Mini 2003 Cooper - Manual (Page 89)

87
OVERVIEW
REPAIRS
OPERATION
CONTROLS
DATA
INDEX
TIRE CONDITION TIRE REPLACEMENT
Tire tread/tire damage
Inspect your tires frequently for tread wear,
signs of damage and for foreign objects
lodged in the tread. Check the tread depth.
The tread depth should not fall below
1 /
8
in / 3 mm.
Below 1 /
8
in / 3 mm tread pattern depth,
there is an increased risk of hydroplaning,
even at relatively moderate speeds and
with only small amounts of water on the
road.
Wear indicators in the tread-groove base,
see arrow, are spread around the circum-
ference of the tire and are marked on the
side wall of the tire with TWI – Tread Wear
Indicator. The indicators in the tread indi-
cate at
1 /
16
in / 1.6 mm tread depth that
the legally permitted wear limit has been
reached.
Never continue to drive with a flat,
pressureless tire, except with Run Flat
tires. A pressureless, flat tire greatly
impairs steering and braking response, and
can lead to complete loss of control over
the vehicle. Avoid overloading the vehicle
so that the permitted load on the tires is
not exceeded. Overloading can lead to
overheating and increases the rate at
which damage develops inside the tires.
The ultimate result can assume the form of
a sudden air loss.
Unusual vibrations while driving, caused
for example by driving over a curb or simi-
lar, can indicate wheel or tire damage or
other damage to the vehicle. This is also
true for irregularities in the vehicle's han-
dling characteristics, such as a pronounced
tendency to pull to the left or right. Should
this occur, respond by immediately reduc-
ing your speed. Proceed carefully to the
nearest MINI Dealer or professional tire
center, or have the vehicle towed there to
have its wheels and/or tires inspected or
controlled. Tire damage – up to and includ-
ing blowouts – can endanger the lives of
both the vehicle occupants and other road
users.
<
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread
configuration from a single manufacturer.
The manufacturer of your MINI tests and
approves wheel and tire combinations.
Do not use retreaded tires, since driv-
ing safety may be impaired. This is
due to the possible variations in casing
structures and, in some cases, to their
extreme age, which can lead to a decrease
in their durability.
<
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. <
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