Getting colder at night here in Cleveland and it got me wondering on my drive home. When do the heated washer nozzles activate? I'm thinking they turn on with the front defrost mode or when the rear defrost/heated mirrors are on. Anyone out there have an answer? This is "Newt's" first winter and any other winter tips are appreciated. I'm NOT looking forward to all the road salt. Thank God I have a insulated garage so I can rinse everynight. Thank you in advance.

 

I'm not sure there is anyway to tell when they are on. There aren't any indicators anywhere.

 

It seems to me that the nozzles are on continuously, the same as the mirror heaters. There is no switch to turn either off, they come on with the engine running.

I'd like to add a switch for the mirror heat because in warmer weather and rain the heaters seem to 'bake on' sediment and road dirt more than if the mirrors were not heated.

 

Yep...if the engine is runnin' the heaters are too. Greeting Spurvis from a fellow Clevelander

 

I thought they were on only when the rear defroster was on.

 

Nope, they're on whenever the car is running.

According to the Bentley Manual, fuse # F-35
((left kick panel 2nd row, 2nd from bottom - 5A)
works the outside rearview mirror heaters and the
windshield washer nozzle heaters.

I think I'll pull mine for a few months next summer.

 

Now everyone seems to think they are always on,but I thought they came on when the low temp outside air thing kicked in.I'm at that kind of temps right now every morning and will feel my mirrors when the temp is just above the warning.
If you have summer bug cleaner in the nozzles,only warm temps outside air will thaw them out.
Are the heaters in the pumps?

 

It never gets cold in Cleveland! I drove home with the top down on the Cabrio today. In the 60-70 for the next week and then into the 40's. Cleveland and Minis Rock!

Wedge from Cleveland

 

Thanks to all for your opinions so far. Hi to Spav and Wedge!! Hey Wedge, I also am relishing Cleveland's "late summer", but the other night with all the heavy condensation on the cars go me wondering about clearing snow and ice. Cleveland and MINI's rock indeed!!

 

That was my understanding as well, but the spot effect on the mirrors seems to disprove it. Personally I have not noticed any improvement to having the heated jets, and the heated mirrors are more of a hassle than a help. The heated seats on the other hand come in really handy with the leather.

 

Just curious why you think they are not good? I was going to spec them on my MCS. My current car doesn't have them unlike my previous car, and I miss them on the cold, damp mornings we have in abundance in Seattle.

TIA,

 

For some strange reason the side mirrors and appearently the washer jets are heated 100% of the time. This causes water droplets to dry and leave water spots behind. For some this a nuisance. I don't mind it too much.

It is funny that on a warm summer day you put your hand on the side mirrors and their warm.

 

Hmmm, I was wondering if it was a more serious problem like running them all the time causes them to crap out after awhile. The Passat that I had with heated mirrors that were controllable via a switch crapped out twice and were replaced under warranty and then crapped out again after the warranty was done. No such problems with the Alfa Romeo I owned that also had "switchable" heated mirrors. Heated mirrors are a definite plus in a humid climate like Seattle when you park your car outside.

Ciao,

 

Same reason here as rcase13. Wash my car and before I can dry the car the mirrors are dry and spotted.

I don't know about issues with it being on all the time though. Never heard of the heater going out on anyone's yet. As long as the seats can be heated I am happy with the Cold Package.

 

when the outside temp reaches 37 deg. F they turn on, along with your heated mirrors. you will see the temp flash and a "bong" sound will sound at you when you start up the car at that temp or lower. if your driving and you reach that temp it will just flash. your mirrors turn on and i would think the jets only heat if you pull the lever to make the jets spray your windshield, but that is just a guess, but i know they only heat at 37 deg. F and below. good luck.

 

What year car do you have? My mirrors are on every time the car is on. It can be 70 degrees and my side mirrors are warm/hot to the touch. My car is an 7/03 build MC.

 

Mine is an 04 MCS and I'm fairly certain that the heated mirrors are on all the time. Also, the chime I get when the temperature gets to 37 degrees goes off whenever. At startup, while driving... If the temperature flucuates I can hear the dang chime multiple times. The whole Cold weather package, except the heated seats, is weird.

 

I have an '05 MC, and it also seems to me that my heated mirrors are on all the time. I'm thankful for the fuse information, as that'll help when I wash the car and side mirrors, which otherwise tend to spot...even when the car is turned off! (I sometimes suspect these heated mirrors are on ALL the time, but that just can't be, can it?)

As far as the heated washer jets go...I've no idea, but based on experience with the heated mirrors, I'd say they are on all the time as well...at least when the car is on. It's the nozzles themselves, not the tank, that are heated...otherwise ice build up would keep the jets blocked regardless of heated fluid in the tank. (Actually, I'm just guessing, but it makes sense to me...though MINI's are not always sensible in design.)

I sure wish there was a (toggle?) switch for this stuff. Perhaps something can be rigged up...if you have an empty slot in your toggle board. (It could have the tip of the toggle light up, like the toggle switch for the fog lights does, when it's turned on.)

Strangely, despite the fast approaching winter weather, I've yet to use my auto-wash function for my Xenons, as I've never sprayed my front windshield with washer fluid yet. I'd sure like to see how that works when I finally get around to using it. Right now, for all I know, that function is broken. Can you see any over-spray from the headlights when you use them? I'm just curious.

 

Lot of over spray from the headlamp washers

 

Lots of over spray and kinda noisy too. At least loud. Never actually seen the headlight washer jets pop out and squirt though.

 

Kinda looks like the monster from the Alien movies

 

Thanks again for all the info. I personally have NEVER had a problem with spots on my mirrors. I have noticed how hot they get when I activate the rear defrost. I have never noticed the mirror heat being on all the time. I need to check this out tonight on my way home from work. I too would have some concern about longevity of the mirror heat system if it is indeed on all the time. All in all, I'm very glad that BMW offered package 3 to MINI owners as Cleveland winters call for these types items.

 

Either way leave it to the BMW engineers to take something that should be straightforward and come up with something weird. Wonder what was wrong with having the mirror heat come on when the rear window defogger was turned on? I hope the 37 degree thing is incorrect, it rarely gets down to 37 here, but most non-rainy days my mirrors are covered with dew. It's beginning to sound like I should just pass on the cold weather pack and just buy rolls of paper towels :smile: .

Hope the next gen Mini doesn't get i-Drive...

Cheers,

 

I would like to think that the next generation MINI's would get many practical improvements. But, knowing car companies, I have little faith in that. The '05 model MINI's could have been much improved in many little ways, and a few BIG ways as well. If I had to do it again (geez, how often have I said THAT in one of these threads?), I might drop the heated mirrors and washer nozzles, and just get the heated seats...which are one of my all time favorite options.

Oh, and I can't help asking, what's an "i-drive"? (I suspect the "i" is supposed to stand for "intelligent", right?)

 

My previous car, a 94 3 series, had heated mirrors. No problems after 10 years. BMW seems to have figured out how to do reliable heated mirrors.