2015 MINI Hardtop 2 Door Owner's Manual

45: aspect ratio in %
R: radial tire code
17: rim diameter in inches
84: load rating, not for ZR tires
F: speed rating, before the R on ZR tires
Speed letterT = up to 118 mph, 190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph, 210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph, 240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph, 270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph, 300 km/h
Tire Identification Number DOT code: DOT xxxx xxx 0115
xxxx: manufacturer code for the tire brand
xxx: tire size and tire design
0115: tire age
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of
the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Tire age
DOT … 0115: the tire was manufactured in the 1st week of 2015.
Recommendation
Regardless of wear and tear, replace tires at
least every 6 years.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width.
For example: Treadwear 200; Traction AA;
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Treadwear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B CAll passenger car tires must conform to Federal
Safety Requirements in addition to these
grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear 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, 1 g, 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 control‐
led 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 include acceleration, cornering, hy‐
droplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
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 ma‐
terial 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 Vehi‐
cle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades Band A
represent higher levels of performance on theSeite 181Wheels and tiresMOBILITY181
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laboratory test wheel than the minimum re‐
quired by law.
Temperature grade for this tire
The temperature grade for this tire is es‐
tablished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinfla‐
tion, or excessive loading, either separately or
in combination, can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure.
If necessary, have the vehicle towed. ◀
RSC – Run-flat tires
Run-flat tires, refer to page 184, are labeled
with a circular symbol containing the letters
RSC marked on the sidewall.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires with better cold
weather performance than summer tires.
Tire tread Summer tiresDo not drive with a tire tread depth of less than
0.12 in/3 mm.
There is an increased danger of hydroplaning if
the tread depth is less than 0.12 in/3 mm.
Winter tires
Do not drive with a tire tread depth of less than
0.16 in/4 mm.
Below a tread depth of 0.16 in/4 mm, tires are
less suitable for winter operation.Minimum tread depth
Wear indicators are distributed around the tire's
circumference and have the legally required
minimum height of 0.063 in/1.6 mm.
They are marked on the side of the tire with
TWI, Tread Wear Indicator.
Tire damage General information
Inspect your tires often for damage, foreign ob‐
jects lodged in the tread, and tread wear.
Hints Driving over rough or damaged road surfaces,
as well as debris, curbs and other obstacles can
cause serious damage to wheels, tires and sus‐
pension parts. This is more likely to occur with
low-profile tires, which provide less cushioning
between the wheel and the road. Be careful to
avoid road hazards and reduce your speed, es‐
pecially if your vehicle is equipped with low-
profile tires.
Indications of tire damage or other vehicle de‐
fects:
▷Unusual vibrations while driving.▷Unusual handling such as a strong ten‐
dency to pull to the left or right.
Damage can, e. g., be caused by driving over
curbs, road damage, or similar things.
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In case of tire damage
If there are indications of tire damage, re‐
duce your speed immediately and have the
rims and tires checked right away; otherwise,
there is the increased risk of an accident.
Drive carefully to the nearest service center. If
necessary, have the vehicle towed or trans‐
ported there. Otherwise, tire damage can be‐
come life threatening for vehicle occupants and
also other traffic. ◀
Repair of tire damage
For safety reasons, the manufacturer of
your vehicle recommends that you do not have
damaged tires repaired; they should be re‐
placed. Otherwise, damage can occur as a re‐
sult. ◀
Changing wheels and
tires
Mounting Information on mounting tires
Have mounting and balancing performed
only by a service center.
If work is not carried out properly, there is a
danger of subsequent damage and related
safety hazards. ◀
Wheel and tire combination Information on the correct wheel-tire combina‐
tion and rim versions for your vehicle can be
obtained from your service center.
Incorrect wheel and tire combinations impair
the function of a variety of systems such as ABS
or DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle re‐
sponse, use only tires with a single tread con‐
figuration from a single manufacturer.Following tire damage, have the original wheel
and tire combination remounted on the vehicle
as soon as possible.
Approved wheels and tires
You should only use wheels and tires that
have been approved by the vehicle manufac‐
turer for your vehicle type; otherwise, e.g., de‐
spite having the same official size ratings, varia‐
tions can lead to chassis contact and with it, the
risk of severe accidents
The manufacturer of your vehicle cannot evalu‐
ate non-approved wheels and tires to deter‐
mine if they are suited for use, and therefore
cannot guarantee the operating safety of the
vehicle. ◀
Recommended tire brands
For each tire size, the manufacturer of your ve‐
hicle recommends certain tire brands. These
can be identified by a star on the tire sidewall.
With proper use, these tires meet the highest
standards for safety and handling.
New tires
Tire traction is not optimal due to manufactur‐
ing circumstances when tires are brand-new;
they achieve their full traction potential after a
break-in time.
Drive conservatively for the first
200 miles/300 km.
Retreaded tires The manufacturer of your vehicle does not rec‐
ommend the use of retreaded tires.
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Retreaded tires
Possibly substantial variations in the de‐
sign and age of the tire casing structures can
limit service life and have a negative impact on
road safety. ◀
Winter tires
Winter tires are recommended for operating on
winter roads.
Although so-called all-season M+S tires provide
better winter traction than summer tires, they
do not provide the same level of performance
as winter tires.
Maximum speed of winter tires
If the maximum speed of the vehicle is higher
than the permissible speed for the winter tires,
then a respective symbol is displayed in your
field of vision. You can obtain this sign from the
tire specialist or from your service center.
Maximum speed for winter tires
Do not exceed the maximum speed for
the respective winter tires; otherwise, tire dam‐
age and accidents can occur. ◀
Run-flat tires If you are already using run-flat tires, for your
own safety you should replace them only with
the same kind. No spare tire is available in the
case of a flat tire. Your service center will be
glad to advise you.
Rotating wheels between axles
Different wear patterns can occur on the front
and rear axles depending on individual driving
conditions.
The tires can be rotated between the axles to
achieve even wear. Your service center will be
glad to advise you.
After rotating, check the tire pressure and cor‐
rect if needed.Storage
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 side wall of the tire.
Run-flat tires Label
RSC label on the tire sidewall.
The wheels are composed of tires that are self-
supporting to a limited degree.
The support of the sidewall allows the tire to re‐
main drivable to a restricted degree in the
event of a tire inflation pressure loss.
Continued driving with a damaged tire, refer to
page 86.
Continued driving with a damaged tire, refer to
page 82.
Changing run-flat tires
For your own safety, only use run-flat tires. No
spare tire is available in the case of a flat tire.
Your service center will be glad to advise you.
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Repairing a flat tireSafety measures in case of a breakdown
Park the vehicle as far away as possible
from passing traffic and on solid ground.
Switch on the hazard warning system.
Turn the steering wheel until the front wheels
are in the straight-ahead position and engage
the steering wheel lock.
Secure the vehicle against rolling away by set‐
ting the parking brake.
Have all vehicle occupants get out of the vehi‐
cle and ensure that they remain outside the im‐
mediate area in a safe place, such as behind a
guardrail.
If necessary, set up a warning triangle at an ap‐
propriate distance.
Comply with all safety guidelines and regula‐
tions. ◀
Mobility System
The concept
With the Mobility System, minor tire damage
can be sealed quickly to enable continued
travel. To accomplish this, sealant is pumped
into the tires, which seals the damage from the
inside.
The compressor can be used to check the tire
inflation pressure.
Hints▷Follow the instructions on using the Mobi‐
lity System found on the compressor and
sealant container.▷Use of the Mobility System may be ineffec‐
tive if the tire puncture measures approx.
1/8 in/4 mm or more.▷Contact the nearest service center if the tire
cannot be made drivable.▷If possible, do not remove foreign bodies
that have penetrated the tire.▷Pull the speed limit sticker off the sealant
container and apply it to the steering
wheel.▷The use of a sealant can damage the TPM
wheel electronics. In this case, have the
electronics checked at the next opportunity
and have them replaced if needed.
Enclosed areas
Do not let the engine run in enclosed
areas, since breathing in exhaust fumes may
lead to loss of consciousness and death. The
exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, an
odorless and colorless but highly toxic gas. ◀
Storage The Mobility System is located under the cargo
floor panel.
Sealant container
▷Sealant container, arrow 1.▷Filling hose, arrow 2.
Observe use-by date on the sealant container.
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Compressor1On/off reel2Holder for bottle3Reduce inflation pressure4Inflation pressure dial5Compressor6Connector/cable for socket7Connection hose — stowed in the bottom
of the compressor
Filling the tire with sealant
1.Shake the sealant container.2.Take the connection hose completely out of
the compressor housing. Do not kink the
hose.3.Attach the connection hose to the connec‐
tor of the sealant container, ensuring that it
engages audibly.4.Slide the sealant container upright into the
holder on the compressor housing, ensur‐
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5.Screw the connection hose onto the tire
valve of the defective wheel.6.With the compressor switched off, insert
the plug into a power socket inside the ve‐
hicle.7.With the ignition turned on or the engine
running, switch on the compressor.
Let the compressor run for approx. 3 to 8 mi‐
nutes to fill the tire with sealant and achieve a
tire inflation pressure of approx. 2.5 bar.
While the tire is being filled with sealant, the
tire inflation pressure may sporadically reach
approx. 5 bar. Do not switch off the compressor
at this point.
Switch off the compressor after 10 mi‐
nutes
Do not allow the compressor to run longer than
10 minutes; otherwise, the device will overheat
and may be damaged. ◀
If a tire inflation pressure of 2 bar is not
reached:1.Switch off the compressor.2.Unscrew the filling hose from the wheel.3.Drive forward and back to distribute the
sealant in the tire.4.Inflate the tire again using the compressor.
If a tire inflation pressure of 2 bar cannot be
reached, contact your service center.
Stowing the Mobility System
1.Remove the connection hose of the sealant
container from the wheel.2.Remove the connection hose from the seal‐
ant container.3.Wrap the empty sealant container and con‐
nection hose in suitable material to avoid
dirtying the cargo area.4.Stow the Mobility System back in the vehi‐
cle.
Distributing the sealant
Immediately drive approx. 5 mls/10 km/h to
ensure that the sealant is evenly distributed in the tire.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.
If possible, do not drive at speeds less than
12 mph/20 km/h.
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To correct the tire inflation pressure1.Stop at a suitable location.2.Screw the connection hose onto the tire
valve stem.3.Attach the connection hose directly to the
compressor.4.Insert the connector into a power socket in‐
side the vehicle.5.Correct the tire inflation pressure to 2.5 bar.▷Increase pressure: with the ignition
turned on or the engine running, reel
on the compressor.▷To reduce the pressure: press the but‐
ton on the compressor.Continuing the trip
Do not exceed the maximum permissible speed
of 50 mph/80 km/h.
Reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to
page 84.
Reinitialize the Tire Pressure Monitor, refer to
page 81.
Replace the defective tire and the sealant con‐
tainer of the Mobility System as soon as possi‐
ble.
Snow chains Fine-link snow chains
Only certain types of fine-link snow chains have
been tested by the manufacturer of your vehi‐
cle, classified as road-safe and approved.
Information about the approved snow chains
are available from the service center.
Use Use only in pairs on the front wheels, equipped
with the tires of the following size:▷175/65 R 15.▷175/60 R 16.
John Cooper Works:
▷185/50 R 17
Follow the chain manufacturer's instructions.
Make sure that the snow chains are always suf‐
ficiently tight. Retighten as needed according
to the chain manufacturer's instructions.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor after
mounting snow chains, as doing so may result
in incorrect readings.
Do not initialize the Tire Pressure Monitor after
mounting snow chains, as doing so may result
in incorrect readings.
When driving with snow chains, briefly activate
Dynamic Traction Control if needed.
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