I've got a 2008 MCS with run flats. I just passed 10K and was wondering if I need to worry about rotating the tires. Never had rf's before and not sure how they compare to non-rf's when it comes to rotation. Thanks for the info!

 

Yes, runflat tires should be rotated about every 5K miles. If they are directional (have an arrow on the sidewall showing direction of rotation) move the right front to the right rear, and left front to left rear, etc. They would have to remain on the same side.

If they are not directional, more the right front to the left rear, etc.

 

Robin's right. When I called MINI to have them do the work they said that rotating will cause the car to pull and it's not covered by the maintenance plan. I didn't bother calling them out so
I dropped a few $ to have them rotated and balanced and called it a day.

 

You don't really need to have them rebalanced, I rotate my tires every 6 mos. when I change from my winter to summers and back (winters are RFT's), never had any issues before.

 

Thanks all! Guess I'm about 5K overdue. Just called the dealer to schedule a rotation...HOLY CRAP! $99 just to rotate tires??!! Is this your experience in other dealers? I love my Mini but it seems like it costs an arm and leg just to drive it to a dealer and have them say hello just because it's a Mini!

 

Why pay $100 to rotate your tires? It isn't any more difficult than changing a tire four times.

 

You know, if I quit taking the lazy man's approach, you have a very valid point! And Judge says there is no need to rebalance them if just rotating. Might have to tackle that this weekend.

 

The easy way is to get four jack stands. Following someone's recommendation here on NAM, I use a 2x4 between the front and rear jack points to spread the load. Then use a floor jack about six inches behind the front jack point. Put the jack stands under the jack points.

 

Any complications in removing the run flats..? I'm a little concerned about TPMS systems. I'm still not very sure if these tires have actual sensors in them, or is the TPMS just an ABS logic

 

TPMS is wireless. shouldn't be any issues.

 

+1

 

Yes they are those sensors mounted inside the rim... at least mine are...

Many places are completely used to them by now so its not really a 'complication' per se

 

Robin, where will I find these arrows? Inside or outside of the tire?

 

both...because mounted on left or right but facing the same way, they're interchangeable in that sense

i know im not robin, lol

 

I'm guessing by "many places", you meant service dudes. I was thinking of changing them myself.. Just wanted to make sure I don't pull out a bunch of wires with the tire..!!

Hope they're wireless sensors..!

 

There is no wiring to the tires: My friend did it for me in less than 10 mins (08 MCSa) just like any normal cars. Last step is to reset TPMS from car setting menu: the car will re-initialize its TPMS system(my case in less than 1 min).

 

Yea spend the $100 on a floor jack, or a torque/impact wrench, and change them yourself it doesn't take more than 20 min. if you have the right tools.

Robin, jack stands? thats just an unnecessary step, no need to ever use jack stands unless your working under the car, a decent 2 ton floor jack is all you need.

Oh yea on a related note I signed up for Pep Boys rewards card (free) and membership includes free tire rotation and flat repair, among a few other things.

 

Definately Rotate them. I have 20K + on mine. I rotate every 5K and since I do not have the tire warranty and MINI does not warranty the tires, I take it to a regional tire chain and bought the lifetime rotation for 55 dollars. it averages out to about 10 per rotation.

 

according to the manual, mini does not recommend rotating tires. or something to that affect. i dont remember exactly what the manual says. i read this after switching my snows back to all seasons. i never marked down which tire went where, so i just threw them all back on randomly. now there is constant pulsating feeling in the steering wheel and accelerator. i think its from the tires.

 

Climb down the tire valve and peek inside... OK, I know what you mean. The image just cracked me up.

They should be fairly large on the sidewall. Easy to see without removing the tire.

Your car definitely has them. They became mandatory in Sept. 2007, IRRC. They are wireless and the only issue when you rotate the tires is that you need to make sure the pressures are correct, then reset the tire pressure monitor in the car.

Early 2007 MINIs have the passive (rotation speed based) system.

Oh yea, you'll need a good torque wrench that has 103 ft-lb in its range, and a 17mm socket. Get the kind that you set to a specific number and clicks when that is reached. The bending bar type are not very accurate. The lug bolts should be torqued to 103.

That would work if you if you were only work on one side at a time, but what about non-directional tires where you cross rotate them?

I much prefer to do it myself because the hired help at many shops is not very careful with the wheels.

 

No in-tire TPMS sensors in Canada - ABS computer is used for low tire pressure warnings.

U.S. MINIs use sensors in the tires.

My Continental runflats (08 Cooper) are directional, so they have to stay on the same side (L or R) of the car - just a simple front-to-rear swap at rotating time. I rotated mine when I removed the winter tires.

_______________________________________________

 

I guess I should have checked if the stock Conti RF All seasons are non-directional - i've only been doing front to back....and although my brother in law laughs when I use the jack stands with the floor jack I prefer to be safe rather than dead or sorry.

 

True, I wasn't thinking about that, I'm always changing to a second set so I have an extra tire.

 

Can you take pictures next time you have your car on the stands

I have a hard time figuring out where to place the jack and/or where to place the stands. Both front and rears.

If there are other thread on this, maybe you can post a link
Thanks

 

I choose not to use a 2x4 and put the jack slightly towards the rear of the front jack point allowing placement of all 4 jackstand on the correct spots. I use the floor jack on the front spot and place a jack stand and on the rear spot. Then I will put the next jack stand on the metal part of the chassis (look further towards the middle of the car) - then I do the same for the other side.

See this pic: