Put your headlights on automatic - check owners manual

 

I worked out that the MINI logo on the wheels is horizontal when the valve is at the bottom of the wheel. I always fit the wheels with the valve at the bottom, but didn't notice the logos were always straight until I managed to pop out the centre caps and obviously didn't put them back straight.

 

I know I have auto headlights and how they work. If I leave it on auto all the time the lights will come on even when I dont want them to in the daytime even when it's only a little cloudy out. I don't want that.
I still want to turn my headlight switch off when I turn off the car. It helps to be able to see it in the dark so as to remember to do this...and have never owned a car which didnt have illuminated lighting controls.

Besides, "checking the owners manual" isnt going to help me illuminate my headlamp controls, is it?

 

The sensor that controls the stability control, tyre pressure monitor and hill-holder - and I think also the electronic diff and the software for reducing torque steer - is located under the right front seat (obviously ). If underneath the carpet gets really wet, it destroys the sensor. Which is very expensive to replace.

Serves me right for leaving the sunroof ajar even for a few minutes in Melbourne's notoriously changeable weather...

 

What year R56 was that, PW4? I was feeling around under my passenger seat to see if I have one of those since my 2013 non-s is equipped with dynamic traction control and there's just a rectangle of firm foam padding hidden under the carpet. No electronics box.

 

Just wondering if maybe, since PW4 is down under, the mounting location is opposite of that in cars built for the Americas.

 

Could be. They said "under the driver's seat".
I can't find any independent description of the location. The part is MN34526797326 and RealOEM lists it with a nice picture, but no indication of its size or location. It's only held in place by a single bolt, so I'm guessing it's pretty small. It's in the brake controls section, so it looks on RealOEM like sensors in each wheel feed back to a central location (which is why I was guessing it was near the middle of the car), but it's no more precise than that.

 

It's a safety precaution & a good idea to use it. Many drivers forget to either turn on or off their lights draining the system. Mini has many built in safety systems. As a new owner you'll find how precious they are as you fall in love with your Mini. Try to push your previous car to the back of your mind & get to know & love your Mini. It's in a class of its own.

 

Well put.

 

LoL. If I ever get to the point that I need a "safety system" to keep me from forgetting to turn my headlights on and off, it'll be time to retire from driving.

 

Last week I discovered I was one of those utter idiots with their headlights off in a well lighted city. When I couldn't see my radio controls I realized I had forgotten to turn on my lights.

I'm only 40, I hope I don't have to stop driving yet.

 

Point taken. I'm older and sometimes forget what I walked into a room for, but so far have been able to operate my car with few if any lapses in memory.

 

The best tip I have gotten on this thread is the one where you can increase the range distance of the key fob by placing it against your head. I forget who posted it, but many thanks to you, I don't have to walk back to my car just to double check that I locked it. lol

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Not sure if I was the one or not, but I have posted somewhere about a time when I was in a state park and went back to get more stuff from the car. I'd walked uphill and a fair distance when I realized that I didn't have the key on me. I hollered for my husband to "click the car," and he could barely hear me. He tried everything--including holding the key high above his head, with no luck. When I hollered back to hold it next to his cheek, it opened right away. He was stunned!

I'd heard about it elsewhere in NAM, and only a week later had occasion to try it. It works!

 

Yep, it's pretty awesome; just like our MINIs!

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I have noticed a weird one recently. It may have been happening all along but I did not notice before.

I have the automatic climate control. If I am in auto and press the button auto button to go to "manual" mode, my AC will turn on. If I am in auto mode and press one of the manual buttons, i.e. foot, chest, defrost, the AC does not turn on, but will turn on if I go back to auto mode.

Really makes no sense to me why it does this. Like I said before, it may have always done this but I normally leave it on auto mode. Lately I have been going to manual mode because it has been frying my feet off in the cold winter weather up here...

 

NO FREAKIN SPARE TIRE!!!!!! You kidding me! Seriously!

RUN FLAT MY..A%^!

 

Sales person shouldve told you that :-)

 

Two choices--get a Cooper (has a spare), or carry your own. I haven't had runflats since they wore out about 80,000 miles ago. I bought a space saver wheel and tire through my dealer. As I recall, it was about $250 for both, but it's been a long time ago, so I may be wrong. It's behind the front passenger seat, locked in place by the seat itself. Since I never use the back seats for people, it works well. I lose about 1" or so of front passenger seat adjustment, but even when my husband rides in that seat (he's about 6'2"), it isn't a problem. Some people use the boot area, but I'm always carrying groceries or packages back there. I don't notice the loss of space behind the seat, even on trips with luggage.

 

Or carry a can of slime and a compressor. That's what we do.

 

Well, yes. I didn't mention them. Being a belt-and-suspenders kind of girl (actually, I don't wear either), I carry a can of slime and compressor, too. In fact, I even have one of those punch repair kits!

Probably because of my excellent pre-planning, I've never had to use any of the above. It's been years since I've had to change a tire...now watch, I'll have a flat tomorrow!

 

3 things after picking my my new 2013 Cooper S:

1) I thought all MINI's with the Xenon headlights had headlamp washer jets. Mine
just has the springloaded doors, but no jets!

2) Why does the climate control only work in 2º increments?

3) There's an A/C vent in the glove box! I think it's cool that it's in there, just
not sure why it's there. I do have a use for it though....when I'm picking up
supplies for homebrewing beer, I can put the yeast in there until I get home!

 

Well back to the spare tire screw up in my eyes from bmw!
I read in my search that the mazda miata spare tire will fit the mini?
Any truth to this? I like having a spare, one reason time to rotate tires spare wheel is nice and i will change out the run flats not a big fan of them..yes pros and cons to run flats...i'm old school nice to know i have a spare...so miata spare will fit the mini yes? No?

 

If it's 4X100 bolt pattern it should.

 

You have them. They don't trigger every time, but about every 3rd or 4th time that you wash your windshield, they'll spray. If you look closely as you trigger the washer, you might notice a side spray lower than your windshield. Alternatively, stand in front of your car when a friend triggers the washer, but since it doesn't wash the headlights every time, it may be a while before you see it.

I'm assuming, of course, that there is fluid in the tank and the line isn't kinked.