This is the first hatchback I've ever owned.

I don't like leaving finger marks on the paint since the hatch area is usually dirty after a short drive. I don't want to push the fine particles into the paint.

I pull it down using the hand holds on the inside of boot. That doesn't usually have enough leverage to fully close it so I have been pushing on the Mini emblem.

What part of the car do you push on to close the boot?

 

My salesman showed me that you grab it by the handhold and give it a good whirl and it closes every time, it seems like it has a nice closing mechanism. Don't be afraid!

 

I put some strips of rubber weatherstripping behind the plate and I generally push on that.

 

i just push down on my sport stripes! haha

 

just use the palms of my hands, "gently" and I have no problem.

 

License plate.

Who cares if it's smudged or scuffed.

 

+1

 

My problem isn't closing -- I do that from the inside handholds -- my problem is opening. I hate touching salt-encrusted sheet metal.

Yah, I know. Move to FL or CA.

 

is there a button to pop the boot open from within the car?

 

Trip the lock from the fob, or unlock all the doos and use the touchpad.

Lift the tailgate from under the rear trim piece, near the license plate lights. Still dirty... but not touching any bodywork.

 

+1

 

grab with the inside recessed handles and then quickly move out of the way and finish the job by pushing with the license plate. Move quickly or you may have a sore noggin.

 

Ditto on the license plate

 

+2

 

+3. Seems natural.

 

After pulling down with the handholds, I always stick my thumb right in the center of the MINI emblem to finish closing. Works great and doesn't smudge the paint.

Cheers,
Jeff

 

I'll try the license plate and/or swinging it faster with the hand holds.


How are you touching sheet metal to open it? Holding the touchpad pops it open enough to swing it up without touching the hatch itself.

 

The latch mechanism, like any other exterior surface, is still usually salt encrusted, too. Ick.

I washed the car on Friday on the way home, so it is currently salt-free. Unfortunately, we've had about 8-12 inches of snow so far this weekend, so I expect it will be salt encrusted again on Monday on the way to work.

 

I tried swinging the hatch harder with the hand holds and that works pretty well. Pushing on the license plate works well too if I don't swing the hatch hard to start with.

Thanks for the tips!

 

In the latest Griots Garage they have a little handle that mounts on the bottom of the license plate. It's item 10206. Not that I see a need for it since swinging it forcefully or pushing on the plate works great.

 

I got stopped at the California border on I80 at the "Agricultural Inspection Station". The inspector asked me to open the "trunk". I asked him if he knew how to operate it manually?

 

Another license plate closer here

 

i think i am at +7 or +8

 

Grab the inside handle and fling it down. Thunk.

 

Try a search of the site. Someone made a very short video showing exactly how it is done by pulling down on the inside handle. That is the way that I adopted, though at times I use the license plate when I have to make sure it is closed.