R50/53 Things You Didn't Know About Your MINI
#726
2006 MCsC
Read about the key fob to the chin/cheek think and agreed with works just because it is higher up than your waste. Raised it as high as i could, about 7+ft and it would not open the doors. Tried it a couple of times. Standing in the exact same spot, put it to my cheek, face that is, pushed the button, and light show time! It did work.
Also, no beep when the key is by the switch in any maner. Turned the key on to acc and sat there a moment. The speed-0-meter flashed 8,700 to oil change. Didn't read that here.
Also, no beep when the key is by the switch in any maner. Turned the key on to acc and sat there a moment. The speed-0-meter flashed 8,700 to oil change. Didn't read that here.
#727
That's interesting - we have two 2006 MCSCs, and with either car, if I hold the black plastic part of the key up to the keyhole (without inserting the key), I get the "door open" chimes (only works when the door is open, obviously). Also, it only works when the keyfob is within about 3/4" of the keyhole.
#728
That's interesting - we have two 2006 MCSCs, and with either car, if I hold the black plastic part of the key up to the keyhole (without inserting the key), I get the "door open" chimes (only works when the door is open, obviously). Also, it only works when the keyfob is within about 3/4" of the keyhole.
#730
Something I found out yesterday - during these freezing nights in Los Angeles - If the outside temperature reaches 37 degrees, the onboard computer beeps at you, and flashes the temperature, regardless of what you have on the computer (I tend to keep my speed showing there)
#733
#734
#735
#737
#741
Did you know that the owners manual specifically says not to let your car "warm up" but to instead drive right off after starting. :
#742
#744
Errrr...no....
they mean you don't have to wait any time at all...you don't even have to wait your mentioned 30 seconds. It just isn't necessary or desirable (according to the manual which we all *ahem* read before we drove) at all.
#745
There are three things which generally determined the need to let a car warm
up before driving it:
1. Allow the car to run and idle smoothly by getting it off the choke.
2. Allow the oil to warm up to provide proper lubrication.
3. Allow the coolant to warm up so the heater would work in the wintertime.
But today:
1. With modern ECUs employing closed feedback systems and fuel injection
controls this is no longer an issue.
2. Modern multi-viscosity oils and synthetic oils eliminate this issue for the
most part (except in really cold climates).
3. This problem has not been solved but can be somewhat ameliorated
through the use of seat heaters.
Now, I suspect there are really two reasons why auto manufacturers
suggest today that you not allow a car to warm up for a significant period
of time before driving it:
1. Until the engine reaches full operating temperature, the fuel supply is
increased, causing the engine to run rich which can lead to spark plug
fowling and reduced catalytic converter life. Immediately driving the car
allows the engine to reach full operating temperature more quickly and get
if off the choke cycle.
2. They are encouraged (by the government) to suggest you not warm up
the car due to the increased emissions generated by the over-rich
condition during the choke cycle (which is really fuel enrichment rather
than the limitation of air, which is where the name comes from).
A properly running car should quickly burn off any carbon and clear out the
cat without causing any problems. Allowing the car to warm up in the
wintertime won't really hurt the car but will decrease your fuel economy and
add somewhat to our air pollution problems.
up before driving it:
1. Allow the car to run and idle smoothly by getting it off the choke.
2. Allow the oil to warm up to provide proper lubrication.
3. Allow the coolant to warm up so the heater would work in the wintertime.
But today:
1. With modern ECUs employing closed feedback systems and fuel injection
controls this is no longer an issue.
2. Modern multi-viscosity oils and synthetic oils eliminate this issue for the
most part (except in really cold climates).
3. This problem has not been solved but can be somewhat ameliorated
through the use of seat heaters.
Now, I suspect there are really two reasons why auto manufacturers
suggest today that you not allow a car to warm up for a significant period
of time before driving it:
1. Until the engine reaches full operating temperature, the fuel supply is
increased, causing the engine to run rich which can lead to spark plug
fowling and reduced catalytic converter life. Immediately driving the car
allows the engine to reach full operating temperature more quickly and get
if off the choke cycle.
2. They are encouraged (by the government) to suggest you not warm up
the car due to the increased emissions generated by the over-rich
condition during the choke cycle (which is really fuel enrichment rather
than the limitation of air, which is where the name comes from).
A properly running car should quickly burn off any carbon and clear out the
cat without causing any problems. Allowing the car to warm up in the
wintertime won't really hurt the car but will decrease your fuel economy and
add somewhat to our air pollution problems.
#746
When I stated thirty seconds, I was referring to the time it takes, after I start the car, to put on my seatbelt, driving gloves, turn on the radio, and turn off the DSC. To me, 'warming up' means the bad ol' days of starting the car up and then going back in the house to get my stuff together for the day. Until my '73 Mach 1 is sufficiently warmed up, especially in winter here in the metro NYC area, it doesn't like to be prodded more than just a little bit. Then, as it acculumates a few miles, it reacts better. Such was life with the old carbureted hulks we used to (and still occasionally do) drive. After only seconds with a modern computer controlled car such as our MINIs, we can motor away with no driveability problems. I just take it easy until the temp needle climbs up into its proper position, usually in just a few minutes of driving.
Zip
#747
#748
Yes, they are speed sensitive wipers. And if you have them on intermittent and you come to a stop, they stop (I believe). This is good, but I do wish we could control the intermittent speed instead of having just one speed.
#750
I just spent the last 9 hours and 37 minutes reading this thread.
Ah, well, okay, I broke it up into two days of reading, but I kept track of my time. :D
All 750 posts (including my own!) And after reading it all, I have nothing more to add. :( All I can say is that there are a LOT of repeats in here. Please, before you ask how to do something, read the thread! You'll get an answer about a dozen times.
Great thread though, some wonderful ideas. I complied a list of the best ideas the thread has, so if you want a short-and-sweet version, send a PM to me.
Happy motoring!
-Andy
EDIT!
PM your email address to me and I'll email it to you! It's too long for a single PM! :-)
Ah, well, okay, I broke it up into two days of reading, but I kept track of my time. :D
All 750 posts (including my own!) And after reading it all, I have nothing more to add. :( All I can say is that there are a LOT of repeats in here. Please, before you ask how to do something, read the thread! You'll get an answer about a dozen times.
Great thread though, some wonderful ideas. I complied a list of the best ideas the thread has, so if you want a short-and-sweet version, send a PM to me.
Happy motoring!
-Andy
EDIT!
PM your email address to me and I'll email it to you! It's too long for a single PM! :-)