2012 MINI Clubman winter tires

DRIVING TIPSThings to remember when driving
94
Things to remember when driving
Vehicle equipment
In this chapter, all production, country, and
optional equipment that is offered in the model
range is described. Equipment is also described
that is not available because of, for example,
selected options or coun try version. This also
applies to safety relate d functions and systems.
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to
each other. Please follow the instructions below
in order to achieve the optimal service life and
economy of operation for your vehicle.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do
not exceed the following:
> Gasoline engine
4,500 rpm or 100 mph/160 km/h
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the
transmission's kickdown mode.
After driving 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Engine and vehicle speeds can be gradually
increased.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-
tion potential until after an initial break-in
period. Therefore, drive cautiously during the
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized
contact and wear patterns between brake pads
and rotors. Drive cautiously during this break-in
period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch reaches its optimal
level only after a distan ce driven of approx.
300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period,
engage the clutch gently.
Following part replacement
The same break-in procedures should be
observed if any of the components mentioned
above have to be renewed in the course of the
vehicle's operating life.
General driving notes
Ground clearance
When driving, ensure that there is suffi-
cient ground clearance, such as when
entering underground parking garages, driving
over curbs or when driving in winter; otherwise
damage to the vehicle may result. <
Close tailgate/Split Rear Barn Doors
Only drive with the tailgate/Split Rear Barn
Doors closed. Failure to do so may endan-
ger passengers or other road users or may
damage the vehicle in the event of an accident
or a braking and evasive maneuver. In addition,
exhaust gas may flow into the passenger com-
partment. <
If special circumstances make it absolutely
necessary to drive with the tailgate/Split Rear
Barn Doors open:
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Wheels and tiresMOBILITY
139
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B CAll 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
government test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-half (1 γ)
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,
however, 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 con-
trolled conditions on specified government test
surfaces 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 incl ude 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. Sustained 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 repre-
sent levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel that exceed 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
separately or in combin ation, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.<
RSC - run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side of
the tire, page 140.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than
summer tires.
XL
Designation for specia lly reinforced tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires regularly for tread wear, signs
of damage and for foreig n objects lodged in the
tread. Check the tread depth.
Tread depth
The tread depth should not drop below 0.12 in/
3 mm, although, for exam ple, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of
0.063 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below
0.12 in/3 mm there is an increased risk of high-
speed hydroplaning, even when only small
amounts of water are present on the road
surface.
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MOBILITYWheels and tires
140
Winter tires
When winter tires wear down past a tread depth
of 0.16 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less
suitable for winter conditions. In the interest of
safety, new tires should be installed.
Minimum tread depth
Wear indicators in the base of the tread groove
are distributed around the tire's circumference;
the letters TWI, for Tread Wear Indicator, on the
tire's sidewalls identify tires that incorporate
these wear indicators. When tire tread is worn
down to the level of the wear indicators, the
remaining tread dept h is 0.063 in/1.6 mm.
Tire damage
Driving over rough or damaged road surfaces, as
well as debris, curbs, and other obstacles can
cause serious damage to wheels, tires, and
suspension parts. This is more likely to occur
with low-profile tire s, which provide less
cushioning between the wheel and the road. Be
careful to avoid road hazards and reduce your
speed, especially if your vehicle is equipped with
low-profile tires.
Unusual vibrations encountered during normal
vehicle operation can indicate tire failure or
some other vehicle defect . This can, for exam-
ple, be caused by drivin g over curbs. The same
applies to any other abnormal road behavior,
such as pulling severely to the right or left.
In these cases, reduce speed immediately
and have wheels and tires thoroughly
checked. To do so, drive carefully to the nearest
MINI dealer or a specialized tire shop that has
specially trained personnel working in accor- dance with the specifications of the MINI manu-
facturer. If necessary, have the vehicle towed
there.
Otherwise, tire damage can be extremely
dangerous for vehicle occupants and other road
users.
<
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding:
DOT ... 1012 means that the tire was manu-
factured during the 10th week of 2012.
For various reasons, such as the development of
brittleness, the manufacturer of your MINI
recommends tire replac ement after no more
than 6 years, regardless of the actual wear of the
tires.
Run-flat tires
The symbol identifying run-flat tires is a circle
with the letters RSC on the sidewall.
Run-flat tires comprise a conditionally self-
supporting tire and a spec ial rim. The reinforce-
ment in the sidewalls ensures that the tire can
continue to be used subject to certain restric-
tions, even if depressurized.
For information on continuing to drive with a flat
tire, refer to Indication of a flat tire, page 67.
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Wheels and tiresMOBILITY
141
New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and tires mounted only
by your MINI dealer or a specialized tire
shop that has specially trained personnel work-
ing in accordance with th e specifications of the
MINI manufacturer. If this work is not carried out
properly, there is a danger of subsequent
damage and related safety hazards. Make sure
that the new wheels are balanced. <
Retreaded tires
The manufacturer of your MINI recom-
mends that you avoid using retreaded
tires, as this could impair driving safety. The
causes for this include potentially different tire
casing structures and of ten wide variations in
tire age, which can result in a limited service
life.<
Correct wheels and tires
The manufacturer of your MINI recom-
mends mounting only wheels and tires
that it has specifically approved for use on your
particular model. Alth ough other wheels and
tires may theoretically have the same dimen-
sions, variations in factors such as manufactur-
ing tolerances can result in contact between tire
and bodywork, ultimately leading to serious
accidents. The manufacturer of your MINI can-
not evaluate non-approved wheels and tires to
determine if they are su ited for use, and there-
fore cannot ensure the operating safety of the
vehicle if they are mounted. <
Your MINI dealer will be glad to inform you
about the correct wheel an d tire combination for
your vehicle.
The correct combination of wheels and tires is
also necessary to ensure reliable operation of
various vehicle systems such as ABS and DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single brand and
tread configuration. After a tire has been dam-
aged, mount the previous wheel and tire combi-
nation again as soon as possible.
Wheels with Tire Pressure Monitor TPM
electronics
When mounting new tires or changing over from
summer to winter tires, or vice versa, only use
wheels with TPM electronics; otherwise, the Tire
Pressure Monitor may not be able to detect a
puncture, refer to page 70. Your MINI dealer will
be glad to advise you.
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
highest 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 ow n 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 your MINI recommends
the use of winter tires on snowy roads or if
temperatures drop below 45 7/ +7 6.
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.
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MOBILITYWheels and tires
142
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. This
label is available at your tire dealer or MINI
dealer.
Storage
Always store wheels and tires in a cool, dry place
with as little exposure to light as possible.
Always protect tires agains t all contact with oil,
grease and fuels.
Do not exceed the maximum tire inflation
pressure 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.
Contact your MINI deal er 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 ch ains, it can be useful
to briefly deactivate DSC or activate DTC, refer to
page 65.<
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MOBILITYReplacing components
164
stability during braking, longer braking
distances and changes in self-steering proper-
ties 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 inflat ion pressure at the
earliest opportunity and correct it if
necessary. Replace the defective tire as soon as
possible and have the new wheel/tire assembly
balanced. <
Preparing for a tire change
Observe the safety precautions regarding
flat tires on page 160.<
Additional safety measures when chang-
ing tires:
Only change the tire wh en parked on a surface
that is level, firm and not slippery.
The vehicle or the jack could slip sideways on
soft or slippery support surfaces, such as snow,
ice, flagstones, etc.
Do not use a wooden block or similar object as a
support base for the jack, as this would prevent
it from extending to its full support height and
reduce its load-carrying capacity.
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the engine
when the vehicle is supported by the jack; other-
wise, there is a risk of fatal injury. <
1. Place the foldable chock behind the front
wheel on the other side of the vehicle or in
front of the wheel if the vehicle is on an
incline. If the wheel is changed on a surface
with a more severe slope, take additional
precautions to secure the vehicle from
rolling.
2. Uncover the lug bo lts if necessary.
3. Loosen the lug bolts by a half turn.
Jacking up the vehicle
The vehicle jack is designed for changing
wheels only. Do not attempt to raise
another vehicle model with it or to raise any load
of any kind. To do so could cause accidents and
personal injury. <
1. Place the jack at the jacking point closest to
the wheel.
The jack base must be perpendicular to the
surface beneath the jacking point.
2. During jacking up, insert the jack head in the
square recess of the jacking point.
3. Jack the vehicle up until the wheel you are
changing is raised off the ground.
Mounting the space-saver spare tire
1.Unscrew the lug bolts and remove the
wheel.
2. Remove accumulations of mud or dirt from
the mounting surfaces of the wheel and
hub. Clean the lug bolts.
3. Lift the new wheel into place.
4. Screw at least two lug bolts finger-tight into
opposite bolt holes.
5. Screw in the remaining bolts.
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194
REFERENCEEverything from A to Z
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake System64
Accepting a call 121
Accessories, see Vehicle equipment 4
Acknowledgment signals for locking/unlocking vehicle 24
Activated-charcoa l filter for
automatic climate control 84
Adaptive Light Control 77
Adding engine oil 145
Additives
– coolant 146
– engine oil 145
Adjusting temperature inside the car, refer to Air
conditioner 81
Adjusting temperature inside the car, refer to Automatic
climate control 82
Airbags 72
– sitting safely 35
– warning lamp 73
Air conditioner 80
Air conditioning mode
– air conditioner 81
– automatic cl imate control82
– ventilation 84
Air distribution
– automatic 83
– individual 82
– manual 82
Air flow rate 81,83
– air conditioning system 81
– automatic cl imate control83
– heating, ventilation 81
Airing, refer to Ventilation84
Air outlets, refer to Air vents 80
Air pressure, checking, refer to Tire inflation pressure 131Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode 81,83
Air supply
– air conditioner 81
– automatic climate control 82
– ventilation 84
Air vents 80
AKI, refer to Fuel grade 129
Alarm system 29
All-season tires, refer to Winter tires 141
Ambient air, refer to Recirculated-air
mode 81,83
Ambient lighting 79
Antenna, care 149
An

tifreeze
– coolant 146
– washer fluid 52
Antilock Brake System ABS 64
Anti-theft alarm system, refer to Alarm system 29
Anti-theft system 23
Approved axle loads, refer to Weights 191
Approved engine oils 145
Approved gross vehicle weight, refer to Weights 191
Armrest, refer to Center armrest 89
Ashtray 91
Assistant systems, refer to
– Dynamic Stability Control DSC 64
Audio device, external 89
Automatic
– air distribution 83
– air flow rate 83
– cruise control 52
– headlamp control 75Automatic climate control
80
– automatic air distribution 83
Automatic station search 105
Automatic station storage 106
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 46
– interlock 47
– overriding selector lever lock 48
– shiftlock 47
– sport program 48
AUTO program for automatic
climate control 83
Auto radio, refer to Radio MINI Boost CD 104
AUX-In, refer to External audio device 89
AUX-In connection 104
Average fuel consumption 55
– setting the units 58
Average speed 56
Axle loads, refer to Weights 191
B
Background lighting, refer to
Ambient lighting 79
Backrests, refer to Seats 36
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb 158,159
Band-aids, refer to First aid
pouch 167
Bar, refer to Tow-starting, towing away 170
Base plate for telephone or mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter 124
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Everything from A to ZREFERENCE
199
Incoming call121
Indicator and warning lamps 13,172
– Tire Pressure Monitor TPM 70
Indicator lighting, refer to Instrument lighting 78
Individual air distribution 82
Individual settings, refer to Personal Profile 22
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM 69
Initializing
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM 67
– glass roof, electric 33
Initializing the
– compass, see Calibration 88
Instrument lighting 78
Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit 10
Instrument panel, refer to Displays 12
Integrated key 22
Integrated universal remote control 85
Interior lamps 79
– remote control 25
Interior rearview mirror 39
– automatic dimming feature 40
Interlock 47
Intermittent mode of the wipers 50
Internal care 151
Internet page 4
J
Jacking points 164
Jets, refer to Window washer nozzles 51
Jumpering, refer to Jump-
starting 168
Jump-starting 168
K
Key, refer to Keys/remote
controls 22
Keyless-Go, refer to Comfort Access 30
Keyless opening and closing,
refer to Comfort Access 30
Key Memory, refer to Personal Profile 22
Keypad dialing 122
Kickdown 47
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic 47
Knock control 129
L
Lamps, refer to Parking lamps/
Low beams 75
Lamps and bulbs, replacing bulbs 155
Lashing eyes, refer to Securing cargo 99
LATCH child restraint fixing
system 42
Leather care 151
LEDs light-emitting diodes 155
Length, refer to Dimensions 187
License plate lamp
– bulb replacement 159,160
Light alloy wheels, care 151
Light-emitting diodes LEDs 155
Lighter 91
– socket 91
Lighting
– lamps and bulbs 155
– of the instruments 78
– of vehicle, refer to Lamps 75
Light switch 75
Limit 183
Listening to test, scan
– radio MINI Boost CD 106Load
98
Load securing equipment, refer to Securing cargo 99
Lock buttons of doors, refer to
Locking 26
Locking
– adjusting confirmation
signal 24
– from inside 26
– from outside 24
– without remote control, refer
to Comfort Access 30
Locking and unlocking doors
– confirmation signals 24
– from inside 26
– from outside 23
Longlife oils
– approved motor oils 145
Low beams 75
– automatic 75
– replacing bulb 156
Lower back suppo rt, refer to
Lumbar support 36
Luggage compartment, refer to Cargo area 28
Luggage compartment doors, refer to Split Rear Barn
Doors 28
Luggage compartment lid, refer to Tailgate 28
Luggage compartment partition net, refer to Cargo
net 98
Luggage rack, re fer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack 100
Lumbar support 36
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires 141
Maintenance, refer to Service
and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
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