
 123
AT A GLANCE REFERENCEMOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
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 characteris-
tics.<
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  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 3010 

 133
AT A GLANCE REFERENCEMOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
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 Care Prod-
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 alco-
hol or solvents as these may cause dam-
age.<
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:
>Vehicle dimensions, page167
>If necessary: fold in the outside mirrors, 
page39.
>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. 

 181
AT A GLANCE REFERENCEMOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
Tow bar150
Tow fitting150
– screw thread150
Tow fittings for tow-starting 
and towing away150
Tow rope151
Towing150
– car with automatic 
transmission150
– methods150
Tow-starting150
TPM, refer to Tire Pressure 
Monitor67
Track width, refer to 
Dimension167
Traction control, refer to
– Dynamic Stability Control 
DSC63
Trailer operation
– trailer loads and gross vehicle 
weight169
Transmission
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic46
– manual transmission46
– overriding selector lever lock 
for automatic transmission 
with Steptronic48
Transport securing devices, 
refer to Securing cargo97
Transporting children safely41
Tread depth, refer to Minimum 
tire tread124
Trip odometer53
Trip-distance counter, refer to 
Trip odometer53
Triple turn signal activation48
Trunk, refer to Luggage 
compartment in the MINI 
Convertible95
Turn signal48
– front, replacing bulb139
– indicator lamp12
– rear, replacing bulb140
– side, replacing bulb140
Turning circle, refer to 
Dimensions167
Tying down loads, refer to 
Cargo loading97U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading 
UTQR123
Units
– average fuel consumption57
– temperature57
Universal garage door opener, 
refer to Integrated universal 
remote control83
Universal remote control83
Unlatching, refer to 
Unlocking27
Unlocking
– from inside23
– from outside19
– liftgate27
– without remote control, refer 
to Comfort Access26
Upholstery, care135
USB audio interface86
V
Valve
– dust cap145
Vehicle
– battery146
– breaking in92
– cargo loading94
– dimensions167
– identification number, refer 
to Engine compartment128
– parking45
– storage136
– weight169
Vehicle jack144
– jacking points146
Ventilation
– air conditioner82
Vents, refer to Air vents78
Vents, refer to Ventilation82
Voice commands
– telephone111
Voice phone book112
Volume
– mobile phone108
Volume of cargo area169
W
Warning and indicator 
lamps13,152
Warning messages, refer to 
Check Control60
Warning triangle148
Washer fluid51
– capacity of reservoir51
Washer fluid reservoir51
Waste tray, refer to Ashtray87
Water on roads, refer to 
Driving through water93
Waterfall lighting, refer to 
Ambient lighting77
Wear indicators in tires, refer to 
Minimum tread depth124
Weights169
Welcome lamps73
Wheel stud wrench
– space-saver spare tire144
Wheelbase, refer to 
Dimensions167
Wheels and tires118
Wheels, new125
Width, refer to 
Dimensions167
Wind deflector33
Window washer, refer to 
Washer fluid51
Window washer reservoir, 
refer to Washer fluid
– volume, refer to 
Capacities170
Window washer system49
– washer fluid51
– washer jets51
Windows29
– closing29
– Convenient operation20
– opening29
– pinch protection system30
Windshield
– cleaning50
– defrosting and removing 
condensation80,82
Windshield wiper blades, 
changing137