Tag: Mini

Mini Dashboard Symbols and Warning Lights

Mini Symbols

So, what is that light on your dashboard? What follows is easily the most complete list available of symbols and warnings that may appear in and on your car’s dashboard or instrument cluster.

The following are warning lights and indicators found in vehicles built by Mini. Click the link to the right of each one to learn more.

How They Are Presented

They are roughly ordered by importance, which tends to be by color (red, amber, yellow, orange, green, blue, gray), but there are nearly 70 of them so be patient!

Need the symbols for another manufacturer? Click here!

Charging System Trouble Indicator SymbolCharge system trouble indicator -- click for more
Brake Trouble IndicatorBrake trouble indicators -- click for moreBrake Trouble Indicator Canada
Park Brake IndicatorPark brake indicator -- click for more
Oil Trouble Indicator SymbolOil warning lights -- click for moreLow Oil Level Symbol
Temperature Warning Light SymbolEngine temperature indicator -- click for more
Seat Belt Reminder SymbolSeat belt reminder -- click for more
SRS Air Bag Indicator SymbolAir bag warning indicator -- click for more
Security Lock IndicatorSecurity indicator -- click for more
Door Ajar Warning IndicatorDoor ajar indicators -- click for moreIgnition on driver door open indicator
Service interval nearService interval due or past -- click for moreService interval exceeded
Amber Master Warning Light SymbolCheck control message -- click for more
Step on the brake indicatorShift or start lock indicator -- click for more
Roll away potential indicator -- click for more
Service needed indicatorMaintenance required indicator -- click for more
Check engine lightEngine malfunction indicator -- click for moreMalfunction Indicator Light
EML IndicatorEngine electronics malfunction indicator -- click for more
Drivetrain Trouble IndicatorTransmission or drivetrain trouble indicator -- click for more
Transmission Temperature WarningTransmission oil temperature indicator -- click for more
Key battery indicatorKey fob malfunction or low battery indicators -- click for moreKey not found indicator
Brake Pad Wear Warning SymbolLow brake pad indicator -- click for more
ABS Trouble Indicator CanadaAnti-lock brake system fault indicators -- click for moreABS 4x4 indicatorABS Trouble Indicator US
Electronic Brake Force Distribution IndicatorElectronic brake force distribution indicator -- click for more
Tire Pressure Monitor SymbolTire pressure monitor indicator -- click for more
Low Coolant IndicatorLow coolant warning indicator -- click for more
Close gas cap indicatorCheck gas cap indicator -- click for moreCheck Gas Cap Indicator
Stacility controlStability control indicator -- click for more
Dynamic Stability Control IndicatorDynamic stability control indicators -- click for moreDSC 4x4 failed indicator
Slip Control Off IndicatorStability control off indicator -- click for more
Dynamic Traction Control IndicatorDynamic traction control indicator -- click for more
Steering trouble warningSteerng trouble indicator -- click for moreSteering Trouble Indicator
Frost warningFrost warning indicator -- click for more
Low Fuel IndicatorLow fuel indicator -- click for more
Windshield Washer Fluid Low IndicatorLow washer fluid indicator -- click for more
Automatic Hold IndicatorAutomatic brake hold indicator -- click for more
MDM IndicatorMDM Indicator -- click for more
Lane Departure SymbolLane keeping indicators -- click for moreLane Departure Warning
Collision warning 2Collision warning indicator -- click for moreFront End Collision Warning IndicatorVehicle detected indicator
Pedestrian Warning Symbol 2Pedestrian detected indicator -- click for morePedestrian Warning Symbol 1
Active Cruise Control SymbolAdaptive cruise control indicators -- click for moreActive cruise control
Cruise Control Indicator SymbolCruise control indicator -- click for more
Parking Assistance SymbolPark distance control -- click for morePark assist failure
Convertible failure indicatorConvertible top indicators -- click for moreConvertible top lock indicatorConvertible top speed indicator
Acoustic protection offAcoustic pedestrian protection system off -- click for more
Headlamp outLamp out indicator -- click for more
Fog Lamp Indicator SymbolFog lamps activated-- click for more
High-beam Assistant IndicatorAutomatic high beam indicator -- click for more
Tail Light Indicator CanadaPark lamps on indicator -- click for more
Turn Signal IndicatorTurn signal indicator -- click for more
High Beam On IndicatorHigh beam indicator -- click for more

Models examined include the Hardtop 2 Dr., Hardtop 4 Dr., Countryman, Clubman, Convertible, Paceman, Coupe, Roadster, and John Cooper Works GP.

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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the  use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2021/04/mini-warning-lights-and-symbols/

Can Your Car Windows Open on Their Own??

Why Are My Windows Open?

If you’ve ever walked out to your car and found all the windows open, this is our subject.  We’re going to discuss a feature found in cars from a number of manufacturers that catches people with their pants down. Or their windows down. This is not about a fault or a system failure or a warning light, but about something working exactly as it is supposed to, but doing it seemingly at random on its own.

Vehicles made by BMW and Mini, Honda and Acura, Ford and Lincoln, Maserati, Mercedes, Toyota and Lexus and Volkswagen Group, include what is called a convenience feature, which opens all the windows for ventilation when the unlock button is pressed and held. The sunroof will be open as well and the car unlocked.

Honda windowsWindows downFrom what we’ve discovered only Mercedes and some vehicles made by the Volkswagen Group offers the option to close everything again using the lock button. The Honda we have here does not.

Its An Accident!

So, what is causing the surprise window openings can be explained by accidental button pushes. Whether carried in a bag or in a pocket, something pressing on the unlock button for an extended period can and will activate the feature, if the key fob is within 50 feet or so. Remember that while the key fob’s keyless access can only operate within 18 to 24 inches of the vehicle, the buttons on the fob will work from a much greater distance.

Lexus windowsFor a fob carried in a pocket, preventing this may be a simple as turning the fob over on the key ring. The buttons will face the other way, if like me, your keys rest in the pocket the same way each time.

If it is carried in a bag, the nature of keyless open and start can easily lead to the fob migrating to the bottom of the bag. In this case, you might try using a device like this carabiner or snap hook. It can be hooked to a strap like on this computer bag and still actually be closed into the bag. But it won’t work its way to the bottom. The devices come in many different sizes and colors so you can be a stylish as you’d like and they can be found online or at most hardware stores.

To finish off the functions of the actual convenience feature, the windows will stop short if the button is released, and will continue down if it is pressed and held yet again. Some vehicles require the unlock button to be pressed and released once before the convenience feature will work. In Honda and Acura vehicles, the feature will work by holding the mechanical key turned to the right in the key cylinder, but this will not happen accidently. Also, turning and holding the key back to the left will close the windows and sunroof.

The feature can be disabled in Ford Motor Co and Toyota and Lexus vehicles, but you’ll need your dealer. In fact, the feature in a Toyota and Lexus must have first been activated in this way.

So, if ever you find your windows wide open one day, don’t panic — find a new way to carry your key fob.

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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the  use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2019/09/can-your-car-windows-open-on-their-own/

Does Your Owner’s Manual Have a Troubleshooting Guide?

How Deep Is Your Owner’s Manual?

We’ve done a couple of owner’s manual rants and got to thinking about where the average driver might look in their respective manual if they ran into trouble, specifically with dead or dying key fobs.

So, we examined a sampling of owner’s manuals from BMW and Mini, Fiat Chrysler, Ford, GM, including Buick, Chevrolet and Cadillac, Honda and Acura, Kia and Hyundai, Land Rover and Jaguar, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, Nissan and Infiniti, Subaru, Toyota and Lexus, Volkswagen and Audi and Volvo. And since we are adding this commentary, you can probably guess the results.

Mazda chapterSo lets set some parameters. Our first thought is to look for Troubleshooting chapter. So, result #1 is that not a single one of these 25 manufacturers have a chapter with this title. Only 3, Mazda (right), Toyota and Lexus, even use the word Trouble. Emergency, Roadside or Breakdown are most likely to be found, and this is a pretty short hurdle. VW raises the hurdle, with a Do It Yourself chapter that includes flat tires and dead batteries, etc. that tend to be found in the Breakdown chapters from other manufacturers.

To Index or Not to Index

Next, we looked to see if there was an index to resort to. Several, BMW, Land Rover, and Ford, for instance, have no indexes at all. So if someone out there is from these companies, please consider adding that in. On the other hand, the indexes we did find were no help at all with dead key fobs.

IndexSo, back to the our troubleshooting-like chapters. Once inside, only Honda/Acura, Toyota/Lexus and Subaru got this right! Setting aside for a moment the fact that the owner’s manual is most likely inside the car and the driver locked outside, at least if the driver manages to get the car open, he or she will be able to get started.

The Honda and Acura chapters point to an issue with the key fob being weak. This may not be immediately obvious to the operator, but it would be a likely spot to check out if the car wasn’t responding.

Subaru chapterSubaru (right), Lexus and Toyota chapters point directly to pages with solutions to issues with the electronic keys. Again, it may not be obvious to the driver that the key fob is the problem, but these manufacturers come the closest to nailing the problem. Titling the sections using something like what to do if the car does not respond to the electronic key would come closest to replicating exactly what the driver is experiencing.

Absolutely none of the other manufacturers point directly to the electronic keys in anything remotely like a troubleshooting chapter. To be clear, they all have the solutions shown, but the driver is left to contend with 400, 500 or 600 pages of information to get to what they need.

So for all of them, walk a mile in your customers shoes and try to think like someone who simply doesn’t understand what is wrong. Then make a Troubleshooting chapter and forget the clever titles like Handling the Unexpected or Volkswagens do it yourself chapter, which is where they keep breakdown assistance.

The closer your cars get to being rolling computers, the more relevant an actual Troubleshooting chapter will be to your customers.

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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the  use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2018/12/does-your-owners-manual-have-a-troubleshooting-guide/

Why Are All My Windows Down??

Who Opened the Windows?

Here, we discuss a feature found in cars from a number of manufacturers that catches people with their pants down. Or rather with their windows down. So, this is not about a fault or a system failure or a warning light, but about something working exactly as it is supposed to, but doing so seemingly at random on its own.

Windows openIf you’ve ever walked out to your car and found all the windows open, this is the subject. Keyless start vehicles made by BMW and Mini, Honda and Acura, Ford and Lincoln, Maserati, Mercedes, Toyota and Lexus and Volkswagen Group, include what is called a convenience feature, which opens all the windows for ventilation when the unlock button is pressed and held. The sunroof will be open as well if there is one and the car unlocked.

Can it be Shut Down?

From what we’ve discovered only Mercedes and some vehicles made by the Volkswagen Group offer the option to close everything again using the lock button. The Honda we had for demonstration (below) did not.

So, what is causing the surprise window openings can be explained by accidental button presses. Whether carried in a bag or in a pocket, something pressing on the unlock button for an extended period can and will activate the feature, if the key fob is within 50 feet or so. Remember that while the fob’s keyless access can only operate within 18 to 24 inches of the vehicle’s door handle, the buttons on the key fob will work from a much greater distance.

For a fob carried in a pocket, preventing this may be a simple as turning the fob over on the key ring. The buttons will face the other way if your keys tend to rest in the pocket the same way each time.

If it is carried in a bag, the nature of keyless open and start can easily lead to the fob migrating to the bottom of the bag. Anything and everything sitting on top of the fob can and will activate the feature.

CaribinerIn this case, you might try using a device like a carabiner or snap hook. It can be hooked to a strap and still actually be closed into the bag. But it won’t work its way to the bottom. The devices come in many different sizes and colors so you can be a stylish as you’d like and they can be found online or at most hardware stores.

To finish the discussion of the functions of the actual convenience feature, the windows will stop short if the button is released, and will continue down if it is pressed and held again. Some vehicles require the unlock button to be pressed and released once before the convenience feature will work.

In Honda and Acura vehicles, the feature can also be activated by holding the mechanical key turned to the right in the key cylinder, but this will not happen accidently. Also, turning and holding the key back to the left will close the windows and sunroof.

The feature can be disabled in Ford, Lincoln, Toyota and Lexus vehicles, but you’ll need your dealer. In fact, the feature in a Toyota and Lexus must have first been activated in this way.

So, if ever you find your windows wide open one day, don’t panic — find a new way to carry your key fob.

——————————————————————-

Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the  use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2018/10/why-are-all-my-windows-down/

BMW and Mini Videos: Handling Dead Key Fob Batteries

How to Open, Start and Replace Fob Batteries in BMW and Mini Vehicles

We have eleven Videos with Help for Your BMW or Mini.

This video offers help replacing the dead battery in BMW’ latest key fob.

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Here we have new 4-, 5-, and 7-Series sedans and large SUVs, gas and electric powered!

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This video collects all we have on BMW models into a single offering.

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This video covers the 2019 and newer BMW X3. A new version of a hidden key hole.

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An updated video replacing the battery in a common BMW key fob.

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Starting with the 2017 540i, a whole new key hole cap.

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Starting in 2015, the 7-Series features a new hidden key hole style and procedure.

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This video updates the one below and includes the removal of the key hole cover using an X5.

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This video will walk you though the process of getting in and starting BMWs without hidden key holes.

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Here’s a video for owners of 2014 and newer Mini Cooper Hardtops. Yet another hidden key hole style…

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This is an updated video replacing the battery in a newer version of the key fob.

Models covered include the 2-Series, 3-Series, 5-Series, i3, i8, M2, M3, M4, M6, X3, X4, X6, X7, Z4, Cooper Clubman, Convertible, Countryman, Paceman, Hardtop, 7-Series, X1, X5, i4, i5, i7 and iX.

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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the  use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2016/05/bmwmini-video-help-with-dead-key-fobs/