Ignition key in position 2?

[jonesl]

Is anyone else confused about this? If I'm reading the owner's manual for the MC correctly, to use the cruise control, on-board computer, vari-speed windshield wipers, etc., I have to pre-determine that I'll want to use them while the key is in position two -- BEFORE I start the engine. Is this correct?

[BillK]

No. While driving you can activate those features just fine. I see what you mean though, the manual calls for "key possition 1" It should be "key possition 2" I mostly ignore ther key possition stuff since most of the controls work when they should intuitivly, so I hadn't noticed that.

[GAJ]

Mmmm - no!

What makes you think that, I don't remember thinking that when I read my manual.

[MiniMan7]

No that doesn't sound right.

[cooper4us]

Quote:

Originally posted by jonesl
Is anyone else confused about this? If I'm reading the owner's manual for the MC correctly, to use the cruise control, on-board computer, vari-speed windshield wipers, etc., I have to pre-determine that I'll want to use them while the key is in position two -- BEFORE I start the engine. Is this correct?

What the manual is telling you, is that all these feautures become active in the car when turning the ignition to the "ACC" position but it doesn't mean that you have to have the key in position #2 to be able to use them permanently. I think you got confused, which is OK. The wording of the MINI US manual sounds like a direct translation from German so it is bound to cause misinterpretation of the text.

If you want to listen to the radio or lower the windows while the car's engine is shut off, you have to put the key in and turn it to the #2 position...that's all.

[jonesl]

Thanks everyone -- I guess what I'm learning is to take the owners manual with a major grain of salt!

[GordonD]

Quote:

Originally posted by jonesl
Thanks everyone -- I guess what I'm learning is to take the owners manual with a major grain of salt!

Actually it's amajor pinch of sauerkraut

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by cooper4us
..If you want to listen to the radio or lower the windows while the car's engine is shut off, you have to put the key in and turn it to the #2 position...that's all.

No and sort of.

NO:
Listening to the radio requires no key. Just turn the radio on anytime without the key and you get about 20 minutes of listening before it shuts off automatically. Then turn it on again and get 20 more minutes. And so on.

SORT OF:
As for the windows, there is a special grace period when you can open or close the windows after shutting off the car and removing the key (I forget the exact amount of time, but its something like 30 seconds or so) BUT before opening the doors to get out. Useful if you are absent minded and see you've turned off your car with the windows down.

However, once past the grace period or if a door has been opened during the grace period, you need the key to close the windows.


(I had weeks and weeks to read the Owner's Manual before my car arrive! And I read it! There's good stuff in there too.)

[chiph]

Actually, I find the whole key position numbering thing confusing. I'm much more comfortable with Off, Accessory, Run, and Start.

Chip H.

[cooper4us]

Quote:

Originally posted by BruceK
No and sort of.

NO:
Listening to the radio requires no key. Just turn the radio on anytime without the key and you get about 20 minutes of listening before it shuts off automatically. Then turn it on again and get 20 more minutes. And so on.

SORT OF:
As for the windows, there is a special grace period when you can open or close the windows after shutting off the car and removing the key (I forget the exact amount of time, but its something like 30 seconds or so) BUT before opening the doors to get out. Useful if you are absent minded and see you've turned off your car with the windows down.

However, once past the grace period or if a door has been opened during the grace period, you need the key to close the windows.


(I had weeks and weeks to read the Owner's Manual before my car arrive! And I read it! There's good stuff in there too.)

Hi Bruce:

I know about the feature you are talking about (Reserve accessory power feature) but I don't have it in my August 2002 build Cooper CVT.

Where is this referenced in the manual? I have read the manual from cover to cover and haven't seen any reference to reserve power after taking out the key from the ignition. I have tried enabling it to no avail.

My 2001 Chevy Impala LS has a 10 minute reserve power time-out feature and love it but miss it in the Cooper.

Is this an undocumented MCS only feature? Am I doing something wrong?

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by cooper4us
Hi Bruce:

I know about the feature you are talking about (Reserve accessory power feature) but I don't have it in my August 2002 build Cooper CVT.

Where is this referenced in the manual? I have read the manual from cover to cover and haven't seen any reference to reserve power after taking out the key from the ignition. I have tried enabling it to no avail.

My 2001 Chevy Impala LS has a 10 minute reserve power time-out feature and love it but miss it in the Cooper.

Is this an undocumented MCS only feature? Am I doing something wrong?

It can't be a Cooper S only feature as all MINIs use the same BC1 computer.

In the 3rd column on page 28 of my Owner's Manual discussing the Power Windows:

• ...After the ignition has been switched off, you can use the electric power windows as long as no one opens any of the doors. If a door is opened during operation, the opening/closing process stops immediately.

No mention of the time limit for this feature. This is the stock 2002 MINI Cooper/Cooper S Owner's Manual (which of course includes the CVT Cooper)

As for the radio, the info is in the separate radio Owner's Manual. On page 10 it states:

• ...The audio sources can still be accessed for up to 20 minutes after the ignition key has been shut off.

Technically, this seems to be worded wrong. (It must have been translated incorrectly from German to English or I am reading incorrectly) The truth is that at any time, even after the car has been parked for days and days, you can turn the radio on with no key and it will stay on for about 20 minutes. It has nothing to do with a short 20 minute golden opportunity occurring immediately after the key has been removed.

BTW, you all have read the radio Owner's Manual and have set the speed dependent volume feature, right? It's well worth it.

[retroom]

Quote:

Originally posted by chiph
Actually, I find the whole key position numbering thing confusing. I'm much more comfortable with Off, Accessory, Run, and Start.

Chip H.

Try to equate the numbers this way:
0=OFF
1=Accessory
2=Run
3=Start

Not hard at all when you think of the numbers this way.

retroom