Hello all,

My wife has a 2003 Mini Cooper S that recently has had the temperature gauge flashing as well as dinging every once in a while when the car is just started. Also, it recently has been doing this while driving every once in a while. It seems to be doing this when it is cold out and below 37 degrees farenheit. Her mini does not have the on board navigation and the temperature sensor is located in the tach. What does this mean? Thanks for any help!

 

The Mini dings at 37 degrees because that's when black ice can form. It's a standard feature, and a little annoying I think it dings when it gets warmer too, from 36 to 37.

 

MINI computers are set to ding when the temperature is <= 37 degrees while moving, or when you start up and it's already there. Not sure if it will ding again if the temperature went to 38 and back to 37 (never really paid that much attention).

You can also get a ding if you go below two gallons of gas. My old '02 MCS did not do that, but my current '06 MCS does. Not sure what year this feature came in, or if it's one you can get configured at the dealership.

 

It's configurable via programming.

 

Your car is telling you to wear a jacket before getting out of the car