so i've been driving my mini for quite some time now...and something i've noticed over the years is that my mini tends to get very very hot...if i drive for more than 10 minutes...the engine seems to get really hot...and also the four weeks i can feel the heat when i put my hands inches away from the tires...so i was wondering if anyone else experience this or is this some serious problem....

 

you should check out ur radiators and the rest of the cooling system, if u cant find anything take it to the dealer anyway, before it becomes a major catastrophe.

 

How does the temperature gauge look? Is it reading higher than it used to? Hows the gas mileage been compared to before? The only thing that would make the wheels get unusually hot is failing wheel bearings or dragging brakes, and both of those should cause reduced fuel economy.

 

um...i dont think i have a temperature guage...i have the S...and have a navigation system and on board computer systerm but i can't find a temperature guage...any help with that?

 

If you have the Nav package, you don't get a temperature gauge. Only the center-mounted speedometer or the Chrono Pack give you one, unless you add the auxiliary gauge package or an aftermarket gauge.

I think there are some electronic gauges that plug into the OBD port that will give you engine temperature, or you could get an infrared thermometer and compare underhood temperatures with another similar MINI to see if yours are out-of-line. The infrared thermometer would let you compare wheel temperatures as well.

 

one of my wheels was getting hot due to I think a parking brake mis-adjustment...but all four of your wheeels get hot?

 

What year is your MINI? Too many people post questions without specifying the year and type of MINI that they have. There are differences in the equipment levels between various model years so it is tough for someone to give you an exact answer without more details on your MINI.

 

True. I can only tell you that if its a newer R53 there was a recall/TSB for a coolant hose and perhaps the tank (can't recall the recall :P) so it is certainly worth taking it into the dealer for a look-see.

 

sorry for not being specific....i have a 05 mini cooper S...and well i've been opening my hood to see if anything was wrong...but i can't really tell cuz i'm not a car expert...