On page 119 of owner's manual, under the Repairing a Flat Tire section, it says "Turn the steering wheel until the font wheels are in the straight-ahead position and engage the steering wheel lock." Where's this steering wheel lock?

 

when you take your 'key' out, if you move your steering wheel left or right it should lock into place.

 

Not on my '08 MCS. It doesn't have the mechanical pin like the old fashion key ignition.

 

I had to run out to my car to check for myself, mine doesn't lock either. And there is no button/switch behind the wheel that I could find that would lock the steering wheel. So I guess we are without a locking steering wheel? Sorry for the wrong info...

 

Whew~ I thought something was wrong with mine. That's cool.

 

Just a bit ago i was at a stoplight on my way home from work and i was playing w/ my side mirrors. I didn't know that if you twist the little **** far enough the mirrors automatically turn in!! How cool is that? I knew they were able to fold, but i didn't know it was on command! =)

 

That option came with your cold weather package =) Not everybody has it.

 

Oh, lucky me!

 

I went out and tested the key-less restart "feature" and see how it works. I guess there's a time limit between stopping the engine and restarting it without the key fob inserted; I don't know exactly how long, but during my test, I was able to restart within 5 sec but not after 30 sec (keeping the clutch pedal pressed the whole time).

Also, as long as you hold the clutch pedal down for the duration of shutting the engine off and the subsequent restart, you can repeat this process as many times as you want (I think, I did it five times). The car drives normal, meaning it isn't in some sort of limp mode, and most likely you could drive as far as you want--I drove for couple of miles continuously. I don't know if the engine would shut itself off if you open the door, someone should test it (I forgot to).

I really can't imagine any scenario that would benefit from this feature, so I'm chalking it up as software bug.

 

Something totally random (but that's what this thread is for right? ) I discovered today... On MINIs with an auto trans, if you take your foot off the brake while the starter is cranking, but before the engine actually starts, it shuts off.

 

Okay, I found one scenario. If you're one of those people that carries all the keys for every single room in the world, you could use this feature so that the keys won't scratch up the area next to the key fob slot.

 

I've used the keyless restart "bug" during the winter so I can lock the doors and run back into the restaurant to gather up the family while the car becomes nice and toasty.

 

+1 or 2, actually. I use this feature all the time in the cold. Since we're a 2 MINI family, I usually start both of our cars in the morning, let the heaters crank for a couple of minutes, as well as the seat warmers , and then the cars are nice and toasty by the time we're ready.

 

Have you noticed that as you drive in reverse, the digital speedometer will tell you how fast you're going?

 

That is a very good use of the feature.

 

If it's legal in your area to keep a car running without a driver/passenger present.

 

Whatchu doing looking at the speedo instead of behind you?

 

Is it not legal in your area?

 

Also a good feature if you are trying to get rid of your car.

 

 

If the damn thing had any more torque steer it would drive up its own ***.

 

Rear wiper works faster if you're backing up.

 

Actually, it switches from intermittent to continuous, when you are in reverse.

 

Nope, and I've heard that it's not legal in California, either. Too many thefts, especially with kids in the back car seat, which is WHY they are often left running--"I just ran in to get cigarettes, and I was only gone a minute!"

 

At least with the Mini we can lock the car while it's running. I do it all the time if I forget something in the house after I've already started the car.