My wife called, and she didn't have the verbatim message, but her 2009 Cooper-S is giving her a warning that it's possible to shift the transmission without applying the brakes, and that the car needs service.

Has anyone else seen this? It doesn't sound to me like it's unsafe to drive the car.

Definitely not looking forward to another run-around from Flow Mini's service department...

Thanks in advance for any info.

 

I know if stopped and in neutral you cannot put it into gear but if rolling it can be done. Occasionally, I haven't been able to figure out what it takes to repeat it, if rolling and moved form gear to neutral it will ding a few times and show the dear indicator to be a 2 headed arrow showing it is possible to do lots from that particular area at the time.


But your problem sounds more like the shift interlock isn't right. But most of the times I have seen this on other cars it is the opposite, stepping on the brake will not be enough to get the car into gear, usually there is a small button to be pushed to override the safety feature. Yours sounds accidentally overridden.

 

It's the interlock that came about after the stink made about supposed runaway Audi's years ago. As long as your wife knows to keep a foot on the brake when she shifts from park she will be fine. I would take it in for the fix.

 

Thanks. If anyone else finds this thread and is looking for information, see also: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...sometimes.html