Read about the key fob to the chin/cheek think and agreed with works just because it is higher up than your waste. Raised it as high as i could, about 7+ft and it would not open the doors. Tried it a couple of times. Standing in the exact same spot, put it to my cheek, face that is, pushed the button, and light show time! It did work.

Also, no beep when the key is by the switch in any maner. Turned the key on to acc and sat there a moment. The speed-0-meter flashed 8,700 to oil change. Didn't read that here.

 

That's interesting - we have two 2006 MCSCs, and with either car, if I hold the black plastic part of the key up to the keyhole (without inserting the key), I get the "door open" chimes (only works when the door is open, obviously). Also, it only works when the keyfob is within about 3/4" of the keyhole.

 

OK, I'll try it again after I first get in.

 

Did you know that the side bolsters on the sport seats are not the same size. The inside ones are larger than the ones next to the door.

 

Can this "feature" be turned OFF? I pick up my Mini in less than a week and do NOT want the thing beeping at me when its under 37 degrees. Where I live that's almost 6 months of the year! I KNOW its <37 car, its actually -2 (F) right now so shush and DRIVE!

 

It only does it on start up, & it's only a reminder that there might be ice on the road. It's not on more then 30 sec. or so.

 

Yep, it only chimes for a few seconds. It also chimes if the temperature drops to 37F while the car is on.

 

I noticed this too a couple of weeks ago, and I've had the car for two cold seasons now. I'm glad it's not just mine / not a "defect"

Thanks

 

Tru Dat my bad your right it is after all a heads up for ice on the road.

 

Hehe, I just assume that November through April there is likely to be ice out. Well that and the frost on windows in the morning. So long as its not an "error" beep and it goes off quickly I suppose I can stand it.

 

i didn't know that people were as nuts as me with giving inanimate objects personality. i'm not alone!

i've learned lots of stuff in here, thanks guys!

 

Waddaya think, that no one else named their teddy bears, either??

Zip

 

haha good point

 

well, i never had a teddy bear. but, i named my baby blanket (which i still have and still sleep with, thank you!).. Dee Dee.

 

I didn't know Stephen King had a mini...

 

Did you know that the owners manual specifically says not to let your car "warm up" but to instead drive right off after starting. :

 

Yep, today's cars don't need to be warmed up more than about 30 seconds. You're supposed to drive right off, as she said. Just take it easy until the needle comes up to half way.

Zip

 

That's what I do -- the speedometer needle, right?

 

they mean you don't have to wait any time at all...you don't even have to wait your mentioned 30 seconds. It just isn't necessary or desirable (according to the manual which we all *ahem* read before we drove) at all.

 

There are three things which generally determined the need to let a car warm
up before driving it:

1. Allow the car to run and idle smoothly by getting it off the choke.
2. Allow the oil to warm up to provide proper lubrication.
3. Allow the coolant to warm up so the heater would work in the wintertime.

But today:

1. With modern ECUs employing closed feedback systems and fuel injection
controls this is no longer an issue.
2. Modern multi-viscosity oils and synthetic oils eliminate this issue for the
most part (except in really cold climates).
3. This problem has not been solved but can be somewhat ameliorated
through the use of seat heaters.

Now, I suspect there are really two reasons why auto manufacturers
suggest today that you not allow a car to warm up for a significant period
of time before driving it:

1. Until the engine reaches full operating temperature, the fuel supply is
increased, causing the engine to run rich which can lead to spark plug
fowling and reduced catalytic converter life. Immediately driving the car
allows the engine to reach full operating temperature more quickly and get
if off the choke cycle.
2. They are encouraged (by the government) to suggest you not warm up
the car due to the increased emissions generated by the over-rich
condition during the choke cycle (which is really fuel enrichment rather
than the limitation of air, which is where the name comes from).

A properly running car should quickly burn off any carbon and clear out the
cat without causing any problems. Allowing the car to warm up in the
wintertime won't really hurt the car but will decrease your fuel economy and
add somewhat to our air pollution problems.

 

Hmm, not enough info on my part. Here:

When I stated thirty seconds, I was referring to the time it takes, after I start the car, to put on my seatbelt, driving gloves, turn on the radio, and turn off the DSC. To me, 'warming up' means the bad ol' days of starting the car up and then going back in the house to get my stuff together for the day. Until my '73 Mach 1 is sufficiently warmed up, especially in winter here in the metro NYC area, it doesn't like to be prodded more than just a little bit. Then, as it acculumates a few miles, it reacts better. Such was life with the old carbureted hulks we used to (and still occasionally do) drive. After only seconds with a modern computer controlled car such as our MINIs, we can motor away with no driveability problems. I just take it easy until the temp needle climbs up into its proper position, usually in just a few minutes of driving.

Zip

 

I hadn't noticed before yesterday, but when driving along with the windshield wipers in normal speed mode (no automatic rain sensor), they will revert to an intermittent speed when I come to a stop! Way cool.

 

Yes, they are speed sensitive wipers. And if you have them on intermittent and you come to a stop, they stop (I believe). This is good, but I do wish we could control the intermittent speed instead of having just one speed.

 

Agree with you there. I mean even an old Hyundai I once had in the 80's could do that!

 

I just spent the last 9 hours and 37 minutes reading this thread.


Ah, well, okay, I broke it up into two days of reading, but I kept track of my time. :D

All 750 posts (including my own!) And after reading it all, I have nothing more to add. :( All I can say is that there are a LOT of repeats in here. Please, before you ask how to do something, read the thread! You'll get an answer about a dozen times.

Great thread though, some wonderful ideas. I complied a list of the best ideas the thread has, so if you want a short-and-sweet version, send a PM to me.

Happy motoring!
-Andy

EDIT!
PM your email address to me and I'll email it to you! It's too long for a single PM! :-)