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> Turn: adjusting volume 100
12 Ejecting CD, refer to owner's manual for the
radio This symbol appears on the radio display
when a phone call is being made with the hands-free system.
Menu navigation
Selecting and confirming function Functions can be selected by turning the right rotary knob and confirmed by pressing it.
1. Turn knob, arrow 2, to select a function with
the highlight, e.g. "PHONE".
2. Press the knob, arrow 1, to confirm a high-
lighted function.
Function buttons
Press the button.
To carry out a function, press the button under- neath it to the right or left. If only one function appears on the display, then press the button anywhere, on the left, on the right, or in the middle.
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Pairing/unpairing mobile phone
Overview The pairing data of four mobile phones can be stored simultaneously in the vehicle. When the engine is running or the ignition is switched on, each paired mobile phone is automatically detected as soon as it is present in the passenger compartment.
Requirements > Suitable mobile phone, refer to page 94. > Mobile phone operational. > Bluetooth activated in vehicle, refer to
page 96, and in the mobile phone.
> Bluetooth presets in the mobile phone are required, e.g. connection not confirmed or visible, refer to owner's manual for the mobile phone.
> A number with at least 4 and at most 16 dig-
its has been established as the Bluetooth passkey. Only required once for pairing.
> Ignition switched on.
Activating/deactivating Bluetooth link Bluetooth is not permitted everywhere. Comply with all safety guidelines and regulations. To deactivate the Bluetooth connection: 1. 2.
Press the button.
3.
4.
5.
Press the button.
Press the button.
Press the button.
Press the button.
To reactivate the Bluetooth connection: 1.
Press the button.
2.
Press the button.
Pairing and connecting
Only pair the mobile phone when the vehicle is stopped; otherwise, inattention
may lead to endangerment of passengers or other road users.<
Switching on ignition 1.
Insert the remote control as far as possible into the ignition lock.
2. Switch on the ignition; to do so, press the start/stop button without stepping on the brake or clutch pedal.
Preparation on the radio display 3.
Press the button.
Press the button.
Press the button.
4.
5.
6.
Press the button.
12.
Press the right rotary knob to display the Blue- tooth name of your vehicle on the display.
Preparation with mobile phone 7. Other operations must be performed on the mobile phone and differ depending on the type of mobile phone, refer to owner's man- ual of the mobile phone, e.g. under Con-
necting or coupling Bluetooth device. The Bluetooth name of the vehicle appears on the mobile phone display.
8. Select the Bluetooth name of the vehicle on
the mobile phone display.
Pairing The mobile phone or the radio display will prompt you to enter the same Bluetooth pass- key. Depending on the mobile phone, you have approx. 30 seconds to enter the Bluetooth pass- key using the mobile phone and the radio dis- play. If the Bluetooth passkey can be entered using the radio, then the following appears on the dis- play:
9. Enter the Bluetooth passkey using the num-
ber buttons of the mobile phone.
10.
Press the button to enter the Blue-
tooth passkey using the radio.
11. Using the function buttons 0-9, enter the same Bluetooth passkey that was entered into the mobile phone. To delete the last digit:
Press the button.
Press the button to confirm the
Bluetooth passkey. The following display will appear after a few seconds:
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13.
Press the button if necessary.
The following display will appear after the mobile phone is paired:
If pairing was successful, the mobile phone appears at the top of the list of mobile phones. If the pairing was not successful: what to do if…, refer to page 99. To repeat the pairing procedure:
Connecting a particular mobile phone If more than one mobile phone is detected by the vehicle, the mobile phone at the top of the list is connected. A different mobile phone can be connected by selecting it. The connected mobile phone is identified with the following symbol in the radio display: To change the sequence of mobile phones in the list: 1. 2.
Press the button.
Press the button.
1.
Press the button.
3.
Press the button.
2. Repeat steps 6 to 13. If the application has been repeatedly unsuc- cessful, please contact the Hotline. To display the Hotline phone number:
Press the button.
Press the right rotary knob to display the Hotline phone number and to display required pairing information on the display.
Following the initial pairing > The mobile phone is detected/connected in
the vehicle within a short period of time when the engine is running or the ignition is switched on.
> After identification, phone book entries are imported from the mobile phone and/or SIM card* of the telephone, depending on the telephone.
> Specific settings may be necessary in some
mobile phones, e.g. authorization or a secure connection, refer to the mobile phone operating instructions.
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4. Turn the right rotary knob until the display shows the mobile phone whose position in the list is to be changed.
5.
Press the button the number of
times required to reach the desired position.
Unpairing mobile phone 1. Switch off mobile phone. 2. 3.
Press the button.
Press the button.
4.
Press the button.
5. Turn the right rotary knob to show the
desired mobile phone on the radio display.
6.
7.
Press the button.
Press the button to acknowledge
the message displayed.
> The data volume of the phone book entry is
too great, e.g. due to additionally stored information such as notes? Reduce the data volume.
The telephone connection quality is low. > Depending on the mobile phone, it is possi- ble to adjust the strength of the Bluetooth signal.
> Insert the mobile phone into the snap-in
adapter* or place it in the vicinity of the cen- ter console.
> Adjust the volume of the microphone and
speaker separately.
If you have gone through all items in the list and still cannot activate the desired function please contact the Hotline or your MINI center.
Operation
Overview The following functions can be operated using the radio: > Accepting/refusing a call > Dialing phone numbers > Dialing a phone number from the phone
book
> Dialing a stored phone number, e.g. from
the list of accepted calls
> Ending a call When the ignition is switched off and in radio- ready mode, e.g. after removal of the infrared remote control, an ongoing conversation can be continued for a maximum of 25 minutes using the hands-free system.
What to do if… For information on suitable mobile phones, refer to page 94. The mobile phone could not be paired or con- nected. > Is Bluetooth activated in the vehicle and in the mobile phone? Activate Bluetooth in the vehicle and in the mobile phone.
> Do the Bluetooth passkeys on the mobile phone and the vehicle match? Enter the same passkey on the mobile phone and via the radio.
> Is the passkey input taking longer than 30
seconds? Repeat the pairing procedure.
> Are too many Bluetooth devices connected to the mobile phone? If so, delete the con- nections with other devices on the mobile phone.
> Is the mobile phone in power economy
mode or does it only have a small amount of battery charge remaining? Charge the mobile phone in the snap-in adapter* or via a charging cable.
> Depending on the mobile phone, it may only
be possible to connect one device to the vehicle. Unpair the connected device from the vehicle and only pair and connect one device.
> Is the mobile phone no longer responding?
Switch the mobile phone off and back on again. Repeat the pairing procedure.
Phone book entries are not displayed, not all of them are displayed, or they are displayed incompletely. > The transfer of phone book entries has not
yet completed.
> It is possible that only the phone book
entries of the mobile phone or the SIM card* are transferred.
> It may not be possible to display phone book
entries with special characters.
> The number of phone book entries to be
stored is too high.
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Adjusting volume
Entering phone numbers
Dialing a number 1.
Press the button.
Press the button.
2.
3.
Press the button.
4. Enter the desired phone number using the
0-9 buttons. To delete the last digit:
Press the button.
5.
Press the button on the radio or on the
steering wheel.
Alternative: Turn the right rotary knob to dial the phone number. For your phone number to be displayed to the person you are calling, the display of phone numbers must be enabled by your service pro- vider.
Keypad dialing Use keypad dialing to gain access to network services or to control devices, e.g. to remotely access an answering machine. This requires the DTMF code. This function is available if a connection has been established and the call is being made using the hands-free system. 1.
Press the button.
Turn the knob until the desired volume is reached. The volume for incoming calls and call volume can be adjusted independently of each other. The setting is stored for the remote control cur- rently in use.
Incoming call
Receiving calls If the phone number of the caller is stored in the phone book and the phone number is transmit- ted, then the name of the entry is displayed.
Accepting a call
Press the button on the radio or steering
wheel. Alternative:
Press the button.
Rejecting a call
Press the button.
Ending a call
Press the button on the radio or steering
wheel. Alternative:
Press the button.
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2. Enter the desired code using the 0-9 but-
tons.
3.
If needed, press and hold the but- ton on the right or left side to enter special characters.
Dialing a phone number from the phone book or from phone numbers stored in a list Phone numbers dialed, incoming calls, and phone book entries are stored in lists when the mobile phone is connected to the vehicle via Bluetooth. If the caller is entered in the phone book, then the name of the entry is displayed instead of the phone number. Select the desired name from the list and estab- lish the connection. There are five available lists: > "A-Z"
The entries of the phone book, the SIM card*, or the mobile phone, composed of a name and phone number, are sorted alpha- betically. > "TOP8"
The Top 8 list automatically stores the eight phone numbers of the phone book that are dialed the most frequently.
> "LAST8"
The last eight phone numbers you have dialed are stored automatically. The phone number dialed last appears at the top of the list.
> "CALLS"
The phone numbers of the last eight accepted calls are stored. This requires the phone number of the caller to have been transmitted.
> "MISSED"
The phone numbers of the last eight calls that were not accepted are stored. This requires the phone number of the caller to have been transmitted.
Dialing a phone number from the phone book The A-Z list is available for phone book entries. If entries with different names, but the same phone number are transferred from the mobile phone to the vehicle, only one entry is displayed. The displays of the phone book entries on the radio display can differ from the displays on the mobile phone display, e.g. sequence of the first and last names. 1.
Press the button.
Press the button.
2.
3.
Press the button.
The arrows indicate that
additional letters can be displayed. Turn the right rotary knob to display addi- tional letters.
4. Turn the right rotary knob to select the first
letters of the desired entry.
5.
Press the button if so desired.
The phone number is dialed. To display all entries: 1. Turn the right rotary knob to select the first
letters of the desired entry and press the right rotary knob.
2. Turn the right rotary knob to select the desired entry and press the right rotary knob.
The phone number is dialed. The phone number can also be dialed using the buttons on the steering wheel or radio:
Press the button.
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Editing and dialing a phone number from the phone book The phone number of an entry can be edited before a call. This change is not stored in the phone book. 1. Select an entry. 2.
Press the button.
3.
digit.
Press the button to delete a
4. Enter additional digits using the 0-9 buttons. 5. Turn the right rotary knob to dial the phone
number.
Dialing a phone number from the phone book using buttons on the steering wheel 1.
Press and hold the button to display the
telephone menu.
2. Use the arrow buttons on the steering wheel
to scroll through the phone book.
3.
Press and hold the button to dial the
phone number.
Dialing a phone number stored in a list To select an entry and establish a connection: 1. 2.
Press the button.
Press the button.
3.
Press the desired button to select
one of the four lists.
4. Turn the right rotary knob to select an entry
and press the right rotary knob to dial the phone number.
Deleting an individual entry 1. Select the desired entry from the list. 2.
Press the button.
Displaying call duration To display the duration during a call:
Press the button.
Hands-free system
General information Calls being conducted using the hands-free sys- tem can be continued using the mobile phone and vice versa.
From the mobile phone to the hands- free system Calls that have been initiated from outside the Bluetooth range of the vehicle can be continued using the hands-free system if the ignition is switched on. Depending on the mobile phone, the call is automatically switched to hands-free mode. If the switch does not occur automatically, then follow the instructions that appear on the dis- play of the mobile phone, also refer to the owner's manual of the mobile phone.
From hands-free system to mobile phone Calls being conducted using the hands-free sys- tem can also be continued using the mobile phone if so desired, depending on the mobile phone. At this point, follow the instructions that appear on the display of the mobile phone, also refer to the owner's manual of the mobile phone.
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Operation by voice*
Finishing voice input
Press the button on the steering wheel
The concept > The mobile phone can be operated without
removing your hand from the steering wheel.
> In many cases, the entry process is sup- ported by means of announcements or questions.
> {...} Verbal instructions to use with the voice
activation system.
> {{...}} Indicates responses of the voice acti-
vation system.
Voice commands
Activating voice activation system 1.
Briefly press the button on the steering
wheel. An acoustic signal indicates that commands can be spoken aloud. Display on the radio:
briefly or
{Cancel}.
Possible commands
Having possible commands read aloud The system understands default commands that must be spoken word for word.
{Help}.
Possible commands are read aloud. The system recognizes digits from zero to nine. Each digit can be spoken individually or com- bined into a sequence to accelerate the entry process.
Using alternative commands There are often a number of commands to run a function, e.g.:
{Dial name} or {Name}.
2. Say the command.
Example: dialing phone numbers To start the dialog:
Press the button on the steering wheel.
You say
{Dial number}
For example: {123 456 7890}
The voice control answers
{{Please say the number}}
Depending on equipment: {{123 456 7890. Continue ?}}
{Dial}
{{Dialing number}}
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Calling
Dialing phone numbers
{Dial number}.
1. 2. Say the phone number. 3.
{Dial}.
The connection to the desired subscriber is established.
Correcting phone number Digit sequences can be deleted after the system has repeated the digits. {Correct number}.
The command can be repeated as often as necessary.
Deleting phone number
{Delete}.
Delete the entry.
{Delete name}.
1. 2. Say the name when prompted. 3. Confirm the query with {Yes}.
Delete all entries.
1.
{Delete phonebook}. The dialog for deleting phone book is opened.
2. Confirm the query with {Yes}. 3. Confirm the query again with {Yes}.
Listen to and select the entries:
1.
{Read phonebook}. The dialog for reading phone book is opened.
2. Say {Dial number} when the desired
entry is read.
All digits entered up to this point are deleted.
Select an entry.
Redialing
{Redial}.
Voice phone book* Depending on how your vehicle is equipped, it may be necessary to create your own voice phone book. Depending on the equipment you have, the entries are imported from the mobile phone's memory or have to be entered independently of it. In this case, phone numbers stored in the mobile phone cannot be accessed by voice or stored in the mobile phone by voice.
Store the entry.
{Save name}.
1. 2. Say the name aloud. Do not exceed a speaking duration of about 2 seconds.
3. Say the phone number after being prompted to do so by the system. {Save}.
4.
{Dial name}.
1. 2. Say the name when prompted. 3. Confirm the query with {Yes}.
Adjusting volume Turn knob during announcement. > The volume remains the same, even if the volume of other audio sources is changed.
> The volume is stored for the remote control
currently in use.
Notes
Notes on emergency calls Do not use the voice activation system to initiate an emergency call. In stressful situations, the voice and vocal pitch can change. This can unnecessarily delay the establishment of a tele- phone connection.
Ambient conditions > Say the commands, numbers and letters
smoothly and with normal volume, empha- sis and speed.
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> Always say commands in the language of
2.
the voice activation system.
> Keep doors, windows, glass sunroof*/pan-
orama glass roof*, or convertible top* closed to avoid noise interference.
> Avoid ambient noise in the vehicle while
speaking.
Insert the snap-in adapter at the front, arrow 1, and press downward, arrow 2, until it clicks into place.
MINI contact* Several MINI center phone numbers can be dis- played. > "Road Assist": roadside service*, if you
require assistance in the event of a flat tire. > "Service": MINI Service, for example if you
need to make a service appointment.
> "Cust Relat": MINI Hotline* for information
about your vehicle.
Displaying phone numbers 1. 2.
Press the button.
Press the button.
Inserting mobile phone
1. Depending on the mobile phone, it may be necessary to remove the protective cap of the antenna connector and from the USB connection of the mobile phone.
3. Turn the right rotary knob until the desired
2. Push the mobile phone with the buttons fac-
ing upward toward the electrical connec- tions and press down until it engages.
Removing mobile phone
phone number is displayed.
Snap-in adapter*
Installation location In the center armrest.
Inserting snap-in adapter 1. Press the button and remove the cover.
Press the button and remove the mobile phone.
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AT A GLANCE
CONTROLS
DRIVING TIPS
COMMUNICATIONS
MOBILITY
MOBILITY
REFERENCE
g
Refueling
Switch off the engine before refueling; otherwise, fuel cannot be added to the
tank and a message will be displayed.<
Take all precautionary measures and observe all applicable regulations when handling fuel. Do not carry any spare fuel con- tainers in your vehicle. They can develop a leak and cause an explosion or cause a fire in the event of an accident.<
Fuel filler flap
Opening
1. Open the fuel filler flap. 2. Turn the gas cap counterclockwise. 3. Place the gas cap in the bracket attached to
the fuel filler flap.
Closing Fit the cap and turn it clockwise until you clearly hear a click.
Do not pinch the band attached to the cap; otherwise, the cap cannot be closed properly and fuel vapors can escape. A message will be displayed if the gas cap is loose or miss- ing.<
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Manually releasing the fuel filler flap In the event of an electrical malfunction, you can manually release the fuel filler flap:
Pull on the green knob with the fuel pump sym- bol; the fuel filler flap opens.
Observe the following when refueling
Take all precautionary measures and observe all applicable regulations when handling fuel; otherwise, there is a danger of personal injury and property damage.< When refueling, insert the filler nozzle com- pletely into the filler pipe. Avoid lifting the filler nozzle while filling the tank, as that would lead to > premature pump shutoff > reduced efficiency of the fuel-vapor recov-
ery system.
The fuel tank is full when the filler nozzle clicks off the first time.
Fuel tank capacity
If the range displayed is less than 30 miles/50 km, be sure to refuel; other- wise, engine functions are not guaranteed and damage could occur.< Approx. 13.2 US gallons/50 liters, including the reserve capacity of 2.1 US gallons/8 liters.
Fuel specifications
Do not use leaded gasoline; otherwise, permanent damage to the catalytic con-
verter will result. Do not fill the tank with E85, i.e. fuel containing 85% ethanol, nor with FlexFuel. Otherwise, the engine and fuel supply system will be dam- aged.<
Required fuel
Super Premium gasoline/AKI 91
This gasoline is highly recommended. However, you may also use gasoline with less AKI. The minimum AKI Rating is: > Cooper S, John Cooper Works: 89
> Cooper: 87
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rat- ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds when starting at high outside temperatures. This has no effect on the engine life.Do not use any gasoline below the speci- fied minimum fuel grade. Otherwise, the
engine could be damaged.<
Use high-quality brands Field experience has indicated significant differ- ences in fuel quality: volatility, composition, additives, etc., among gasolines offered for sale in the United States and Canada. Fuels contain- ing up to and including 10% ethanol or other oxygenates with up to 2.8% oxygen by weight, that is, 15% MTBE or 3% methanol plus an equivalent amount of cosolvent, will not void the applicable warranties with respect to defects in materials or workmanship.
The use of poor-quality fuels may result in drivability, starting and stalling problems especially under certain environmental condi- tions such as high ambient temperature and high altitude. Should you encounter drivability problems which you suspect could be related to the fuel you are using, we recommend that you respond
by switching to a recognized high-quality brand such as gasoline that is advertised as Top Tier Detergent Gasoline. Failure to comply with these recommendations may also result in unscheduled maintenance.<
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Wheels and tires
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 inflation pressure regularly and correct it, if necessary: 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 58,
or reset the Tire Pressure Monitor, page 60.<
Checking the tire inflation pressure of the compact tire* To check the inflation pressure, fold up the flat load floor. Remove the onboard vehicle tool kit and the space-saver spare tire, refer to page 134.
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Inflation pressure specifications 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 infla- tion pressures, observe the following: > Tire sizes for your vehicle > Load conditions > 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 driving comfort, adjust pressures to the respective tire inflation pres- sures listed on the following pages in the col- umns for traveling speeds up to a maximum of 100 mph or 160 km/h. These tire inflation pressures can also be found on the driver's side door post 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 pres- sures listed on the following pages in the col-
umns for traveling speeds 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, violations of the law could occur.
MINI Cooper Clubman tire inflation pressures
Tire size
Pressure specifications in psi/kPa
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 psi/kilopas- cal with cold tires. Cold = ambient temperature
195/55 R 16 87 H 195/55 R 16 87 H RSC 195/55 R 16 87 H M+S RSC 195/55 R 16 87 V M+S RSC
175/65 R 15 84 T M+S 175/65 R 15 84 H M+S 175/65 R 15 84 H 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
Emergency wheel: 115/ 70 R 15 90 M
32/220
32/220
35/240
38/260
35/240
35/240
38/260
41/280
60/420
60/420
60/420
60/420
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page 156.
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MINI Cooper S Clubman tire inflation pressures
Tire size
Pressure specifications in psi/kPa
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 psi/kilopas- cal with cold tires. Cold = ambient temperature
195/55 R 16 87 V RSC 195/55 R 16 87 H M+S RSC 195/55 R 16 87 V 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 175/60 R 16 82 H M+S RSC
35/240
35/240
38/260
41/280
38/260
38/260
41/280
44/300
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page 156.
MINI John Cooper Works Clubman tire inflation pressures
Tire size
Pressure specifications in psi/kPa
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 psi/kilopas- cal with 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
38/260
38/260
39/270
45/310
205/40 R 18 82 W RSC
41/280
41/280
42/290
48/330
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page 156.
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Tire coding Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire makes it easier to identify and choose the right tires.
225/45 R 17 91 V
Tire size 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
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:
DOT xxxx xxx 3010
Uniform Tire Quality Grading For instance: Manufacturer's code for tire make Tire size and tire design Tire age 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
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meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent levels 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 separately or in combination, 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, page 115.
M+S Winter and all-season tires. These have better winter properties than sum- mer tires.
XL Designation for specially reinforced tires.
Tire condition Inspect your tires regularly for tread wear, signs of damage and for foreign objects lodged in the tread. Check the tread depth.
Tread depth The tread depth should not drop below 1/8 in/ 3 mm, although, for example, European legis- lation only specifies a minimum tread depth of 1/16 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below 1/8 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 1/6 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less suitable for winter conditions. In the interest of safety, new tires should be installed.
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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. When tire tread is worn down to the level of the wear indicators, the remaining tread depth is 1/16 in/1.6 mm.
Tire damage Due to low-profile tires, please note that wheels, tires and suspensions parts are more susceptible to road hazards and consequential damages. 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 abnormal road behavior, such as pulling severely to the right or left.
In these cases, reduce speed immediately and have wheels and tires thoroughly
checked. To do so, drive carefully to the nearest MINI dealer or tire shop that works according to MINI repair procedures with correspondingly trained personnel. If necessary, have the vehicle towed there. 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 ... 3010 means that the tire was manufac- tured in week 30 of 2010. For various reasons, such as the development of brittleness, the manufacturer of your MINI
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 and 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 61. Your MINI dealer will be glad to advise you.
recommends tire replacement 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 continuing to drive with a flat tire, refer to Indication of a flat tire, page 59.
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 danger of subsequent dam- age 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 often wide variations in tire age, which can result in a limited service life.<
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Storage Always store wheels and tires in a cool, dry place with as little exposure to light as possible. Always protect tires against all contact with oil, grease and fuels. Do not exceed the maximum tire inflation pres- sure indicated on the sidewall of the tire.
Swapping wheels among the axles Depending on the individual use, front and rear tires may exhibit different 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 fine-link snow chains have been tested by the manufacturer of your MINI, classified as road-safe and recommended. Con- tact your MINI dealer for more details. Only attach snow chains in pairs to the front wheels with the following tires. > 175/65 R 15 M+S > 175/60 R 16 M+S John Cooper Works: > 185/50 R 17 86 H M+S XL RSC 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 the DSC or activate the DTC, refer to page 57.<
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 own 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.
