winter tires MINI Countryman 2013 Owner's Manual

DRIVING TIPSThings to remember when driving
104
Things to remember when driving
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 coun try version. This also
applies to safety relate d functions and systems.
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to
each other. Please follow the instructions below
in order to achieve the optimal service life and
economy of operation for your vehicle.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do
not exceed the following:
> Gasoline engine
4,500 rpm or 100 mph/160 km/h
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the
transmission's kickdown mode.
After driving 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Engine and vehicle speeds can be gradually
increased.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-
tion potential until after an initial break-in
period. Therefore, drive cautiously during the
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized
contact and wear patterns between brake pads
and rotors. Drive cautiously during this break-in
period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch reaches its optimal
level only after a distan ce driven of approx.
300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period,
engage the clutch gently.
Following part replacement
The same break-in procedures should be
observed if any of the components mentioned
above have to be renewed in the course of the
vehicle's operating life.
General driving notes
Ground clearance
When driving, make sure that there is suf-
ficient ground clearance, such as when
entering underground parking garages, driving
over curbs or when driving in winter; otherwise
damage to the vehicle may result. <
Closing tailgate
Only drive with the tailgate closed. Failure
to do so may endanger passengers or
other road users or may damage the vehicle in
the event of an accident or a braking and eva-
sive maneuver. In addi tion, exhaust gas may
flow into the passenger compartment. <

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Wheels and tiresMOBILITY
211
failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent lev-
els of performance on the laboratory test wheel
that exceed the minimum required by law.The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either sep-
arately or in combinat ion, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure. <
RSC - run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side of
the tire, page212.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
XL
Designation for specia lly reinforced tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires regula rly for tread wear, signs
of damage and for foreig n objects lodged in the
tread. Check the tread depth.
Tread depth
The tread depth should not drop below 0.12 in/
3 mm, although, for exam ple, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of
0.063 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below 0.12 in/
3 mm there is an increased risk of high-speed
hydroplaning, even when only small amounts of
water are present on the road surface.
Winter tires
When winter tires wear down past a tread depth
of 0.16 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less suitable for winter conditions. In the interest of
safety, new tires should be installed.
Minimum tread depth
Wear indicators in the base of the tread groove
are distributed around the tire's circumference;
the letters TWI, for Tread Wear Indicator, on the
tire's sidewalls identify
tires that incorporate
these wear indicators. If the tire tread has been
driven down to the wear indicators, a tread
depth of 0.063 in/1.6 mm has been reached.
Tire damage
Driving over rough or damaged road surfaces, as
well as debris, curbs, and other obstacles can
cause serious damage to wheels, tires, and sus-
pension parts. This is more likely to occur with
low-profile tires, which provide less cushioning
between the wheel and the road. Be careful to
avoid road hazards and reduce your speed,
especially if your vehicle is equipped with low-
profile tires.
Unusual vibrations encountered during normal
vehicle operation can indicate tire failure or
some other vehicle defect . This can, for exam-
ple, be caused by driving over curbs. The same
applies to any other ab normal road behavior,
such as pulling severely to the right or left.
In these cases, reduce speed immediately
and have wheels an d tires thoroughly
checked. To do so, drive carefully to the nearest
MINI dealer or a specialized tire shop that has
specially trained personnel working in accor-
dance with the specifications of the MINI manu-
facturer. If necessary, have the vehicle towed
there.

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MOBILITYWheels and tires
212
Otherwise, tire damage can be extremely dan-
gerous for vehicle occupants and other road
users. <
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding:
DOT ... 1012 means that the tire was manufac-
tured during the 10th week of 2012.
For various reasons, such as the development of
brittleness, the manufacturer of your MINI rec-
ommends tire replacemen t after no more than
6 years, regardless of the actual wear of the
tires.
Run-flat tires
The symbol identifying run-flat tires is a circle
with the letters RSC on the sidewall.
Run-flat tires comprise a conditionally self-sup-
porting tire and a special rim. The reinforcement
in the sidewalls ensures that the tire can con-
tinue to be used subject to certain restrictions,
even if depressurized.
For information on continui ng to drive with a flat
tire, refer to Indication of a flat tire, page 76.
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 the specifications of the
MINI manufacturer. If this work is not carried out properly, there is a dang
er of subsequent dam-
age and related safety haza rds. 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 often wide variations in
tire age, which can resu lt 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. Although 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 suited 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 combin ation 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. Afte r a tire has been dam-
aged, mount the previous wheel and tire combi-
nation again as soon as possible.
Wheels with Tire Pr essure 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

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Wheels and tiresMOBILITY
213
puncture, refer to page78. 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 high-
est 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 temper-
atures 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.
Pay attention to speed
Always comply with the speed limit for the
winter tires mounted on your car; failure
to do so could result in tire damage and acci-
dents. < If the car is capable of
speeds higher than that
permitted for the winter ti res, a label stating the
maximum permitted speed for the mounted
tires must be displayed in your field of view. This
label is available at your tire dealer or MINI
dealer.
Storage
Always store wheels and tires in a cool, dry place
with as little exposure to light as possible.
Always protect tires agains t all contact with oil,
grease and fuels.
Do not exceed the maximum tire inflation pres-
sure indicated on the side wall of the tire.
Swapping wheels among the axles
Depending on the individual use, front and rear
tires may exhibit diff erent wear and tear.
In order to maintain an even wear and tear, the
wheels may be rotated between the axles. Your
MINI dealer will be glad to advise you.
Always check the inflation pressure after the tire
rotation, if necessary change the pressure.
Snow chains
Only certain types of fi ne-link snow chains have
been tested by the manufacturer of your MINI,
classified as road-saf e and recommended. Con-
tact your MINI deal er for more details.
Only attach snow chains in pairs to the front
wheels with the following tires.
> 195/60 R 16 M+S
Observe the manufacturer's instructions when
mounting snow chains. Do not exceed a speed
of 30 mph or 50 km/h. Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor if
snow chains are mounted; otherwise, the
instrument might issue an incorrect reading.
When driving with snow chains, it can be useful
to briefly deactivate DSC or activate DTC, refer to
page 73.<

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260
REFERENCEEverything from A to Z
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake System72
Accepting a call 167,179
Accessories, see Vehicle equipment 4
Acknowledgment signals for locking/unlocking vehicle 28
Activated-charcoa l filter for
automatic climate control 91
Adaptive Light Control 85
Adding engine oil 216
Additives
– coolant 217
– engine oil 216
Address, entering 126
Address for navigation
– entering 120,126
Adjusting temperature inside the car, refer to Air
conditioner 88
Adjusting temperature inside the car, refer to Automatic
climate control 90
Adjusting the tone during audio operation, refer to
Tone control 141
Airbags 81
– sitting safely 38
– warning lamp 83
Air conditioner 88
Air conditioning mode
– air conditioner 88
– automatic cl imate control90
– ventilation 92
Air distribution
– automatic 90
– individual 89
– manual 89 Air flow rate
88,90
– air conditioning system 88
– automatic climate control 90
– heating, ventilation 88
Airing, refer to Ventilation92
Air pressure, checking, refer to
Tire inflation pressure 203
Air recirculation, refer to Recirculated-air
mode 89,90
Air supply
– air conditioner 88
– automatic climate control 90
– ventilation 92
AKI, refer to Fuel grade 201
Alarm system 32
ALL4 all-wheel drive system 74
All-season tires, refer to Winter
tires 213
A ll-wh
ee

l drive, refer to
ALL4 74
AM, waveband 143
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode 89,90
Ambient lighting 87
Antenna, care 220
Antifreeze
– coolant 217
– washer fluid 57
Antilock Brake System ABS 72
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system 32
Approved axle loads, refer to Weights 249
Approved engine oils 216
Approved gross vehicle weight, refer to Weights 249
Armrest, refer to Center armrest 97 Arrival time
– computer
62
– route guidance 129
Ashtray 100
Assistant systems, refer to
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC 72
Audio 140
– controls 140
– switching on/off 140
– tone control 141
– volume 141
Audio device, external 97
Automatic
– air distribution 90
– air flow rate 90
– cruise control 58
– headlamp control 84
Automatic climate control 88
– automatic air distribution 90
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 52
– Interlock 53
– overriding selector lever lock 54
– Shiftlock 53
– sport program 54
AUTO program for automatic climate control 90
Auxiliary phone 176
AUX-In, refer to External audio device 97
AUX-In connection 153
Average fuel consumption 61
– setting the units 64
Average speed 62
Avoiding highways for navigation 129
Axle loads, refer to
Weights 249

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REFERENCEEverything from A to Z
266
Intermittent mode of the wipers 56
Internal care 222
Internet page 4
J
Jacking points 232
Jets, refer to Window washer nozzles 57
Joystick, refer to Onboard computer 16
Jumpering, refer to Jump-
starting 236
Jump-starting 236
K
Key, refer to Keys/remote
controls 26
Keyless-Go, refer to Comfort Access 33
Keyless opening and closing, refer to Comfort Access 33
Key Memory, refer to Personal
Profile 26
Keypad dialing 169,181
Kickdown 53
– automatic transmission with Steptronic 53
Knock control 201
L
Lamps, refer to Parking lamps/
Low beams 84
Lamps and bulbs, replacing bulbs 224
Lashing eyes, refer to Securing
cargo 112
Last destinations 123
LATCH child restraint fixing
system 47
Leather care 222
LEDs light-emitting diodes 225
Length, refer to Dimensions 246 License plate lamp
– bulb replacement
229
Light
– automatic headlamp
control 84
Light alloy wheels, care 222
Light-emitting diodes
LEDs 225
Lighter 100
– socket 101
Lighting
– lamps and bulbs 224
– of the instruments 86
– of vehicle, refer to Lamps 84
Light switch 84
Limit, refer to Speed limit 69
Load 110
Load securing equipment, refer to Securing cargo 112
Lock buttons of doors, refer to Locking 30
Locking
– adjusting confirmation signal 28
– from inside 30
– from outside 28
– without remote control, refer
to Comfort Access 33
Locking and unlocking doors
– confirmation signals 28
– from inside 30
– from outside 27
Longlife oils
– approved motor oils 216
Low beams 84
– automatic 84
– replacing bulb 225
Lower back support, refer to Lumbar support 40
Luggage compartment
– doors, refer to Tailgate 31
Luggage compartment
partition net, refer to Cargo
net 109
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack 112
Lumbar support 40
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires 213
Main menu 17
Maintenance, refer to Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
Maintenance system 218
Malfunction warnings, refer to Check Control 67
Manual air distribution 89
Manual mode
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic 54
Manual operation
– door lock 29
– fuel filler flap 200
– transmission lock, automatic transmission 54
Manual transmission 52
Manual washing 221
Map
– changing scale 132
Map for navigation
– entering destination 125
Master key, refer to Integrated key/remote control 26
Maximum cooling 91
Maximum speed
– with winter tires 213
Medical assistance, refer to First aid pouch 236
MENU button 16
Menus, refer to Onboard computer 16
Messages 190
Microfilter
– for air conditioner 89
– for automatic climate
control 91
– MINI Maintenance System 218

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Roof load capacity249
Roof-mounted luggage rack 112
Rope, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away 239
Route 129,130
– bypassing sections 130
– changing 129,130
– changing criteria 129
– displaying arrow view 130
– displaying map view 131
– displaying streets or towns/ cities 130
– selecting 129
Route guidance 129
– bypassing a route
section 130
– changing specified route 129
– distance and arrival 129
– voice instructions 133
– volume of voice instructions 133
Route section, changing 130
Route selection 129
RSC Run-flat System
Component, refer to Run-flat
tires 212
Rubber parts, care 222
Run-flat System Component RSC, refer to Run-flat
tires 212
Run-flat tires 212
– flat tire 76
– Flat Tire Monitor 76
– tire inflation pressure 203
– tire replacement 212
– winter tires 213
S
Safety belt
– number38
Safety Belt Reminder 44 Safety belts
42
– center belt 43
– damage 44
– indicator lamp 44
– reminder 44
– sitting safely 38
Safety belts, care 223
Safety systems
– airbags 81
– Antilock Brake System
ABS 72
– driving stability control systems 72
– Dynamic Stability Control DSC 72
– safety belts 42
Safety tires, refer to Run-flat tires 212
Satellite radio 145
– channel, activating or deactivating 146
– channel, selecting 146
– channel, storing 147
– favorites 148
– time shift 147
– Traffic Jump 149
Screen, refer to Onboard computer controls 16
Screw thread for tow fitting 238
SDARS, refer to Satellite radio 145
Seat adjustment
– mechanical 39
– rear 40
Seats 39
– adjusting the seats 39
– heating 42
– sitting safely 38
Securing the vehicle
– from inside 30
– from outside 27
Selecting navigation system 118
Selecting new scale for
navigation 132 Selector lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic 53
Selector lever lock
– automatic transmission with Steptronic, refer to
Shiftlock 53
– overriding manually 54
Selector lever positions
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic 53
Service, refer to Roadside Assistance 236
Service car, refer to Roadside Assi stance
236
Service data

in the remote
control 218
Service Interval Display, refer to Condition Based Service
CBS 218
Service requirement display, refer to Condition Based
Service CBS 218
Service requirements 64
Settings
– clock, 12 h/24 h mode 66
– date format 67
– language 69
Settings and information 62
Setting time and date 66
Setting time zone, time, and date 66
Shifting gears
– automatic transmission with Steptronic 54
– manual transmission 52
Shiftlock
– automatic transmission, refer to Changing selector lever
positions 53
Shift paddles 54
Short commands for the voice
activation system 252
Short route in navigation, refer to Selecting route 129

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270
Shuffled, refer to Random
– CD player152
Side airbags 81
Side marker lamps, replacing
bulbs 227
Side turn signal
– replacing bulb 227
Side windows, refer to Windows 36
Signal horn, refer to Horn 10
Sitting safely 38
– airbags 38
– safety belts 38
– with head restraint 38
Size, refer to Dimensions 246
Sliding/tilt sunroof
– refer to Glass roof, electric 35
Slot for remote control 50
Smokers' package, refer to
Ashtray 100
Snap-in adapter
– inserting/removing 185
– use 174
Snap-in adapter, refer to Center armrest storage
compartment 97
Snow chains 213
Socket, refer to Connecting
electrical appliances 101
Socket for On-Board Diagnosis
OBD 219
Software update 161
Speaking, refer to Voice
instructions from navigation
system 133
Special destinations 124
Special oils, refer to Approved engine oils 216
Speed 244
– with winter tires 213
Speed limit 69
– setting 69
Speed limit warning, refer to Speed limit 69 Speedo, refer to
Speedometer 12
Speedometer 12
Speed volume 141
Split rear seat backrest, refer to Expanding the cargo
area 106
Sport button 74
Stability contro l, refer to
Driving stability control
systems 72
Start/Stop button 50
– starting the engine 51
– switching off the engine 51
Starting, refer to Starting the engine 51
Starting assistance, refer to Jump-starting 236
Starting route guidance 129
Sta rting th
e

engine 51
– Start/Stop button 50
Start-off assistance, refer to
– DSC 72
– Hill Assist 74
State/province, for
navigation 120
Station, selecting
– radio 143
Status information on the Control Display 19
Status of this Owner's Manual at time of printing 4
Steering wheel 45
– adjustment 45
– buttons on steering wheel 11
– lock 50
– shift paddles 54
Steptronic, refer to Automatic transmission with
Steptronic 52
Storage area
– cargo area 106
Storage compartments 98
Storage space
– storage compartments 98Storing a destination in the
address book 122
Storing the vehicle 223
Storing tires 213
Stowage, refer to Storage compartments 98
Summer tires, refer to Wheels
and tires 203
SW, waveband 143
Switches, refer to Cockpit 10
Switching off
– engine 51
Switching off the engine 51
– Start/Stop button 50
Switching on
– audio 140
– CD player 140
– radio 140
Switching radio on/off 140
Switching the cooling function on and off 91
Symbols 4
– status information 19
T
Tachometer60
Tailgate 31
– Comfort Access 34
– opening/closing 31
– opening from outside 31
– unlocking with remote control 28
Tail lamp, refer to Tail lamps 228
– replacing bulb 228
Tail lamps 228
Tank volume, refer to Capacities 251
Target cursor for navigation 125
Tasks 192
Technical data 244
Technical modifications 4

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Telephone
– hands-free system171,183
– installation location, refer to Center armrest 97
– voice commands 183
Telephone receiving power, refer to Status
information 19
Temperature display
– setting the units 64
Temperature of coolant, refer to Coolant temperature 217
Temperature setting
– air conditioner 89
– automatic climate control 91
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control 58
Tensioning straps, refer to Securing cargo 112
Text message 190
Third brake lamp, refer to Center brake lamp 229
Three-point safety belt 42
Tightening the lug bolts
– torque 233,234
Tightening torque, refer to Tightening lug bolts 233
Tire failure
– Flat Tire Monitor 76
– indicator/warning lamp 76
– MINI Mobility Kit 230
– run-flat tires 76
– Tire Pressure Monitor 77
Tire inflation pressure 203
– loss 76,77
Tire pressure monitoring, refer
to Flat Tire Monitor 75
Tire Pressure Monitor TPM 77
– limitations of system 77
– resetting system 78
– warning lamp 78
Tire Quality Grading 210Tires
– age
212
– breaking in 104
– changing, refe r to Changing
wheels 232
– condition 211
– damage 211
– inflation pressure 203
– inflation pressure loss 78
– minimum tread depth 211
– new tires 212
– pressure monitoring, refer to Flat Tire Monitor 75
– pressure monitoring, refer to Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM 77
– puncture 76
– s ize
210
– wear in

dicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth 211
– winter tires 213
– with emergency operation
properties 212
Tires with emergency operation properties, refer to
Run-flat tires 212
Tires with safety features, refer
to Run-flat tires 212
TMC station, refer to Traffic information 133
Tone
– middle setting 142
Tone during audio playback
– adjusting 141
Torque 244
– lug bolts 233
Tow bar 239
Tow fitting 238
– screw thread 238
Tow fittings for tow-starting and towing away 238
Towing 237
– car with automatic transmission 238
– methods 239 Tow rope
239
Tow-starting 237
TPM, refer to Tire Pressure Monitor 77
Track
– selecting on CD 151
Track width, refer to
Dimension 246
Traction control, refer to
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC 72
Traffic bulletins
– categories 135
Traffic bulletins, filtering 135
Traffic congestion
– displaying traffic
information 133
– refer to Route, bypassing segments 130
Traffic information for navigation
– displaying 134
Traffic information in navigation
– screen display in the map
view 135
Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic 52
– manual transmission 52
– overriding selector lever lock for automatic transmission
with Steptronic 54
Transporting children safely 46
Transport securing devices, refer to Securing cargo 112
Tread depth, refer to Minimum tire tread 211
Treble, refer to Tone
control 141
Tr ip computer
62
Trip-dista n

ce counter, refer to
Trip odometer 61
Triple turn signal activation 55
Trip odometer 61

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Winter tires213
– setting speed limit 69
– storage 213
Wiper blade replacement 224
Wiper system 55
Word matching principle for navigation 128
Work in the engine compartment 215
X
Xenon lamps
– replacing bulb 225

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