I just had my flat-tire light come on so I checked my tire pressures. All were normal except for the driver front, which read 22 ft/lbs. So I took the wheel off so I could throw it in my classic Mini and go get some air. Man, I about popped a bean trying to lift that thing! I cannot believe how damn heavy it is! I bet a change to lighweight wheels and tires would make a huge difference in mileage. Anyway, just a rant.

Oh, and how do you reset that light anyway?

 

Reset the light by holding down the button below the eBrake. It's documented in the owners manual.

 

Just curious...why remove the wheel? They're runflats...you could drill a quarter inch hole in it and drive to the air station.

I do agree, they are heavy especially with the S-Lites.

 

Well, everything that I have read says that:
1) They are designed to drive while flat if required, and
2) If you do, they will be ruined and cannot be repaired because the sidewalls will be compromised.

 

Rick-Anderson,
Sorry to hear you had to wrestle with the stock wheel. I think it IS better to remove the wheel and check for the cause of the problem rather than drive on it and risk further damage. It's a runflat but it not bullet proof.

The stock 17" S-lytes weigh about 48 pounds each with 25 pounds coming from the rim alone. Just think what you can do with a 10 pound rim and 18-20 pound tire! It really is like night and day. A very light 17" rim is about 13 pounds while light 15" rims can be in the 9-11 pound range without costing too much.

Which "bean" did you pop?

 

...but it had 22 lbs. of pressure...kinda defeats the purpose. If it's damaged, it will need to be replaced anyway.

I had a screw in one a year ago...lights activated to tell me and I drove about 15 miles to my home and parked it...purchased a new run-flat through TireRack (in less than 24 hours) and because the screw never actually broke through the tread, it is now my spare. No damage to the tire and no damage to the beans.