Just discovered today that my manual transmission Cooper has a one-second 'hill hold'. Have only been on mild grades when starting up--no SF hills--but it is definitely there. Holds for a second, then lets me roll backwards.

 

It's the headlights on low beam. I'm in the US - I assume that in places like Canada where DRLs are mandatory, the low beams are also used but the menu setting to turn them off is not available.

The setting is one of the ones in the SET/INFO menu you can access with the >BC button on the indicator stalk. As you may know, those menus are only available when parked. The relevant menu item has a sunshine icon (for "daylight" I guess) and there are "lights on" and "lights off" choices. I think the DRL setting is one of the ones that's stored separately in each key fob.

 

Yep, it's a definite 1-2 hold time.. then you roll.
However, you must be in gear... if you want to roll a little immediately, just keep it in neutral.
I love this feature.... but man, I'm spoiled now!

 

If you put it in gear in the same direction as the roll, then the hill holder wont kick in

so if you were parked on a steep hill and you wanted to back up a little and put the car in reverse, it will roll back

 

If you use the handbrake, the hill holder won't work, only with the footbrake.

And it seems inconsistent - I think there's a minimum level of pedal pressure needed on the footbrake to trigger the hill holder, but I'm not yet sure about that. Certainly on shallow grades, you can't rely on the hill holder working.

I'd love to see all the 'rules' by which it works.

Andrew

 

Anyone know whether the hill hold kicks in if you're pointed downhill and want to backup?

 

Yes, it works everytime I am backing into my garage and we are only talking a gradual slope toward the street!

 

Thanks. I'm going out to play with it right now.

 

Thanks - my (Euro spec) MINI is due back from the doctors' later this week - I'll check it out.

Australia is good!

 

Yes the stereo is playing without the key in. Kinda weird but it's the second time it's happend. I think I know how it's done but I'll have to experiment with it tomorrow.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^sure, after shutting down and removing
the key/fob, press the Volume **** and the radio/cd will play.

It's on a timed circuit and will automatically shut itself off after 20 or 30 minutes.

 

I didn't know that the domino effect from someone backing into my bumper would cause $10,000 worth of damage and require me to get a new (used) engine.

1. I noticed that something was rubbing against my right front tire. I took it in to Universal Mini in North Hollywood. They said there was some minor damage to the right front fender. They popped the lining back in and sent me on my way.

2. Two weeks later the car was back because the oil light had come on.

3. Two weeks later, I was driving and right in the middle of making a left turn on a major street, the Mini died. I was able to drive it two more blocks and it died again, and stayed dead. Apparently, it was more than just the right front fender. The entire front bumper was pushed back, and the radiator hose was dragging on the ground. It sprung a leak and drained completely.

4. I had it towed to South Bay Mini, where I had purchased it. Mini wants to put in a new engine, but Allstate wants to put in a used engine with less than 19,000 miles on it (the same as my car). I'm not happy about this. I'm basically going to be driving a used car for the remaining 1 1/2 years of my lease.

 

Well that's almost it. It has something to do with that auto shutdown of the radio but I actually removed the key fob while it was playing.

 

Why don't you PM member CR&PW&JB? He is an adjuster (with State Farm, I think), and might be able to offer some advice.

 

There is something very fishy about this story. Nobody noticed the radiator hose dragging the ground?

You lost all your coolant and the oil light came on instead of the temp light?

There is something(s) missing in this story.

Sorry, I'm not buying the story as written.

 

The temperature light came on 15 minutes before the car died. Everything I wrote is true. Believe what you will.

 

I said "as written". You didn't mention the temp light being on for 15 minutes although I have a feeling we still don't have the whole story.

 

I agree like it was in for service and the oil light was on. So the car went in for service they looked it over and from how i read this blessed the car as ok. So if the car failes at this point it seems on mini to me not state farm

 

Apparently, if they put in a used engine, I will no longer be covered under Mini's warranty. My Allstate agent is fighting for a new engine.

 

You drove it for 15 min. after the temp light came on? No wonder the engine needs replacing.

 

Let me put in a word. Full presidential disclosure: I wasn't there, I didn't drive it, I didn't do it.

Having said that, there's a huge difference between aluminum engines and the old iron beasts. I had an (aluminum) BMW engine seize within literally seconds of noticing any hint of a problem. All I noticed was a slight haze behind me, similar to beach haze, before I got the "check engine" light. I was already crossing over to the shoulder, and check engine really meant, Sayonara.

You used to get a little warning, and a little time. You don't now. And if you're in a construction zone, traffic, or anyplace you can't immediately pull over, well, you're S.O.L.

(Cause was a broken radiator neck, a known BMW trouble point.)

 

I did try the USB Flashdrive filled with MP3s and the MINI recognizes them just fine. Can navigate through the playlist through the radio control dials and/or the MFSW.
I also think I am discovering that this is one car that the 'honeymoon' period doesn't die-- unless the car does.

 

I've found that there's just not enough room in the back for a 'honeymoon' period.

 

And I've found that there is. Just be a little creative.

 

For what?





(That was 38 years ago for us!)