I like to drive as much as I can with the top down on my 05 MCSC but I also don't like to leave the top down for long periods of time under the hot sun for fear of damage to my leather seats.

I usually put the top down in the morning when I leave for work, put it up when I get to work, put it down when I go for lunch, put it up when I get back from lunch, down when I leave work and back up when I get home. That's 3 times down and 3 times up every day 5 days a week. On the weekend it's usually down in the morn and up at night.

I worry that all that up & down is putting a strain on the motor and I may be prematurely wearing it out.

Is all that up & down worth saving the leather or should I just leave the top down all day and not worry about it? I park in a secure parking lot and usually don't have anything of value exposed so security is not really a factor.

 

i own a 2005 MCSC too i was afraid of the same thing and thus did not used the conv top often..my car has 43,000 and warranty is ending soon...

i hope someone have a answer..

 

I understand the concern here, and share it, but I have a convertible so I can put the top down. I also don't like to leave it down when the car is parked for more than a few minutes so mine goes up/down a lot. Every time, I marvel that it worked again, but that is what it was designed to do. One day, it won't work, since all things eventually wear out, and I will have to pay to get it fixed, but it will have been worth it.

 

+1
couldn't have said it better

 

I cycle mine pretty much just like the OP. I suspect I've done at least 1000 up-down cycles so far since October 2006. No problems yet. When it breaks, I'll fix it. But wouldn't consider changing my behavior for a second...

By the way, at least half my "down" cycles have been done with the remote... and it hasn't killed my battery yet. Ridiculous.

 

My top gets a lot of ups & downs. In 4 years the motor has never failed. There have been wear issues but that's another story

Lois

 

And at least half my "up" cycles were done with the key in the door lock...no battery issues either.

 

It's funny how different people develop different habits that "work" for them... I've put the top up with the key maybe 4 times ever.

 

I would say that half the time I raise/lower the top its done with the key. It's one of my favorite features of the car.

 

Glad to hear that people don't think using the key kills the battery.

My daughter thinks it is cool to have the top open as we walk to the car

 

I could see it causing a drain to the battery if you opened and closed it several times without the car running. I put the top down as I approach the car, then get in and drive, and when I get home put it up with the key. I don't push my luck and raise/lower the top with statring the car. FWIW, I read somewhere that if your battery charge gets too low, this function won't work.

 

I know how you put the top down with the key, but how do you put it up?

 

Put the key in the door lock and turn it to the right and hold it in that position. The doors will lock, then several seconds later the top and windows will go up.

 

I'm a little late in answering this, but I have been wondering the same thing. I have an 06 convertible with ~25K on it.

Past experience with other cars.

- 1994 Camaro Z28, 7 years, 185K and never had a problem with the convertible top in any way other that normal wear on the seams.

- 2001 Sebring Convertible, 7 years, 178K, no problems with the motor on the top either. Seams really tore badly, and roof leaked all the time where it met the windshield, and the rest of the car was crap, but top went up and down every time I used it.

I was concerned because I had a work colleague who bought a 98 or 99 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, and one of the motors burnt out after he had it about 2 years. Then again, those cars were crap, and it's 7-8 years later.

I'm thinking about leaving the top down at work or home (if I'm going back out later) and maybe getting some kind of top for when it's open. I've seen them for older MGs or something, like a bikini top that just covers the seat area. ha ha. Not sure if having the top down cause additional wear at the roof folds or not. I used to leave the Camaro top down overnight sometimes (bad, I know), and that top held up well.

 

In the year since I posted my question I have continued to cycle my top up and down on average 6 time a day with no issues. I have notice some wear "hotspots" where the fabric may be getting pinched or has been rubbing but it does not look excessive and is not leaking.

 

Up up down down left right left right a b select start.


Oh, I thought you wanted the Konami code. lol





I would love a manual top MINI, like my Miata was. No fear of any expensive electronics to fail, and less weight to boot.

 

I'm late to the party, I know, but how does one put the top down with the remote?

 

On a first gen cabrio (2005-2008), you can do this IF the car is programmed for it from the dealer. Most were not unless the feature was specifically requested by the original owner.

For cars where it IS programmed in, you do the following on the remote:

1) press unlock
2) press unlock again (unless you also have programmed the feature to unlock all doors with a single press - as I have)
3) press and hold unlock for approximately 10-15 seconds. Nothing will happen for the first 5 seconds. Then the sunroof will open and the windows will lower. When this is complete, RELEASE the button.
4) press and hold the unlock button for about 15-20 more seconds. Nothing will happen for the first 5 seconds. Then the roof will unlatch and open, IF there is nothing going on that will prevent this (e.g. boot shelf out of place, door open, etc.). Note that you can't do this with a door open, and if you open a door while it's opening, it will stop.

If this doesn't work, then most likely your car isn't programmed for it.

 

Blimey... never tried this before. I'm gonna test it tomorrow.