In all seriousness, I've always wished that MINI heated seats would allow one to turn off the lower heater but keep the lower back one on. . . . to avoid just that^

 

its not that haha. I have the button in the top left hand corner which adjusts the dash brightness.

So is this one of those things that we dont know and never will know about Minis

 

Maybe it's how they watch us...

 

in reference to post #1294 and the little warning light that never lights up....I think it is just a decoration.

my '04MC speedo has 4 warning lights arranged in a 'y' pattern ( EML, DSC, battery, oil) and a simlialr but much smaller light at the crotch of the 'y' but this light never lights up even tho it doeslook like it could and I posted inquiring about this a couple years ago and the consensus was that this was just a decoration for symmetry or maybe the feng sui (sp?) of the MINI's engineering dept

 

The button on the top left (opposite the hazards) will adjust the relative brightness of the instruments. However, I believe the mistery "light" is an ambient light sensor that will brighten and dim the instruments to maintain that "relative" brightness.
I will check this after work -- all you have to do is cover and uncover it to see if there's any change in instrument illumination.

 

Try the instrument test feature to see if it lights. On my '05 you hold down the reset button while turning the key to the accessory position. When the display in the speedo starts displaying test press the reset until test 2 shows then wait, the lights will all light needles should sweep etc. (I don't have nav or chrono pack though)

 

yep, it's an ambient light sensor -- cover it and the instruments dim after a few seconds . . . uncover it, and they brighten up again

 

..i have a problem i think!!! when i first got my mini i could hear the chime while the key was close to the lock.. now nothing! :( is this option programmable? i am afraid that maybe the deactivated it while i went for a service.. can anyone help.. is something wrong or is it just deactivated.. and how can i reactivate it?! thanks

 

What is that box-like thing on the headliner, back by the rear window, with what looks like vents on the front and back? Is it some sort of vent/pressure relief for when closing the boot?

Or the vent-like thing up front next to the sunroof switch? Is that for a bluetooth? Both are in my 03S

 

On my two 05 S both are empty. I believe the back one is for the motion sensor on security equipped vehicles. I am pretty sure the front one is for Bluetooth, when I push on mine my garage door opens though

 

As was previously mentioned the rear box is for the factory alarm's motion sensor. The front grill near the sunroof is for a microphone. I've been told it's on the right hand side for European cars--but it can be switched around (with the sunroof controls) if you want.

 

Microphone for what? Handsfree calling? If so, how do you tap your phone into that?

 

Yep. It's just an empty space. You mount your mic in that location.

 

how do you know if your mini has the bluetooth option? I have the Nav option... is it included?

 

You spent a lot of money for it...that's how you know, lol. It was never standard. I believe it ran for between $400-$600 but that's going off my memory.

 

ahh.. I bought my Cooper used, so I've been finding out about cool options I didn't know about... Like my windows roll down!!! It took me 2 months before I found out...

 

I thought i'd try an autocross, but I DIDN'T know I get addicted so easley.

Now I need to spend $1000 on race tires/wheels just to get a good fix.

 

You're getting off pretty cheap if you ask me, I'm getting addicted to mods and it's going to cost me over $12,000 for what I would like to add and thats only for three things.

 

On my 03, theres a mini "button-like" thing on my dash, in the center, towards the windshield. I had something similar on my Silverado, which was for the auto headlights (which i guess Minis dont have). I was told that it is actually an ambient light sensor for the auto climate control. The 2nd gen has the space, but with a plug in place of the sensor.

 

They're not emulating a beer can, they are beer cans. The original clay model got a beer can added as the prop exhaust, and it stuck.

 

They're same on UK models.

I want to know how I can tell which is the front and which is the rear fog light switch, before toggling it (so I can see the colour). One points one way, the other points the other, neither says front or back to me.

 

Its not secret, the manual told me about that.

 

Which is very annoying, it doesn't have to be on with the ignition, it could activate in the accessory position. That way I could close the garage door after switching off the engine. As it is, I leave the engine on for longer than I want, close the garage door then switch him off.

 

Yep ... that is what happened to me

Yep ... that is what happend to me ... THEN SOME

 

All the air coming into your mini is filtered. It's called an Interior Cabin Filter. They sell them at outmotoring under maintenance. You can find them in the vendor list. Here is the info from outmotoring-
Over time, the pollen filter/interior air filter gets nasty and just like like the filters in your home need to be replaced and of course when you take your car in for service MINI does not mention that they even exist or that you may need to replace it because it costs them more money in warranty work. It is most likely up to you to replace the interior filter every 25-30K miles depending on the quality of air, your surroundings, etc. To get to it just reach under the glove box and there is a trap door that releases the filter which is about 20"x6". The new one slides into place in seconds and you're off.
I don't know about you but I like clean air......