I've owned my R56 Cooper S for 8 years, and I've only just discovered the secret compartment, and the start-up without the keys from this video! Thanks!! 🤯
Cool Video. Something I found out by accident is that very cool to me... The Car knows which key is in the ignition and remembers settings. Like radio station and format for temperature and fuel economy. My key show's MPG and my wife's key shows L/100 km. Because we set it that way.
For the pet owners out there. With the car on and running you can take out the interior key from the key FOB and lock the car from the outside. Just don’t loose your key!
You can also turn off the car, remove the key fob, and restart it within ~30 seconds without the key fob installed. This is for cars WITHOUT comfort access.
excellent for car thieves to steal your car "with key etc" & your insurance would probably not pay out due to your stupidity... ie would you buy a safe load it with cash & then hide it in-front of your front window, whilst leaving the door unlocked???? "not very safe/secure is it!"
not wathed whole vid but under rear seat is a tailgate opener and inside boot on side is a cable to open the filler cap if you ever get stuck with that.
yup its what i did when i bought my used one lol. which actualy was used very respectfully and with all these addons i feel like a superstar. my last car was a 96 saturn LOL. I fell like i dunno..finally i made it i can die now lol.
Regarding your first tip about the ambient lighting: You can play with that switch / hold it a while in one position (forward or back, I forget) and then instead of just one color all the time, it will cycle thru all the colors- about 5 of them I believe - love that feature with my Mini Cooper R56 - 2013 model.
Hmm. When I hold my dipswitch forward it only smoothly cycles through the 9 colors where you can let go to get that PERFECT shade if you can spot it fast enough. There’s no “party mode” on mine, but flipping it backwards allows a selector of how bright or dim you want it.
@@moshnroll507 Picked up this car on 30 August 2013 in Appleton, Wisconsin brand new still looks brand new never an issue no problems but shifting is not as smooth as with my Volvo S60 diesel but hey it’s not a Volvo (both cars 6-speed manual)
@@stephenschulte3996 thank you for the reply Stephen, I am awaiting delivery of a 2013 S 6 spd as well. I have almost cancelled my order after reading the bloated negative reviews of the vehicle. How many miles do you currently have?
Great video on tips, tricks, and features! The window roll down feature should work press and hold the unlock button while approaching until windows start to roll down. To roll back up insert the physical key in driver's door, turn right, and hold. Cheers and Motor On!
The window roll up function can be "turn on" via some coding using bimmercode. After it is done, the lock button on the key will roll up the window when pressed and hold.
@@renesis82 from what I can find you can choose one or the other so can either roll down wjth the button or roll up but not both. Not sure why they did this
@@chrissyboy7047 It definitely can do both. As d3 stated I think the app bimmercode was able to easily code that as well as disabling the stupid seatbelt warning and other idiot gongs they added to cars. You may have to pay for certain apps to be able to do some of the coding these days through wireless obd2 dongles, but you can still fire up an old laptop and learn the software to do advanced coding with usb to obd2 cable too.
As a new mini owner, I found out if you hold the color button until it blinks a couple times, it will consistently change colors and cycle through the rainbow smoothly! It's so dope! Mine's a 2011 base model cooper, but it's in the same generation so in theory it'd work haha
Hi from SF Bay area in 2024. My 2013 Mini is a great car. I just happened across your 20 things about this model.... I wanted you and your viewers to know the Key Fob is not only rechargeable, but carries the car computer information in it, up to the point it's removed from the dash. A dealer can place the fey fob into a computer and see all the current info. Also, I had one key fob get damaged... but found a local auto-key company that provided a replacement key, with a replaceable battery, and a custom cut mechanical key which functions the same way... for about $250. The only thing missing was the Mini logo on the key. A bargain from dealer cost. That's all I wanted to contribute... drive safe, enjoy the drive.
I had the rear wiper feature on my Volvo 480 from the eighties, its a good idea. Also front wipers would go from intermittent to normal when accelerating hard.
This is what i love about the head light washers. I think it is every 3rd time you was your front window it washes the lights. After the wipers have stopped the head lights then get a wash. After the head lights have stopped being sprayed, the window wipers do one more sweep to get rid of any splash.
Another neat feature is that the windshield wipers automatically slow to the next lower setting when you stop. The rear wiper (if already on) goes from a delayed wipe to a constant wipe when the car is shifted into reverse.
Car can be locked or unlocked and if you hold the unlock windows and sunroof will open. If you put the key in the door lock and twist and hold eventually the windows will close
You missed that the rear seats have two settings, tilt them forward, then lift locking bracket, push seat back and you have more upright rear seats and slightly bigger boot.
I think this one needs a little more explanation. Which is the locking bracket, the lever on the back of the seats? Where do you push on the seat, and when you say “push back” do you mean from the direction of the boot or from the front seat? My headrests prevent any more forward movement toward the front.
@@neosquirrel look at the rear seat catch bracket on the car. Once you figure it out that how to pull it out you noticed that it sticks out. Now just pull the back seat back. Hope this helps but guess you might have figured it out already 😀
Hold the ambient light switch in the opposite direction to change them. My r58 coupe made it to where it would continuously change within the different colors!
For the window down from the key youve gotra hold it for a while. It'll also take the roof down on the R57. The key also holds lots of car info in it, the 1st thing the dealership will do is check the key data.
No. 6, the LCD display in full sunlight. That's called transflective LCD. Basically there's a semi-reflective mirror behind the LCD, usually the light illuminates through it, but when it's overpowered from the external then the reflective properties of the semi-reflective mirror take over and you see the sunlight reflect back through. Hence it's white. :)
It's in the manual, but if you lock the car with the sunroof open and it's windy the alarm will often go off. If you press lock twice it disengages the interior motion sensor so the alarm won't false trip. Also good if a fly gets in to the compartment which will also trip the alarm. Also stops the alarm going off if sitting on a ramp or hill.
🎩😩 I’ve had 3 flats in the 👩🏽🦱last three months, 👚👍🏾bought a 👖Spare tire, which sometimes causes the trunk to open so I keep the spare “in the back seat” haha! Gordon’s Gin! 😃
The rear view mirror twist button thingy actually changes your mirror so that at night time if there are people blinding you with their lights you can dull their lights in your mirror reflection. At least in the 3 minis I’ve had they all do this.
also can confirm it (cooper S 2013, r56) can open windows with holding "unlock" button. but, windows will not roll up on "lock" button. Somebody said that it was some regulatory requirements in the US or something
On the R56, The Window Roll Down is only with the "comfort package" which also makes ignition "keyless" ie: you can start and drive with the fob in your pocket. There is one give back with this feature though, the fobs in the comfort package do not recharge while driving and require periodic battery replacement. You can determine if your car has the package by looking at the back of your fob. If, opposite the unlock button there is a divot for prying off the back cover, you have a comfort package and under that cover is the CR2032 battery. Don't worry about when to change the battery, the car will display a warning after start up in the tach if your battery is low.
Great video, thanks for the tips, I am a huge mini fan, current owner of a 2014 S convertible. Also, I am a huge Vette fan as well and I saw your flag in the garage. Awesome.
#1, if you move the switch in the other direction it controls the brightness of the ambiant lighting. It goes from dim to may too bright for night driving imo. #7, I think you have to program that in, I know I had to use a scan tool to enable that. I didn't know about the hidden compartment. I'm checking that out in the morning. Headlight washers are a requirement for >25w zenon lights in the EU.
Yep, great for air pumps or other devices that use a lighter for power. Some speakers for remote allow these or have adapter cables (which would allow for great tailgate parties!)
Thank you…. I’ll be checking all of these out especially the windows feature, living in Australia it will come in handy through summer plus it will look cool lol
Thanks for reminding me that there is a KEY inside my dead lolyfob! 😂 I haven't been able to unlock the car for months (clearly not at the top of my list). On a whim, I checked out your video just before calling AAA to unlock the car. Now I get to sit inside of my dusty mini r56. Thank You!
True about the fob. I still have one of the original keys after 17 years. I have the same wheels. I noticed that the you still have the plastic chrome edge on the fob. They upgraded that to metal one a few years into productions. Got rid of the runflats years ago. I had more flat tires with them as well as bent wheels because the sidewalls are so stiff that impacts do not get absorbed by the tires. On my third set of normal tires. I had 1 flat on the first set. No more since then. I found a use for the secret compartment. I found out that Fischer made a C-box CD holder for the Porsche Boxter. It fits. Check the dimensions. The longer you have the car, the more you can make it your own.
Gosh I love my Puffy -Mini Cooper R56 2010 . All those secrets are so funny and make me love the car more tbh I was discovering some of them when I bought the car from the owner I was like oh my god that's so cool I was smiling like a child by discovering some hidden features
If you want to warm up your mini you start it, you have about a 3 second window to pull the fob back out, then you can get out and lock it while it warms up. You have to put the fob back when you get back in.
I love this function. Think it might only be there as part of the comfort pack tho possibly but not sure. I have a friend who cant do this with his Mini
I snagged an 11 base mini a couple months ago, first night drive I was like "oh snap, RGB, thats lit" but it was set to rainbow cycling aka unicorn vomit, couldn't really see it in daylight. I knew there had to be a way to change it but id driven off grid and didn't have the manual so I had to take a minute to find the switch. Car definitely has some odd features but its become an endearing challenge to find them all, definitely a stark contrast to the 93 Buick I'm rebuilding
I appreciate you.mentionimg the rear hatch feature. I was so upset because my carbiner flipped and the key fob fell into the boot unknowingly. Im glad I had unlocked the car as it is a habit i have. I had to leave the car ( safe spot), but now when I got back to fiddle, I can get that hatch open and grab my key. Good to know in "emergencies". Life is strange, be prepared.
Actually it's probably not there. You can check as they may have added it back in. Pull the front edge of the rear seat up, then forward. If you have it, there will be a black plastic ring pull located about in the middle of the seat. The first R56's in 2007 but it was deleted in 2008. Going to make another post about it if no one else has.
The rolling of the windows feature with the keyfob has to be enabled to work on your car. They also roll up when holding lock for a couple seconds. I did this to my daughter's car that wasn't enabled. Pretty cool feature. And if you have the auto wiper feature they will roll up if the car windows are down and it starts raining.
Hey how do I get this programmed? My mini (cooper convertible 2010) does it if I pull the manual key out the fob and put it in the door, but doesn’t seem to do it if I just use the fob as I’m walking towards the car
Where in the 757 are you? I was born in Hampton and visit a lot because my mom's side of the family is down there. Now I live in the 804 with my wife in Powhatan. We love cars. We both own minis. We have matching plates about how we fit since we are both really tall. Mine is the 2010 S w/ Harman Kardon speaker system and hers is the 2016 S.
Hey I'm super glad that you made this video. I wanted to post it onto my mini Cooper club page. About the windows going down when you hold the lock button this was a question that came up on my mini page. I was not aware of this option so I tried it myself. It said I should simply hold down the unlock button. So I have made it happen once still not quite sure how I did it. And on the mini page apparently it happened to someone while they were sitting next to someone's car.lol thank you very much for your videos I learned so much. I cannot believe I have an AC cooling that in my glove compartment!!!
There's an emergency fuel cap opening plastic pull chord behind the rear lhs(in my car) just remove the light cluster & you'll see it. If the fuel cap doesn't open when you unlock the car, pulling the toggle will open it manually.
nice list! #6 is awesome, and if you pay attention when light is shinning on your display only what is in the light turns white, not the hole display, so you can have half of a letter/number white and half red. its trippy when you first see it. The noisemaker is also your intake for your hvac. if you don't want the added noise you can get a delete (the noise maker is a round thing further down the hose where it splits by the throttle body, but if you disconnect it completely it will mess with your air, mine fell off because its held on by zipties (stupid choice) and I though my blower motor died for the longest time till I realized just that hose wasn't connected. Runflats was an awesome choice since there is no spare tire, I know they're more money but as someone who has need to use the run flat I can tell you it is well worth it. Living in the northeast I had bent rims and had a sidewall blowout but was still able to drive to the shop to get it fixed, saved my butt many times. I have also heard of a way that you can remove your key but still have your car running, so that you can lock it and go in some where without having your car get cold, have you heard of this? need to try it on my 07 r56 when i get it back from the shop and the windows down trick
I just purchased a 2015 mini countryman S all wheel drive. The car is pristine there is no smell of any dampness or mold or mildew inside the car or the trunk not the rug or the seats but inside the windows it smells moldy and mildewy I did clean it and there was a lot of black stuff that came out of it. Have you ever heard of this?
You can drive mini without key. Start car normal (doors must be closed) Turn off car and take key out, and start car again without a key. Sorry for my english :D
To Open or close the windows With your key you have to enable this feature First. In germany we have an obd coding tool named Carly. You can use your phone to enable Many cool features too.
Great vid and I learned tricks I didn't know before. Question: I have a 2011 MCS. I didn't see it on your 2010 model but on mine just above on the very top outside bezel of the tach there's a red arc. It looks like it should glow but it doesn't seem to do anything. Does anyone know why this is there?
Also hold the lights button forward for ten seconds and itll do a “disco mode” for the light colors. Switching through them as you go. And pull back to make them brighter or dimmer
You can simply pop out the plastic vent to make it fully functional. It's just a few retainer clips. Also if you get a K&N cold air intake, the placement of it allows it to feed air directly into your intake.
@@maxiumthegreat4772 it you have a stock mini all you can do is take the grill in the scoop out to increase airflow into the engine bay, though this wont help with the intake, as the intake comes in by the headlight. you could take the top of your filter box off and put a k&n or something in it but it will not make the hood scoop "functioning" in the aspect that we are talking about it. it will not directly feed the intake unless you add something to make it directly feed the intake.
#21. Keyless start. I haven’t done it for a while, but check it out. One person says it’s a secret trick for the dealers, another that it’s for getting them car warm on cold mornings so you haven’t got to sit inside the car freezing while the AC kicks in. Mines the 2007, just a case of starting the car, then pulling the fob out and pressing the start button again within 10 seconds (don’t quote me on the length of time). Look it up! :D
Put in the fob, start the car, turn off the car, take out the fob and quickly press the start button, doors have to be closed and if your in a manual it has to be in neutral and foot on the clutch.
@@icie4u agreed; I just did this in my 2013 hardtop and I can’t think of a good reason this would be needed, especially to start it up, quit and then do it again UNLESS you needed the car warmed up say outside in fall or winter but still had business outside of it and don’t feel comfortable leaving it running-then you could lock the car and walk away with it running which I can confirm having just tried it.
I have a 2007 Cooper (not an S). One other little feature that I found after owning it for 3 years is that there's a cigarette lighter/accessory socket in the boot/trunk. On my right-hand drive version it is on the left-hand side.
Appreciate your video yesterday I just bought a 2009 Mini S with full custom dual exhaust all around aftermarket coilovers really clean not one dent with 96k it's like new for $5,300 the guy wanted 6,500 and so I saved $1,200 the hidden gems are awesome I had no idea there's a little secret stash spot where the passenger sits and the main glove box having the AC blow cool air for drinks and didn't know the kiosks recharges itself every time it plugs in I didn't realize how fun this car would be I had just sold a 2001 Audi TT 225 Quattro and this 2009 Mini S is way more fun to drive and I think it's faster no doubt about it maybe because it's lighter but it has way more pickup once I hit the sport mode I have a huge grin on my face that's worth every penny great video man!
I've found that the headlight sprayers only spray along with the normal windshield wash the first time you use it. After that I have been unable to make the headlight washer spray again until after resetting the key. Also, the headlights have to be on for this to work.
I believe there is a time feature on it. I'm pretty sure it has squirted more than once for me during the same trip. Not sure how long, probably 10 to 20 minutes.
Not a trick or hidden feature, but I like the way the turn indicators still function normally if the four-ways are blinking. Every other car I've had the hazard lights override the turn signals, making the turn signals useless.
the rolldown does work,i managed it.also single door unlock can be done but cant get alarm set rollup which is legend to me.i also hear on some cars prob just auto if you set mirrors in reverse for seeing kerbs at say 20kmh forwards they return back to normal automatically.
Thumbs up because you taught me the gas cap actually locks, that annoyed me the most, I thought it was always open, still, a lot I love a lot that annoys me about the r56: sunshade, will always brake sunroof, chrome, oem stereo and speakers, the 18inch wagon wheels mine came with, it’s a bigger mini, the usb hiding, the speakers on the door directly in the location you want to kick the door open, the mini emblem will deteriorate and loose the black, it being a BMW, the Peugeot engine, the stupid screws BME uses, some shit plastic, the oem shifter and e brake,
Could you please tell me how to turn up my dashboard lights? I have a 2011s mini cooper. I don’t know what I did but my dashboard lights are very dim. Thank you
Cool Video, love the car. Automatic Adjusting of the Headlights is mandatory with Xenon or Led in Germany, the washing fluid too. There‘s also the option of the Lights moving with the Steering in Corners up to 15 degrees.
In the UK if your car had runflats from new you had the option of getting a space saver wheel that has a recess under the car, you can retro fit this IF you can find one.
I have an R56. I found that I have to press the "unlock" button twice to unlock both doors and THEN hold the unlock button and the windows will go down.
Loved that video. The hidden compartment I found by complete accident. It was so cool. And I thought the same thing. Avoid the department 🚓compartment. 😉
With rolling the windows down with your fob, you have to double tap the unlock so all doors are unlocked then hold it. It also pops your sunroof. Unfortunately it doesn't work the other way with the fob but if you lock your car with the key and hold the key in the locked position it'll roll up your windows and close the sunroof as well.
It roll the Windows up if you got the botton to lock or unlock at the door handle, just keep it press to lock with the fob close to it and it will close the windows and sunroof
About the knob under the central mirror : it's just the day/night toggle. It protects you from being dazzled by the following car's headlights at night. It's been existing on many cars for decades but a lot of people ignore it. To try : while in daylight, adjust your mirror, then toggle it : you'll see the same view / frame but darkened. No need to readjust. Don't forget it at night...
He knows what it's for. He was frustrated because he didn't think he had one. Usually it's a lever that you flip forward or back. He just was saying it's a knob you turn instead, which he only recently discovered.
If you find value in my videos and want to support a small channel feel free to buy me a coffee! (or not..) www.buymeacoffee.com/markalafrer
I know it’s been a while but to roll the windows down you have to click twice, one click and one click/hold
There is actually a spare tyre once you lift the tools. It is underneath the car but you have to unscrew it from the inside of the trunk.
I've owned my R56 Cooper S for 8 years, and I've only just discovered the secret compartment, and the start-up without the keys from this video! Thanks!! 🤯
Cool Video. Something I found out by accident is that very cool to me... The Car knows which key is in the ignition and remembers settings. Like radio station and format for temperature and fuel economy. My key show's MPG and my wife's key shows L/100 km. Because we set it that way.
For the pet owners out there. With the car on and running you can take out the interior key from the key FOB and lock the car from the outside. Just don’t loose your key!
You can also turn off the car, remove the key fob, and restart it within ~30 seconds without the key fob installed.
This is for cars WITHOUT comfort access.
excellent for car thieves to steal your car "with key etc" & your insurance would probably not pay out due to your stupidity... ie would you buy a safe load it with cash & then hide it in-front of your front window, whilst leaving the door unlocked????
"not very safe/secure is it!"
@@malp6280 i agree
not wathed whole vid but under rear seat is a tailgate opener and inside boot on side is a cable to open the filler cap if you ever get stuck with that.
I like the vin numbers on each panel, makes it easier to see if it's been crashed and repaired.
yup its what i did when i bought my used one lol. which actualy was used very respectfully and with all these addons i feel like a superstar. my last car was a 96 saturn LOL. I fell like i dunno..finally i made it i can die now lol.
Regarding your first tip about the ambient lighting: You can play with that switch / hold it a while in one position (forward or back, I forget) and then instead of just one color all the time, it will cycle thru all the colors- about 5 of them I believe - love that feature with my Mini Cooper R56 - 2013 model.
Hmm. When I hold my dipswitch forward it only smoothly cycles through the 9 colors where you can let go to get that PERFECT shade if you can spot it fast enough. There’s no “party mode” on mine, but flipping it backwards allows a selector of how bright or dim you want it.
NeoSquirrel hold it down for a complete color cycle and let go.
How’s the reliability on your 2013? Have you owned for a long time with many issues?
@@moshnroll507 Picked up this car on 30 August 2013 in Appleton, Wisconsin brand new still looks brand new never an issue no problems but shifting is not as smooth as with my Volvo S60 diesel but hey it’s not a Volvo (both cars 6-speed manual)
@@stephenschulte3996 thank you for the reply Stephen, I am awaiting delivery of a 2013 S 6 spd as well. I have almost cancelled my order after reading the bloated negative reviews of the vehicle. How many miles do you currently have?
you shouldn't of told me about the Gin handles! As a Brit, I'm off to have a spiffing time. Cheerio
Pull the interior light toggle the other way and it adjusts the brightness of the lights as well.
if you push and hold for 5 seconds it stays doing RGB mine has been cycling its interior colors for 2 years now :)
@@ZdayE32BMW is this true, I’m trying and it’s not working
hey, mine isnt working anymore and it gives me a error on my screen, u know what to do?
Great video on tips, tricks, and features! The window roll down feature should work press and hold the unlock button while approaching until windows start to roll down. To roll back up insert the physical key in driver's door, turn right, and hold. Cheers and Motor On!
Thanks man
The window roll up function can be "turn on" via some coding using bimmercode. After it is done, the lock button on the key will roll up the window when pressed and hold.
@@renesis82 from what I can find you can choose one or the other so can either roll down wjth the button or roll up but not both. Not sure why they did this
@@chrissyboy7047 It definitely can do both. As d3 stated I think the app bimmercode was able to easily code that as well as disabling the stupid seatbelt warning and other idiot gongs they added to cars.
You may have to pay for certain apps to be able to do some of the coding these days through wireless obd2 dongles, but you can still fire up an old laptop and learn the software to do advanced coding with usb to obd2 cable too.
As a new mini owner, I found out if you hold the color button until it blinks a couple times, it will consistently change colors and cycle through the rainbow smoothly! It's so dope! Mine's a 2011 base model cooper, but it's in the same generation so in theory it'd work haha
Hi from SF Bay area in 2024. My 2013 Mini is a great car. I just happened across your 20 things about this model.... I wanted you and your viewers to know the Key Fob is not only rechargeable, but carries the car computer information in it, up to the point it's removed from the dash. A dealer can place the fey fob into a computer and see all the current info. Also, I had one key fob get damaged... but found a local auto-key company that provided a replacement key, with a replaceable battery, and a custom cut mechanical key which functions the same way... for about $250. The only thing missing was the Mini logo on the key. A bargain from dealer cost. That's all I wanted to contribute... drive safe, enjoy the drive.
I used to think they were overpriced but the attention to detail changed my mind.
I had the rear wiper feature on my Volvo 480 from the eighties, its a good idea. Also front wipers would go from intermittent to normal when accelerating hard.
Wow..thanks..I'm just about to get my first Mini and I'm so excited..loved this video, can't wait to find all these little secrets myself now.
Just bought a 2012 Mini Cooper S. This video has made me even more excited for the car now.
Thanks for the video. It was actually super helpful!
You bet 🤙👍
This is what i love about the head light washers. I think it is every 3rd time you was your front window it washes the lights. After the wipers have stopped the head lights then get a wash. After the head lights have stopped being sprayed, the window wipers do one more sweep to get rid of any splash.
VIN numbers are found on multiple panels so you can tell if your MINI has been in a structural accident.
Like my Fieros... VIN on all body panels.
That hidden compart was baller bro
Another neat feature is that the windshield wipers automatically slow to the next lower setting when you stop. The rear wiper (if already on) goes from a delayed wipe to a constant wipe when the car is shifted into reverse.
All standard features on BMWs for years.
vin numbers all over the place, even inside the sealed square frame, was used to combat chop shops and auto theft, if I remember correctly.
Yep saw that in a movie
Car can be locked or unlocked and if you hold the unlock windows and sunroof will open. If you put the key in the door lock and twist and hold eventually the windows will close
If the battery is low on power this function will not work which may explain why yours didn't function!!!!!
this video and comment section has been the most helpful for me. makes the car way more interesting
You missed that the rear seats have two settings, tilt them forward, then lift locking bracket, push seat back and you have more upright rear seats and slightly bigger boot.
I think this one needs a little more explanation. Which is the locking bracket, the lever on the back of the seats? Where do you push on the seat, and when you say “push back” do you mean from the direction of the boot or from the front seat? My headrests prevent any more forward movement toward the front.
@@neosquirrel look at the rear seat catch bracket on the car. Once you figure it out that how to pull it out you noticed that it sticks out. Now just pull the back seat back. Hope this helps but guess you might have figured it out already 😀
Thanks! I knew all of these except for the red noise-transferring piece and the LED display turning white in the sun. Thanks!
Hold the ambient light switch in the opposite direction to change them. My r58 coupe made it to where it would continuously change within the different colors!
For the window down from the key youve gotra hold it for a while. It'll also take the roof down on the R57. The key also holds lots of car info in it, the 1st thing the dealership will do is check the key data.
No. 6, the LCD display in full sunlight. That's called transflective LCD. Basically there's a semi-reflective mirror behind the LCD, usually the light illuminates through it, but when it's overpowered from the external then the reflective properties of the semi-reflective mirror take over and you see the sunlight reflect back through. Hence it's white. :)
Thanks for that info!
I bought a mini cooper a few days ago and really thank you for this interesting video, it will be useful for this beautiful frame.
See You 😉👍
had my car for a year and a half, always wondered why I was seeing washer fluid spray in the wind on both sides of my car 😮
Love! Thank you so much for sharing!! I was especially happy to find out there is an aux port!! 👍🏼
It's in the manual, but if you lock the car with the sunroof open and it's windy the alarm will often go off. If you press lock twice it disengages the interior motion sensor so the alarm won't false trip. Also good if a fly gets in to the compartment which will also trip the alarm. Also stops the alarm going off if sitting on a ramp or hill.
🎩😩 I’ve had 3 flats in the
👩🏽🦱last three months,
👚👍🏾bought a
👖Spare tire, which
sometimes causes the trunk to open so I keep the spare “in the back seat” haha! Gordon’s Gin! 😃
The rear view mirror twist button thingy actually changes your mirror so that at night time if there are people blinding you with their lights you can dull their lights in your mirror reflection. At least in the 3 minis I’ve had they all do this.
Isn't that always the point of the mirror flip?
Yep, can confirm #7. Also the Panoramic roof opens if you hold it long enough
also can confirm it (cooper S 2013, r56)
can open windows with holding "unlock" button.
but, windows will not roll up on "lock" button. Somebody said that it was some regulatory requirements in the US or something
On the R56, The Window Roll Down is only with the "comfort package" which also makes ignition "keyless" ie: you can start and drive with the fob in your pocket. There is one give back with this feature though, the fobs in the comfort package do not recharge while driving and require periodic battery replacement. You can determine if your car has the package by looking at the back of your fob. If, opposite the unlock button there is a divot for prying off the back cover, you have a comfort package and under that cover is the CR2032 battery. Don't worry about when to change the battery, the car will display a warning after start up in the tach if your battery is low.
@@robidriver That is incorrect. I am able to roll down the windows with the key fob but I dont have the keyless option and my fob charges as normal
If you hold down that interior light switch for about 10 15 seconds, it will cycle through all the lights automatically.
Does this work with the mini from 2010 base model
One never leaves the house without a bottle of Gordons, simply not done old chap! Nice video. Thanks.😁
Great video, thanks for the tips, I am a huge mini fan, current owner of a 2014 S convertible. Also, I am a huge Vette fan as well and I saw your flag in the garage. Awesome.
#1, if you move the switch in the other direction it controls the brightness of the ambiant lighting. It goes from dim to may too bright for night driving imo.
#7, I think you have to program that in, I know I had to use a scan tool to enable that.
I didn't know about the hidden compartment. I'm checking that out in the morning.
Headlight washers are a requirement for >25w zenon lights in the EU.
Loved this video 📹 learned things about my mini I never would have known!!!!
Also in the back do you have auxiliary/lighter in the trunk on driver side
For a tire inflator or any other electrical shenanigans you desire to power.
Yep, great for air pumps or other devices that use a lighter for power. Some speakers for remote allow these or have adapter cables (which would allow for great tailgate parties!)
Yeah it’s great of your doing a road trip as you can put a powered cool box in the boot/trunk
I use mine to power a radar detector that's mounted on the rear window. Works just as well back there and keeps my dash uncluttered.
Thank you…. I’ll be checking all of these out especially the windows feature, living in Australia it will come in handy through summer plus it will look cool lol
I still jelously own one in red color, black roof, and 118.000 miles on it. It runs perfectly and super fun to drive on weekends.
Thanks for reminding me that there is a KEY inside my dead lolyfob! 😂 I haven't been able to unlock the car for months (clearly not at the top of my list). On a whim, I checked out your video just before calling AAA to unlock the car. Now I get to sit inside of my dusty mini r56. Thank You!
True about the fob. I still have one of the original keys after 17 years. I have the same wheels. I noticed that the you still have the plastic chrome edge on the fob. They upgraded that to metal one a few years into productions. Got rid of the runflats years ago. I had more flat tires with them as well as bent wheels because the sidewalls are so stiff that impacts do not get absorbed by the tires. On my third set of normal tires. I had 1 flat on the first set. No more since then. I found a use for the secret compartment. I found out that Fischer made a C-box CD holder for the Porsche Boxter. It fits. Check the dimensions. The longer you have the car, the more you can make it your own.
Gosh I love my Puffy -Mini Cooper R56 2010 . All those secrets are so funny and make me love the car more tbh I was discovering some of them when I bought the car from the owner I was like oh my god that's so cool I was smiling like a child by discovering some hidden features
All cars with xenon must have self adjustment to prevent blinding oncoming traffic, it not just mini cooper thing.
Probably half of these are things that all cars have.
Picking my 2010 mini cooper d up today. Can't wait to try these. So updated from my 2006 cooper s.
How is your 2010 mini? I am considering buying a 2010 model, does it have any issues, is it fun to drive, is it quiet...?
I absolutely love mine
I've only owned it around 4 months...it's a 2010
If you want to warm up your mini you start it, you have about a 3 second window to pull the fob back out, then you can get out and lock it while it warms up. You have to put the fob back when you get back in.
will try this one day
I love this function. Think it might only be there as part of the comfort pack tho possibly but not sure. I have a friend who cant do this with his Mini
I snagged an 11 base mini a couple months ago, first night drive I was like "oh snap, RGB, thats lit" but it was set to rainbow cycling aka unicorn vomit, couldn't really see it in daylight. I knew there had to be a way to change it but id driven off grid and didn't have the manual so I had to take a minute to find the switch. Car definitely has some odd features but its become an endearing challenge to find them all, definitely a stark contrast to the 93 Buick I'm rebuilding
Great video, thanks, some very interesting features. You explained it all very well too !
I appreciate you.mentionimg the rear hatch feature. I was so upset because my carbiner flipped and the key fob fell into the boot unknowingly. Im glad I had unlocked the car as it is a habit i have. I had to leave the car ( safe spot), but now when I got back to fiddle, I can get that hatch open and grab my key. Good to know in "emergencies". Life is strange, be prepared.
Actually it's probably not there. You can check as they may have added it back in. Pull the front edge of the rear seat up, then forward. If you have it, there will be a black plastic ring pull located about in the middle of the seat. The first R56's in 2007 but it was deleted in 2008. Going to make another post about it if no one else has.
The rolling of the windows feature with the keyfob has to be enabled to work on your car. They also roll up when holding lock for a couple seconds. I did this to my daughter's car that wasn't enabled. Pretty cool feature. And if you have the auto wiper feature they will roll up if the car windows are down and it starts raining.
Indeed, it's called "full closure" I believe you can program the mirrors to come in on certain models by holding the key fob button down too.
Hey how do I get this programmed? My mini (cooper convertible 2010) does it if I pull the manual key out the fob and put it in the door, but doesn’t seem to do it if I just use the fob as I’m walking towards the car
Where in the 757 are you? I was born in Hampton and visit a lot because my mom's side of the family is down there. Now I live in the 804 with my wife in Powhatan. We love cars. We both own minis. We have matching plates about how we fit since we are both really tall. Mine is the 2010 S w/ Harman Kardon speaker system and hers is the 2016 S.
Hey I'm super glad that you made this video. I wanted to post it onto my mini Cooper club page. About the windows going down when you hold the lock button this was a question that came up on my mini page. I was not aware of this option so I tried it myself. It said I should simply hold down the unlock button. So I have made it happen once still not quite sure how I did it. And on the mini page apparently it happened to someone while they were sitting next to someone's car.lol thank you very much for your videos I learned so much. I cannot believe I have an AC cooling that in my glove compartment!!!
Cool Stuff, thanks! I just bought a 2012 Cooper S Clubman. Super fun little car!!
There's an emergency fuel cap opening plastic pull chord behind the rear lhs(in my car) just remove the light cluster & you'll see it. If the fuel cap doesn't open when you unlock the car, pulling the toggle will open it manually.
It’s actually accessed through the felt panel near the left taillight. Even has a little built-in clip to hold the green pull cord.
nice list!
#6 is awesome, and if you pay attention when light is shinning on your display only what is in the light turns white, not the hole display, so you can have half of a letter/number white and half red. its trippy when you first see it.
The noisemaker is also your intake for your hvac. if you don't want the added noise you can get a delete (the noise maker is a round thing further down the hose where it splits by the throttle body, but if you disconnect it completely it will mess with your air, mine fell off because its held on by zipties (stupid choice) and I though my blower motor died for the longest time till I realized just that hose wasn't connected.
Runflats was an awesome choice since there is no spare tire, I know they're more money but as someone who has need to use the run flat I can tell you it is well worth it. Living in the northeast I had bent rims and had a sidewall blowout but was still able to drive to the shop to get it fixed, saved my butt many times.
I have also heard of a way that you can remove your key but still have your car running, so that you can lock it and go in some where without having your car get cold, have you heard of this? need to try it on my 07 r56 when i get it back from the shop and the windows down trick
on one of our keys the clip broke so we were able to pop it in start and remove it without the holder keeping it in
thanks for the fuel filter/pump tip...cool...hopefully no big hassles to happen but handy place to work on those,thank you :)
I just purchased a 2015 mini countryman S all wheel drive. The car is pristine there is no smell of any dampness or mold or mildew inside the car or the trunk not the rug or the seats but inside the windows it smells moldy and mildewy I did clean it and there was a lot of black stuff that came out of it. Have you ever heard of this?
You can drive mini without key.
Start car normal (doors must be closed)
Turn off car and take key out, and start car again without a key.
Sorry for my english :D
If you hold the toggle for the interior lights it will flash after about 6 7 seconds and turn the lights RGB
Also my lights are purple blue and they also move not just xenon
If you lock your key in the car, the boot will pop open to let you in.
Dont just shut it without wondering why it opened..
Great stuff man, I just got a 2007 and I'm still finding cool tweaks. I'm going to play with the ambient light feature now!
Same! 2007!
@@brendanguyen6222 just got mine two days ago
Me too.
@@ericsalidbar1693 how is it? I'm getting the 2009 model this month at the end.
To Open or close the windows With your key you have to enable this feature First. In germany we have an obd coding tool named Carly. You can use your phone to enable Many cool features too.
True... mine did not do it at first. Hubby took care of thru OBD, you can deactivate the start/stop etc. Recommended item (OBD) to have :)
Great vid and I learned tricks I didn't know before.
Question: I have a 2011 MCS. I didn't see it on your 2010 model but on mine just above on the very top outside bezel of the tach there's a red arc. It looks like it should glow but it doesn't seem to do anything. Does anyone know why this is there?
Took me by accident. But if you hold the color controller long it will strobe
That sounds extremely dangerous.. but awesome 😎
It's not really a strobe per se but it constantly changes which is pretty cool doesn't affect driving at all
Also, the ambient lighting brightness is adjustable...
@@davebarrow4460 yeah my bad it color shifts would have been a better word to use.
@@1013handam how!?
Also hold the lights button forward for ten seconds and itll do a “disco mode” for the light colors. Switching through them as you go. And pull back to make them brighter or dimmer
You aware that you can get an AEM induction kit that makes the hood/bonnet scoop functional again
there are a few other companies that do this as well but I think the AEM looks the best!
You can simply pop out the plastic vent to make it fully functional. It's just a few retainer clips. Also if you get a K&N cold air intake, the placement of it allows it to feed air directly into your intake.
@@maxiumthegreat4772 it you have a stock mini all you can do is take the grill in the scoop out to increase airflow into the engine bay, though this wont help with the intake, as the intake comes in by the headlight. you could take the top of your filter box off and put a k&n or something in it but it will not make the hood scoop "functioning" in the aspect that we are talking about it. it will not directly feed the intake unless you add something to make it directly feed the intake.
Just purchased a 2014 maual base model your video helped and also confused.
#21. Keyless start. I haven’t done it for a while, but check it out. One person says it’s a secret trick for the dealers, another that it’s for getting them car warm on cold mornings so you haven’t got to sit inside the car freezing while the AC kicks in. Mines the 2007, just a case of starting the car, then pulling the fob out and pressing the start button again within 10 seconds (don’t quote me on the length of time). Look it up! :D
i did this once accidentally but it was a mistake. cant manage to do it again.
@@DutchOrbit I think you start it up, leave it running for about ten seconds then quickly pop the key out
Put in the fob, start the car, turn off the car, take out the fob and quickly press the start button, doors have to be closed and if your in a manual it has to be in neutral and foot on the clutch.
Having to physically be with the car seems to defeat the purpose of remote starting it.
@@icie4u agreed; I just did this in my 2013 hardtop and I can’t think of a good reason this would be needed, especially to start it up, quit and then do it again UNLESS you needed the car warmed up say outside in fall or winter but still had business outside of it and don’t feel comfortable leaving it running-then you could lock the car and walk away with it running which I can confirm having just tried it.
I have a 2007 Cooper (not an S). One other little feature that I found after owning it for 3 years is that there's a cigarette lighter/accessory socket in the boot/trunk. On my right-hand drive version it is on the left-hand side.
Appreciate your video yesterday I just bought a 2009 Mini S with full custom dual exhaust all around aftermarket coilovers really clean not one dent with 96k it's like new for $5,300 the guy wanted 6,500 and so I saved $1,200 the hidden gems are awesome I had no idea there's a little secret stash spot where the passenger sits and the main glove box having the AC blow cool air for drinks and didn't know the kiosks recharges itself every time it plugs in I didn't realize how fun this car would be I had just sold a 2001 Audi TT 225 Quattro and this 2009 Mini S is way more fun to drive and I think it's faster no doubt about it maybe because it's lighter but it has way more pickup once I hit the sport mode I have a huge grin on my face that's worth every penny great video man!
I've found that the headlight sprayers only spray along with the normal windshield wash the first time you use it. After that I have been unable to make the headlight washer spray again until after resetting the key. Also, the headlights have to be on for this to work.
I believe there is a time feature on it. I'm pretty sure it has squirted more than once for me during the same trip. Not sure how long, probably 10 to 20 minutes.
I have had mine for a month and had no clue about the glovebox. Cool!
Not a trick or hidden feature, but I like the way the turn indicators still function normally if the four-ways are blinking. Every other car I've had the hazard lights override the turn signals, making the turn signals useless.
the rolldown does work,i managed it.also single door unlock can be done but cant get alarm set rollup which is legend to me.i also hear on some cars prob just auto if you set mirrors in reverse for seeing kerbs at say 20kmh forwards they return back to normal automatically.
Also, if you are on a hill, press the brake pedal a little harder and the brakes will lock until you start releasing the clutch.
Hill assist
I have to press the brakes a 2nd time for this and then it holds for a limited time before releasing on its own so be careful lol
Excellent video brother. Blessings 🙌
Yep, holding the unlock button down opens both windows and sun roof. Pretty awesome little trick on hot days
The exterior mirrors fold up and in which is cool, not really hidden but neat
If you hold the mood light (interior LED’s) switch back for 10secs the lights do a constant color change ie rainbow 🌈 effect 👍🏻👍🏻
Also known as 🕺 Disco Mode!
Bought a 2007 Mini Cooper S and thjs video was really helpful!!
Wow, I bought my 2012 Mini Cooper a year ago. I wish I had discovered this video much sooner. Since it is used, how can I find out if mine is a R56??
Should say on the driver door jam, but 2012 is an r56. R56 is just a different generational thing. Mine is
Thumbs up because you taught me the gas cap actually locks, that annoyed me the most, I thought it was always open, still, a lot I love a lot that annoys me about the r56: sunshade, will always brake sunroof, chrome, oem stereo and speakers, the 18inch wagon wheels mine came with, it’s a bigger mini, the usb hiding, the speakers on the door directly in the location you want to kick the door open, the mini emblem will deteriorate and loose the black, it being a BMW, the Peugeot engine, the stupid screws BME uses, some shit plastic, the oem shifter and e brake,
Could you please tell me how to turn up my dashboard lights? I have a 2011s mini cooper. I don’t know what I did but my dashboard lights are very dim. Thank you
It's the stick-like button opposite the trip odometer one, behind the wheel
how do you changes the tacho or speedometer light?? thanks in advance
I don't know if it's relevant still but the unlock button window rolling can be made with a diagnostics and the lock button can roll them back up.
Out of curiosity, does anyone know if the dash also changes color? Mine is an orange and it would be sick if it could go blue like the ambient light
Cool Video, love the car. Automatic Adjusting of the Headlights is mandatory with Xenon or Led in Germany, the washing fluid too. There‘s also the option of the Lights moving with the Steering in Corners up to 15 degrees.
If it hasn't been mentioned, when you remove the key from the fob it will allow you to lock the main glove compartment 👍
I just have an oval chrome button. Never noticed a key hole. R56?
Only on convertibles
In the UK if your car had runflats from new you had the option of getting a space saver wheel that has a recess under the car, you can retro fit this IF you can find one.
This wasnt an option on the Cooper S due to the centre exhaust. Only the non S model
I just got a 2014 fiat and am learning it also has some neat things on it. I can't wait to learn what else it has.
Gordons Gin, haven't heard of that for decades. Lol! Brilliant vidoe btw.
Thank you!!!!
It was the go to for many decades
Unlock with one press and then hold down the second press to roll windows down. Could depend on how you have your locks setup as well.
I just got a convertible Mini and it drops the top.. Hold the Lock to lock the car/ hold unlock to unlock, drop the top.
✌😜
@@raftheleo boom💪
I have an R56. I found that I have to press the "unlock" button twice to unlock both doors and THEN hold the unlock button and the windows will go down.
Loved that video. The hidden compartment I found by complete accident. It was so cool. And I thought the same thing. Avoid the department 🚓compartment. 😉
With rolling the windows down with your fob, you have to double tap the unlock so all doors are unlocked then hold it. It also pops your sunroof. Unfortunately it doesn't work the other way with the fob but if you lock your car with the key and hold the key in the locked position it'll roll up your windows and close the sunroof as well.
It roll the Windows up if you got the botton to lock or unlock at the door handle, just keep it press to lock with the fob close to it and it will close the windows and sunroof
@@miguearroyo6027 maybe on newer R56 models after 2010, but my 2010 and 08 both didn't.
However, my 08 does now after an ECU flash
About the knob under the central mirror : it's just the day/night toggle.
It protects you from being dazzled by the following car's headlights at night.
It's been existing on many cars for decades but a lot of people ignore it.
To try : while in daylight, adjust your mirror, then toggle it : you'll see the same view / frame but darkened. No need to readjust. Don't forget it at night...
He knows what it's for. He was frustrated because he didn't think he had one. Usually it's a lever that you flip forward or back. He just was saying it's a knob you turn instead, which he only recently discovered.
Hey could you go over the “Tech view” in the info cluster in a video soon?
Didn't you know that us Brits don't go anywhere without a bottle of Gordons Gin?
Hah. Legit made me laugh. 👍🤙
@@VetOnVettes haha : )
🎩Mirror Adjustment 😮
👩🏽🦱My car is overheating!
👚👍🏾Hidden compartment
👖Rolls windows down!😮