Hello, fellow MINI people!

There are a few things I haven't figured out about my car and am hoping to get some answers. I have read nearly all 2,227 posts from "Things you didn't know about your R56 MINI", checked out the stereo section, read through my manual, but I still haven't found what I am looking for.

I have a 2010 S without Navigation/Connected (unfortunately), but I do have satellite radio.

1. Does anyone know what MCA means in the audio settings section means? It has the ability to move from left to right. (See photos 1)

2. Has anybody had luck getting their voice activation to work with their phone (particularly the iPhone 4)? Mine will not recognize any voice commands, even including learning new ones when I say "store ____".

3. With the bluetooth phone integration, has anybody been able to successfully program their "Top 8" on their car? This is essentially your favorite people to call. I have no clue as to how to add someone to Top 8, but some how, my Mom is in it! (see photo 3)

4. For those with Sirius/XM satellite radio, how is your sound quality? Mine sounds worse than the radio. It sounds like an MP3 at 56kbs bit rate! It basically sounds really low fi, not much treble, not much bass and I don't even think it's in stereo. I get all of the channels but I have never paid for it... it just came with my year old car when I bought it! Perhaps it is this way because I have never subscribed?

5. Finally, how many tools is this car supposed to come with? I can count 6 inside of my kit and I am curious if any of them are missing. (see photo 5)

Thanks all, for those who help!

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3.


5.


Thanks again!
-Chris

 

4.) My satelitte radio (when it was active) was a tad better than standard radio. Now if you have the HD-radio option on, that does sound better than the satelitte stations.

5.) You tool kit is complete: jack, lug wrench, reversible screwdriver, cover puller (the little thumb wire), and the threaded toe hook.

- Erik

 

Some stations sounds better than others on Sat Radio. It depends on the bit rate the station is broadcast in, most are about as good as what you describe, unfortunately.

I had voice commands working with my phone, Motorola Droid. This worked fine for a few months, then the commands we just lost, I haven't taken the time to go back and reprogram, didn't really use it all that much.

I never looked into the Top 8 stuff.

 

Didn't it come with a radio manual? Ours came with a separate little fold up sheet with all the radio settings explained. On our 08 we have Balance and Fader on that screen, both of which adjust left to right like that. The balance actually adjust the sound balance left to right, the fader does that front to back. What happens to the sound when you twiddle it?

 

In regards to 2) I think the correct thing to say is "Save", if indeed you are wanting to save a Voice Comand ie. Name/Number...give it a shot and see if that works.

There is also this Forum you might find help in...
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...and-audio-201/

 

Yeah, it came with a radio manual which mentions absolutely nothing about "MCA". Even being a amateur audiophile, I can't hear any difference at all when adjusting the MCA setting and listening to music. It's pretty confusing!

 

I think on my 08 if you listened to the regular radio and set up the bass and treble it would save those settings for the radio. If you went to Satellite Radio you could change the bass and treble to suite that selection. I kind of remember my ipod sound sucked worse than Sirius. I then noticed the bass and treble were different than the radio.

 

3) those are supposed to be your Top 8 most dialed numbers, but it only "counts" if you dail while in the car. With your other phone issues, I'm not sure why only one number is appearing, but, in theory, those are the top 8 most dialed numbers.

 

Is the MCA a volume setting when on a bluetooth call?

 

I shall find this out tonight... Perhaps it is device-specific! I guess I will try each radio setting as well (radio, satellite, AUX, phone, 8-track...) And I will report back with my findings!

 

That MCA setting must be mission control audio level. Do you have that?

 

I guess I should have established that I have a MINI 50 Camden S! And indeed I do have Mission Control! I think you may have figured MCA out! Can't wait to try this after work.

 

I guess I will have to try calling 8 people from inside my car next time I'm in it! Thanks for the suggestion!

 

I wondered about that MCA setting all day yesterday, as I know the radio module very well!!! It only hit me after seeing the MINI connected app in the iTunes app store and on the screen shot of the app it said something about Mission Control, that's when it hit me.

 

For the bluetooth the correct command is NOT STORE it is SAVE
Also you can say Help at any time and it will list ALL the commands it will recognize.