Hi guys,

I bought a used 2008 Cooper a few weeks ago. However I just noticed that the small black buttons on the handles of the car always unlock the car. I've tried locking the car with the remote. I've tried locking the car from the inside and then closing the doors. I've tried manually locking the car from the outside. I've tried leaving the car locked, hoping there is a timer that will disable those unlock buttons on the handles of the car.

Long story short, I went back after a few hours to see if the buttons would unlock the car and it did.

It's frustrating me because I can't seem to figure out why the car can be unlocked without me ever pulling out the key.

Seems like anyone can just walk up and steal my possessions from inside.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Sounds like you have comfort access. Next time, leave the key in your house and walk out to the car and see if they unlock.

 

Yep, you have Comfort Access. AKA, you can leave the key in your pocket to do anything, including start the car. It is an awesome feature. You press the door button once to unlock and again to lock.

 

Next time get in the car and just hit the start button on the dash ( key on you of course) and it will also start with out the key in the dash. Trunk will pop open too if the cars locked and you squeeze the trunk button.

One of my favorite options.

 

Next time you press the button and it unlocks the car, press the button again and see what happens

 

Oh wow. I went to my car without the key on me and it didn't unlock.

I really feel stupid, turns out I was getting frustrated over an awesome feature!

You should have seen the look on my face when the car stayed locked without the key on me and when it unlocked when I had the key in my pocket

Thanks everyone I learn more about my MINI every day!

 

Hehe.. It's a fun little car! Enjoy it!

 

Naww... mini's tend to do this a bunch!!
Just wait till you try to read the dipstick?! Honest, there is one still on a gen2, but hard to read, so much so, many folks use aftermatkrt ones!!

 

There is a wealth of information for you to "brush up on" in the Owner's Manual, if you did not receive one with your purchase you can download one from www.miniusa.com, go down to the lower right part of the screen, it will say "Owner's Resources" click on that and you have opened the door to knowing all of the ins&outs of your MINI.

Good Luck!!

 

As we used to say in the Navy, "helps if you RTFM"...