Tires (Summer/Winter/All-Season)
- Thread starter Puppethead
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Toi
Well-Known Member
Oh, I've got the torque wrench and skills to go with it. She's happy she doesn't need to make an appointment at the shop, so, all is good.
I'm trying to figure out the least-destructive tool for removing my Power Spoke wheels' bolt cover. Can't call it a center cover because it's not centered. MINI makes a special tool to balance these wheels; I wonder if they make a special tool that goes into the little hole and then expands behind the cover to pull it off without marring the edge of the hole?
What number will you dial into your torque wrench? I'd read in more than one place the MINI wheel bolts were supposed to be torqued to 105 lb-ft, but page 242 of the Owners Manual says:
Tighten the lug bolts crosswise. The tightening torque is 101 lbs ft/140 Nm.
However, 140 Nm = 103.2587 lb-ft.
Toi
Well-Known Member
Yeah, always double check conversions in manuals. (learned this early on in my engineering career as these are usually done by tech writers/outsourced contractors and sometimes don't get QC'd properly)
Let me preface my process as likely overkill and overly involved for what is generally required for a wheel nut/bolt, etc...
For steel wheels, studs, lugs, and bolts, I generally go to 75 lb-ft, in whatever alternating pattern makes sense for your bolt pattern, then I go to 100 lb-ft (or whatever the manual says) alternating again. Then I re-check them after a drive, if none have moved, then I re-check after a week. If none have moved still after this, I call it good. If any have moved, I add 10 lb-ft and restart.
For alloy wheels, I follow the guidance for the wheel manufacturer as the car manufacturer specs no longer apply as the 'mating' surface of the fastener is the wheel and I've seen people pull a lug nut through the alloy of some cheaper wheels trying to match the torque settings of their steelies.
Puppethead
Well-Known Member
My SE came with a tool to remove it (sorry I can't provide a photo, my SE is dry-docked at home until I resolve the snow situation), looks similar in shape to an Allen wrench. Supposed to be in the inflation kit (along with tow hook), but mine somehow was in the glove box.
If you can't find yours I'd ask the dealer to replace it.
THANK YOU, @Puppethead ! I found it under the compressor in the inflation kit in its special slot in the styrofoam organizer. I'd opened the kit before, but never removed the compressor to see what was underneath. Now I have to call the Snap-On truck and tell them not to come. I hope they'll refund my $46.99 and waive the $100 delivery fee.
Puppethead
Well-Known Member
Not exactly Allen wrench-shaped, but vague resemblance. The loop for fingers is nice.
I wonder if every SE gets one, or just the models with Power Spoke wheels?
I wonder if every SE gets one, or just the models with Power Spoke wheels?
Because MINI Coopers these days don't come with a spare tire, lug wrench, or jack, I wrongly assumed there would be no tools related to tire changing in the tire inflation kit. I must find out the actual name of this piece of wire and how much it costs if you lose the one that comes with the car.
I'd be surprised if SEs with other wheels get this fabulous, rare tool. As a subtle show of one-upmanship, I'll probably hang mine from a platinum chain around my neck the when I attend MINI Electric gatherings. Note to self: Put "platinum chain necklace" on my Christmas list.
MichaelC
Well-Known Member
My SE (configured with Roulette Spoke wheels) does not have this tool. There is a tool-shaped slot for one underneath the compressor, but it's empty.
Puppethead
Well-Known Member
I had success today getting a bead on the elusive Electric Revolites. The bad news? They cost $300 each, and they are all in Germany right now. So $900 just for the wheels and wait at least a month. Are snow tires worth that?
For comparison, the Power Spoke wheels are $560 each.
For comparison, the Power Spoke wheels are $560 each.
Motor City Mini here in Michigan said they can get them and quoted me $2300 for a full set with the Michelin X-Ice 3. Crazy!
MiniNorth
New Member
I have a signature SE with 16" Revolite wheels. I confirmed with the dealer that those wheels are unavailable for purchase, but are 16x6.5, for tires 195/55R16 (but could also go with 205 width).
I've appreciated the Nokian Nordman 7 on my 2000 Honda Insight, so I'm deciding between the Hakkapelliita 9 (studded) or R3 (unstudded) for the Mini SE, both of which come in 195/55R16. I do a lot of snowy, near freezing, mountain road driving, so the conservative choice is the studs. But I like the idea of the R3's lower rolling resistance and smoother drive for an EV.
Has anyone gotten some experience yet with studs on the SE, and how they impact range or the drive? If there's a noticeable difference that might push me to the R3, otherwise it's hard to beat Nokian studs in severe conditions!
I've appreciated the Nokian Nordman 7 on my 2000 Honda Insight, so I'm deciding between the Hakkapelliita 9 (studded) or R3 (unstudded) for the Mini SE, both of which come in 195/55R16. I do a lot of snowy, near freezing, mountain road driving, so the conservative choice is the studs. But I like the idea of the R3's lower rolling resistance and smoother drive for an EV.
Has anyone gotten some experience yet with studs on the SE, and how they impact range or the drive? If there's a noticeable difference that might push me to the R3, otherwise it's hard to beat Nokian studs in severe conditions!
For those still following this thread, I finally pulled the trigger on my winter wheel order and they arrived today. I went with these "Sport Edition A10-2" wheels from tire rack.com as the lightest option I could find, 16.7 lbs. for the 16x6.5" size. When combined with the Michelin X-Ice 3 tires, the combined weight is 37 lbs.
I haven't put them on the car yet, but here's a pic so you can see what they look like.
I haven't put them on the car yet, but here's a pic so you can see what they look like.
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GetOffYourGas
Well-Known Member
I apologize if this has been answered and I missed it. How do the OEM tires do in the snow? Where I live (Syracuse, NY), we get lots of snow (over 10' per year). However, it is mostly flat near me, and the roads are well maintained. Also, I still have snow tires (Michelin X-Ice XI3) for my Bolt.
MiniNorth
New Member
Using the OEM Hankooks, I gave the Mini a shot going up a slushy/snowy, but paved, road. I regularly travel that stretch of road with my older two-wheel drive hybrid and good winter tires. The Mini with OEM tires did poorly. The OEM tires had almost no traction, and the traction control shut down the wheel rotation, and any sense of momentum I had, very quickly. I was not able to go very far, and had to turn around each of three attempts.
The conclusion I've drawn is that in real winter driving, good - even studded - tires are going to be important, and the Dynamic Stability Control will need to be managed as much as the tire selection.
The conclusion I've drawn is that in real winter driving, good - even studded - tires are going to be important, and the Dynamic Stability Control will need to be managed as much as the tire selection.
MiniNorth
New Member
Does anyone have the weight of the EV's 16x6.5 Revolite wheels? If they're even lighter than the A10-2 wheels, it might make sense to put heavier winter tires on the lighter, Revolite wheels.
If you have the summer performance Hankooks then you will need a different tire if things get below 40F. It isn't studs or even tread, but summer tires have rubber compounds that become rock hard in cold temperatures snow or no snow. Like a frozen hockey puck, it is like trying to walk in tap dance shoes. Winter tires have soft rubber below 40F that becomes too soft a higher temps and wears down in a few days at summer temperatures.
Over on the Mini Electric Enthusiast Facebook group, one of the main contributors weighed them at 32 pounds with the summer performance tires. They're incredibly light! However they also cost $2400 for a set of four with tires. This set was $1200 for only 20 pounds more total across all four wheels.