Is it not possible to lock you car with it running and you out side? I can't seem to do it, and warming it up on a cold winter , while it is unlocked, makes me nervous. Its kinda dodgy in the neighborhood where I work.

Anyone ever heard of a stolen mini? :smile:

 

I'm sure there are a number of stolen Minis. I'd stay in the car for as long as it takes to warm it up.. not worth the risk to lose it just to stay warm.

 

The manual specfically tells you not to warm it up before driving it. In case you care (most people don't), this is because letting the car come up to operating temperature slowly causes many more pollutants to be released into the air before the catalytic converter warms up (as opposed to starting the car, waiting a few seconds, and driving off). The MINI heats up in only a few minutes anyway.
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"Meine dispatcher says there is something wrong with deine cable"

 

if you need to run it locked, use a second set of keys!

 

Umm... I tried to lock it when my spare was in the ignition, but car WILL NOT lock, either remotely or manually.

As for not warming it up... apparently I've let my .com address lag so my pic is no longer working, but I live in Winnipeg, where the winter temps dip to -40C on occasion. I'm not talking a long time here, but if you don't give it like 5-10 minutes, your car reeeeeally sounds bad. It is hard to describe how rock-stiff everything is. Plus I like to get my seatwarmers started

Not only for comfort, but when it is that cold you MUST start your car every 4-5 hours of you plan on leaving it all day outside. My friend left his for 12 hours and it wouldn't turn over after the first try. It's THAT cold.

Just wondering if it's a programmable function or a safety non-over-ridable thingie.

 

Will the engine heater (that goes in the dipstick hole) work on a MINI? They heat the oil and the engine as a whole from what I understand.

Earl

 

Most cars here have a block heater. I haven't heard of the dipstick oil heater, but it would definitely help.

 

>>Most cars here have a block heater. I haven't heard of the dipstick oil heater, but it would definitely help.


Is there a block heater available for the Mini? I haven't really looked into it, but I'm sure one must exist. Even here in Hamilton, although it doesn't get as cold as Winnipeg, some nights I'd like to have a block heater going.

Steve

 

You can't lock the driver's door with your key in the engine running or the when the driver's door is open, it's to prevent you from locking your keys in the car. Specifically locking your keys in the car with the engine running...

 

Also, while I understand that you are in Canada, in the US it is illegal to leave your car running and unattended in some states. In other words don't warm up your car unattended, or leave your car running in front of the 7-11 while you run inside for your coffee.

Maryland is one of those states, and it is enforced in Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties...

 

you can lock your Mini while running if you close the drivers door and then open passenger door and hit the door lock toggle. both doors will lock and the car is running and when you return your key remote will unlock the doors. :smile: