width MINI COOPER 2010 Owners 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 traction
tests, and does not include acceleration, corner-
ing, hydroplaning, or peak traction characte-
ristics.<
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
For instance:
Manufacturer's
code for tire make
Tire size and
tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 2809

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
121
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, page155
>If necessary: Fold in the outside mirrors,
page 41.
>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 Comfort
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.

From A to Z
168
Storage area
– cargo bay94
Storage compartment, front
passenger side88
Storage compartments88
Storage space
– storage compartments88
Storage space, refer to
– Luggage compartment in the
MINI Convertible94
Storing the vehicle124
Storing tires115
Stowage, refer to Storage
compartments88
Summer tires, refer to Wheels
and tires104
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching off
– engine47
Switching off the engine
– start/stop button46
Switching the cooling function
on and off84
Symbols4
T
Tachometer55
Tail lamp, refer to Tail
lamps128
– replacing bulb128
Tail lamps128
Tailgate26
– Comfort Access29
– opening from outside26
– opening/closing26
– unlocking with remote
control23
Tank volume, refer to
Capacities158
Technical data154
Technical modifications5
Telephone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest87
– refer to separate Owner's
ManualTelephone call, refer to the
Owner's Manual for the
telephone
Temperature display
– ice warning55
– outside temperature55
– setting the units59
Temperature of coolant, refer
to Coolant temperature55
Temperature setting
– air conditioner81
– automatic climate control83
Tensioning straps, refer to
Securing cargo96
The individual vehicle4
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center brake lamp129
Three-point safety belt40
Through-loading system95
Tightening the lug bolts
– keys132
– torque134,135
Tightening torque, refer to
Tightening the lug bolts134
Tire change set
– space-saver spare tire132
Tire failure
– Flat Tire Monitor68
– indicator/warning lamp68
– MINI Mobility System130
– run-flat tires68
– space-saver spare tire132
– Tire Pressure Monitor69
Tire inflation pressure104
– loss68
– space-saver spare tire104
Tire Pressure Monitor TPM69
– limitations of system69
– resetting system69
– warning lamp70
Tire pressure monitoring, refer
to Flat Tire Monitor67
Tire Quality Grading112Tires
– age113
– breaking in92
– changing, refer to Changing
wheels132
– condition113
– damage113
– inflation pressure104
– inflation pressure loss70
– minimum tread depth113
– new tires114
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor67
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM69
– puncture68
– 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 vehicle
tool kit125
Torque154
– lug bolts134
Tow bar138
Tow fitting137
– screw thread138
Tow fittings for tow-starting
and towing away137
Tow rope138
Towing137
– car with automatic
transmission138
– methods138
Tow-starting137
TPM, refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor69
Track width, refer to
Dimension155
Traction control, refer to
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC65

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
169
Trailer operation
– trailer loads and gross vehicle
weight157
Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic48
– manual transmission48
– overriding selector lever lock
for automatic transmission
with Steptronic50
Transport securing devices,
refer to Securing cargo96
Transporting children safely43
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tire tread113
Trip odometer55
Trip-distance counter, refer to
Trip odometer55
Triple turn signal activation50
Trunk lid
– emergency operation26
– releasing manually26
Trunk, refer to Luggage
compartment in the MINI
Convertible94
Turn signal indicator50
– front, replacing bulb127
– indicator lamp12
– rear, replacing bulb128
– side, replacing bulb128
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions155
Tying down loads, refer to
Cargo loading96
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
UTQR112
Units
– average fuel consumption59
– temperature59
Universal garage door opener,
refer to Integrated universal
remote control85
Universal remote control85
Unlatching, refer to
Unlocking29Unlocking
– from inside25
– from outside21
– tailgate29
– without remote control, refer
to Comfort Access28
Upholstery, care123
USB audio interface87
V
Valve
– dust cap133
Vehicle
– battery135
– breaking in92
– cargo loading94
– dimensions155
– Identification Number, refer
to Engine compartment117
– parking47
– storage124
– weight157
Vehicle jack132
– jacking points134
Ventilation
– air conditioner84
Vents, refer to Air vents80
Vents, refer to Ventilation84
Volume of cargo area157
W
Warning and indicator
lamps13,140
Warning messages, refer to
Check Control62
Warning triangle136
Washer fluid53
– capacity of reservoir53
Washer fluid reservoir53
Waste tray, refer to Ashtray89
Water on roads, refer to
Driving through water93
Waterfall lighting, refer to
Ambient lighting79
Wear indicators in tires, refer to
Minimum tread depth113
Weights157Welcome lamps75
Wheel stud wrench
– space-saver spare tire132
Wheelbase, refer to
Dimensions155
Wheels and tires104
Wheels, new114
Width, refer to
Dimensions155
Wind deflector35
Window washer, refer to
Washer fluid53
Window washer reservoir,
refer to Washer fluid
– volume, refer to
Capacities158
Windows31
– closing31
– convenient operation22
– opening31
– pinch protection system32
Windshield
– cleaning52
– defrosting and removing
condensation82,83
Windshield, defrosting, refer to
Defrosting windows82,83
Windshield washer system51
– washer fluid53
– washer nozzles53
Windshield wiper blades,
changing125
Windshield wipers, refer to
Wiper system51
Winter tires115
– storage115
Wiper blade replacement125
Wiper system51
Work in the engine
compartment116
Wrench/screwdriver, refer to
Onboard vehicle tool kit
125
X
Xenon lamps
– replacing bulb126