R50/53 Are your passengers breaking your door release?
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,821
Likes: 1
From: Mililani,Hawaii
This really SHOULD be made into a sticker to replace the airbag warning sticker above the glovebox!
Originally Posted by Tarzan
I hear you on that one! I actually have quite a long run-down (longer version for teenagers and younger riders, shorter list for car enthusiasts or other MINI owners):
The number one rule: "Respect a man's vehicle."
Tug Twice.
Step over the door sills.
Don't kick the lower door getting out.
Don't kick the downtubes (or just "keep your feet on the mat").
Don't handle the glass.
Watch out: Door swings open VERY wide...
Hold onto the door as you open it.
Careful of rings gouging the door cups when opening from the outside.
I generally give a quick inspection without letting them know--looking for keys clipped to belt-loops, studded clothing, pens/pencils sticking out of pockets that could puncture seats...paint, ink, or mud...
When carrying their gear like bookbags, guitar cases, etc. I always get out and have them hand it over for me to place in the car rather than let them stuff their own gear in.
The number one rule: "Respect a man's vehicle."
Tug Twice.
Step over the door sills.
Don't kick the lower door getting out.
Don't kick the downtubes (or just "keep your feet on the mat").
Don't handle the glass.
Watch out: Door swings open VERY wide...
Hold onto the door as you open it.
Careful of rings gouging the door cups when opening from the outside.
I generally give a quick inspection without letting them know--looking for keys clipped to belt-loops, studded clothing, pens/pencils sticking out of pockets that could puncture seats...paint, ink, or mud...
When carrying their gear like bookbags, guitar cases, etc. I always get out and have them hand it over for me to place in the car rather than let them stuff their own gear in.
Coordinator :: Northwest Indiana MINIacs
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 0
From: Valparaiso, IN
Originally Posted by kalbone
i too hate it when ppl pull too hard on the door handle and then when they do get out of the car they slam the door. 
that's why i took out the front passenger and rear seats and installed a roll bar. 
now no one can ride in my car. 
that's why i took out the front passenger and rear seats and installed a roll bar. now no one can ride in my car. 
6th Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,061
Likes: 1
From: Richmond, VA
Originally Posted by Tarzan
I hear you on that one! I actually have quite a long run-down (longer version for teenagers and younger riders, shorter list for car enthusiasts or other MINI owners):
.
.
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
The first thing I did was have the dealer program it so the doors do not automatically lock. That has got to be the stupidest feature of all time and now its causing even more problems, LOL. The way I see is God gave you a brain to decide simple things such as should I lock my doors or not?
The way I see is God gave you a brain to decide simple things such as should I lock my doors or not?
7th Gear Gal
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 36,087
Likes: 3
From: Weeblegabber West (aka WLA)
Originally Posted by bmovierat
Is the handle really that fragile? Or are you giving rides to cavemen? :smile:
I've had people pull rather hard on the handle, but never was it to the point where I was worried the thing might snap off. Perhaps I should be a bit more careful.
I've had people pull rather hard on the handle, but never was it to the point where I was worried the thing might snap off. Perhaps I should be a bit more careful.
I have trained myself to unlock using the toggle whenever I have a passenger other than hubby, who truly knows the routine. Most passengers cannot figure out how to open the door!
6th Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,061
Likes: 1
From: Richmond, VA
Originally Posted by theroyalwe
I think you are excluded because you own a mini... though perhaps a more appropriate one for you would be 'do not whine louder than the supercharger'
so i decided to stick with the Cooper. And there's two things i want for it now
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,404
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA
I took a MINI virgin for a ride the other day, and he figured out all on his own how to correctly open the door without breaking the handle (granted he is a 4th year PhD student, but we all know book-smarts don't necessarily translate to practical situations). Anyway, I was very proud of him!
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 312
Likes: 1
From: NY
It's a German thing
Originally Posted by fsuscotsman
This is funny. My Audi TT worked the same way, so after three years of that car all my friends are already trained.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati
I was in Germany a few weeks ago on business and the German folks we were meeting with all drove Audi's. Whenever we would get in their cars to go to lunch, dinner, or whatever, all the other Americans with me would do the really hard pull and then stare at the door b/c they couldn't get it to open. The German guys were impressed that the only woman in the group was also the only one that could figure out how to get out of the car
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
Originally Posted by bambam
The first thing I did was have the dealer program it so the doors do not automatically lock. That has got to be the stupidest feature of all time and now its causing even more problems, LOL. The way I see is God gave you a brain to decide simple things such as should I lock my doors or not?
The way I see is God gave you a brain to decide simple things such as should I lock my doors or not? Anyway, its a convenience feature, and I like it and have had it enabled on several cars It reminds me of this instance where a guy I worked with was being a smart *** and we were going back and forth over something. He goes and gets into his car then drives it up to where the rest of us are standing, opens the window a bit to make some further remarks. He thinks he's all safe in his car to get the last word in and drive away, and boy did I shock him when I grabbed the door handle and opened the door up! It really illustrated how accessable and vulnerable he was like that and I have liked having the auto locking ever since.
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by eVal
Yes, people have brains but also often forget to do things or are engaged in something else for the moment Anyway, its a convenience feature, and I like it and have had it enabled on several cars
It reminds me of this instance where a guy I worked with was being a smart *** and we were going back and forth over something. He goes and gets into his car then drives it up to where the rest of us are standing, opens the window a bit to make some further remarks. He thinks he's all safe in his car to get the last word in and drive away, and boy did I shock him when I grabbed the door handle and opened the door up! It really illustrated how accessable and vulnerable he was like that and I have liked having the auto locking ever since.
Anyway, its a convenience feature, and I like it and have had it enabled on several cars It reminds me of this instance where a guy I worked with was being a smart *** and we were going back and forth over something. He goes and gets into his car then drives it up to where the rest of us are standing, opens the window a bit to make some further remarks. He thinks he's all safe in his car to get the last word in and drive away, and boy did I shock him when I grabbed the door handle and opened the door up! It really illustrated how accessable and vulnerable he was like that and I have liked having the auto locking ever since.
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
I think most German or Euro cars are doing this locking thing now...my moms Lexus even has this. Soon all cars well have this double pull to open doors (then we'll be safe!) hopefully our locks aren't broken by then
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 658
Likes: 0
A couple of hours sacrificed to make this little brochure.
Next time someone gets in your car print this out and give it to them!
EDIT!!!!! I just noticed there are two "remember" in the second step. I'm too tired to go back and edit that out.
Next time someone gets in your car print this out and give it to them!
EDIT!!!!! I just noticed there are two "remember" in the second step. I'm too tired to go back and edit that out.
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,404
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA
Originally Posted by hyobum
A couple of hours sacrificed to make this little brochure.
Next time someone gets in your car print this out and give it to them!
EDIT!!!!! I just noticed there are two "remember" in the second step. I'm too tired to go back and edit that out.
Next time someone gets in your car print this out and give it to them!
EDIT!!!!! I just noticed there are two "remember" in the second step. I'm too tired to go back and edit that out.
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
Cool!
We now have a manual for opening the door!
Now we need ones for:
How to Close the Door With the Handle Without Slamming
How to Operate the Air Vents Without Breaking Them
I see now why overseas corporations dumb-down products made for the American market. The majority of Americans are just big, slow-learning, resource-wasting idiots that can't figure out anything more than basic operation of anything mechanical or electronic.
I know a girl who ALWAYS slams the door of my Mini like she's closing the door of a 74 Cadillac coupe when she gets out of the car, no matter how many times I tell her. Now she no longer is allowed to ride in my car.
It makes me wonder how many cool product features I am missing out on because the American market is so stupid.
my two cents....
We now have a manual for opening the door!
Now we need ones for:
How to Close the Door With the Handle Without Slamming
How to Operate the Air Vents Without Breaking Them
I see now why overseas corporations dumb-down products made for the American market. The majority of Americans are just big, slow-learning, resource-wasting idiots that can't figure out anything more than basic operation of anything mechanical or electronic.
I know a girl who ALWAYS slams the door of my Mini like she's closing the door of a 74 Cadillac coupe when she gets out of the car, no matter how many times I tell her. Now she no longer is allowed to ride in my car.
It makes me wonder how many cool product features I am missing out on because the American market is so stupid.
my two cents....
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 798
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte, NC
Originally Posted by jdmarino
I always worry about that. In my garage... In the parking lot...
It's a small car but MAN, those doors fill any space around it.
It's a small car but MAN, those doors fill any space around it.
I am still mortally careful not to let the door swing open and hit it, but it's nice to have just in case.
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 815
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by DrDiff
IT is not Euro Ricer.... Rice is for Asian cars. For European cars it is Euro Trash! Specifically for German cars its Sauer Kraut!
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