That one doesn't make engineering sense to me. Why copy that information to the fob if it's in the ECU, which would be accessible to the service tech if you're in for a repair. Basic software practice is to repeat information as little as possible, because the copies have a tendency to get out of synch (say, I bring in a fob that hasn't been near the MINI since the abuse infraction occurred - the ecu would know it but the fob wouldn't.)

If I were designing the fob, I would have it store:

1) Personalization settings specific to the driver.
2) Global information about the car (VIN, feature set, etc.) that would make service and parting easy to handle.

I'm not going to have it store your home address, your preferred coffee brand, or your driving history, because that stuff is stored elsewhere and having it in a key fob doesn't really improve anyone's job. I might story the current mileage, because that will tell you at the cash register whether your repair will be covered by warranty. Maybe a service code or two, in only for the appearance of super-quick diagnosis without invoking a tech's valuable time.

Of course, I'm just speculating. It'd be interesting to hear an authoritative answer.

 

I recall a post on NAM during the past year where a "younger" MINI driver claimed to have lost his car (parents took it away) based on info the SA discovered in his key fob and passed along to the parents. Something about several instances of driving the car at over 130mph. Oops.

 

I'm 100% sure it stores trouble codes. When my wife's car had the check engine light trouble, the SA told me to just bring the last fob used in the car to the shop. She read the trouble codes straight off the fob reader. She could also tell how much the oil change interval read at the time, so I assume all the stuff that shows up in the OBC is in the fob as well.

 

It stores info on every bad thing you did to the car. Don't lie to the service agent when it breaks.

 

I don't know about the mileage part. Last time mine was in, we had to walk back out to the car to get the mileage. You just press the button on the tach and it shows you the time and odo reading, without the fob in or the car on.

I'm sure the ECU stores all sorts of nice info like max rpm, average speed, max speed, etc. This is standard on just about every car today. My 05 Chevy work truck stores those at least, probably more.

 

Just curious about the history of the car that can be accessed through the key fob...does it allow the service adviser to access the entire database for the car, including service done at a different dealership? In other words, with the key fob's codes, can the entire dealer service history of the car be found?
That would be handy! If that database doesn't exist, it should!

 

So far as I know, it does.

Incidentally, I also own an '07 BMW 530Xi Sportwagon (not an SUV). While we were on a test drive, we called a dealer to see if this model car had problems. The dealer asked for the specific VIN for the car we were considering, and he was able to tell me the entire history of THAT car, not just the model. The only thing that came up was a broken cup holder--replaced under warranty--and we purchased the car, which was then 3 years old. And it's been trouble-free!

Because the R56 key fob transmits the VIN, I would assume it can do the same. At the very least, when I went to the dealer during the warranty and service period, it told me if brake pads needed replacement, oil change was due, etc.

You're right, it's very handy...

 

The key fob contains:

-Milage
-warning lights
-brake info
- info on how you drive the car
-options on the car

Work at MINI dealer.

 

There has to be information on recalls and service letters, too, because I've had 'em read the fob and tell me my car was/wasn't involved.

 

That's more likely tied to the VIN, or some other car identifier in the key, used to look the car up in another system. How would the key know about recalls or service letters?

--Matt

 

Oh, I'm sure it is linked to the VIN. The reader is the "key" to bringing it to the SA's computer screen, though, if you'll pardon my pun.