width MINI Convertible 2009 Owner's Manual

Wheels and tires
112
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
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 tires225/45 R 17 91 V
e.g.
Manufacturer's
code for tire make
Tire size and
tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 0309

Care
122
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
alcohol or solvents as these may cause
damage.<
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, page157
>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 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
170
Stowage, refer to Storage
compartments87
Summer tires, refer to Wheels
and tires104
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching off
– engine45
Switching off the engine
– start/stop button44
Switching the cooling function
on and off83
Symbols4
T
Tachometer53
Tail lamp, refer to Tail
lamps129
– replacing bulb129
Tail lamps129
Tailgate23
– convenient access26
– opening from outside23
– opening/closing23
– unlocking with remote
control21
Tank volume, refer to
Capacities160
Technical data156
Technical modifications4
Telephone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest86
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Telephone call, refer to the
Owner's Manual for the
telephone
Temperature display
– ice warning53
– outside temperature53
– setting the units57
Temperature of coolant, refer
to Coolant temperature53
Temperature setting
– air conditioner80
– automatic climate control82
Tensioning straps, refer to
Securing cargo96The individual vehicle4
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center brake lamp130
Three-point safety belt38
Through-loading system95
Tightening the lug bolts
– keys133
– torque135
Tightening torque, refer to
Tightening the lug bolts135
Tire change set
– MINI Mobility System132
– space-saver spare tire133
Tire failure
– Flat Tire Monitor67
– indicator/warning lamp67
– MINI Mobility System131
– Run-Flat Tires67
– space-saver spare tire133
– Tire Pressure Monitor68
Tire inflation pressure104
– loss67
– space-saver spare tire104
Tire Pressure Monitor TPM68
– limitations of system68
– resetting system68
– warning lamp
69
Tire pressure monitoring, refer
to Flat Tire Monitor66
Tire Quality Grading112Tires
– age113
– breaking in92
– changing, refer to Changing
wheels133
– condition113
– damage113
– inflation pressure104
– inflation pressure loss69
– minimum tread depth113
– new tires114
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor66
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM68
– puncture67
– Run-Flat Tires114
– size112
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth113
– winter tires115
Tires with safety features, refer
to Run-Flat Tires114
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit126
Torque156
– lug bolts135
Tow bar139
Tow fitting138
– screw thread139
Tow fittings for tow-starting
and towing away138
Tow rope139
Towing138
– car with automatic
transmission139
– methods139
Tow-starting138
TPM, refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor68
Track width, refer to
Dimension157
Traction control, refer to
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC64
Trailer operation
– trailer loads and gross vehicle
weight159

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
171
Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic46
– manual transmission46
– overriding selector lever lock
for automatic transmission
with Steptronic48
Transport securing devices,
refer to Securing cargo96
Transporting children safely41
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tire tread113
Trip odometer53
Trip-distance counter, refer to
Trip odometer53
Triple turn signal activation48
Trunk lid
– emergency operation24
– releasing manually24
Trunk, refer to Luggage
compartment in the MINI
Convertible94
Turn signal indicator48
– front, replacing bulb128
– indicator lamp12
– rear, replacing bulb129
– side, replacing bulb129
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions157
Tying down loads, refer to
Cargo loading96
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
UTQR112
Units
– average fuel consumption57
– temperature57
Universal garage door opener,
refer to Integrated universal
remote control84
Universal remove control84
Unlatching, refer to
Unlocking26Unlocking
– from inside22
– from outside19
– tailgate26
– without remote control, refer
to Convenient access26
Upholstery, care124
USB-audio interface86
V
Valve
– dust cap134
Vehicle
– battery135
– breaking in92
– cargo loading94
– dimensions157
– Identification Number, refer
to Engine compartment117
– parking45
– storage125
– weight159
Vehicle jack133
– jacking points134
Ventilation
– air conditioner83
Vents, refer to Air vents79
Vents, refer to Ventilation83
Volume of cargo area159
W
Warning and indicator
lamps13,141
Warning messages, refer to
Check Control60
Warning triangle137
Washer fluid51
– capacity of reservoir51
Washer fluid reservoir51
Waste tray, refer to Ashtray88
Water on roads, refer to
Driving through water93
Waterfall lighting, refer to
Ambient lighting78
Wear indicators in tires, refer to
Minimum tread depth113
Weights159Welcome lamps74
Wheel stud wrench
– space-saver spare tire133
Wheelbase, refer to
Dimensions157
Wheels and tires104
Wheels, new114
Width, refer to
Dimensions157
Wind deflector33
Window washer, refer to
Washer fluid51
Window washer reservoir,
refer to Washer fluid
– volume, refer to
Capacities160
Windows28
– closing28
– convenient operation20
– opening28
– pinch protection system29
Windshield
– cleaning50
– defrosting and removing
condensation81,82
Windshield, defrosting, refer to
Defrosting windows81,82
Windshield washer system49
– washer fluid51
– washer nozzles51
Windshield wiper blades,
changing126
Windshield wipers, refer to
Wiper system49
Winter tires115
– storage115
Wiper blade replacement126
Wiper system49
Work in the engine
compartment116
Wrench/screwdriver, refer to
Onboard tool kit126
X
Xenon lamps
– replacing bulb127