That you can turn your headlights on without the key, by pulling back on the headlight stalk (high-beam flash). The headlights (I have Xenons) will come on for about a minute and then shut off automatically. This will give you time to exit the car and get to your destination safely.

Thought this was a pretty cool feature!

Also be sure to switch keys at least every six months because they charge up while driving in the ignition switch.

Any others? Let's get a list going for those newbies and some veterans that might have missed a few features...

 

I belive you are talking about follow me home lights as set by the dealer. Also I never thought about recharging the other key that my wife carries!

Thanks...


Art

 

you hog the driver seat and you never let her drive it?!!

 

Recharging the key does not apply to 2002-2004 MINIs, as the Valeo key still uses a Lithium battery. This only applies to 2005 MINIs with the new key design.

 

She never drives the MINI because I got the 5 speed and it's to small. She prefers to drive her Caravan. I drove it the other day and it really is like driving a boat after the crisp driving of the MINI.


Art

 

since the first post was about lights...

did you know that if your car is "on" but not started the left and right flashers just stay steady on? anyone know the reason of this feature?

-Josh

 

European safety law... When parallel parked you are supposed to have lights on the street side of the car illuminated...

 

That thing about the xenons turning on by pulling back on the stalk must be an 05 thing. On my 03, the xenons will not ignite when the car is off, the levelers make their move, I can hear them, but the lamps don't fire.

The turn signal staying on thing is a programable thing, mine does not have it turned on.

The follow me home feature must be turned on. There are 3 settings I think, 30, 60 and 90 seconds. Mine are set for 90 secs. You must turn the lights off after you turn the car off for it to work.

The washers on the xenons, when on, cycle the first time you hit the windsheild washers, then every 3rd time you hit the windsheild washers, or after about 1/2 an hour.

The windows will go up after you turn the car off, as long as you don't open a door. The stereo will always turn on, great feature IMO, but shuts off in about 20, minutes.

The dome lights will go off if you press the lock button on the remote, even if the doors or hatch are open. Handy if your having latching problems with the doors or hatch, were the dome lights stay on.

 

I didn't know this about the windows... Is this a programable feature? Is it for all years?

 

According to the MINI programming customization sheets I got for my '05, it's actually user selectable between 40 seconds and 240 seconds. I can't imagine having the headlights "follow me home" for 4 minutes, so I just set mine for a rather simple 60 seconds.

I love the radio on and window features after you shut the engine off. Really convenient when you shut off the engine, but are still sitting in the car (because idling is bad! ) waiting for someone/something.

 

I think so.

 

I had my "follow me home" lights at 90 seconds but had it changed to 40 because I kept looking to see if the lights were out yet and 90 seconds seemed like forever.