REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
101
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 characte-
ristics.<
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
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.< For instance:
Manufacturer's
code for tire make
Tire size and
tire design
Tire age
DOT xxxx xxx 2809
Care
110
Care
Car-care products
Regular cleaning and care helps to maintain the
value of your MINI.
The manufacturer of your MINI recommends
using manufacturer-approved products to clean
and care for your vehicle.
MINI Service would be pleased to advise you
on cleaning and care products and services for
your MINI.
The ingredients of original MINI CareProd-
ucts have been tested, and the products
have been tested in the laboratory and in prac-
tice. They offer optimum care and protection for
your vehicle.<
Do not use any cleansers containing
alcohol or solvents as these may cause
damage.<
Cleaning agents may contain hazardous
or health-damaging substances. Follow
the warning and hazard instructions on the
packaging. For interior cleaning, always open
the doors or windows of the vehicle.
Do not use any products that are not intended
for cleaning the vehicle.<
External care
Washing your vehicle
Especially during the winter months the
vehicle should be frequently washed. Dirt
and road salt can damage the vehicle.<
After washing the vehicle, apply the
brakes briefly to dry them; otherwise,
water can reduce braking efficiency over the
short term and the brake rotors can corrode.<
Car washes
Preference should be given to cloth car washes.
Do not use automatic high-pressure car
washes; otherwise, water may drip into
the vehicle around the windows.<
Before driving into the car wash, check if the sys-
tem is suitable for your MINI. Observe the fol-
lowing points:
>Dimensions of the vehicle, page143
>If necessary: Fold in the outside mirrors,
page 35.
>Maximum permissible tire width
Avoid car washes with tracks higher than
4 in/10 cm; otherwise, the chassis could
be damaged.<
Preparations for driving into the car wash:
>Unscrew the rod antenna.
>Deactivate the rain sensor
* to prevent unin-
tentional wiping.
>Deactivate the rear window wiper
* and pro-
tect it from damage. Ask the car wash oper-
ator about measures that can be taken to
protect the wipers.
>Remove additional attachments, e.g. spoil-
ers or telephone antennas, if there is a pos-
sibility that they could be damaged.
Automatic transmission
Before driving into the car wash, make sure that
the vehicle can roll:
1.Place the remote control, even with Comfort
Access, in the ignition lock.
2.Move the selector lever to position N.
3.Release the parking brake.
4.Switch off the engine.
5.Insert the remote control in the ignition lock
so that the vehicle can roll.
From A to Z
154
Storage compartment, front
passenger side80
Storage compartments80
Storage space
– storage compartments80
Storing the vehicle113
Storing tires104
Stowage, refer to Storage
compartments80
Summer tires, refer to Wheels
and tires96
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching off
– engine41
Switching off the engine
– start/stop button40
Switching the cooling function
on and off76
Symbols4
T
Tachometer49
Tail lamp, refer to Tail
lamps117
– replacing bulb117
Tail lamps117
Tailgate
– Comfort Access28
Tailgate, refer to Splitdoor23
Tank volume, refer to
Capacities144
Technical data142
Technical modifications5
Telephone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest79
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Telephone call, refer to the
Owner's Manual for the
telephone
Temperature display
– ice warning49
– outside temperature49
– setting the units52Temperature of coolant, refer
to Coolant temperature49
Temperature setting
– air conditioner73
– automatic climate control75
Tensioning straps, refer to
Securing cargo88
The individual vehicle4
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center brake lamp118
Three-point safety belt34
Tightening the lug bolts
– keys121
– torque122,123
Tightening torque, refer to
Tightening the lug bolts122
Tire change set
– space-saver spare tire121
Tire failure
– Flat Tire Monitor61
– indicator/warning lamp61
– MINI Mobility System118
– run-flat tires61
– space-saver spare tire121
– Tire Pressure Monitor62
Tire inflation pressure96
– loss61
– space-saver spare tire96
Tire Pressure Monitor TPM62
– limitations of system62
– resetting system62
– warning lamp63
Tire pressure monitoring, refer
to Flat Tire Monitor60
Tire Quality Grading101Tires
– age102
– breaking in
84
– changing, refer to Changing
wheels121
– condition102
– damage102
– inflation pressure96
– inflation pressure loss63
– minimum tread depth102
– new tires103
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor60
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM62
– puncture61
– run-flat tires103
– size101
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth102
– winter tires104
Tires with safety features, refer
to Run-flat tires103
Tools, refer to Onboard vehicle
tool kit114
Torque142
– lug bolts122
Tow bar126
Tow fitting125
– screw thread126
Tow fittings for tow-starting
and towing away125
Tow rope126
Towing125
– car with automatic
transmission126
– methods126
Tow-starting125
TPM, refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor62
Track width, refer to
Dimension143
Traction control, refer to
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC58
REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
155
Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic42
– manual transmission42
– overriding selector lever lock
for automatic transmission
with Steptronic44
Transport securing devices,
refer to Securing cargo88
Transporting children safely37
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tire tread102
Trip odometer49
Trip-distance counter, refer to
Trip odometer49
Triple turn signal activation44
Turn signal indicator44
– front, replacing bulb116
– indicator lamp12
– rear, replacing bulb117
– side, replacing bulb117
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions143
Tying down loads, refer to
Cargo loading88
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
UTQR101
Units
– average fuel consumption52
– temperature52
Universal garage door opener,
refer to Integrated universal
remote control77
Universal remote control77
Unlatching, refer to
Unlocking28
Unlocking
– from inside24
– from outside21
– tailgate28
– without remote control, refer
to Comfort Access27
Upholstery, care112
USB audio interface79
V
Vehicle
– battery123
– breaking in84
– cargo loading86
– dimensions143
– Identification Number, refer
to Engine compartment106
– parking41
– storage113
– weight144
Vehicle jack121
– jacking points122
Ventilation
– air conditioner76
Vents, refer to Air vents72
Vents, refer to Ventilation76
Volume of cargo area144
W
Warning and indicator
lamps13,128
Warning messages, refer to
Check Control55
Warning triangle124
Washer fluid47
– capacity of reservoir47
Washer fluid reservoir47
Waste tray, refer to Ashtray81
Water on roads, refer to
Driving through water85
Waterfall lighting, refer to
Ambient lighting71
Wear indicators in tires, refer to
Minimum tread depth102
Weights144
Welcome lamps67
Wheel stud wrench
– space-saver spare tire121
Wheelbase, refer to
Dimensions143
Wheels and tires96
Wheels, new103
Width, refer to
Dimensions143
Window washer, refer to
Washer fluid47Window washer reservoir,
refer to Washer fluid
– volume, refer to
Capacities144
Windows30
– closing30
– convenient operation22
– opening30
– pinch protection system30
Windshield
– cleaning46
– defrosting and removing
condensation74,75
Windshield, defrosting, refer to
Defrosting windows74,75
Windshield washer system45
– washer fluid47
– washer nozzles47
Windshield wiper blades,
changing114
Windshield wipers, refer to
Wiper system45
Winter tires104
– storage104
Wiper blade replacement114
Wiper system45
Work in the engine
compartment105
Wrench/screwdriver, refer to
Onboard vehicle tool kit114
X
Xenon lamps
– replacing bulb115