Another thread on parking lights has prompted me to ask a question that I've been thinking about for awhile now.

I've read about some of the dealer-programmed options that are available on the MINI. I was hoping that some of you could give me some opinions on which options are nice to have (or not have). Up until now, I've only owned older vehicles (1960s), so I'm a little overwhelmed with all the new technology that is available.

I did have a rental car once where the doors locked automatically when you started driving. I definitely do NOT want this on my car. Can anyone give me some opinions/advice on other options such as lights, windows, door locking, remote activation? Thanks in advance.

 

I really like and selected to have the "Comfort Opening" feature activated. This is when you push the remote to unlock the car and instead of releasing the button you continue to press it and the windows and sun roof open. Good for those hot days, you can open her up as you approach the car so all the hot air caught inside eascapes before you have to get in. If you park out side of your house or apartment the "Follow me home lights" feature is also nice. This feature is activated by turning off the key before you turn off the lights, and the result is the headlights stay on for a predetermined period of time 30,60, 90 seconds up to a max of 2 minutes. This gives you time to get to the door with the headlights lighting the way.
These are a couple I selected and feel are very useful.
Jim

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I'm dredging up this old thread because I would also like to hear more feedback about everyone's opinions on the different programmable options.

The Pittsburgh dealer hasn't been able to do any programming for me the last few times I've asked, but I'm hoping they can now. So, I would like to hear any thoughts you have to help me make my decisions. Thanks!

 

I have the locks programmed to lock on drive off. I like that feature a lot.

Also I had the comfort unlocking programmed (the sunroof opens and the windows roll down when you hold down unlock). That's pretty cool, and helpful on hot days that your car can start purging heat before you get in.

the one thing I want prog'd that isn't available yet is getting both doors and the boot to unlock if you only press unlock once.

 

Dave,

My neighbor was really impressed when you rolled down the windows as she appoached the car to peek inside. I gotta get that done for sure!

 

yeah, I like that feature a lot. On my Jetta I had to pay $50 to purchase the Alientech circuit board to do the same thing. Very cool that MINI is doing this as a simple programming option.

I wish you could roll the windows up in a similar way though.

 

Now when you say holding the "unlock" - do you mean on they key or the toggle inside?

I thought this was a feature for the key, but now I'm not sure.... :???:

Either would be nice. I think I would like it best on the key though. It sounds pretty cool.

 

>>I have the locks programmed to lock on drive off. I like that feature a lot.


I'm undecided on this one. I've read posts where others really DISlike it. Can you provide any other thoughts on why you like it so much? thx.

 

The comfort opening (sunroof/window opening) is done by holding down the unlock button on the key.

As for the auto door locking on drive off. I just got use to that on my VW, and actually really like knowing that I don't have to remember to reach over to lock the doors with the toggle. They are just always locked, so whether or not I'm in a sketchy neighborhood or not, they are locked. Maybe living in L.A. for 5 years made me a little bit more inclined to like having my doors locked. The "quality" of the neighborhoods around there changed very quickly, in some cases almost block to block. Not the greatest commentary on civilization today. Plus in an accident I think having the doors locked is probably better at helping to hold the doors in place. After an accident the MINI is smart enough to unlock the doors and turn on the hazards anyway.

just some thoughts.

 

Thanks.... yet again!

One more question, though... Do they automatically unlock when you put the car into park? Or do you need to manually unlock the doors to get out? Or, do the locks just unlock when you pull the handle?

I guess that was posed in such a way that it became more than one question, but you should be able to give one answer for all of that!

 

>>Thanks.... yet again!
>>
>>One more question, though... Do they automatically unlock when you put the car into park? Or do you need to manually unlock the doors to get out? Or, do the locks just unlock when you pull the handle?
>>
>>I guess that was posed in such a way that it became more than one question, but you should be able to give one answer for all of that!

She likes her car to lock automatically and the dealer set it that way. Experimenting and reading the manual during the three days we've had the car:
Nothing unlocks automatically when you stop, put it in neutral or shut the engine.
You can open the door by pulling the handle twice. Once to unlock it, the second to open it.
That only unlocks the driver's door though, so if you get out of the car and want to get something out of the boot, you need to press the button on the keyfob to unlock it.
Alternatively, or if we're both in the car, it seems easier to flick the toggle switch once we're parked. That unlocks both doors and the boot.

 

Hmmmm... Still not sure which way to go. I honestly think it sounds like more of a nuisance. I don't drive through any neighborhoods that are bad enough to make me wish my doors were locked. On the rare occasion that I do, believe me I am aware of it - and will take the time to lock them with the switch.

Thanks for all the input on this one!

Are there any other programmable options that people can comment on?

Follow-me-home lights, etc.?

 

You can also profram DAYTIME RUNNING lights I chose this option if for no other reason than to lower my insurance rates :smile: I use USAA and I know I got a discount for that but I do not know how much OHH!! and I got a discount fo rthe BUILT IN anti-theft features of the car 15%!!

 

Yes, daytime running lights are at the top of my list! An absolute must in my book. I was turning my headlights on in my cars before DRLs became a standard feature on most cars. :???:

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>>You can also profram DAYTIME RUNNING lights I chose this option if for no other reason than to lower my insurance rates :smile: I use USAA and I know I got a discount for that but I do not

I also use USAA and I save a whopping $4.95 every six months for having daytime running lights.

Can the daytime running lights be deactivated? Does anyone have them deactivated? I can afford the 10 bucks a year.

 

Hmmmm? So, in other words, your car had them already activated at delivery? Not mine - and I want them activated! How odd. I guess each dealer does what they want.

To try to answer your question: as a rule, I think that any option that can be turned on can also be turned off. Your dealer should be able to disable them if you want.

Do I recall correctly that some states have require them by law? Or was that just in Canada?

 

well i can comment only for canada...we have had daytime running lights a manditory in our cars here for aleast 15 years

Not sure why you would ever want to be without them....remember "Lights on, SAVE lives" :smile:

 

2. Where are DRLs required? Laws in Canada, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden require vehicles to operate with lights on during the daytime. There are two types of laws. Canada's requires vehicles to be equipped with DRLs. The other type of law -- in effect in Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden -- requires motorists to turn on their headlights if their vehicles do not have automatic DRLs. This kind of law applies to drivers only, and vehicles do not have to be specially equipped. In 1972, Finland mandated daytime running lights in winter on rural roads and a decade later made DRLs mandatory year-round. Sweden's law took effect in 1977, Norway's in 1986, Iceland's in 1988, and Denmark's in 1990. Hungary has required drivers on rural roads to operate with vehicle lights on since 1993. Canada requires DRLs for vehicles made after December 1, 1989. No US state mandates DRLs, although some require drivers to operate vehicles with lights on in bad weather

 

How effective are DRLs? Nearly all published reports indicate DRLs reduce multiple-vehicle daytime crashes. Evidence about DRL effects on crashes comes from studies conducted in Scandinavia, Canada, and the United States. A study examining the effect of Norway's DRL law from 1980 to 1990, found a 10 percent decline in daytime multiple-vehicle crashes. A Danish study reported a 7 percent reduction in DRL-relevant crashes in the first 15 months after DRL use was required and a 37 percent decline in left-turn crashes. In a second study covering two years and 9 months of Denmark's law, there was a 6 percent reduction in daytime multiple-vehicle crashes and a 34 percent reduction in left-turn crashes. A 1994 Transport Canada study comparing 1990 model year vehicles with DRLs to 1989 vehicles without them, found that DRLs reduced relevant daytime multiple-vehicle crashes by 11 percent.

In the United States, a 1985 Institute study determined that commercial fleet passenger vehicles modified to operate with DRLs were involved in 7 percent fewer daytime multiple-vehicle crashes than similar vehicles without DRLs. A small-scale fleet study conducted in the 1960s found an 18 percent lower daytime multiple-vehicle crash rate for DRL-equipped vehicles. Multiple-vehicle daytime crashes account for about half of all police-reported crashes in the United States. A 2000 Institute study reported a 3 percent decline in daytime multiple-vehicle crash risk in 9 U.S. states concurrent with the introduction of DRLs. Federal researchers, using data from 4 states, concluded that there was a 7 percent decline

 

Can the headlghts be programmed to turn off automatically if you leave them on, like I did today during the lunch at the San Diego run? The run was terriffic. What a place to live!!!!!! Whoo Hooooo!!!

 

mini programming settings


for the owner by the dealership:


Your MINI center can provide you with details on the capabilities of the Vehicle Memory system.
Examples for Vehicle Memory:
>Signals an acknowledgement when locking or unlocking your vehicle
>Automatic locking after starting off
>Automatic unlocking when the parking brake is applied
>Selective central locking
First open the driver's door, then the whole car
>Automatic opening/closing of sliding/tilt sunroof
>Opening/closing windows and/or sliding/tilt sunroof via remote control
>Speed-dependent windshield wiper
>Automatic activation of windshield wipers on cleaning
>"Follow me home" lamps
Low beams light up for a short time after the engine has been switched off
>Locking when engine is running (with second key)
>Stop function of power windows on opening/closing
>Activating/deactivating daytime driving lamps*
>Switching on interior lamps via remote control.

 

billyg is full of wonderful information! First the paint color codes, and now all of this! Thanks, man! I never really saw so many statistics and studies on this subject in one little paragraph. Up to now, I've just read tidbits here and there - and used my own observation - to tell me that it is safer. If this feature was at the 'top of my list' and an 'absolute must' before, now it is 'don't make me have to hurt you'!

Gas2Hi: Whoa! I think we hit the motherload! Thanks to you as well!

But, I have more questions (anyone who knows feel free to answer):

>>Signals an acknowledgement when locking or unlocking your vehicle

I am curious about the ack signal for the lock/unlock - is this when the lights blink? Mine only blink on locking. Can it be set to signal for unlock as well? Coool.


>>Automatic opening/closing of sliding/tilt sunroof

So, the key in the door is supposed to be able to do both open AND close the windows/sunroof? Mine only closes. Or is this something else completely?


>>Stop function of power windows on opening/closing

What is this? I'm just plain confused here.


>>Switching on interior lamps via remote control.

Is this a separate feature than turning them on by unlocking?

How many different features can the key be programmed for simultaneously? (Evidently the remote rear hatch release and the "Comfort Open" for the windows/sunroof are a trade-off for one another. I'm trying to figure out what other options are trade-offs.)

 

Mini2go, you beat me to the punch: what programmable features cancel each other out, and how many total can you have?

Also, will the dealer automatically ask me what I want, or do I need to ask? I'm afraid with all the excitement of picking my car up, I'll forget to ask!

 

I, too, have a rather paranoid question about the programmable features. If the Mini automatically unlocks the doors in the case of an accident, doesn't this just open a playground to carjackers? I understand the safety feature, but if someone bumps you to carjack you, will the doors unlock so that the dirty dog can grab you out of the car at gunpoint and kidnap your baby? Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they are NOT out to get you!

 

Barky,
My dealer didn't ask me what I wanted, he suggested that I drive it a while and have it programmed at the first check up. It would have been better if I had done a bit more research and thinking, I would have made a list of what I wanted and then have it changed if necessary at the first check up.