Just to be crystal clear on this matter: the center of the Key will lock the MINI and the back of the key will unlock the boot and the front of the key
will unlock the drivers side door on the first press and then the passenger side door with a second press.
If you press and hold down the front of the key on a cabrio it should open the top to a sunroof position and if you press it again it will drop the top and windows completely.
You can only bring up the top by placing the key in the drivers side door and turning it twice to the right and holding in that position the second time.

If you have a tintop I don't know what to tell you.

 

Since it's an 06 it is still under warranty. The dealer can reprogram it for you (if required) for free.

 

Many thanks for everyone's kind replies! This is great support!

I looked thru the online manual quickly and I think I discovered the problem. Apparently if the keys are not used, they discharge and will not lock properly. The recommendation was to take a long drive and "recharge" it....which I will try. As I mentioned earlier, I just bought this ragtop yesterday USED from a dealer who took it as a trade-in. For all I know, the key I'm currently using was one put aside by the previous owner as a spare and, hence, the key discharged over time. If this *isn't* the case, I'll go to the dealer.

 

I would think (but have no evidence to support) that a weak or dead battery would not unlock a car either.

 

From personal experience I can confirm this to be true.

 

I was going to suggest you try recharging it. Its a good excuse to go motoring, if you needed one.

 

Buying a new key might be cheaper given the price of gas, depending on how long you were going to motor.

 

Maybe a new battery is needed for the fob?

 

On my '06 the battery isn't replaceable... it's rechargeable.

I rotate through my 2 keys, using each one for a few months and then flipping to the other, so neither one has a chance to 'dry-up'.

 

04 and before had a replaceable battery, that was the fat one with 2 buttons. 05 and after had the rechargeable battery, that was slimmer with 3 buttons (the 3rd one being for the boot).

 

Waiiiit....3 buttons for a 2006? My key has an unlock symbol, and the boot symbol on it. The only other thing is the Mini logo on it. Does the Mini logo actually LOCK the door???? I never tried/attempted to press the Mini logo.

 

The '05 is slimmer? I'd hate to see the pre-05 one

 

That's it, that's it!!! The actual logo is the locking button. I went back and reread some of the posts, and duhhhhh, you guys were telling me to do this all along! Oh well....I'm usually not this hard-headed, but I'm in love with my Mini and I'm a little dizzy.

 

OK! Mini06Ragtop ...

Just don't forget that you should never press the center of the key while it's in the ignition with the top down or else..........


To be continued:

 

...or else....what???? what happens then?

 

surely you've tried by now??

 

this should be interesting... haha

i don't know what happens either...

 

No, I haven't tried it yet! I beg you, please divulge!

 

Yep. The MINI logo on my '06 locks the doors. The button near the metal key part unlocks the doors (one press = driver door... 2 presses = passenger and boot door... if programmed, press and hold = open windows and sunroof) and the other button opens the boot latch.

 

So I wasn't the only doofus holding the key a few months ago when I got my 2006 and couldn't lock the doors, DOH!!!

Reminds me of my first car that i couldn't lock without setting off the alarm, but thats another story. peter

 

Sorry, I have to be a bit cynical
Things you didn't know,
1) Strut towers made of bubble yum
2) Tyres made of concrete
3) Windscreen made of suger cane.

I still love the darn thing though....peter

 

There's many threads asking about correct tire pressure.

Most cars put tire pressure information on the inside of the gas cap [fuel filler] door so that people have access to the info when filling up the car.

But on the MINI they put the info on a plate on the driver's door jamb.

Those "ideal" government / manufacturer mileage estimates for your MINI are based in part on your MINI tires being correctly inflated.

So keep an air pressure gauge in your MINI and look at that plate once in awhile [every other fill up?] to make sure your tires are properly inflated. Tires may look OK from the outside, but only a tire pressure gauge tell you what is really going on.

On correct inflation you might only get 2 to 3 extra miles per gallon, but every little bit helps.

 

You can say that again.....

please don't...but you could.

 

Two reasons, your MINI is a front wheel drive car and you are NOT rotating your tires.

FWD [front wheel drive] means that the MINI engine propels the front tires, not the rear. MINI front tires wear out faster because one is asking the front tires to do a lot: move the car, steer, and turn, to name a few functions.

As to uneven wear between front and rear, for your tires to wear evenly you should have your MINI tires rotated every few thousand miles.

Each time you get in your MINI you should do a walk-around to check for any body damage, look at each tire for under inflation, and on backing out look at the surface of the garage to check for fluids that may be leaking.

 

A pic for those members saying this thread is worthless without pics.