Re p la c ing co mp o n en ts – Mini 2008 Cooper User Manual

Page 126

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Driving with the space-saver spare tire

Drive cautiously and do not exceed a speed of
50 mph/80 km/h.
You must expect changes in vehicle handling
such as lower track stability during braking,
longer braking distances and changes in self-
steering properties when close to the handling
limit. These effects are more pronounced when
driving with winter tires.

Only one space-saver spare tire may be
mounted at one time. Mount a wheel and

tire of the original size as soon as possible, to
avoid any safety risks.

Check the tire inflation pressure at the ear-
liest opportunity and correct it if neces-

sary. Replace the defective tire as soon as possi-
ble and have the new wheel/tire assembly
balanced.

Preparing for a tire change

Observe the safety precautions regarding
flat tires on page

119

Additional safety measures when chang-
ing tires:

Only change the tire when parked on a surface
that is level, firm and not slippery.
The vehicle or the jack could slip sideways on
soft or slippery support surfaces, such as snow,
ice, flagstones, etc.
Do not use a wooden block or similar object as a
support base for the jack, as this would prevent
it from extending to its full support height and
reduce its load-carrying capacity.
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the engine
when the vehicle is supported by the jack; other-
wise there is a risk of fatal injury.

Place the foldable chock

behind the front

wheel on the other side of the vehicle or in
front of the wheel if the vehicle is on an
incline. If the wheel is changed on a surface
with a more severe slope, take additional
precautions to secure the vehicle from roll-
ing.

Uncover the lug bolts if necessary.

If the wheel is equipped with a hub cover,
pry it off using the screwdriver from the tire
change kit.

Loosen the lug bolts by a half turn.

Jacking up the vehicle

The vehicle jack is designed for changing
wheels only. Do not attempt to raise

another vehicle model with it or to raise any load
of any kind. To do so could cause accidents and
personal injury.

Place the jack at the jacking point closest to
the wheel.
The jack base must be perpendicular to the
surface beneath the jacking point.

During jacking up, insert the jack head in the
square recess of the jacking point.

Jack the vehicle up until the wheel you are
changing is raised off the ground.

Mounting the space-saver spare tire

Unscrew the lug bolts and remove the
wheel.

Remove accumulations of mud or dirt from
the mounting surfaces of the wheel and
hub. Clean the lug bolts.

Lift the new wheel into place.