R50/53 Things You Didn't Know About Your MINI
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 877
Likes: 1
If you have comfort access, consider this. Lock the doors leaving the right rear door open. Throw the key fob in the boot and shut the door. The door unlocks immediately when you try to shut it and the tail lights flash.
4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 395
Likes: 6
The rear seat release handles on the 1st generation R50/53 are the same as fitted to the Rover 25 & MG ZR.......
and so is the rear boot light.....
And the glovebox has a rectangular blank in it for the BMW Glovebox torch but no wiring was ever fitted in the cars.
and so is the rear boot light.....
And the glovebox has a rectangular blank in it for the BMW Glovebox torch but no wiring was ever fitted in the cars.
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 593
Likes: 3
From: Rootstown, OH
Actually, there are 16 lug BOLTS on a MINI, unless you've installed the conversion kit to go nuts. 
Also, after turning off the key the power sunroof continues to be operable a few minutes like the windows. I'm sure all MINIs do that, so did my '97 Ford Expedition. Once the door handle is pulled, all power is gone.
Also, after turning off the key the power sunroof continues to be operable a few minutes like the windows. I'm sure all MINIs do that, so did my '97 Ford Expedition. Once the door handle is pulled, all power is gone.
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 3
From: Las Vegas
Mine didn't...I had to add the MCAW module.
Neutral
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Ventura
Radio Stays On
My radio stays on after I turn off the ignition, and I need to manually turn it off every time I get out of my care. Any way to set it to turn off automatically?
The key recharges its transmitter when it's in the ignition switch on 05 and newer.
The UNLOCK button when held in will roll down all the windows and open the sunroof unless it has been de-activated.
The glovebox is refrigerated.
When you initially turn on the headlights, they'll be on low beam regardless of how they were when last turned off. The foglights are likewise off.
The controls on the automatic A/C are shaped like the MINI wings.
The annoying self-locking doors can be de-activated.
Daytime running lights can be programmed on or off per the owner's wishes.
When you activate the defroster, the rear defroster comes on as well.
There is a "pull ring" tucked under the rear seat to open the boot if there is an electrical failure.
There is a little toolkit included with the MINI.
There is a little tool to manually close the sunroof in case of an electrical failure.
The interior lights (or any other accessory) switches off after 15 minutes with the key off to prevent killing the battery.
The brake lights don't work without the key in the ignition.
The radio may turn off when you turn the key off, but you can turn it right back on without the key in the ignition.
The rear parcel shelf is designed to rest right behind the front seats upside down when it is removed from it's normal place.
There is an emergency release for the fuel door in the portside storage cubby hole in the boot.
All wipers can be lifted off the windshields, and they'll stay in the up position to keep them from freezing to the glass.
If parked with auto wipers ON, they'll be OFF when you start the car the next time. You must turn them off then back on to use them. (In case the wipers freeze to the glass)
Are these the types of odd facts you were looking for?
Rawhyde
The UNLOCK button when held in will roll down all the windows and open the sunroof unless it has been de-activated.
The glovebox is refrigerated.
When you initially turn on the headlights, they'll be on low beam regardless of how they were when last turned off. The foglights are likewise off.
The controls on the automatic A/C are shaped like the MINI wings.
The annoying self-locking doors can be de-activated.
Daytime running lights can be programmed on or off per the owner's wishes.
When you activate the defroster, the rear defroster comes on as well.
There is a "pull ring" tucked under the rear seat to open the boot if there is an electrical failure.
There is a little toolkit included with the MINI.
There is a little tool to manually close the sunroof in case of an electrical failure.
The interior lights (or any other accessory) switches off after 15 minutes with the key off to prevent killing the battery.
The brake lights don't work without the key in the ignition.
The radio may turn off when you turn the key off, but you can turn it right back on without the key in the ignition.
The rear parcel shelf is designed to rest right behind the front seats upside down when it is removed from it's normal place.
There is an emergency release for the fuel door in the portside storage cubby hole in the boot.
All wipers can be lifted off the windshields, and they'll stay in the up position to keep them from freezing to the glass.
If parked with auto wipers ON, they'll be OFF when you start the car the next time. You must turn them off then back on to use them. (In case the wipers freeze to the glass)
Are these the types of odd facts you were looking for?
Rawhyde
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 10
Is it the factory radio? If so, have you tried getting out and locking the doors? It should go off when you turn the engine off or when you lock the doors (or about 10-15 minutes later).
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 0
From: Fernandina Beach, FL
It should turn off when you turn the ignition off.
Mine will come on with the ignition off if I tap the on button but it will turn itself off after an unknown amount of time.
4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Elgin, IL
If you pull out the big ABS fuse:
- both your ABS and traction control system will not work and you will get lights for both on the tach and center speedo. There is however some other stability system that still works.
If you pull out second smaller ABS fuse too:
- you get all of the above, plus
- your speedo will not show the speed,
- odometer will not get more miles,
- you will get Brake light on your tach,
- you will get TPMS light on your speedo,
- your seatbelt alert will not "ding" if you don't have seat belts on
The other annoying stability system does not interfere anymore and you can finally have fun...
- both your ABS and traction control system will not work and you will get lights for both on the tach and center speedo. There is however some other stability system that still works.
If you pull out second smaller ABS fuse too:
- you get all of the above, plus
- your speedo will not show the speed,
- odometer will not get more miles,
- you will get Brake light on your tach,
- you will get TPMS light on your speedo,
- your seatbelt alert will not "ding" if you don't have seat belts on
The other annoying stability system does not interfere anymore and you can finally have fun...
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 877
Likes: 1
I don't think this has been posted even though I may be wrong. You know that trick where you put your key in the door and hold it in the unlock position? The sunroof opens and the windows roll down. If you have a wireless key remote, hold down the unlock button and it will do the same thing! For some unknown reason, it doesn't close the sunroof and windows when I hold the lock button. I have to take the manual key out and insert it in the door to do that.
Neutral
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Ventura
The radio
Thanks for the help. It worked like you said it would. Just had to trust it.
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 65
Likes: 1
From: Dallas
If that was the case me radio wouldn't come on randomly in the middle of the night and drain my battery.
I've had the car for 2 1/2 years and it's happened maybe 4 times.
And yes, bone stock.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,384
Likes: 0
From: LI, NY
Ah, that's a good one. I like it. It would be kinda cool to have car that would lock a thief in, blare the radio, and crush him by moving the seat forward past the ends of the rails right up to the steering wheel. 
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 65
Likes: 1
From: Dallas
No, it's Oboe. Maybe I should have gone with Christine.
When it happens I sit in the car and turn the radio off and it will come right back on. Without the key.
When it happens I sit in the car and turn the radio off and it will come right back on. Without the key.
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 877
Likes: 1
And I don't have a cabrio so why do you have to get so mad about that?
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Manassas, VA
Gee, do you attack everyone like that? What's your problem anyway? There WERE one or two others who posted something that probably had been talked about before and you didn't have a problem with them saying it. This is just a forum, not something to get your undies in a knot about. Why don't you just close your mouth if you can't say anything civil?
And I don't have a cabrio so why do you have to get so mad about that?
And I don't have a cabrio so why do you have to get so mad about that?
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 0
From: Fernandina Beach, FL
Of course I don't expect anyone to read every single last page.
I don't think I've even read 1/10th of all the pages so I definitely wouldn't expect anyone else to.
Unfortunately sarcasms and kidding don't read well accross the internet so I should try to remember to use these guys
to help convey my messages.
