So here are two dumb questions that I haven't thought to ask before, but...

On the dash, above the center console/speedo is a roughly oval shaped vent slanted towards the passenger area. What's it for? Is it part of the climate system? Simply venting for the electronics in the center column?

Second question: I noticed on top of late model tachometers there's a little sliver of red sandwiched between the black halves. What's that for?

Thanks for humoring me!

 

# 2 is a LED for the factory alarm. It pulses when the alarm is armed.

 

The vent above the speedo I think is the source of the voice I keep hearing say, "Go faster, go faster!"

 

The top vent I suppose is for defogging - in practice it does a great job of blowing great volumes of cold air onto the occupants on cold mornings just after startup.

 

I keep hearing these same voices!?!?. Of course on my last backroad spirited drive I passed two State Patrol cars (maybe the same guy twice) and two county sherriff patrol cars so I figured it was the MINI gods looking out for me and slowed down the rest of the way.

 

Haha--thanks for the quick and humorous answers! onefish2, the alarm makes perfect sense--I noticed it at a dealership that loaded their cars up with as many options as they could, even lojack.

Eric, are you sure it's for defogging? It looks like there's a vent farther forwards that's wider and thiner that I assumed was for defogging...

And as to the voices, I'm willing to bet the source of that is farther forward, too--deep in the heart of the motor, maybe hitting a matching frequency deep in your heart or brain, silhouette.

 

There is also a light sensor of some sort in there which controls the dimming of the 'candy corns' (fuel gauge). In daylight if you cover it with your hand, the 'candy corns' will dim after a few seconds.

Probably would also control the auto on headlights if you have that option?