Why do you have to put the mini in service mode before you do 90%of anything to it . been seeing a lot of this on basically everything anyone does to their mini besides when washing their car... I understand when you have to do anything electrical , but to change a mount , strut , pan , plugs ect..
Just not sure if its nessesary ????????

EDIT;;; did unplug battery when i installed Alta`s CAI ..is that a more direct way of puting in service mode?

 

MINI's are purposely built to be compact. To access certain components not accessed by any other means makes service mode necessary.

"Service mode" is basically the removal of front upper and lower bumper facia/panels and at times the sub brace....I can do it in about 6 mins, no big deal.

But, no need to go that far unless access is required there.....and it's not part of any procedures for changing the spark plugs, upper engine mount or oil pan gasket. But to acess the oil pan you will have to unbolt the subframe.

If recollection serves, to change the spark plugs in a Pontiac Fiero you had to first remove the engine.... Now that would be a PITA for me as I swap them out about once a year. lol.

As far as removing the neg battery terminal goes, maybe Adam can chime in. As far as I know, Alta's CAI instructions ask installers to remove neg battery terminal during installation just as a means to reset the ECU. This way it will quickly "learn" the attributes of the newly installed intake system.

 

LOL....service mode is NOT required to install spark plugs, change struts...etc!!

it is to give you room to work on components on the front part of the motor....some things can only be accessed this way...some can be done...with difficulity, by other ways...tire and wheel well liner removal to access some parts.

To truly understand what is meant by saying service mode...do a search...
A girls guide to service mode DIY with pics is good...you will quickly understand!!