I read on the windshield sticker that you're not supposed to use a cell phone in a MINI without an externally mounted antenna. I can't find anything about it in the manual. . . how does one go about mounting an antenna and how involved/costly is it? Can it be done with no modifications to the vehicle? What are the possible effects of using a cell phone in your MINI? (Besides wrecking, I mean).

 

I've used my Nokia 3360 MANY times in my MCS without any problem...windows up or down. I believe this sticker is a standard "you can't sue us cause we put this sticker here" kind of legal wrangling device. Nothing more. Granted, with all the windows/sunroof on the MINI, it makes quite a Faraday cage.

R

 

Davbret--

OK, I'll profess my ignorance. What's a Faraday cage? I'm guessing something race-mod related...but that's just a guess. Help!

(I'll have the sunroof too (someday)...it's probably my single favorite feature).

Thanks

 

Increased RF radiation inside a vehicle

Because most vehicles have metal roofs and largely come with factory tinted glass, your vehicle can act as a faraday cage and concentrating reflector, amplifying RF density like a microwave oven, not letting the RF radiation escape through the metal body and tinted glass, and then concentrating the microwaves into your body at much higher EM intensities.

Here's some more info....

R

 

Davbret--

I am offically a smarter person, thanks to you! :smile: I'm also glad I've been driving a convertible for the past few years...I'd like to think the cloth top wasn't contributing to this type of situation.

--Peter

 

Faraday was a great physicist, but I am very skeptical about any claim that the low wattage cell phone is capable of causing cancer.

I could not find a definitive answer to that question, but a lot of companies trying to profit from the fear, but I did find the following link.

http://www.mcw.edu/gcrc/cop/cell-pho...FAQ/toc.html#2

Page Title

I am just very skeptical in general... though.

jc

 

My manual says that cell phones may cause electrical/engine malfunctions. Just like all those jetliners that spin out of control everytime an 8 year old leaves his gameboy on during take-off and landing. I don't think there is much danger to the mini from your wayward transmissions, but may from your observation/concentration Ommissions while chating!

 

>>I am just very skeptical in general... though.
>>
>>jc

You and me both!! I only pointed out the Faraday Cage as a potential reason why MINI uses that sticker. I find it a bunch of hooey, but there is definitely a great deal of people who subscribe to this thinking.

R

 

I use my Sprint/Samsung phone with no problems.

 

I had a key that didn't function - put it in the lock, it turned, dash lights lit, but not a click from the engine bay; there is a transducer chip (?) in the key that was scrambled - cell phone use or not ... we'll never know

 

My Samsung works fine, I use a headset when I drive though.

it works better in my car than in my house at times

 

okay, other than Gidget, is everyone using their phones? i know this is an old topic, but i truly don't want to short out my car!

my friend uses his in his BMW all of the time, so i'm assuming it's alright.

 

Every now & then, my windows don't inch up and down when I open/close the doors.

I wonder if my cell phone use affected this.

 

Bring it to the dealer. That happened with the
Cooper I had and I ended up losing the A pillar.
(the black plastic piece between the drivers side
window and the windshield).

 

Because the non-lowering window put too much pressure on that front-side trim piece ??

 

I think. I now have an S and a different cell phone and
so far no problems. There has been a lot of discussion about
whether or not cell phones can affect the electronics. I believe
some do...and some don't.

 

what brand of phones are you guys using?

 

The one I think I had problems with was a Motorola i700+
and the one I switched to is a Motorola i90c. Both Nextel
with Direct Connect.

 

I just mentioned the cell phone - window thing because I heard from someone else that they suspected theirs might be affecting the windows.

I'm not at all sure that mine (Nokia 3290) is the cause. It is only once a month or so that the windows fail to inch down/up.
I think it is more likely that I rolled the window down when the door was open and this might be the cause instead ?

 

I've installed the adavnced SonyEricsson hands-free option for the T68i (I live in Europe) and it does not have an external arial - it works fine.

 

>>I've installed the adavnced SonyEricsson hands-free option for the T68i (I live in Europe) and it does not have an external arial - it works fine.

Hey, Rblowfield. I have the same phone (which is awesome - Bluetooth technology rocks!) and actually was going to buy the Bluetooth enabled headset. Is that the type you use? If so, could you share pros and cons when using in the Mini?

Thanks in advance.
-Otto

 

Don't phone and drive!!!

The life you save could be MINE.