snow chains MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE 2008 Owners Manual

3OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
Driving:
Ignition lock 53
Starting the engine 53
Switching off the engine 54
Parking brake 54
Manual transmission 55
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic56
Parking lamps/Low beams 60
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher 61
Instrument lighting 62
Fog lamps 62
Interior lamps 62
Washer/wiper system 63
Washer fluid64
Cruise control65
Everything under control:
Odometer 67
Clock 67
Fuel gauge 67
Coolant temperature gauge 68
Tachometer 69
Service interval display 69
Onboard computer70Technology for safety and driving
convenience:
Driving stability control systems72
Flat Tire Monitor 74
Tire Pressure Monitor76
Airbags 79
Park Distance Control (PDC)81
Controlling the climate for pleasant
driving:
Air conditioning system82
Automatic climate control85
Interior conveniences:
Glove compartment 88
Center armrest89
Drinks holders, ashtray 89
Cigarette lighter, 12 V power supply 90
Integrated universal remote control91
Loading and transporting cargo:
Luggage compartment in the MINI 93
Luggage compartment in the MINI
Convertible 94
Loading cargo 95
Roof-mounted luggage rack98
OPERATION, CARE, MAINTENANCESpecial operating instructions:
Break-in procedures 102
General driving notes 102
Refueling105
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure 108
Tire coding 112
Tire condition 113
Run-Flat Tires115
New wheels and tires 116
Snow chains117

73
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
DRIVING STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEMSSwitching off the ASC or DSCBriefly press the switch.
The indicator lamp stays lit.
When driving with snow chains or to 'rock
free' in snow, it can be helpful to switch off
the ASC/DSC for a brief period.
To maintain vehicle stability, always
drive with the ASC or DSC switched
on whenever possible.<
Switching the ASC or DSC on againBriefly press the switch once again.
The indicator lamp goes out.Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp will go out
shortly after the ignition has been
switched on, refer to pages17, 18.
The indicator lamp flashes:
ASC or DSC is regulating drive torque and
braking forces.
The indicator lamp lights up continuously:
the system is malfunctioning or has been
switched off at the button. Have the sys-
tem checked as soon as possible.

74
FLAT TIRE MONITOR The conceptAs you drive, the Flat Tire Monitor keeps
track of the tire inflation pressure in all four
tires. The system alerts you when there is a
substantial pressure loss in one of the tires
relative to another.
In the event of tire pressure loss, the rolling
radius of the tire changes, thereby affect-
ing the rotational speed of the wheels. This
change is detected, and a flat tire warning
is issued to the driver.System requirementsTo ensure the reliability of flat tire warn-
ings, the system must be initialized with
the correct tire inflation pressures.
Each time you correct the pressure in
a tire, or change a wheel or tire, the
system must be reinitialized.<
System limitations
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot alert you
to severe and sudden tire damage
caused by external factors, nor does it
detect the gradual and minor loss of pres-
sure in all four tires.<
The system could issue a false warning or
function in a delayed manner in the follow-
ing situations:
>System was not initialized
>You are driving on a snow-covered or
slippery road surface
>Sporty driving style: slip at the drive
wheels, high lateral acceleration
>You are driving with snow chains.
When driving with a space-saver spare tire,
the Flat Tire Monitor cannot function.
Initializing the system
Initialization is completed while you
are driving, but you can stop the car
at any time. Initialization is automatically
continued when you continue driving. Do
not initialize the system if you are driving
with snow chains or a space-saver spare
tire.<
1. Before a journey, start the engine, but do
not start driving.
2. Press the button until the indicator lamp
in the display elements lights up in yel-
low for several seconds.
3. Drive off.
Initialization is completed during the
drive, without any feedback issued.

117
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
NEW WHEELS AND TIRES SNOW CHAINS
*
Special characteristics of winter tires
The manufacturer of your MINI recom-
mends winter tires for driving in adverse
winter road conditions. While all-season
tires with the M+S designation provide bet-
ter winter traction than summer tires, they
generally do not achieve the full perfor-
mance of winter tires.
Observe speed ratings:
Never exceed the maximum speed
for which the winter tires are rated. them against light whenever possible. Pro-
tect the tires against contact with oil,
grease and fuel. Do not exceed the tire
inflation pressure specified on the tire side-
wall.
Only certain types of snow chains have
been tested by the manufacturer of your
MINI, classified as road-safe and recom-
mended. Contact your MINI Dealer for
more details. Their use is only permitted in
pairs on the front wheels on winter tires of
the following types:
>175/65 R 15 M+S
>175/60 R 16 M+S.
When fitting, comply with the manufac-
turer's instructions. With chains, do not
exceed a speed of 30 mph / 50 km/h.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor
after attaching snow chains to the
tires.
When driving with snow chains, it can be
helpful to switch off the ASC or DSC for a
brief period, refer to page72.<

EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
168
Remote control key, refer to
Master keys with remote
control24
Replacement key24
Replacement of tires
changing tires137
new wheels and tires116
Reporting safety defects9
Reserve indicator light, refer to
Fuel gauge67
,68
Reservoir, washing systems64
Reservoir for washer fluid64
Restraint systems
for children50
refer to Safety belts46
Retaining straps97
Reverse
automatic transmission with
Steptronic56
manual transmission55
Rod antenna127
Roller sun blind34
Roof load, refer to
Weights155,156
Roof-mounted luggage rack98
Rope, refer to Towing and Tow-
starting148
RSC Runflat System
Component, refer to
Run-Flat Tires115Runflat System Component
RSC, refer to Run-Flat
Tires115
Run-Flat Tires115
puncture114
replacing116
tire inflation pressure109
winter tires116
S
Safety belt height
adjustment46
Safety belts46
care128
height adjustment46
indicator lamp17
,46
reminder46
safe seating position42
Safety lock buttons, doors,
refer to Locking28
Safety systems, refer to
Airbags79
All Season traction Control
(ASC)72
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)72
Brake system72
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)72
Safety tires, refer to
Run-Flat Tires115Seat adjustment43
Seat-belt tensioner, refer to
Safety belts47
Seat heating47
Seats
heating47
safe seating position42
Securing loads, refer to Loading
cargo95
Securing the load97
Securing the vehicle
from inside28
from outside26
Selector lever, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic56
Selector lever positions,
automatic transmission with
Steptronic56
Selector lever shiftlock, refer to
Shiftlock56
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models, Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models125
Service interval display69
,125
Shifting gears in the automatic
transmission with
Steptronic58Shiftlock, refer to Range
selection56
Shift paddles58
Side airbags79
Side turn signal indicators, bulb
replacement135
Signal horn, refer to Horn12
Sitting safely42
with airbags42
with head restraints42
with safety belt42
Slipstream deflector, refer to
Wind deflector39
Smoker's equipment package,
refer to Ashtray89
Snow chains117
Socket 12 V90
Socket for
onboard diagnostics126
Socket in the luggage
compartment90
Space-saver spare tire
changing tires137
inflation pressure109
Spare key24
Spare tire, refer to Space-saver
spare tire137
Special oils, refer to Specified
engine oils122
Special wash program126
Specified oils122