R50/53 Things You Didn't Know About Your MINI
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 835
Likes: 1
From: Manassas, Virginia
How about the lip that pulls everything out of the glovebox when you open it?? And then things just start falling everywhere. HaHa
Also noticed the headlights dim a little when you turn the steering wheel. (This is with low beams and none Xenon)
Also noticed the headlights dim a little when you turn the steering wheel. (This is with low beams and none Xenon)
Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 832
Likes: 3
From: Akron, Ohio
Originally Posted by eVal
Its the motion detector for the alarm 
wow...really great tips. Esp the fog light aiming...
here are my meager additions...
Slightly more Exhaust noise.
If you look in the hatch (stand at the back of he car, open the hatch, stick you head in & basicly look at your "knees" you will see an oval shaped vent on each side. It has a "lattice" Pattern in each. Anyway, there is some foam in there. Stick your fingers in there, pull that foam out. Instant cockpit noise addition!
Three other things that help are:
(1) Removing the sound deadening from the back of the two side panels in the hatch
(2) taking out the parcel shelf cover thingie.
(3) running with the seats down
Royal Grey Colored Dash Option
While it looks NOTHING like it on the miniusa site, the Parklane Dash Option uses the Royal Grey color as the key color. The center piece has a little Faux Carbon fiber, but it's not bad. I thought I would not like the CF, but i got very used to it. After having the Chili Red Dash in my wife's 05 CR...i had to go with the color matched...
If one MCS is good....
...two is that much better! This way you get to pick your own options, colors & aftermarket stuff. And, most importantly, youdon't have to fight over the MINI! Marital Bliss! (In no way does fishbulb think that a pair of MINIs is the one & only key to marital bliss. It just helps some. YMMV)
-jac
here are my meager additions...
Slightly more Exhaust noise.
If you look in the hatch (stand at the back of he car, open the hatch, stick you head in & basicly look at your "knees" you will see an oval shaped vent on each side. It has a "lattice" Pattern in each. Anyway, there is some foam in there. Stick your fingers in there, pull that foam out. Instant cockpit noise addition!
Three other things that help are:
(1) Removing the sound deadening from the back of the two side panels in the hatch
(2) taking out the parcel shelf cover thingie.
(3) running with the seats down
Royal Grey Colored Dash Option
While it looks NOTHING like it on the miniusa site, the Parklane Dash Option uses the Royal Grey color as the key color. The center piece has a little Faux Carbon fiber, but it's not bad. I thought I would not like the CF, but i got very used to it. After having the Chili Red Dash in my wife's 05 CR...i had to go with the color matched...
If one MCS is good....
...two is that much better! This way you get to pick your own options, colors & aftermarket stuff. And, most importantly, youdon't have to fight over the MINI! Marital Bliss!
(In no way does fishbulb think that a pair of MINIs is the one & only key to marital bliss. It just helps some. YMMV)-jac
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 611
Likes: 0
From: Citrus Heights, Ca.
Originally Posted by Jersey_Bill
I discovered something I didn't know this morning driving my MINI to the train station for the very first time - you don't dare throw your computer backpack on the front seat next to you without buckling it in !!!
The seatbelt alarm went off and just refused to shut up until I threw the backpack in the back seat. Seriously, designing the front seat sensor for 40 lb. people?????
Bill
The seatbelt alarm went off and just refused to shut up until I threw the backpack in the back seat. Seriously, designing the front seat sensor for 40 lb. people?????
Bill
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 2
From: Chicago, IL
Originally Posted by Jonathan
I noticed on my 03 MCS that the clock read 00:00 at midnight. I haven't noticed if it is the same in my new 06 car. It must be a British thing. . .
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 607
Likes: 1
From: South of Silicon Valley
Another thing you might not know about your MINI - it speeds up in the corners!
I've done scientific studies - take a freeway on ramp marked at 35MPH and as you exit the turn check your speedo ... and your already crusing at 65.
Also, another tidbit, if the driver of the car ahead of you thinks that they are a "race car" driver and 'cuts' each corner ... just stay in your lane and keep up with him! It will drive them wild. They hate it when you disappear from their rear-view mirrors,
through the turns, just to reappear right behind them.
I've done scientific studies - take a freeway on ramp marked at 35MPH and as you exit the turn check your speedo ... and your already crusing at 65.
Also, another tidbit, if the driver of the car ahead of you thinks that they are a "race car" driver and 'cuts' each corner ... just stay in your lane and keep up with him! It will drive them wild. They hate it when you disappear from their rear-view mirrors,
through the turns, just to reappear right behind them.
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Crystal Beach, FL
Originally Posted by DrkSlvrS
The gas pump icon, in the fuel guage, has an arrow which points to the side of the car your gas cap is on.
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 443
Likes: 0
From: Fresno, California
I know some of these are in the manual but...
If equipped w/ Conv. package or in separates:
Rain Sensing Wipers work not only in delay intervals, but also Low and High.
Auto Garage door opener only works with the IGN on, prevents someone from breaking a glass in your car (parked in the driveway) to gain access to your garage/home. I know of another brands that are always hot. The garage door opener option can be added on by other nifty stuff at homelink.com
Auto headlights have settings that can be changed, but how i don't know. All I do know is if headlights are manually turned on, and car is shut off, and the switch is moved back to Automatic, the lights will stay on for about a minute or so.
It took me awhile to find it but, the cabin air filter is located horizontally directlly underneath the passenger glove compartment.
To make sure you propely secure the bonnet, pull down the hood about two feet above its closed position, and put your palm in the center of the hood on the MINI logo and shut it. This applies equal pressure to both hood latches, closes it equally to prevent the paint from cracking.
I know it is mentioned allready in above posts, but as I park the car prior to exit, I hit the unlock switch on the dash to unlock the doors. It will keep a non-MINI person from pulling on the doorhandle, and it will make the boot hatch able to open/close until you lock the car.
If equipped w/ Conv. package or in separates:
Rain Sensing Wipers work not only in delay intervals, but also Low and High.
Auto Garage door opener only works with the IGN on, prevents someone from breaking a glass in your car (parked in the driveway) to gain access to your garage/home. I know of another brands that are always hot. The garage door opener option can be added on by other nifty stuff at homelink.com
Auto headlights have settings that can be changed, but how i don't know. All I do know is if headlights are manually turned on, and car is shut off, and the switch is moved back to Automatic, the lights will stay on for about a minute or so.
It took me awhile to find it but, the cabin air filter is located horizontally directlly underneath the passenger glove compartment.
To make sure you propely secure the bonnet, pull down the hood about two feet above its closed position, and put your palm in the center of the hood on the MINI logo and shut it. This applies equal pressure to both hood latches, closes it equally to prevent the paint from cracking.
I know it is mentioned allready in above posts, but as I park the car prior to exit, I hit the unlock switch on the dash to unlock the doors. It will keep a non-MINI person from pulling on the doorhandle, and it will make the boot hatch able to open/close until you lock the car.
Originally Posted by tattman23
"...I'm a retired USMC Intel guy and have worked as a Reserve Dep. Sheriff. I don't have anything to do with keys or anything else related with this stuff but I heard this could be done with a cell phone and tried it myself and it worked. It is nice to know if you make a mistake and lock your keys in the car that you don't have to get a spare set to open them or pay a locksmith to get in, try the cell phone route first and you may save a lot of time and money..."
I was just razzing you about the keys and stuff
. I mean, imagine if we all went and tried this and somehow ended up locked out of our cars .
I'm about to go home and impress my kids with this neat trick..errr, i mean science experiment. If I have to take the BUS to work tomorrow, you'll be hearing from me 
.
thanks man,
Tatt
I was just razzing you about the keys and stuff
. I mean, imagine if we all went and tried this and somehow ended up locked out of our cars . I'm about to go home and impress my kids with this neat trick..errr, i mean science experiment
. If I have to take the BUS to work tomorrow, you'll be hearing from me .thanks man,
Tatt
Back on topic......keep these little known nuggets of MINI knowledge coming. Very informative.
Chuck
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Crystal Beach, FL
Don’t push on your license plate to shut the rear hatch! Use the provided pulls. You won’t leave any finger prints on your paint and you won’t bend your license plate. See pics and video....
VIDEO: http://media.putfile.com/Proper-MINI-hatch-closing
What happens over time if you push on your license plate.....
VIDEO: http://media.putfile.com/Proper-MINI-hatch-closing
What happens over time if you push on your license plate.....
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 150
Likes: 1
From: Montana
You can have the chime set to go off when you have about 1/8 of a tank of gas. This way when your MINI suddenly dings you scramble to find out why (below 37 degrees, low tire pressure, and now low fuel). And if you are real lucky you will hear all three on a single drive home.
(below 37 degrees, low tire pressure, and now low fuel). And if you are real lucky you will hear all three on a single drive home.
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 150
Likes: 1
From: Montana
Originally Posted by tattman23
In my '05, you can choose 12hr vs. 24hr clock (possibly your '03 is configured as 24hr, where midnight really is 00:00.
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
It was aked previosuly in this thread, but was not answered. Someone mentioned (can't find the post and I'm at work at the moment ) that there is a way to get range to show on the tach even if you do not have the OBC. How?
Anyway, minor detail that I've noticed that some people didn't know about, but the majority most likely does know, is the fact that there is a first-aid kit in the left hand side of the boot (or room for a "MINI first aid-kit.")
) that there is a way to get range to show on the tach even if you do not have the OBC. How?Anyway, minor detail that I've noticed that some people didn't know about, but the majority most likely does know, is the fact that there is a first-aid kit in the left hand side of the boot (or room for a "MINI first aid-kit.")
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 798
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte, NC
Originally Posted by MiNiBeamer
Anyway, minor detail that I've noticed that some people didn't know about, but the majority most likely does know, is the fact that there is a first-aid kit in the left hand side of the boot (or room for a "MINI first aid-kit.")
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Crystal Beach, FL
Originally Posted by MiNiBeamer
is the fact that there is a first-aid kit in the left hand side of the boot (or room for a "MINI first aid-kit.")
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, baby
According to my 11 yo daughter, all Mini's are magnetic. And regardless of gender, name, color, etc, they all have the same polarity. That is why you see more Mini's when you are driving the "other" car or riding the motorcycle than you do when you are motoring. I think she's right.
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 2
From: Chicago, IL
Originally Posted by shack01
According to my 11 yo daughter, all Mini's are magnetic. And regardless of gender, name, color, etc, they all have the same polarity. That is why you see more Mini's when you are driving the "other" car or riding the motorcycle than you do when you are motoring. I think she's right.
.Tatt
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 2
From: Chicago, IL
Originally Posted by CruzinChris
Don’t push on your license plate to shut the rear hatch! Use the provided pulls. You won’t leave any finger prints on your paint and you won’t bend your license plate. See pics and video....
Some have said (round here someplace) that they somehow managed to bend the actual hatch metal, closing it with pressure on the license plate itself... I have no idea.
Tatt
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 2
From: Chicago, IL
Originally Posted by MINI-IZED
My 04 MCS shows AM/PM and still shows 00:00 for midnight, strange...
I'm just grateful that I understand 12:01AM (or even 12:00:01AM for that matter) - midnight can be whatever it wants. I have eaten lunch in the middle of the night before, that much is certain.Might be "just one of those things". Every day starts at "zero", right?
Tatt
Originally Posted by MINI-IZED
You can have the chime set to go off when you have about 1/8 of a tank of gas. This way when your MINI suddenly dings you scramble to find out why (below 37 degrees, low tire pressure, and now low fuel). And if you are real lucky you will hear all three on a single drive home.
(below 37 degrees, low tire pressure, and now low fuel). And if you are real lucky you will hear all three on a single drive home.
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 607
Likes: 1
From: South of Silicon Valley
Originally Posted by shack01
According to my 11 yo daughter, all Mini's are magnetic. And regardless of gender, name, color, etc, they all have the same polarity. That is why you see more Mini's when you are driving the "other" car or riding the motorcycle than you do when you are motoring. I think she's right.
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 2
From: Chicago, IL
Originally Posted by DrkSlvrS
I also agree with this 'polarity' theory ... have you ever noticed that the majority of MINI's you see, when you're in your MINI, are going the other way?
If I'm behind another MINI at a traffic light, I wonder if the rest of the folks at the intersection are thinking about the MINI Magnetism Conspiracy
.OK back on topic from now on, i promise,
Tatt
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by CruzinChris
I bought my MINI logo'd 1st aid kit from overseas online for my MINI here in the USA and let me tell you it barley fits in the left rear compartment. Mine pops open all the time from the pressure of the kit.
Duh.