flat tire MINI COOPER 2003 User Guide

89
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
WHEEL AND TIRE COMBINATIONS WINTER TIRESThe right choiceThe factory-approved normal and Run Flat
tires are matched to your vehicle and have
been selected to provide optimum safety
and driving comfort if used properly.
The manufacturer of your MINI rec-
ommends never mounting wheels
and tires that have not been specifically
approved by the manufacturer for use on
your particular model. Although other
wheels and tires may theoretically have the
same dimensions, variations in factors such
as manufacturing tolerances can result in
contact between tire and bodywork, ulti-
mately leading to serious accidents. The
manufacturer of your MINI cannot evaluate
non-approved wheels and tires to deter-
mine if they are suited for use, and there-
fore cannot ensure the operating safety of
the vehicle if they are fitted.<
The manufacturer of your MINI has tested
certain tire brands in each size, categorized
them as safe for use on the road, and
approved them. Contact your MINI Dealer
for more details.
The correct wheel and tire combina-
tion affects various systems that
would otherwise be impaired, e.g. ABS,
ASC+T and DSC. For this reason, use only
tires of the same manufacture and tread
configuration. In the event of a flat tire, for
example, remount the approved wheel and
tire combination as soon as possible.<
StorageStore tires in a cool, dry place, protecting
them against light whenever possible.
Protect the tires against contact with oil,
grease and fuel.
Choosing the right tireThe manufacturer of your MINI recom-
mends winter tires – M+S radial tires – for
driving in adverse winter road conditions.
While so-called all-season tires with M+S
designation provide better winter traction
than summer tires with the load ratings S,
T, H, V, W, they do not achieve the perfor-
mance of winter tires.
In the interest of safe tracking and steering
response, install winter tires made by the
same manufacturer having the same tread
configuration on all four wheels.
Before purchasing winter tires, check
whether your MINI is fitted with Run Flat
tires. You will recognize Run Flat tires by a
circular symbol containing the letters RSC
on the side of the tire, see page 116. In this
case, use only Run Flat tires, as in the event
of a flat tire there is no space-saver spare
tire.
Any MINI Dealer will be glad to advise you
on the selection of the right winter tires for
the relevant operating conditions.
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90
WINTER TIRES SNOW CHAINS
*
Observing speeds
Never exceed the maximum speed
for which the tires are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to ser-
vice tires can lead to damage and accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled profes-
sionals only. Your MINI Dealer will be glad
to assist you with both their expertise and
the proper equipment for your vehicle.<
Tire condition, tire inflation pressure
Below a tread depth of
3/16 in /
4 mm, winter tires display a percepti-
ble decrease in their ability to cope with
winter driving conditions, and should be
replaced in the interest of safety.<
Comply with the specified tire inflation
pressures and be sure to have the wheel
and tire assemblies balanced every time
you change the tires.
Only certain types of snow chains have
been tested by the manufacturer of your
MINI, classified as road-safe and approved.
Contact your MINI Dealer for more details.
The manufacturer of your MINI recom-
mends that you use these fine-link snow
chains only. Their use is only permitted in
pairs on the front wheels on winter tires of
the following type:
175/65 R 15.
When fitting, comply with the manufac-
turer's instructions. With chains, do not
exceed a speed of 30 mph / 50 km/h.
After fitting the snow chains, do not
activate the Flat Tire Monitor.
When driving with snow chains, it can be
helpful to switch off the ASC+T or DSC for a
brief period, see pages 62, 63.<
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106
ON-BOARD TOOL KIT WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADESStorage locationThe picture shows as an example tire
change set with on-board tools for vehicles
with the space-saver spare tire.
Depending on the level of equipment
options, your MINI is fitted with a special
on-board tool kit stored at the following
locations:
Tire change set for space-saver spare tire:
In the cargo area under the floor mat.
MINI Mobility System with tire change set
and on-board tools:
In the cargo area under the floor mat.
Tire change set and on-board tools for Run
Flat tires:
Tire change set: in cargo area in a separate
bag – On-board tools: on the left behind
the side panels next to the emergency kit,
see page 124.
Windshield wiper1. Rotate the wiper arm completely out
from the windshield
2. Set the wiper blade at an angle
3. Press the securing spring, see arrow
4. Unhook the wiper blade towards the
windshield
5. Pull the wiper blade past the wiper arm
toward the top
6. Insert the new wiper blade
7. Press into position until you hear it
engage.
Rear window wiper1. Rotate the wiper arm completely out
from the windshield
2. Turn the wiper blade as far as it will go
to the rear, see arrow
3. Press the wiper blade against the limit
and thus out of the mounting
4. Press the new wiper blade into the
mounting.
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112
REPAIRING A FLAT TIRE CHANGING TIRES – MINI WITH SPACE-SAVER SPARE TIRE
*
Safety measures in the event of a flat
tire:
Stop the vehicle as far as possible from
passing traffic. Switch on the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
Turn the steering wheel to the straight-
ahead wheel position and engage the
steering lock. Engage the parking brake and
shift into 1st or reverse gear – selector lever
in P.
All passengers should be outside the vehi-
cle and well away from your immediate
working area – behind a guardrail, for
instance.
If a warning triangle or portable hazard
warning lamp is available, set it up on the
roadside at an appropriate distance from
the rear of the vehicle. Comply with all
safety guidelines and regulations.<
In the event of a flat tire, different proce-
dures should be followed depending on the
equipment included in your MINI:
>Vehicles with space-saver spare tire, see
the next chapter
>Vehicles with Run Flat tires, see page 116
>Vehicles with MINI Mobility System, see
page 118.
Additional safety measures in the
event of a wheel change:
Change the wheel only on a level, firm sur-
face which is not slippery.
Avoid jacking the vehicle on a soft or slip-
pery support surface – on snow, ice, loose
gravel, etc. – as either the vehicle or the
jack could slip sideways.
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 capac-
ity.
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the
engine when the vehicle is supported by
the jack – risk of fatal injury.<
To change a space-saver tire, proceed as
follows:
>Remove the space-saver spare tire, see
page 113
>Prepare the vehicle, see page 114
>Jack up the vehicle, see page 114
>Fit the space-saver spare tire, see
page 115
>Tighten the lug bolts, see page 115
>Drive with space-saver spare tire, see
page 115.
Tire change setOn vehicles with a space-saver spare tire,
the tire change set is stored in the cargo
area under the floor mat.
1Chock, folding
2Hubcap remover
3Wheel stud wrench
4Jack
5Spanner
6Tow fitting
7Lifting handle
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115
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
CHANGING TIRES – MINI WITH SPACE-SAVER SPARE TIRE
*
2. Insert the jack head for jacking up in the
square recess of the jacking point
3. Jack the vehicle up until the wheel you
are changing is raised from the ground.
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.<
Fitting the space-saver spare tire1. 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. Fit the space-saver spare tire
4. Screw at least two lug bolts finger-tight
into opposite bolt holes
5. Screw in the remaining bolts
6. Tighten all the lug bolts firmly in a diag-
onal pattern
7. Lower the vehicle
8. Remove the jack.Tightening the lug boltsTighten the lug bolts in a diagonal pattern.
As soon as possible, have the secure
seating of the lug bolts – tightening
torque 88.5 lb ft / 120 Nm – checked using
a calibrated torque wrench. Otherwise, a
wheel coming loose can lead to a severe
accident.<
Replace the defective tire as soon as possi-
ble and have the new wheel/tire assembly
balanced.
Driving with the space-saver spare tireDrive cautiously. Do not exceed a speed of
50 mph / 80 km/h.
You must expect changes in vehicle hand-
ling such as delayed braking response,
longer braking distances, and changes in
self-steering properties when close to the
handling limits.
Only one space-saver spare tire may
be mounted at one time. Reinstall
wheels and tires of the same size and speci-
fication as soon as possible. Maintain pre-
scribed tire pressures, see page 85.<
Do not try to fit a full hubcap to the space-
saver spare tire, as the hubcap could be
damaged.
Check and correct the tire inflation
pressure at the earliest opportu-
nity.<
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116
FLAT TIRE– RUN FLAT TIRES
*
You will recognize Run Flat tires by a circu-
lar symbol containing the letters RSC on
the side of the tire.
Run Flat tires consist of self-contained tires
and special rims. The tire reinforcement
ensures that the tire retains some residual
safety in the event of pressure drop and
driving remains possible to a restricted
degree.
The reinforcement on the flanks of
the Run Flat tires means that it is usu-
ally not possible to detect an air loss from
outside.<
Flat tire The yellow indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up to indicate a flat tire.
In addition, a gong sounds, see pages 17,
64.
1. Reduce vehicle speed carefully to under
50 mph / 80 km/h, avoiding hard brake
applications and steering maneuvers.
2. Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph /
80 km/h.
3. Identify damaged tires; check tire infla-
tion pressures on all four wheels at the
next opportunity, see page 85
4. Correct the tire inflation pressure if you
wish to continue your journey and this is
permitted, see next text section
5. Have damaged tires changed by your
MINI Dealer, see page 88.Your MINI Dealer has the information
needed for working with Run Flat
tires and is equipped with the necessary
special tools. They provide advice if you
wish to replace the tires on your MINI, or re-
equip from summer to winter tires or vice
versa, also see pages 85, 88, 89.<
For safety reasons, do not have a
damaged safety tire repaired.<
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117
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
FLAT TIRE – RUN FLAT TIRES
*
Continuing driving with a damaged
tire
With Run Flat tires, you can continue driv-
ing under certain conditions, depending on
the vehicle load and the severity of the tire
damage, at a maximum speed of 50 mph /
80 km/h.
You can determine the possible mileage for
continued driving on the basis of the fol-
lowing general indications:
>Tire inflation pressure 0 psi / 0 kPa:
approx. 95 miles / 150 km
>Tire inflation pressure 7.2 – 14.5 psi /
50 – 100 kPa:
approx. 300 miles / 500 km
>Tire inflation pressure greater than
14.5 psi / 100 kPa:
approx. 600 miles / 1,000 km.
Tire change setYour MINI is additionally equipped with a
tire change set. This is located in the MINI
COOPER in the cargo area under the floor
mat.
In the MINI COOPER S the tire change set is
located in a separate bag which is attached
to the eyelets on the cargo area floor by
means of tie-down straps, see page 75.
When changing a tire, always observe the
safety measures on page 112, and follow
the procedure described on page 114 ff.
In case of a flat tire the tire change
set is not needed, since your MINI has
Run Flat tires.<
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118
FLAT TIRE – MINI MOBILITY SYSTEM
*
MINI Mobility System
To repair a flat tire you will find a MINI
Mobility System in your MINI. With the
help of this system you can apply a liquid
sealant on the inside of the tire, which seals
the damaged area and enables you to con-
tinue to drive. Using the MINI Mobility SystemIn order to repair a flat tire with the MINI
Mobility System, proceed as follows:
>Prepare for tire repair, see page 119
>Pump in liquid sealant, see page 119
>Reinflate the tire, see page 120
>Distribute liquid sealant, see page 120
>Check tire inflation pressure, see
page 121
>Drive on, see page 121.
MINI Mobility System with on-board
toolsThe MINI Mobility System with tire change
set and on-board tools is located in the
cargo area under the floor mat:
1Jack
2Chock, folding
3Wheel stud wrench
4Hubcap remover
5Lug wrench, Phillips screwdriver, tow-
ing eyelet
6Compressor, hose with manometer and
plug for cigarette lighter socket
7Package with filling hose, valve
remover, valve core and spare valve
8Filling canister
9Hex wrench/screwdriver
10 Adapter for wheel lug lock
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OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
FLAT TIRE – MINI MOBILITY SYSTEM
*
Preparing for tire repair
Before using the MINI Mobility Sys-
tem read the warning and danger
precautions on the equipment.<
If possible, leave objects in which have
been forced into the tire.
Take off the tag regarding speed limits and
stick it onto the steering wheel.
Please remember that the liquid can-
ister must be replaced every four
years by your MINI Dealer if the equipment
has not been used.<
The instructions for using the MINI
Mobility System are also given on the
equipment.<
Pumping in liquid sealant1. Shake the filling canister
2. Screw the filling hose onto the filling
canister
3. Unscrew the dust protection cap from
the valve of the defective tire
4. Screw out the valve core with the valve
remover. The valve remover is located in
a package with the filling hose
Place the valve core and valve
remover only on clean surfaces.<
5. Remove the cap from the filling hose
6. Push the filling hose onto the tire valve
7. Hold the filling canister with the cap
down and squeeze.
Squeeze the entire contents of the canis-
ter into the tire
8. Remove filling hose
9. Screw valve core into the tire valve with
the valve remover.
In the event of a dirty valve core or of
losing it you will find another valve
core in a package with the filling hose.<
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120
FLAT TIRE – MINI MOBILITY SYSTEM
*
Reinflating the tire
1. Screw hose 1 with manometer onto the
tire valve
2. Connect plug 3 to the cigarette lighter
socket in the vehicle interior, see
page 73
3. Ignition key in position 1:
Turn on compressor 2
4. Pump up the tires to at least 26.1 psi /
180 kPa, but not to more than 36.2 psi /
250 kPa.
To check the current air pressure, shut
off the device for a short time
Do not run the compressor for
longer than 6 minutes, otherwise
the device will overheat and possibly be
damaged.<
If an air pressure of 26.1 psi /
180 kPa cannot be reached, drive
back and forth about 35 ft / 10 m so that
the liquid sealant is distributed in the
tire. Afterwards repeat the procedure.
If an air pressure of 26.1 psi / 180 kPa is
still not reached, the tire is too badly
damaged. Please contact the nearest
MINI Dealer.<
5. Turn off compressor 2
6. Unscrew hose 1 from the tire valve
7. Store the MINI Mobility System back in
the vehicle.
Distributing liquid sealantImmediately drive for 10 minutes, so that
the liquid sealant is uniformly distributed.
Do not exceed a speed of 40 mph /
60 km/h).
If possible do not drive at a speed lower
than 10 mph / 20 km/h. Stop at a suitable
location.<
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