Wheels and tires
172
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 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 tires
225/45 R 17 91 V
For instance:
Manufacturer's
code for tire make
Tire size and
tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 2809
MOBILITYAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS ENTERTAINMENT
175
NAVIGATION REFERENCE
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
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 page77.<
MOBILITYAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS ENTERTAINMENT
193
NAVIGATION REFERENCE
Removing the space-saver spare tire
The screw connection of the space-saver spare
tire is under the floor mat in the cargo bay, on
the base of the storage compartment for the tire
change set.
1.Unscrew the screw connection with the spe-
cial wrench.
2.Take out the cover panel.
3.Screw the lifting handle from the onboard
vehicle tool kit onto the thread.
4.Raise the lifting handle slightly.
5.Squeeze the securing spring.
6.The space-saver spare tire is released and
must be held by the lifting handle.
7.Lower the space-saver spare tire with the
lifting handle.
8.Unscrew the lifting handle.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 page190.<
Additional safety measures when chang-
ing tires:
From A to Z
222
Seats42
– adjusting the seats43
– heating45
– sitting safely42
Securing the vehicle
– from inside30
– from outside27
"Select as destination"120
"Select current speed"73
Selecting an audio source138
Selecting menu items19
Selecting the route124
Selection options for
navigation124
Selector lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic53
Selector lever lock
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic, refer to
Shiftlock53
– overriding manually55
Selector lever positions
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic53
"Service"72
Service car, refer to Roadside
Assistance196
Service data in the remote
control179
Service Interval Display, refer
to Condition Based Service
CBS179
Service, refer to Roadside
Assistance196
Service requirement display,
refer to Condition Based
Service CBS179
"Service requirements"66,67
Service requirements65
"Set date"70
Settings
– clock, 12h/24h mode69
– date format70
Shifting gears
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic54
– manual transmission53Shiftlock
– automatic transmission, refer
to Changing selector lever
positions53
Short commands for the voice
activation system207
"Short route" in
navigation124
Shortest route in navigation,
refer to Selecting route124
"Show current position"119
"Show destination
position"119
Shuffled, refer to Random
– CD changer152
– CD player152
Side airbags84
Side turn signal indicator
– replacing bulb188
Side windows, refer to
Windows36
Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Sitting safely42
– airbags42
– safety belts42
– with head restraint42
Size, refer to Dimensions203
Sliding/tilt sunroof
– refer to Glass sunroof,
electric35
Slipstream deflector, refer to
Wind deflector40
Slot for remote control51
Smokers' package, refer to
Ashtray97
Snap-in adapter, refer to
Center armrest storage
compartment96
Snow chains175
Socket for Onboard Diagnosis
OBD179
Socket, refer to Connecting
electrical appliances98
Song search, refer to Playing a
track151
Sound output for
entertainment on/off138Space-saver spare tire
– changing tires192
– inflation pressure164
Spare wheel, refer to Space-
saver spare tire192
Speaking, refer to Voice
instructions from navigation
system129
Special oils, refer to Approved
engine oils178
Speed202
– with winter tires175
Speed control, refer to Cruise
control58
Speed limit72
– setting72
Speed limit warning, refer to
Speed limit72
"Speed volume", refer to Tone
control140
Speed-dependent volume139
Speedometer12
Split rear backrest, refer to
Through-loading system105
Split rear seat backrest, refer to
Expanding the cargo
bay104
Sport button78
Stability control, refer to
Driving stability control
systems76
"Start guidance"121,123
Start menu17
Start/stop button51
– starting the engine52
– switching off the engine52
Starting assistance, refer to
Jump-starting196
Starting, refer to Starting the
engine52
Starting the engine
– start/stop button51
Start-off assistance, refer to
– DSC76
– Hill Assist78
"State / Province" in
destination entry115
Station, refer to Radio141
"Status"66
223
MOBILITYAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS ENTERTAINMENT NAVIGATION REFERENCE
Status of this Owner's Manual
at time of printing4
Steering wheel47
– adjustment47
– buttons on steering wheel11
– lock51
– shift paddles54
Steptronic, refer to Automatic
transmission with
Steptronic53
"Stopwatch"73
Stopwatch73
Storage area
– cargo bay104
Storage compartment, front
passenger side97
Storage compartments96
Storage space
– storage compartments96
Storage space, refer to
– Luggage compartment in the
MINI Convertible104
"Store in address book" in
navigation122
"Store" on the radio143,147
Storing current position122
Storing radio stations143
Storing the vehicle184
Storing tires175
Stowage, refer to Storage
compartments96
"Street" in destination
entry116
Summer tires, refer to Wheels
and tires164
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching off
– engine52
Switching off the engine
– start/stop button51
Switching on
– audio138
– CD changer138
– CD player138
– radio138
Switching on the hour
signal69Switching the cooling function
on and off93
Symbols4
– Control Display20
– navigation system133
– traffic info for navigation
system133
T
Tachometer60
Tail lamp, refer to Tail
lamps188
– replacing bulb188
Tail lamps188
Tailgate31
– Comfort Access34
– opening from outside31
– opening/closing31
– unlocking with remote
control29
Tank volume, refer to
Capacities206
Technical data202
Technical modifications5
Telephone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest96
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Telephone call, refer to the
Owner's Manual for the
telephone
Temperature display
– ice warning60
– outside temperature60
– setting the units65
Temperature of coolant, refer
to Coolant temperature61
Temperature setting
– automatic climate control93
Tensioning straps, refer to
Securing cargo106
"Text language"74
The individual vehicle4
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center brake lamp189
Three-point safety belt45Through-loading system105
Tightening the lug bolts
– keys192
– torque194,195
Tightening torque, refer to
Tightening the lug bolts194
"Time format"69
Tire change set
– space-saver spare tire192
Tire failure
– Flat Tire Monitor79
– indicator/warning lamp79
– MINI Mobility System190
– run-flat tires80
– space-saver spare tire192
– Tire Pressure Monitor80
Tire inflation pressure164
– loss79,81
– space-saver spare tire164
Tire Pressure Monitor TPM80
– limitations of system80
– resetting system81
– warning lamp82
Tire pressure monitoring, refer
to Flat Tire Monitor78
Tire Quality Grading172
Tires
– age173
– breaking in102
– changing, refer to Changing
wheels192
– condition173
– damage173
– inflation pressure164
– inflation pressure loss82
– minimum tread depth173
– new tires174
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor78
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM80
– puncture79
– run-flat tires174
– size172
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth173
– winter tires175