width MINI Clubman 2009 Owner's Manual

Wheels and tires
98
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 trac-
tion tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction char-
acteristics.<
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
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than 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 sep-
arately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.<
e.g.
Manufacturer's
code for tire make
Tire size and
tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 0309

Care
108
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 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:
>Dimensions of the vehicle, page141
>If necessary: Fold in the outside mirrors,
page32.
>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 conve-
nient 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.
Steam jets/high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, ensure that you maintain a suffi-
cient distance to the vehicle and do not exceed a

From A to Z
152
Summer tires, refer to Wheels
and tires94
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching off
– engine38
Switching off the engine
– start/stop button37
Switching the cooling function
on and off74
Symbols4
T
Tachometer46
Tail lamp, refer to Tail
lamps115
– replacing bulb115
Tail lamps115
Tailgate
– convenient access26
Tailgate, see splitdoor21
Tank volume, refer to
Capacities142
Technical data140
Technical modifications4
Telephone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest77
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Telephone call, refer to the
Owner's Manual for the
telephone
Temperature display
– ice warning46
– outside temperature46
– setting the units49
Temperature of coolant, refer
to Coolant temperature46
Temperature setting
– air conditioner71
– automatic climate control73
Tensioning straps, refer to
Securing cargo86
The individual vehicle4
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center brake lamp116
Three-point safety belt32Tightening the lug bolts
– keys119
– torque120
Tightening torque, refer to
Tightening the lug bolts120
Tire change set
– MINI Mobility System118
– space-saver spare tire118
Tire failure
– Flat Tire Monitor59
– indicator/warning lamp59
– MINI Mobility System116
– Run-Flat Tires59
– space-saver spare tire118
– Tire Pressure Monitor60
Tire inflation pressure94
– loss59
– space-saver spare tire94
Tire Pressure Monitor TPM60
– limitations of system60
– resetting system60
– warning lamp61
Tire pressure monitoring, refer
to Flat Tire Monitor58
Tire Quality Grading98
Tires
– age99
– breaking in82
– changing, refer to Changing
wheels118
– condition99
– damage99
– inflation pressure94
– inflation pressure loss61
– minimum tread depth99
– new tires100
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor58
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM60
– puncture59
– Run-Flat Tires100
– size98
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth99
– winter tires101
Tires with safety features, refer
to Run-Flat Tires100Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit112
Torque140
– lug bolts120
Tow bar124
Tow fitting123
– screw thread124
Tow fittings for tow-starting
and towing away123
Tow rope124
Towing123
– car with automatic
transmission124
– methods124
Tow-starting123
TPM, refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor60
Track width, refer to
Dimension141
Traction control, refer to
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC56
Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic39
– manual transmission39
– overriding selector lever lock
for automatic transmission
with Steptronic41
Transport securing devices,
refer to Securing cargo86
Transporting children safely34
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tire tread99
Trip odometer
46
Trip-distance counter, refer to
Trip odometer46
Triple turn signal activation41
Turn signal indicator41
– front, replacing bulb114
– indicator lamp12
– rear, replacing bulb115
– side, replacing bulb115
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions141
Tying down loads, refer to
Cargo loading86

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
153
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
UTQR98
Units
– average fuel consumption49
– temperature49
Universal garage door opener,
refer to Integrated universal
remote control75
Universal remove control75
Unlatching, refer to
Unlocking26
Unlocking
– from inside22
– from outside19
– tailgate26
– without remote control, refer
to Convenient access25
Upholstery, care109
USB-audio interface77
V
Vehicle
– battery120
– breaking in82
– cargo loading84
– dimensions141
– Identification Number, refer
to Engine compartment103
– parking38
– storage111
– weight142
Vehicle jack119
– jacking points119
Ventilation
– air conditioner74
Vents, refer to Air vents70
Vents, refer to Ventilation74
Volume of cargo area142
W
Warning and indicator
lamps13,126
Warning messages, refer to
Check Control53
Warning triangle122Washer fluid44
– capacity of reservoir44
Washer fluid reservoir44
Waste tray, refer to Ashtray79
Water on roads, refer to
Driving through water83
Waterfall lighting, refer to
Ambient lighting69
Wear indicators in tires, refer to
Minimum tread depth99
Weights142
Welcome lamps65
Wheel stud wrench
– space-saver spare tire119
Wheelbase, refer to
Dimensions141
Wheels and tires94
Wheels, new100
Width, refer to
Dimensions141
Window washer, refer to
Washer fluid44
Window washer reservoir,
refer to Washer fluid
– volume, refer to
Capacities142
Windows28
– closing28
– convenient operation20
– opening28
– pinch protection system28
Windshield
– cleaning43
– defrosting and removing
condensation72,73
Windshield, defrosting, refer to
Defrosting windows72,73
Windshield washer system42
– washer fluid44
– washer nozzles44
Windshield wiper blades,
changing112
Windshield wipers, refer to
Wiper system42
Winter tires101
– storage101
Wiper blade replacement112
Wiper system42Work in the engine
compartment102
Wrench/screwdriver, refer to
Onboard tool kit112
X
Xenon lamps
– replacing bulb113