R50/53 Things You Didn't Know About Your MINI
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Central IL
Noticed the other night when I flipped the brights to light up the path to the house. I also flipped the turn signal lever down. The parking lights on that side of the car stayed on after the headlights went out.
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,201
Likes: 8
From: Norfolk, VA
Yep - that's a feature that's more commonly used on cars in Europe, but it was carried over to the U.S.-spec MINI. It's so that if you have to park where your car is near the edge of a roadway, other drivers can see your car.
I still like the "ignition-off, brights" feature to get me from the car to the door at night...
Here's one we wouldn't always think of: You can adjust REAR toe-in by loosening the upper mounts near the rear wheel... and, of course, re-tightening them.
Here's one we wouldn't always think of: You can adjust REAR toe-in by loosening the upper mounts near the rear wheel... and, of course, re-tightening them.
5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 108
From: Mount Doom, Mordor
C ya,
Dutch
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 194
Likes: 2
From: Colorado
Actually, it's a hubcap puller (#6). (Link shows the tool kit for the Cooper, not the S.) Put the hook thru one of the holes in the hubcap and pull it off, instead of prying at it from the side. That way, you don't scratch the rim.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...71&fg=05&hl=11
Of course, I have neither hubcaps nor a sunroof on my MCS, but I have that nice piece of bent metal in my tool kit.
The '06 has the tools in a fold-out foam tray wedged next to the battery. The kit was missing from the '02 when we bought it (used).
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...71&fg=05&hl=11
Of course, I have neither hubcaps nor a sunroof on my MCS, but I have that nice piece of bent metal in my tool kit.
The '06 has the tools in a fold-out foam tray wedged next to the battery. The kit was missing from the '02 when we bought it (used).
Chalk this up to something I kinda knew but didn't realize: The '05-'06 "burble", when routed through a straight-back (or a larger) exhaust, is much more a crackle/pop. There's some SERIOUS overrun there, sounds fantastic. In a 2.5" system, people will "duck and cover"! With the 2.25", folks just... well... one of my coworkers asked me if I raced it.
(I have a straight-back G4 Autosport prototype 2-muffler exhaust on my R53, runs under the batt box. 2 "louvered glasspack" stainless mufflers and a dual tip, 2.25")
(I have a straight-back G4 Autosport prototype 2-muffler exhaust on my R53, runs under the batt box. 2 "louvered glasspack" stainless mufflers and a dual tip, 2.25")
Last edited by DixonL2; Sep 29, 2011 at 06:52 AM.
1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Radio Data Service.. Data that can tell you the station name or scroll little tidbits of information
The other is program type PTY
Type = News, Country, Rock,
I would guess the buttons are for turning this feature on and off.
The other is program type PTY
Type = News, Country, Rock,
I would guess the buttons are for turning this feature on and off.
Last edited by FerrariMX5; Oct 8, 2011 at 11:40 AM.
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,201
Likes: 8
From: Norfolk, VA
Yes - "PTY" (Program Type) is a subset of the information contained in the "RDS" (Radio Data System) data stream.
I hardly listen to the radio, so I'm not sure what information is displayed on the MINI's screen, but I think you get station call letters (KNFN, WDNY, etcetera), Program Type (Rock, Education, Drama, News, etcetera), and possibly Artist/Title information for songs if the radio station you're listening to broadcasts it.
I hardly listen to the radio, so I'm not sure what information is displayed on the MINI's screen, but I think you get station call letters (KNFN, WDNY, etcetera), Program Type (Rock, Education, Drama, News, etcetera), and possibly Artist/Title information for songs if the radio station you're listening to broadcasts it.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Yes - "PTY" (Program Type) is a subset of the information contained in the "RDS" (Radio Data System) data stream.
I hardly listen to the radio, so I'm not sure what information is displayed on the MINI's screen, but I think you get station call letters (KNFN, WDNY, etcetera), Program Type (Rock, Education, Drama, News, etcetera), and possibly Artist/Title information for songs if the radio station you're listening to broadcasts it.
I hardly listen to the radio, so I'm not sure what information is displayed on the MINI's screen, but I think you get station call letters (KNFN, WDNY, etcetera), Program Type (Rock, Education, Drama, News, etcetera), and possibly Artist/Title information for songs if the radio station you're listening to broadcasts it.
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,201
Likes: 8
From: Norfolk, VA
Do you mean my signature picture? I didn't create that - another user here on NAM made it. His username is "COOPERation", and he's made up signature pics for a bunch of people here.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
I mean the drawing of the mini with the eyes. I have a mini black R56 and I would like to have a mini drawing like yours. Thank you.
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,201
Likes: 8
From: Norfolk, VA
Yes, that's the drawing that "COOPERation" did for me. You can contact him here on the board. His username is COOPERation, and his real name is Craig.
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 877
Likes: 1
What's your model year? My car once had only a few ounces left but no warning lights/alarms went off on the dash anywhere.
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 877
Likes: 1
Yeah, but what about the morons who speed around parking lots at 35 mph looking for a spot and sideswipe your bumper? My mom's Caddy got hit that way. And no, the guilty party didn't leave any contact information.
The light is on the end of the wiper stalk, not on the dash. It was on the 2006 model definitely, and I think the 2005 model but I am not sure.