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
181
NAVIGATION REFERENCE
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, page203
>If necessary: Fold in the outside mirrors,
page 46.
>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
224
Tires, FTM79
Tires with safety features, refer
to Run-flat tires174
TMC station, refer to Traffic
information130
Tone in audio mode
– adjusting139
– middle setting140
Tools, refer to Onboard vehicle
tool kit185
Torque202
– lug bolts194
Tow bar198
Tow fitting197
– screw thread198
Tow fittings for tow-starting
and towing away197
Tow rope198
Towing197
– car with automatic
transmission198
– methods198
"Town / City" in destination
entry115
Tow-starting197
TPM, refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor80
Track width, refer to
Dimension203
Traction control, refer to
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC76
Traffic congestion
– displaying traffic
information130
Traffic information for
navigation
– calling up130,131
– display on route map131
– during destination
guidance134
Traffic information message
list131
Trailer operation
– trailer loads and gross vehicle
weight205Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic53
– manual transmission53
– overriding selector lever lock
for automatic transmission
with Steptronic55
Transport securing devices,
refer to Securing cargo106
Transporting children safely48
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tire tread173
Treble, refer to Tone
control139
Treble, refer to Treble and
bass139
Treble, tone control139
"Trip computer"
63
Trip computer63
Trip odometer60
Trip-distance counter, refer to
Trip odometer60
"Triple turn signal"56
Triple turn signal activation55
Trunk lid
– emergency operation31
– releasing manually31
Trunk, refer to Luggage
compartment in the MINI
Convertible104
Turn signal indicator55
– front, replacing bulb187
– indicator lamp12,13
– rear, replacing bulb188
– side, replacing bulb188
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions203
Tying down loads, refer to
Cargo loading106
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
UTQR172
"Units"65
Units
– average fuel consumption65
– temperature65Universal garage door opener,
refer to Integrated universal
remote control94
Universal remote control94
Unlatching, refer to
Unlocking34
"Unlock button"28
Unlocking
– from inside30
– from outside27
– tailgate34
– without remote control, refer
to Comfort Access33
Upholstery, care183
USB audio interface156
V
Valve
– dust cap193
Vehicle
– battery195
– breaking in102
– cargo loading104
– dimensions203
– Identification Number, refer
to Engine compartment177
– parking52
– storage184
– weight205
Vehicle jack192
– jacking points194
Vehicle position, refer to
Displaying current
position134
Ventilation
– air conditioner93
Vents, refer to Ventilation93
Voice commands
– overview21
– short commands207
Voice instructions from
navigation system129
– switching on/off129
– volume129
225
MOBILITYAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS ENTERTAINMENT NAVIGATION REFERENCE
Volume138
– audio sources138
– speed-dependent
control139
– voice instructions129
Volume distribution
– front/rear139
– left/right139
Volume of cargo area205
W
Warning and indicator
lamps13
Warning messages, refer to
Check Control70
Warning triangle196
Washer fluid57
– capacity of reservoir58
Washer fluid reservoir58
Waste tray, refer to Ashtray97
Water on roads, refer to
Driving through water103
Waterfall lighting, refer to
Ambient lighting90
Waveband of radio141
Wear indicators in tires, refer to
Minimum tread depth173
Weights205
Welcome lamps87
Wheel stud wrench
– space-saver spare tire192
Wheelbase, refer to
Dimensions203
Wheels and tires164
Wheels, new174
Width, refer to
Dimensions203
Wind deflector40
Window washer, refer to
Washer fluid58
Window washer reservoir,
refer to Washer fluid
– volume, refer to
Capacities206Windows36
– closing36
– convenient operation28
– opening36
– pinch protection system37
Windows, indicator on Control
Display16
Windshield
– cleaning57
– defrosting and removing
condensation93
Windshield, defrosting, refer to
Defrosting windows93
Windshield washer system56
– washer fluid58
– washer nozzles57
Windshield wiper blades,
changing185
Windshield wipers, refer to
Wiper system56
Winter tires175
– setting speed limit72
– storage175
Wiper blade replacement185
Wiper system56
"With highways" in
navigation124
Word-matching principle for
navigation125
Work in the engine
compartment176
Wrench/screwdriver, refer to
Onboard vehicle tool kit185
X
Xenon lamps
– replacing bulb186