con-
tinued automatically.
Do not initialize the system if you are driving
with snow chains or a space-saver spare tire
*.<
Using the onboard monitor
Onboard monitor, for operating principle refer
to page16.
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the MINI joystick to highlight "Setup"
and press the MINI joystick.3.Select "Settings".
4.Select "Vehicle and tires".
5.If necessary, move the highlight marker to
the uppermost field. Select "FTM".
6.Start the engine, but do not start driving.
7.Select "Reset".
8.Select "Yes".
9.Start driving.
The initialization is completed during driv-
ing.
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamps come on in yellow
and red. A message appears on the
Control Display. An acoustic signal also
sounds. There is a flat tire or substantial
loss of tire pressure.
MOBILITYAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS ENTERTAINMENT
75
NAVIGATION REFERENCE
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, page165.<
Normal tires
1.Determine which tire is damaged.
If this cannot be determined, contact
your MINI dealer.<
2.Repair the flat tire, refer to page180, or
change the damaged tire, refer to page183.
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,
page165; 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 kmDrive 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.<
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM*
The concept
TPM checks the tire pressure in the four
mounted tires during driving. The system noti-
fies you if there is a significant loss of pressure in
one or more tires.
Functional requirement
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat
tire, the system must be reset while all tire infla-
tion pressures are correct.
Always use wheels with TPM electronics. Other-
wise, the system may malfunction.
Each time a tire inflation pressure has
been corrected or a wheel or tire has been
changed, reset the system.<
System limitations
TPM cannot warn you in advance of sud-
den severe tire damage caused by outside
influences.<
The system does not work correctly if it has not
been reset; for example, a flat tire may be indi-
cated even though the tire inflation pressures
are correct.
The system is inactive and cannot indicate a flat
tire if a wheel without TPM electronics, such as a
compact spare wheel
*, has been mounted, or if
