Yea, yea, I know, you probably already figured that out. Well I hadn't until today. If you hold the unlock button on your remote for a few seconds it rolls your windows down.

Recently I came out to my car early in the morning (on a rainy start nonetheless)... and my windows were cracked 3-4 inches! My seats were soaked and I thought for sure there was a malfunction in the Mini's electronics. It happened two more times and I knew it wasn't me rolling them down.

After discovering the feature today, I now feel more comfortable.

It's in the manual, but very subtle, they call it the convenience feature or something.

 

I had the convenience feature inactivated before I took delivery. Paranoid about coming back to the car and finding the windows down and sunroof open because the remote button was held down be mistake when in my pocket.

Also inactivated the autolock on driving - don't like the feeling of being "locked " in the car. Interestingly, I still hear the sound of the locks being "activated" but nothing actually happens. My passengers now don't have to double-release the door latch to exit the car.

Everyone has there own preferences. Neither of these were vital to me, but I'm happy with the set up. :smile:

 

That sound you here is the ABS doing a test at about 5MPH,does it everytime you start the car and get rolling the first time.
I also don't have the auto lock turned on,don't like being in a locked car either.

 

I got it all activated baby! Oh yeah, lock me in!!!

I use the windows down feature all the time but have never had it go off unintentionally. Is the new design for the '05 keys more sensitive to accidental activation or something?

 

It really does sound exactly the same as locks engaging! I thought the ABS self test (at 12 mph) was more a "clunk"?...

MINI2 link:
ABS Self Test

But since my auto lock is inactivated, presumably this is the ABS test I am hearing. Anyway, it matters not...I am happy! :smile:

I wish it would warm up in Calgary...the darn chime ("black ice warning") sounds every morning and my tach display flashes the outside temperature at me! The roads are bone dry...no ice anywhere! Ahh...technology!

 

Yeah I know what you mean about the temp. chimeAfter driving for 35 years on the prairies,I know when there is ice and snow on the road

 

Volvos offer this auto lock feature, but it can be programmed by the consumer. Can these or does it have to be done by the dealer?

 

Dealer only for any features that I know of.

 

Now thats awesome. I dont even own my mini yet and finding out that feature makes me want to try it now. Everytime i read on theses forums i learn new things that i never thought of being able to do. That feature will deffintly come in handy.

Garrett

 

Mine does not do it, as I've sat with the button down for a good minute with no response, so I'm thinking you either have to request it activated or inactivated depending on your dealership.

 

Most of the time you have to have it activated when you pick up the car or they will default it to inactive. I'm surprised your MA's didn't go over this with you guys when you picked up your MINI's. Its part of the orientation.

 

Personally speaking, I bought mine quite late at night since I found one on the lot, believe it or not, that I wanted. So, by the time all was done and taken care of I got in my MINI at about 11pm. I don't blame them for not going over it.

 

Not everyone drives the prairies. I drive in places where ice may be hiding around the next turn or overpass. It's a nice unobtrusive reminder IMHO.

regards,
Red

 

Maybe at your dealership. However, there are plenty of crappy dealers out there (Herb Chambers in Boston, for example) who could care less what you do or don't know about the car that you just paid them $20k for. Once they have your money, they just want you and your car out of their way ASAP so that they can get busy scamming someone else.

 

Yes I see your point.And for months on end it only chimes at start up around here