I was test driving an '06 MCS on Saturday, and w/as much fun as I was having the dealer mentioned that the fun factor only goes up as the MINI *learns* how you drive, and adapts.

I was reading some threads on NAM re: ECU flashing or resetting, and saw a few comments that the car would relearn driving habits.

I tried to search on this & found a small bit of info from '05 or so. But to my question: how does the car learn how I drive, or more importantly what adjustments does it make based on my habits?

Much thanks, from a soon-to-be new MINI owner.

 

Most of the adaptation is to achieve best fuel efficiency and fewest emissions. You may observe a slight change in how the car behaves based upon your driving style, but it won't be dramatic. Luckily, MINIs are fun no matter how you drive them

 

Lots of cars do this. The car learns how you accelerate to vary its shifting and fuel, air, etc. Nothing to worry about, just get in and drive it. It will learn you (slightly) and you will learn it. Thus, the bond you create is like no other vehicle I have owned.

 

I think he meant "...that the fun factor only goes up as you 'learn' to drive the Mini, and you adapt..."

 

Thanks for the replies all. Sounds like I'll just have to get out this weekend & spend lotsa time behind the wheel so my R53 & I can get to know each other well. Poor, poor me

For the record: I told one of my friends I was going to pick up the MINI Saturday a.m. & the reply was "I guess you won't be home til late Sunday night huh?" Yep.

 

Then our MINI must be schitzo between the 2 drivers.......

 

Don't forget, there is a way to reset the adaptive memory. I can't remember exactly how to do it on the 1st gens, but I seem to remember it's kinda complicated. On the 2nd gen MINI's I "think" we just have to disconnect the battery for a bit. Am I right?

 

The MINI does have an "adaptive" ECU, but that just means that it will make adjustments to the stock fuel & timing maps based on inputs from the car's sensors (temperature, O2 sensor, knock sensor, throttle position, etcetera) at that particular instant.

I have never seen any official documentation (sales information, service manuals, Technical Service Bulletins) that say that the ECU does any long-term learning at all.

The automatic transmission might adjust itself to your driving habits - I've never owned an auto MINI, so I don't know about that. But for engine management, there's no value whatsoever in using historical data (older than a few minutes) to make air/fuel/timing decisions.