width MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE 2009 Owners Manual

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
109
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 characteris-
tics.<
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 5008

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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 alco-
hol or solvents as these may cause dam-
age.<
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
Avoid car washes with tracks higher than
4 in/10 cm, otherwise the chassis could be
damaged.<
Preference should be given to cloth car washes.
Do not use high-pressure car washes
because drops of water can penetrate
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, page153.
>If necessary: Fold in the outside mirrors,
page 38.
>Maximum permissible tire width.
Preparations for driving into the car wash:
>Unscrew the rod antenna.
>Deactivate the rain sensor
* to prevent unin-
tentional wiping.
>Deactivate the rear windshield wiper and
protect it from damage. Ask the car wash
operator about measures that can be taken
to protect the wipers.
>Remove additional detachable body com-
ponents such as spoilers or telephone
antennas that 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.

From A to Z
166
Storage compartment, front
passenger side86
Storage compartments86
Storage space
– storage compartments86
Storage space, refer to
–
Luggage compartment in
the MINI Convertible93
Storing the vehicle122
Storing tires112
Stowage, refer to Storage
compartments86
Summer tires, refer to Wheels
and tires102
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching off
– engine44
Switching off the engine
– start/stop button43
Switching the cooling function
on and off82
Symbols4
T
Tachometer52
Tail lamp, refer to Tail
lamps126
– replacing bulb126
Tail lamps126
Tailgate23
– convenient access26
– opening from outside23
– opening/closing23
– unlocking with remote
control21
Tank volume, refer to
Capacities156
Technical data152
Technical modifications4
Telephone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest85
– refer to separate Owner's
ManualTelephone call, refer to the
Owner's Manual for the
telephone
Temperature display
– ice warning52
– outside temperature52
– setting the units56
Temperature of coolant, refer
to Coolant temperature52
Temperature setting
– air conditioner79
– automatic climate control82
Tensioning straps, refer to
Securing cargo95
The individual vehicle4
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center brake lamp127
Three-point safety belt37
Through-loading system93
Tightening the lug bolts
– keys130
– torque132
Tightening torque, refer to
Tightening the lug bolts132
Tire change set
– MINI Mobility System129
– space-saver spare tire130
Tire failure
– Flat Tire Monitor66
– indicator/warning lamp66
– MINI Mobility System128
– Run-Flat Tires66
– space-saver spare tire129
– Tire Pressure Monitor66
Tire inflation pressure102
– loss66
– space-saver spare tire102
Tire Pressure Monitor TPM66
– limitations of system67
– resetting system67
– warning lamp67
Tire pressure monitoring, refer
to Flat Tire Monitor65
Tire Quality Grading109Tires
– age110
– breaking in90
– changing, refer to Changing
wheels129
– condition110
– damage110
– inflation pressure102
– inflation pressure loss67
– minimum tread depth110
– new tires111
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor65
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM66
– puncture66
– Run-Flat Tires111
– size109
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth110
– winter tires112
Tires with safety features, refer
to Run-Flat Tires111
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit123
Torque152
– lug bolts132
Tow bar136
Tow fitting135
– screw thread136
Tow fittings for tow-starting
and towing away135
Tow rope136
Towing135
– car with automatic
transmission136
– methods136
Tow-starting135
TPM, refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor66
Track width, refer to
Dimension153
Traction control, refer to
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC63

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Trailer operation
– Trailer loads and gross
vehicle weight155
Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic45
– manual transmission45
– overriding selector lever lock
for automatic transmission
with Steptronic47
Transport securing devices,
refer to Securing cargo95
Transporting children safely40
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tire tread110
Trip odometer52
Trip-distance counter, refer to
Trip odometer52
Triple turn signal activation47
Trunk lid
– emergency operation24
– releasing manually24
Trunk, refer to Luggage
compartment in the MINI
Convertible93
Turn signal indicator47
– front, replacing bulb125
– indicator lamp12
– rear, replacing bulb126
– side, replacing bulb126
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions153
Tying down loads, refer to
Cargo loading95
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
UTQR109
Units
– average fuel consumption56
– temperature56
Universal garage door opener,
refer to Integrated universal
remote control83
Universal remove control83
Unlatching, refer to
Unlocking26Unlocking
– from inside22
– from outside19
– tailgate26
– without remote control, refer
to Convenient access26
Upholstery, care121
USB-audio interface86
V
Valve
– dust cap131
Vehicle
– battery132
– breaking in90
– cargo loading92
– dimensions153
– Identification Number, refer
to Engine compartment114
– parking44
– storage122
– weight155
Vehicle jack130
– jacking points131
Ventilation
– air conditioner82
Vents, refer to Air vents78
Vents, refer to Ventilation82
Volume of cargo area155
W
Warning and indicator
lamps13,138
Warning messages, refer to
Check Control60
Warning triangle134
Washer fluid50
– capacity of reservoir50
Washer fluid reservoir50
Waste tray, refer to Ashtray87
Water on roads, refer to
Driving through water91
Waterfall lighting, refer to
Ambient lighting77
Wear indicators in tires, refer to
Minimum tread depth110
Weights155Welcome lamps73
Wheel stud wrench
– space-saver spare tire130
Wheelbase, refer to
Dimensions153
Wheels and tires102
Wheels, new111
Width, refer to
Dimensions153
Wind deflector33
Window washer, refer to
Washer fluid50
Window washer reservoir,
refer to Washer fluid
– volume, refer to
Capacities156
Windows28
– closing28
– convenient operation20
– opening28
– pinch protection system29
Windshield
– cleaning49
– defrosting and removing
condensation80,82
Windshield, defrosting, refer to
Defrosting windows80,82
Windshield washer system48
– washer fluid50
– washer nozzles50
Windshield wiper blades,
changing123
Windshield wipers, refer to
Wiper system48
Winter tires112
– storage112
Wiper blade replacement123
Wiper system48
Work in the engine
compartment113
Wrench/screwdriver, refer to
Onboard tool kit123
X
Xenon lamps
– replacing bulb124