36 12 001 Replacing a tire (for front, rear or spare wheel)

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2019 MINI Cooper, 2018 MINI Cooper, 2017 MINI Cooper, 2016 MINI Cooper, and 2015 MINI Cooper. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: Follow instructions for initializing the Run Flat display.

Fig 1: Identifying Tire Fitting Equipment

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Refer to the equipment manufacturer's instructions for details on how to fit the tire correctly. The devices need to be in perfect condition in order to eliminate damages of the disc wheel and of the tire.

NOTE: Comply with approved tires, tire sizes and optional equipment.

IMPORTANT: Pirelli tires can happen to have two little holes in the tread pattern!
These two holes are production-related!
The presence of these two little holes in the tread pattern does not represent a fault and does not affect the performance and the efficiency of the tires in any way !

Fig 2: View Of Pirelli Tire Holes (Production-Related)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: Pay attention to different tire markings:

Item (1) Marking denoting BMW-approved tires. Ensure that only BMW-approved tires are fitted.
Item (2) RSC is the abbreviation for R unflat S ystem Component (runflat tires).
Item (3) Outside. The tire must be fitted so that the wording Outside is always situated on the outside of the rim.

Fig 3: Identifying Tire Markings

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Some tires are directional. The arrow on the tire must point in the direction of travel for each wheel, when applicable.

Models with M Mobility system: If the tire was filled with the M-Mobility system after a puncture, it will be necessary before removal to drill an approx. 25 mm dia. hole in the side wall of the tire. Allow sealing compound to flow out through this bore hole and dispose of sealing compound in compliance with environmental regulations. The disc wheel has to be cleaned after disassembly of the tire.

Tire removal with a tire fitting machine:

Unscrew valve insert, discharge air, force off tire bead from rim flange with pressing-off tool of the device on outside and inside.

Fig 4: Releasing Tire Using Pressing-Off Horn

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

If tire beads are stuck, first release the tire with the pressing-off horn at several points of the wheel before actually pressing off, apply tire mounting paste between tire and rim flange and press off the tires completely.

Pull off balance weights on wheel rim and clean rim to remove large pieces of dirt.

Clamp wheel on tire fitting machine.

Narrow rim shoulder always faces upwards.

IMPORTANT: Vehicles with RDC: In order to prevent the pressing-off tool from damaging the RDC wheel electronics, do not position the pressing-off tool in the area around the valve on both rim sides.

Fig 5: Raising Tire Bead With Mounting Lever

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Swing or fold mounting column into position and let it engage.

Adjust mounting head, pressing it on the rim edge fully, and turn down the lever for the clamp; normally the distance of the mounting head will set in automatically.

The valve needs to be approx. 15 cm to the right of the mounting head (so as to prevent the mounting lever from damaging the RDC wheel electronics).

Raise tire bead with mounting lever over mounting finger.

NOTE: On aluminium rims, it is best to use a mounting lever coated (either fully or partially) with heat-shrink tubing to prevent damage.

Let the tire fitting machine run back a short distance (counterclockwise direction); the tire bead will then slip fully onto the mounting finger.

Then let fitting machine run forward in stages (clockwise).

In so doing, always check whether the lower bead is fully resting in the well and allow the tire time to move.

Fig 6: Running Fitting Machine

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

If the bead clamps, stop the machine and let it run back slightly.

If the upper bead is pulled off the rim, also lift the bottom bead over the mounting finger with the tire iron.

Fig 7: Lifting Bottom Bead Over Mounting Finger With Tire Iron

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Let machine run back a short distance again and then forward (clockwise) briefly until there is complete separation of the tire from the rim.

IMPORTANT: Vehicles with RDC:
The tire bead must not press onto the RDC wheel electronics.

Release lock and tilt back or swing away mounting column.

Unclamp and clean rim.

Replace valve.

Coat rim flange and tire beads with tire-fitting paste (Wurth Tire Mounting Paste, part no. 892800).

Fig 8: Removing Tire From Rim

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT:

Vehicles with RDC:

When the wheel electronics are installed, the rim must not be cleaned with high-pressure cleaning equipment.

Visually inspect wheel electronics for external damage and check for tight fit; do not retighten screw and union nut. If valve parts are loose, the entire valve needs to be replaced.

Keep wheel electronics free of tire mounting paste.

Clamp rim on fitting machine, valve must be located at 180° to mounting head.

Slide on tire with lower bead partially over rim flange.

Swing or tilt mounting pillar into position and lock.

Check adjustment of mounting finger, readjusting if necessary, and clamp.

Press tire under mounting finger by hand.

The tire bead must seat next to the mounting finger in the roller.

Let fitting machine run forward (clockwise) a short distance.

Lower tire bead will drop into well.

Fig 9: Installing Tire On Rim

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Vehicles with RDC: mount the lower tire bead so that no pressure forces are exerted on the RDC wheel electronics.

Turn wheel again into installation position so that valve is at 180° to mounting head.

Press upper tire bead under mounting finger. Tire bead must seat in rollers next to mounting finger.

IMPORTANT: Do not pinch or damage bead. Operate fitting machine forwards (clockwise) little by little; while doing so, make sure the lower tire bead remains in the well.

IMPORTANT: Vehicles with RDC: mount the upper tire bead so that no pressure forces are exerted on the RDC wheel electronics.

Fig 10: Pressing Upper Tire Bead Under Mounting Finger

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Possibilities for safely mounting the wheel or incorporation in inflation apparatus should be utilized!

After mounting, first release clamping claws and then inflate tire (without valve).

Increase pressure up to 3.3 bar (330 kPa) in steps (jumping pressure).

If the tire bead does not slip on all round at the rim edge, do not increase pressure further but rather drain off air.

Press off tire bead again, coat rim flange again with tire mounting paste (Wurth Tire Mounting Paste, part no. 892800) and pump up again to 3.3 bar. When the beads are resting properly on the rim shoulders, increase inflation pressure to max. 4.0 bar to "settle" the tire.

Screw in valve insert and correct tire pressure.

Fig 11: Pressing Tire Bead

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Advise the customer to avoid heavy acceleration in the initial period. The assembly paste can cause the tire to turn on the wheel rim and give rise to imbalance.