tire pressure MINI COOPER 2012 User Guide

Things to remember when drivingDRIVING TIPS
101
Closing windows
Open windows increase air resistance and
therefore fuel consumption.
Check tire inflation pressure regularly
Check and, if necessary, correct tire inflation
pressure at least twic e a month and before
starting on a long trip.
Low inflation pressure increases rolling resis-
tance and thus leads to greater fuel consump-
tion and tire wear.
Drive off immediately
Do not wait for the engine to warm up while the
vehicle remains stationary. Start driving right
away, but at moderate engine speeds. This is the
fastest way for the cold engine to reach its oper-
ating temperature.
Think ahead while driving
Avoid unnecessary accelera tion and braking. by
maintaining a suitable di stance to the vehicle
driving ahead.
Looking-ahead an d smooth driving reduces fuel
consumption.
Avoid high engine speeds
Use first gear only for dr iving off. In second and
higher gears, accelerate smoothly to a suitable
engine and road speed. In doing so, avoid high
engine speeds and shift up early.
When you reach your desired traveling speed,
shift to the highest suitable gear and drive at
constant speed.
As a rule: driving at lo w engine speeds lowers
fuel consumption and reduces wear.
Coasting
When approaching a red traffic light, take your
foot off the accelerator and let the car roll to a
stop in the highest gear possible.
On a downhill gradient, take your foot off the
accelerator and let the vehi cle coast in a suitable
gear. Fuel supply is shut off automatically when the
vehicle is coasting.
Switch off the engine during lengthy
stops
Switch off the engine when stopping for lengthy
periods, e.g. at traffic lights, railroad crossings or
in traffic jams.
Switch off any features that are not
currently required
Features such as air conditioning, seat heaters
and the rear window defroster require a great
deal of energy and result in greater fuel con-
sumption, especially in
city driving and during
Stop & Go operation. For this reason, switch off
these features if they are not really needed.
Have the vehicle serviced
Have your vehicle serviced regularly to achieve
good economy and a long vehicle life. The
manufacturer of your MINI recommends having
the vehicle serviced by a MINI dealer. Also note
the MINI Maintenance System, page 147.
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Wheels and tiresMOBILITY
131
Wheels and tires
Vehicle equipment
In this chapter, all production, country, and
optional equipment that is offered in the model
range is described. Equipment is also described
that is not available because of, for example,
selected options or count ry version. This also
applies to safety related functions and systems.
Tire inflation pressures
Information for your safety
It is not merely the tires' service life, but also
driving comfort and, to a great extent, driving
safety that depend on the condition of the tires
and the maintenance of the specified tire pres-
sure.
Checking pressure
Check the tire inflatio n pressure regularly
and correct it, if nece ssary: at least twice a
month and before starting long trips. If you fail
to observe this precaution you may be driving
on tires with incorrect tire pressures, a condition
that can not only compromise your vehicle's
driving stability, but also lead to tire damage and
the risk of an accident. Do not drive with
deflated, i.e. flat tires, except when using run-
flat tires. A flat tire will seriously impair your
vehicle's handling and braking response.
Attempts to drive on a flat tire can lead to loss of
control over the vehicle. <
Check the tire inflation pressures only on cold
tires. This means after a maximum of 1.25 miles/
2 km driving or when the vehicle has been
parked for at least 2 hours. When tires are warm,
the tire inflation pressure is higher. After adjusting the tire inflation pressure,
reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor, page 67,
or reset the Tire Pressure Monitor, page 69.<
MINI: checking the tire inflation
pressure of the compact tire
A valve extension for checking the inflation
pressure is located behind the bumper.
MINI Clubman: checking the tire
inflation pressure of the compact tire
To check the inflation pressure, fold up the flat
load floor. Remove the toolkit and the space-
saver spare tire, refer to page 163.
Inflation pressure specifications
MINI:
The tables below provide all the correct inflation
pressures for the specified tire sizes at ambient
temperature.
The tire inflation pressures apply to the
tire sizes approved and the tire brands
recommended by the manufacturer of your
MINI. Your MINI dealer will be glad to advise
you. <
For correct identification of the right tire
inflation pressures, observe the following:
> Tire sizes for your vehicle
> Maximum allowable driving speed
Tire inflation pressures for driving up to
100 mph or 160 km/h
For normal driving up to 100 mph or 160 km/h
and to achieve optimum dr iving comfort, adjust
pressures to the respective tire inflation
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132
pressures listed on the following pages in the
columns for traveling sp eeds up to a maximum
of 100 mph or 160 km/h.
These tire inflation pre ssures can also be found
on the driver's side door pillar when the driver's
door is open.
The maximum permitted speed for these
tire inflation pressures is 100 mph or
160 km/h. Do not exceed this speed; otherwise,
tire damage and accidents may occur. <
Tire inflation pressures for driving above
100 mph or 160 km/h
In order to drive at maximum speeds in
excess of 100 mph or 160 km/h, adjust
pressures to the respective tire inflation
pressures listed on the following pages in the
columns for traveling sp eeds including those
exceeding 100 mph or 160 km/h. Otherwise,
tire damage and accidents could occur. <
Observe all national and local maximum speed
limits; otherwise, violat ions of the law could
occur.
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MINI Cooper tire inflation pressures
Tire size Tire pressures in bar/psi
Speeds up to a max. of 100 mph/160 km/h Speeds including those
exceeding
100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specifications in the
table are indicated in bar/psi for
cold tires. Cold = ambient
temperature
175/65 R 15 84 T M+S Std
175/65 R 15 84 H M+S A/S Std
175/65 R 15 84 H Std
175/60 R 16 82 H M+S RSC
195/55 R 16 87 H RSC
195/55 R 16 87 H M+S RSC
195/55 R 16 87 V M+S A/S RSC
205/45 R 17 84 V M+S A/S RSC
205/45 R 17 84 V RSC
205/45 R 17 84 V M+S RSC
205/40 R 18 82 W RSC 2.3/33 2.3/33 2.6/38 2.6/38
Space-saver spare tire: T 115/
70R1590M Speed up to a max. of 50 mph/80 km/h
4.2/60
More details on the perm issible load and weights can be found on page 191.
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MINI Cooper S tire inflation pressures
Tire size Tire pressures in bar/psi
Speeds up to a max. of 100 mph/160 km/h Speeds including those
exceeding
100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specifications in the
table are indicated in bar/psi for
cold tires. Cold = ambient
temperature
195/55 R 16 87 V RSC
195/55 R 16 87 H,V M+S RSC
195/55 R 16 87 V M+S A/S RSC 2.3/33 2.3/33 2.6/38 2.6/38
205/45 R 17 84 V M+S A/S RSC
205/45 R 17 84 V M+S RSC
205/45 R 17 84 V RSC
205/40 R 18 82 W RSC
175/60 R 16 82 H M+S RSC 2.6/38 2.6/38 2.8/41 2.8/41
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page191.
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MINI John Cooper Works tire inflation pressures
Tire size Tire pressures in bar/psi
Speeds up to a max. of 100 mph/160 km/h Speeds including those
exceeding
100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specifications in the
table are indicated in bar/psi for
cold tires. Cold = ambient
temperature
185/50 R 17 86 H M+S XL RSC
205/45 R 17 84 V M+S RSC
205/45 R 17 84 W RSC 2.6/38 2.6/38 2.8/41 2.8/41
205/40 R 18 82 W RSC 2.8/41 2.8/41 3.0/44 3.0/44
More details on the perm issible load and weights can be found on page 191.
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MINI Cooper Clubman tire inflation pressures
Tire size Tire pressures in bar/psi
Speeds up to a max. of 100 mph/160 km/h Speeds including those
exceeding
100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specifications in the
table are indicated in bar/psi for
cold tires. Cold = ambient
temperature
195/55 R 16 87 H RSC
195/55 R 16 87 H M+S RSC
195/55 R 16 87 V M+S A/S RSC 2.2/32 2.2/32 2.4/35 2.6/38
175/65 R 15 84 T M+S Std
175/65 R 15 84 H M+S A/S Std
175/65 R 15 84 H Std
175/60 R 16 82 H M+S RSC
205/45 R 17 84 V RSC
205/45 R 17 84 V M+S RSC
205/40 R 18 82 W RSC
205/45 R 17 84 V M+S A/S RSC 2.4/35 2.4/35 2.6/38 2.8/41
Space-saver spare tire: T 115/
70 R 15 90 M Speed up to a max. of 50 mph/80 km/h
4.2/60
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page191.
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MINI Cooper S Clubman tire inflation pressures
Tire size Tire pressures in bar/psi
Speeds up to a max. of 100 mph/160 km/h Speeds including those
exceeding
100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specifications in the
table are indicated in bar/psi for
cold tires. Cold = ambient
temperature
195/55 R 16 87 V RSC
195/55 R 16 87 H,V M+S RSC
195/55 R 16 87 V M+S A/S RSC 2.4/35 2.4/35 2.6/38 2.8/41
205/45 R 17 84 V RSC
205/45 R 17 84 V M+S RSC
205/45 R 17 84 V M+S A/S RSC
205/40 R 18 82 W RSC
175/60 R 16 82 H M+S RSC 2.6/38 2.6/38 2.8/41 3.0/44
More details on the perm issible load and weights can be found on page 191.
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MINI John Cooper Works Clubman tire inflation pressures
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 letter
Q = up to 100 mph/160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph/190 km/h H = up to 131 mph/210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph/240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph/270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph/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:
Tire size Tire pressures in bar/psi
Speeds up to a max. of 100 mph/160 km/h Speeds including those
exceeding
100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specifications in the
table are indicated in bar/psi for
cold tires. Cold = ambient
temperature
185/50 R 17 86 H M+S XL RSC
205/45 R 17 84 V M+S RSC
205/45 R 17 84 W RSC 2.6/38 2.6/38 2.7/39 3.1/45
205/40 R 18 82 W RSC 2.8/41 2.8/41 2.9/42 3.3/48
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page191.
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,
(before 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 1012
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New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and tires mounted only
by your MINI dealer or a specialized tire
shop that has specially trained personnel work-
ing in accordance with th e specifications of the
MINI manufacturer. If this work is not carried out
properly, there is a danger of subsequent
damage and related safety hazards. Make sure
that the new wheels are balanced. <
Retreaded tires
The manufacturer of your MINI recom-
mends that you avoid using retreaded
tires, as this could impair driving safety. The
causes for this include potentially different tire
casing structures and of ten wide variations in
tire age, which can result in a limited service
life.<
Correct wheels and tires
The manufacturer of your MINI recom-
mends mounting only wheels and tires
that it has specifically approved for use on your
particular model. Alth ough other wheels and
tires may theoretically have the same dimen-
sions, variations in factors such as manufactur-
ing tolerances can result in contact between tire
and bodywork, ultimately leading to serious
accidents. The manufacturer of your MINI can-
not evaluate non-approved wheels and tires to
determine if they are su ited for use, and there-
fore cannot ensure the operating safety of the
vehicle if they are mounted. <
Your MINI dealer will be glad to inform you
about the correct wheel an d tire combination for
your vehicle.
The correct combination of wheels and tires is
also necessary to ensure reliable operation of
various vehicle systems such as ABS and DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single brand and
tread configuration. After a tire has been dam-
aged, mount the previous wheel and tire combi-
nation again as soon as possible.
Wheels with Tire Pressure Monitor TPM
electronics
When mounting new tires or changing over from
summer to winter tires, or vice versa, only use
wheels with TPM electronics; otherwise, the Tire
Pressure Monitor may not be able to detect a
puncture, refer to page 70. Your MINI dealer will
be glad to advise you.
Recommended tire brands
For each tire size, the manufacturer of your MINI
recommends certain tire brands. They are
marked with a clearly visible MINI designation
on the sidewall of the tire.
When properly used, these tires meet the
highest standards in terms of safety and
handling characteristics.
Run-flat tires
When mounting new tires or changing over from
summer to winter tires and vice versa, mount
run-flat tires for your ow n safety. Keep in mind
that no space-saver spare tire is available in the
event of a flat. Your MINI dealer will be glad to
advise you.
Special characteristics of winter tires
The manufacturer of your MINI recommends
the use of winter tires on snowy roads or if
temperatures drop below 45 7/ +7 6.
Although all-season M+S tires provide better
winter traction than summer tires, they
generally fail to provide the same levels of cold-
weather performance as winter tires.
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