MINI2

DNV122 · Oct 18th, 2003, 09:00 PM

I've read in many handbooks and articles that the worst thing to do is switch on the engine and let it idle until it is warm. The best advice appears to be - switch on and drive away gently, until warm, then drive as normal (in my case between 2 & 5 krpm).

Engines love long runs in the open and the MINI is no exception - go on - add some miles - go find a friend who lives far away and visit them often.

HarryHBMCC · Oct 18th, 2003, 10:08 PM

Yep, I waited until close to 10K (computer brought me in early, 9K miles). I'm almost at Inspection I and the second oil change now which will be 22K miles this week probably with the computer saying I've got about 350 miles left (might sneak into next Monday). As I said, it needed 3/4 of a litre after break-in and since then it has dropped another 3/4 of a litre which I consider fine for 13K miles. I check the oil nearly every time I get gas.

I've topped off the coolant more times than I've topped off the oil, no lie...

The owner's manual says if you don't use it much, two years is the maximum between oil changes.

When it's cold, I let my MINI warm up just a little bit before driving off or else I find it can stall if I'm early on the clutch. Not until warmed up or anything which takes too long when idling, just long enough to take the edge off, maybe 30 seconds or so. Long enough to belt up, hook up the MP3 player, etc. I used to idle my cars while scraping the ice off in the morning but I think that's a bad plan now so I haven't done that with my MINI.

Harry

DNV122 · Oct 18th, 2003, 10:25 PM

good advice - better for the environment as well (mmm what about that 27mpg ???)

red03miniS · Oct 20th, 2003, 12:51 AM

thanks everybody for the great comments and help!

DNV--i hvae too many cars/motorcycles, i dont have enough time to put on miles

looks like i will have to hire someone to take care of the cars. i am picking up another car in about 3 weeks, its getting transported soon from FL

greatgro · Oct 31st, 2003, 08:41 PM

I believe the MINI manual says wait 5 minutes after you shut the engine off to check it. They suggest checking it after it's been running versus checking cold first thing in the morning.

red03miniS · Oct 31st, 2003, 08:58 PM

yeah gretgro...thats what i thought

Oct 18th, 2003, 10:08 PM	#22 (permalink)
HarryHBMCC MINI2 Master Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Guelph, Ontario, Can Local Time: 07:39 PM Posts: 2,655 Offline	Yep, I waited until close to 10K (computer brought me in early, 9K miles). I'm almost at Inspection I and the second oil change now which will be 22K miles this week probably with the computer saying I've got about 350 miles left (might sneak into next Monday). As I said, it needed 3/4 of a litre after break-in and since then it has dropped another 3/4 of a litre which I consider fine for 13K miles. I check the oil nearly every time I get gas. I've topped off the coolant more times than I've topped off the oil, no lie... The owner's manual says if you don't use it much, two years is the maximum between oil changes. When it's cold, I let my MINI warm up just a little bit before driving off or else I find it can stall if I'm early on the clutch. Not until warmed up or anything which takes too long when idling, just long enough to take the edge off, maybe 30 seconds or so. Long enough to belt up, hook up the MP3 player, etc. I used to idle my cars while scraping the ice off in the morning but I think that's a bad plan now so I haven't done that with my MINI. Harry MINI Cooper Cabrio: now the car with go cart handling really feels like an open go cart! "... the only man that can come home at 3 am in the morning without getting into trouble with his spouse is the owner of a British sports car!" -- Phil Bailey

Oct 20th, 2003, 12:51 AM	#24 (permalink)
red03miniS MINI2 Master Join Date: May 2003 Location: ca Local Time: 12:39 AM Posts: 825 Offline	thanks everybody for the great comments and help! DNV--i hvae too many cars/motorcycles, i dont have enough time to put on miles looks like i will have to hire someone to take care of the cars. i am picking up another car in about 3 weeks, its getting transported soon from FL 2003 CR MCS and 2007 CR MCS (on order)

Oct 31st, 2003, 08:41 PM	#25 (permalink)
greatgro MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: NJ Local Time: 08:39 PM Posts: 169 Offline	I believe the MINI manual says wait 5 minutes after you shut the engine off to check it. They suggest checking it after it's been running versus checking cold first thing in the morning. DS/W MCS

Oct 31st, 2003, 08:58 PM	#26 (permalink)
red03miniS MINI2 Master Join Date: May 2003 Location: ca Local Time: 12:39 AM Posts: 825 Offline	yeah gretgro...thats what i thought 2003 CR MCS and 2007 CR MCS (on order)

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Oct 18th, 2003, 09:00 PM	#21
DNV122 Sooperb Join Date: Dec 2002 Local Time: 12:39 AM Posts: 118 Offline	I've read in many handbooks and articles that the worst thing to do is switch on the engine and let it idle until it is warm. The best advice appears to be - switch on and drive away gently, until warm, then drive as normal (in my case between 2 & 5 krpm). Engines love long runs in the open and the MINI is no exception - go on - add some miles - go find a friend who lives far away and visit them often.

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Oct 18th, 2003, 10:25 PM	#23 (permalink)
DNV122 Sooperb Join Date: Dec 2002 Local Time: 12:39 AM Posts: 118 Offline	good advice - better for the environment as well (mmm what about that 27mpg ???)

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