the hold the unlock button down thing doesnt work for me

how long do you have to hold it? i have a 05 MC

 

Its something the dealer can program. It didn't work for me at first, but the dealer tweeked it.

 

it doesnt cost any money right?

 

You are charged the programming time--generally the minimum is half an hour. On my other MINI I had the running lights and the windows programming added and it cost me 60 bucks.

 

here's a tip...

dont read this thread backwards.

 

Three years and I just learned another one: under the bonnet, just in front of the passenger, there is a space where you can keep a quart of oil. Thanks to Aaron Granger for this one.

 

On the side near the hinge a can of oil will fit and toward the center a rollup took kit will fit very nicely.

 

I just discovered the mini dirt strip that appears on the bottom edge of the right & left side view mirrors. This dirt strip has 2 functions, it serves as a focus point for the exact middle of the mirror and when you see it you know it is time to wash your Mini.

 

there are no runflat sensors in the wheels, the system monitors your ABS which can detect if one wheel is turning faster due to a loss in circumference (due to being flat)

 

what is the rear parcel shelf? i just got mine 3 weeks ago... still learning about it..

 

This is true of the R50/R53. Some (if not all) of the R56's in the USA now come with TPMS systems inside the wheels. Canadian spec MINIs still come with the "ABS" runflat monitoring system.

 

Although this isn't really a secret, it's handy to know. For some reason, the other cars I've owned didn't work like the MINI's rearview mirror. When you turn the dial, it goes dark for night driving. If you want to be able to turn the dial the other way instead, you can simply tilt the mirror until it goes to normal. On my old GMC, it had that feature but I had to flip the switch back. I couldn't tilt the mirror instead. I find this handy since it feels more natural for me to rotate the dial the other way. I guess it's because I'm a southpaw. Oddly, I play golf right handed. Can't explain why but I just can't get used to left-handed clubs.

 

muvistah.....the rear parcel shelf is just the name they give that shelf that goes behind the back set to cover the boot area to keep stuff there hidden

 

ooohh... ok i see, that's cool

 

I have never had a car with a manual mirror that couldn't be set for either way, however, there IS a correct way and an incorrect way. You will get ghosting/glare in the mirror if you have it set to flip down for night. Try it at night, and focus on the image of the car's interior that is reflected, rather than the lights, and you will see what I mean.

 

In the four years and two days I've had my '05 MCS, I've never once stuck the key into the driver side keyport, lol... that's the only part of my MINI that has not lost its virginity, so-to-speak...

 

LoL - I won't ask what you put in the tailpipe!

 

I have to admit that I have violated that orifice.

 

Things I didn't know about my MINI...cool stuff

by Electric Blue S » Thu Jan 29, 2009 10:10 am
I found this forum post from Newdl in Akron from 2006 on NAM today and learned a few things about my car. These "things" apply to the R50, R52 & R53 MINI.

Also here is a rundown of the MINI's "R" numbering system:
R50 generation 1 MINI Cooper Hatchback UP to the end of 2006
R52 generation 1 MINI Cooper AND Cooper S Convertible up to the end of 2008
R53 generation 1 MINI Cooper S Hatchback up to the end of 2006
R55 generation 2 MINI Cooper + Cooper S Clubman
R56 generation 2 MINI Cooper and Cooper S HATCHBACK starting in 2007

//https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/fo ... -mini.html

Post highlights:

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)

With the driver door open, wave the key by the ignition switch and you will get a confirmation ding sound.

If you touch the key to your chin or cheek while pressing the unlock button, the key will unlock your MINI from a much greater distance.

This sounds like it couldn't be true... but the post says they have tried it and it works...
If you lock your keys in the car and you have your cell phone call your wife/spouse and have then push the unlock on the key while you hold your phone near the door and the door lock will open. May take a few tries and you may have to move along the side of the car with your phone but it will work without having to bring the spare keys to the car.
Christopher
Parking Sensor

 

One Thousand, Five Hundred and Ninety Four.

That's how many posts in this thread and over the past five days I have read every single one of them.

Thanks to everyone who chimed in with all the weird little things they know about Minis!

(I'm new here, being a brand new owner of a used mini... see my sig.)

--Robert

 

Reading the Haynes repair guide (UK version, don't know if there's one for the US) - the inspection interval that flashes on the speedometer when the car car is turned on (before the odometer takes over the space) is calculated based on, among other (normal) factors, the number of times the 'bonnet' is opened - based on the times I've 'had' to show mine off it explains alot

 

I'll have to route the windshield washer fluid resevoir to the boot to avoid opening the bonnet.

 

I thought I would add two more to your list of MINI's.
As found on Motoringfile.com

MINI Model Number Cheat Sheet:

1st Gen MINI
R50: One & MC Coupe
R52: All 1st Gen MINI Cabrio
R53: MCS Coupe
2nd Gen MINI
R55: Clubman
R56: One/MC/MCS Coupe
R57: One/MC/MCS Cabrio
R60: MINI SUV

 

Well the rumor about the storage shelf under the car to hide your keys....absolutely true. Excellent for stashing your keys if you get out at the park to do some running.

 

Wow! I get to be #1600!! Here is info on the H-K stereo found elsewhere on NAM. The owners manual that MINI forgot to include.