width MINI COOPER 2009 Owners Manual
Page 101 of 160
REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
99
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
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
e.g.
Manufacturer's
code for tire make
Tire size and
tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 3408
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109
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 high-pressure car washes
because drops of water can penetrate
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, page143
>If necessary: Fold in the outside mirrors
(page 33)
>Maximum permissible tire width
Preparations for driving into the car wash:
>Unscrew the rod antenna.
>Deactivate the rain sensor
* to prevent unin-
tentional wiping.
>Deactivate the rear windshield wiper and
protect it from damage. Ask the car wash
operator about measures that can be taken
to protect the wipers.
>Remove additional detachable body com-
ponents such as spoilers or telephone
antennas that 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
maximum temperature of 1407/606.
If the distance is too close, the pressure too high,
or the temperature too high, parts of the vehicle
can be damaged, or water can penetrate.
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Page 156 of 160
From A to Z
154
Telephone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest79
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Telephone call, refer to the
Owner's Manual for the
telephone
Temperature display
– ice warning47
– outside temperature47
– setting the units50
Temperature of coolant, refer
to Coolant temperature47
Temperature setting
– air conditioner73
– automatic climate control75
Tensioning straps, refer to
Securing cargo88
The individual vehicle4
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center brake lamp117
Three-point safety belt32
Tightening the lug bolts
– keys119
– torque121
Tightening torque, refer to
Tightening the lug bolts121
Tire change set
– MINI Mobility System119
– space-saver spare tire119
Tire failure
– Flat Tire Monitor60
– indicator/warning lamp60
– MINI Mobility System117
– Run-Flat Tires60
– space-saver spare tire119
– Tire Pressure Monitor61
Tire inflation pressure94
– loss60
– space-saver spare tire94
Tire Pressure Monitor TPM61
– limitations of system61
– resetting system61
– warning lamp62
Tire pressure monitoring, refer
to Flat Tire Monitor59
Tire Quality Grading99Tires
– age100
– breaking in84
– changing, refer to Changing
wheels119
– condition100
– damage100
– inflation pressure94
– inflation pressure loss62
– minimum tread depth100
– new tires101
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor59
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM61
– puncture60
– Run-Flat Tires101
– size99
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth100
– winter tires102
Tires with safety features, refer
to Run-Flat Tires101
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit113
Torque142
– lug bolts121
Tow bar126
Tow fitting125
– screw thread125
Tow fittings for tow-starting
and towing away125
Tow rope126
Towing124
– car with automatic
transmission126
– methods126
Tow-starting124
TPM, refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor61
Track width, refer to
Dimensions143
Traction control, refer to
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC57
Trailer operation
– Trailer loads and gross
vehicle weight144Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic39
– manual transmission39
– overriding selector lever lock
for automatic transmission
with Steptronic41
Transport securing devices,
refer to Securing cargo88
Transporting children safely35
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tire tread100
Trip odometer47
Trip-distance counter, refer to
Trip odometer47
Triple turn signal activation42
Turn signal indicator41
– front, replacing bulb115
– indicator lamp12
– rear, replacing bulb116
– side, replacing bulb116
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions143
Tying down loads, refer to
Cargo loading88
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
UTQR99
Units
– average fuel consumption50
– temperature50
Universal garage door opener,
refer to Integrated universal
remote control77
Universal remove control77
Unlatching, refer to
Unlocking26
Unlocking
– from inside22
– from outside19
– tailgate26
– without remote control, refer
to Convenient access25
Upholstery, care110
USB-audio interface80
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V
Valve
– dust cap120
Vehicle
– battery122
– breaking in84
– cargo loading86
– dimensions143
– Identification Number, refer
to Engine compartment104
– parking38
– storage112
– weight144
Vehicle jack119
– jacking points121
Ventilation
– air conditioner76
Vents, refer to Air vents72
Vents, refer to Ventilation76
Volume of cargo area144
W
Warning and indicator
lamps13,128
Warning messages, refer to
Check Control54
Warning triangle123
Washer fluid44
– capacity of reservoir44
Washer fluid reservoir44
Waste tray, refer to Ashtray81
Water on roads, refer to
Driving through water85
Waterfall lighting, refer to
Ambient lighting71
Wear indicators in tires, refer to
Minimum tread depth100
Weights144
Welcome lamps67
Wheel stud wrench
– space-saver spare tire119
Wheelbase, refer to
Dimensions143
Wheels and tires94
Wheels, new101
Width, refer to
Dimensions143Window washer, refer to
Washer fluid44
Window washer reservoir,
refer to Washer fluid
– volume, refer to
Capacities144
Windows28
– closing28
– convenient operation20
– opening28
– pinch protection system28
Windshield
– cleaning43
– defrosting and removing
condensation74,76
Windshield, defrosting, refer to
Defrosting windows74,76
Windshield washer system42
– washer fluid44
– washer nozzles44
Windshield wiper blades,
changing113
Windshield wipers, refer to
Wiper system42
Winter tires102
– storage102
Wiper blade replacement113
Wiper system42
Work in the engine
compartment103
Wrench/screwdriver, refer to
Onboard tool kit113
X
Xenon lamps
– replacing bulb114
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