Now that it's the season to need the windshield defroster, I have noticed something that is a little annoying. On my wife's BMW and my MINI, once the defroster is turned on, the fan is always wide open and you can't turn it down without having the defrost function turn off.
This really annoys me. Also, why does the small green light on the defroster button blink while it is activated?

 

Next time, when you turn the rear defroster on and the entire systme kicks in full blast, try holding the windshield defroster button for a few seconds and it will lower the fan spedd to low.

 

Distinguish between the front & rear defrosters.

The rear defroster is electric. Should not affect the fan speed, etc.

The front defroster blows air onto the windshield.
On MINIs with manual controls, you just turn the **** to the windshield symbol and adjust fan speed & temp as required.
On MINIs with auto controls, built AFTER Sep 2004, there are two windshield controls. The one near the other direction controls simply directs air to the windshield - like turning the **** on manual controls. The other one, near the AUTO switch, activates a "full front defrost" mode which blasts maximum speed at the windshield.

Your MINI clearly has auto controls but was built BEFORE Sep 2004. It only has *one* windshield switch but you can use it two ways!
Give it a quick press, like you are doing now, and it activates the "full front defrost" mega-blast mode. The light flashes to indicate that mode is active.
Instead, press and hold the button for a few seconds - now you will select windshield direction, but still have normal control of fan speed - the light will be on steady instead of flashing.
In this second mode, you can combine windshield direction with foot direction, like you can with '05 MINIs or with manual controls.

 

Thanks.
I will monkey around with it in the morning once the temp gets below 30 degrees again.
I assume this feature is described in the operators manual but I am the type that hates reading all of the directions .

 

I spend less time playing with the manual controls then most seem to spend with the auto controls

 

That's because you're so much smarter than us auto control guys!

 

No,it's because it's like -30 where he lives and it's always set for MAX BLAST!

I'm thinking of going with manual control on the next one.......

 

Great info! I had sort of figured this out on my own, but it IS a bit disconcerting to have the defrost light turn off when you kick the fan down a bit. I wouldn't mind spending a bit of time with the PM of the HVAC system...

 

The manual a/c is simpler to operate that the auto a/c.

Sometimes less is more.

 

I had the auto on my 03 & was always fiddling with it. I decided to get the manual on the Cabrio. It's so much simpler for my simple brain & I think it's a better choice for the Cabrio when the top is down & it's chilly out.

Lois

 

Hehehe, yeah, what he said!

 

Ya, it's colder than a witch's tit here.But the heat that comes out of this car is great.I can motor all the time,even at -40F the fan is set at 2,the temp. is half way into the red,windows stay clear,my feet are warm,and the heated seats take care of the rest.I get to the city after the 45 min. commute and have to roll down the window when I get into traffic

 

So after trying to figure this out with the manual for a year you guys finally solve my problem in a minute. You have no idea how nice it is to finally drive with some defrost, a little floor venting, and complete control of the fan sans BLAST mode!

p.s. I love the auto controls...

 

AH!!!! thanks for the info I never knew that...

so while in full blast defrost if you hold it does the defrost light still stay on to indicate that defrost is still working?

 

Yep. Just tried it for the first time tonight. Much better than the full blast defroster!

 

I learned somrthing new here too! Thanks guys!


The first night driving home in my MINI wasn't all that pleasant, I have a Cabrio with bad visability and it was dark, raining, my windows were fogging up and when I turned on the defroster it was SOOO loud! It was annoying and I just wanted to be out on the open road...luckily I am nearly every day since. :smile:

 

I had an X3 as a loaner last week.It had all the bells and whistles,auto air drove me nuts.I don't see why ya need it.I like to drive the car,not worry about anything other than bring in control,but the odd time I have to adjust the heating/cooling of the car just makes me feel more in control

 

The ONLY reason i even considered the auto AC was for the styling. I ended up saving that extra month's payment and got the normal. Im really happy with my decision. the manual AC is straight forward and keeps you in control.

Patrick