MINI Pro Tips: Making New MINIs Easier & More Fun (Including Hidden Sport Mode)

[@williamhojfeldt]

About the shortcuts you can actually save experience modes to shortcuts, and then you can acces them by hitting the star button on the steering wheel and they will then appear in the heads up display. so you can essentially change into go-kart mode without taking your hands of the steering wheel or your eyes off the road.

[@whathashappened37]

Hey mate! Firstly I’d like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing this wonderful video. You don’t know how much you helped. Indirectly you saved so many drivers lives who otherwise could have run in to an oncoming traffic while turning on seat massage or doing something that demands 3-5 seconds of taking eyes off the road. Thank you. Only thing I still don’t understand is permanently turning off the auto start and stop function or a shortcut to get to this option quickly

[@MotoringFile]

Glad you've found this useful! You can shortcut the "Driving Setting" app and then just click the button on the right that toggles "Auto Start/Stop".

[@breakersteve]

Another shortcut for the seat massaging. On the seat controls at the side of the drivers seat base there is a dial for the lumber control. On mine press the up or down on the dial and it asks on the screen if you want to start seat massaging.

[@Carl_L991]

Yes, experienced that when I test-drove the demo and it is, indeed, what the manual still says but, on my 10/24 build, that doesn't work. That and the now power-only USBs is the only discrepancies I've found with the owner's manual so far.

[@Carl_L991]

Scrub that - it's now started working correctly

[@Dingoblue]

Hi, good stuff! Can you see if you can do a detailed video abt OS9 mini autonomous driving feature, which includes "automatic lane change", "lane guiding with navigation", "assisted driving plus", "stop at traffic lights". Lastly digital Key Plus using ultra wide band (uwb) technology. These are details I can't seem to find anywhere currently on social media! Thx!

[@josephanthony1933]

The L gear is really for whenever your going downhill to reduce speed/ brake assist, however you can use that to shift aswell. Now pro tip if you press the gear shift toggle again but hold it for 16 seconds straight the car will access the manual mode for shifting,d will turn to M and you can shift with your cruise control up/down on the left side of the steering wheel.

[@gregorygriffin2317]

hey j, this is what I have been looking for. Thanks

[@stephencairns5962]

Thank you. How would you revert back?

[@nicoletabrizi189]

So if you hold the shift down into L for 16 seconds?? Omg I’ve been wondering how.. gonna try tomorrow thank you!!!

[@dimitrisblatsios4706]

Keep it pressed at D, not L. But there is no going back unless you switch the engine off and on again. When you need to reverse, it is annoying.

[@Sy-fly]

Pro tip if you hold down the SET button on the steering wheel for 2 seconds it will deactivate the speed warning. And if you go in to settings you can set the parking brake to auto when turning off engine saves you having to manually do it. Also on my countryman it’s as S not L.

[@markhoward3596]

Great video thanks. I’ve just ordered my Cooper S, these tips are great. I’m lucky enough to be able to get the S in JCW trim as I’m in Australia so it has the paddle shifters.

[@gerrygoetz5077]

The driver warning statement always is the first thing I see when starting the car, and it requires touching the “OK” button. Can this be permanently deleted?

[@rdelpre]

If you have Android Auto connected and have Google Maps selected as your default navigation app, the Map will display in the OS 9 main screen in the circle where the OS 9 map typically displays.

[@manicured-garden]

Hey, i was looking for that, cause otherwise map will show on square screen-which doesn't look well. Hope do we do that?

[@zaire1977]

Are you sure?

[@BarbaraColes-fw5mz]

Wow! Blown away by this info. Thanks

[@peterb9280]

In the UK "Hey MINI" voice controls the heating, fan speed, seat and wheel heating, next track etc etc in practice you don't need to touch the screen much when driving.

[@banner4141]

Hey mini seems to not function a lot of times for me 🤔..

[@nicoletabrizi189]

US has “hey mini” as well, just set it up, have not tested it for heating etc! Will have to try tomorrow, how cool!!

[@DeniseClark-xw8qz]

So do I have this on my UK Cooper that’s 3 weeks old? When you say ‘next track’ are we talking on your phone or Alexa/Spotify/Applecarplay?? We’re quite old and we’re really struggling with all this tech!!! 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️😡 Love Minis- Hate technology!! 😂😂

[@shenangeagins]

Just bought mine, so helpful! The CarPlay does look disjointed as is

[@marystrader4962]

Thanks! Yep- the projector works when the headlights automatically turn on when it’s in the garage or it’s dark outside, but never on in the daytime. Can even put your hand or a white piece of paper in front of the projector and nothing there. It has to be a setting with the headlights, I just can’t figure out which one.

[@marystrader4962]

Hey there! Great video, added some strategic shortcuts!! My question is that my ambient lighting is only coming on at night and not in the day at all! Have tried every last control in my new 2025 Mini Cooper S, and everything is turned up all of the way. It doesn't display in any of the experiences! ANY ADVICE? Thanks!

[@MotoringFile]

Hmm - not sure what might be happening. Is it working in the projector at all? If not your best bet would be to have your dealer take a look.

[@Carl_L991]

My favourite tip is that Assisted View can be accessed by touching the speed limit display - no need to add it to shortcuts

[@Kerosenetrewthe]

You can tap the RPM gauge or the MPH to bring up the Speedometer.

[@philipliang7063]

Great video! Is there any way to adjust tilt level for the passenger side mirror when reversing? Mine seems to tilt all the way down so can only see the ground not the back of the car.

[@MotoringFile]

Not that we know of unfortunately.

[@pizzafuer2]

Is it possible to tip on the fuel information and swipe it to full?

[@ttegguhhug9271]

Press and hold the set button on the steering wheel to turn off the annoying exceeding the speed limit warning.

[@MotoringFile]

Agreed - this is HUGELY helpful in the UK and the EU.

[@GaryReyes777]

About L mode. The manual states: Without shift paddles: L gear position In selector lever position L, the transmission continues to shift automatically, but generally with lower gears. The vehicle drives off slowly when the brake pedal is released.

[@MotoringFile]

Which is essentially how Sport has been programmed in the past.

[@jamescartier8728]

@@MotoringFile And what L meant before "sport modes" ever existed lol

[@Stewing_It_Over]

Also when in L position and you don’t have shift paddles - you can use the + - buttons on the cruise control to change gears up and down - so essentially manual mode

[@GaryReyes777]

@@Stewing_It_Over nice!

[@stephencairns5962]

@@Stewing_It_Over How long do you have to hold it in L position for before you can change the gears using the + / - buttons, please? I have heard different answers from 16 seconds to 2 minutes! I assume to reset it back to fully automatic, you switch back to D? Someone else said that even in L mode, the gears still change automatically. I'm a bit confused! Mine will be a UK Mini arriving in late October. I do like the idea of being able to shift gears manually where the need arises (very steep hills, snowy weather, etc) so am hoping that this is indeed possible.

[@leaper2294]

When you are in core or personal mode and you step on the brake or coast, there is a spinning daisy on the Power marker.

[@ss2383]

Hi I think listening music via usb is impossible with new system 😟 As I saw in my car; two of the Usb C ports are for charge only. Am I wrong ?

[@Carl_L991]

No, you're not wrong. Same on mine (I'm in UK, Exclusive All4 S). I (think) Mini changed this from builds post circa 07/24. If you want to 'fix' it, try searching on a certain North America forum as it only needs a cheap(ish) cable - however, as nobody knows why it was changed, I'd stay away from this 'fix' - maybe there was a Kia-type vulnerability in the USB data connection???. Another problem is that many will be driven towards buying a USB-C stick to save Drive Recorder videos as save to phone doesn't immediately work (hidden permission on app (vehicle tab) > Vehicle Configuration > Device Connection > Vehicle data access (have to do this whilst in car as confirmation dialogue also pops up in car).

[@ss2383]

@Carl_L991 Thanks for your reply. The reason of Mini for doing this (for me) is forcing people to buy membership of their "partner" spotify. I also bought a USB C stick but not try it 😁 I think it may be possible to connect with hidden settings. My car is 2024 Cooper 1.5 with JCW package in Turkey and it also has both driving cam and inside cam. I'm also curious about how the transfer of recordings and photos will be without usb.

[@Carl_L991]

@ss2383 there's a hidden permission - it's in the app but you have to be in car as the car will also bring up a confirmation. In the app, go to 1st tab (car tab) > vehicle configuration > device connection > vehicle data access. Once you've done this, you can go to videos in car and transfer them to your phone.

[@philpapephoto]

Is there a way to turn off the auto start / stop perminatly? Can I make a shortcut for it?

[@MotoringFile]

You can’t do it permanently (unfortunately). However you can shortcut that. We have a video coming soon that explains that process.

[@brandihall6028]

You can hit the button to the left of the assisted parking button on your dashboard under the screen and it will pull up your driving assist and just unclick the auto start/stop. It’s the first thing I do when I turn on my car

[@cfoenrollment3197]

I’ve owned four or 5, and thinking about buying the f66 s.

[@DeniseClark-xw8qz]

Hi you messaged me back a few days ago about a comment I made on the new Mini - sorry not to reply - Christmas and all that! So, I've had the 2025 Mini Cooper for about 3 weeks now. I’ve owned 2nd gen Minis since 2004 - think this is my 12th - I do love my Minis!! We are an older couple - we are not techy people! Previously we were quite happy to listen to our choice of music on a USB stick placed in the port provided front middle under the toggle switches. This has now gone! There’s no USB port! There’s a small charging port behind central armrest which is for charging only - next to the cigarette lighter. So, these are my annoying issues - 1 We are not phone people! I love my iPad but really not into phones so we can’t use CarPlay etc unless I buy a decent phone! 2 So I’ve bought an FM transmitter adapter from Amazon that goes into cig lighter then speaks to Bluetooth and the digital display and USB stick goes into the adapter- all very longwinded and definitely seems a step backward for such a hi-tech car!! 🤦‍♀️😡 3 Every time we get into the car we have to readjust the heat and fan settings - they automatically appear on 22 degrees and Medium fan?!! 4 We were ‘bullied’ into having the Mini App! Our dealership people were biting ‘pressured’ to make sure we have it! 5 This App has now slowed down my less than hi-tech phone as it’s taken up lots of memory!! 6 To set the App up properly I was meant to scan a QR code in the car - my phone doesn’t do scanning!! To sum up I just find the whole thing an overload of tech but I’m no longer able to do a simple thing like listen to music - simply!! I’ve accepted that I will probably have to get an iPhone or similar very soon - just for the car really! Then I hear that Spotify etc aren’t free anyway - I will have to,pay a subscription……!! I’ll stop now…… Any helpful thoughts gratefully received……..

[@julianrose5917]

Great info …..I love your glasses what make are they ?

[@MotoringFile]

Thanks! Original Vintage HW01

[@anonymouspdg6121]

Very useful but although most things would be the same, would be good to see the same for the EV version?

[@kuriipom]

There’s no coordinate system like in year 2018 where I could put it up on the right corner of the screen

[@icem8n]

Maaan I can't wait to get my car. I should have it before the end of next week. I was told by the dealer that there are quite a few easter eggs in OS 9. I saw someone was able to have a simulated gear shifting?? Can someone test this on the electric mini??

[@GaryReyes777]

Mine is coming into port September 3rd. It's taking sooooooo long.

[@peterb9280]

On the electric this just toggles between creep and one peddle.

[@alioscopy-glasses-free-3D]

What version of OS9 is that car running?

[@MotoringFile]

Because this is technically a "fleet" car there's no way to see the exact version.

[@alioscopy-glasses-free-3D]

@@MotoringFile … that's interesting! So there's a 'fleet' setting which prevents certain information from being viewed?! I wonder whether, if you connected using the MINI app, this info would show??

[@EM.1.]

The salesperson informed me that Spike (Siri-like service) comes with the model.

[@billsuper7324]

I have the SE model in JCW version - is there any sport mode ? I guess not ?

[@esthervanbel9062]

Can't you activate Go-kart mode?

[@billsuper7324]

@@esthervanbel9062 yes but no impact on suspensions

[@Fulchie81]

Does anyone know how to customize what the car does when key is detected? Brand new owner and when I get near my car the radio always turns on rather loudly. I’d love to customize this setting. Thanks!

[@Carl_L991]

I'd love to know this too but I've been through every setting & can't find anything. I've had to train myself to press the volume control to mute the radio before getting out of the car (I work in events and often get into the car in hotel car parks around 4:30 a.m.!)

[@MarkRLawrence]

Is there a way to add Spotify to the apps?

[@MotoringFile]

It's coming.

[@christineshubrook1953]

I get Spotify through Android Auto.

[@ben_1970]

Anyone know how you rearrange the 6 or so home screen widgets? Common sense hold and drag on one of them didn't seem to work.

[@OkayJose]

Doesn’t seem like you can as of now. Maybe in future software update

[@matemayer4850]

How do you make the go kart mode default that the car starts up with go kart mode so I donmt have to select it all the time?

[@ashleymoffat9483]

When you toggle into your experiences, press the gear that pops up on the side and you can set which experience you want as default! I believe it works for go kart mode as well

[@matemayer4850]

@@ashleymoffat9483 I tried that but the go kart mode doesn’t come up in the list

[@ashleymoffat9483]

@@matemayer4850 awe boo that sucks! It should be an option

[@kakalestos]

Has anyone found how to revert back to the experience-specific homescreen (i.e. the drive efficient meter or the personal wallpaper) once you’ve switched out of it by selecting the speedo or some other menu?

[@christineshubrook1953]

Tap the house icon at the bottom of the circle.

[@mityamelko9675]

For the transmission we have D/ S in EU, not L

[@Carl_L991]

S in JCW/Sport, L in all other models.

[@MarkRLawrence]

Also is there a way to make it so it goes to Eko mode instead of Core ?

[@nicoletabrizi189]

I forget where but you can definitely customize it, for each profile, which experience your car starts up in when logging into ur profile. Go-cart mode is not included… not sure if Eco is? I have it set to timeless Maybe it’s under apps, experience, or under profile settings can’t remember but it does exist

[@esthervanbel9062]

​@@nicoletabrizi189 the default experience mode can be anything besides green or go-kart since they alter the driving. So no unfortunately

[@justinhouston1414]

Push the "Experiences" toggle switch up or down one time from any screen. On the experience selection screen (the one where the experiences are in a stack formation) there's a gear icon for settings on the right side of the screen. The setting to choose your startup experience is in there.

[@nicoletabrizi189]

@@esthervanbel9062Ahhhh makes sense, I started just leaving it at core since it’s closest to go cart 😭 however, I did learn you can alter the driving experience for (some?) experiences! Example being in go cart mode I can make it sound and drive like “core” (it calls it “comfort” if I simply want the look of go cart. But of course I will always want the sport sound and sport driving feel lol…

[@b0shica]

Mini's 2025 from 2024... 🤣

[@banner4141]

L .. low .. Uk model says D/S

[@TheJuno106]

D/s is if you have shift paddles - D/L if you don't. Not sure why but the US is not getting shift paddles. (I believe that you can turn the + - buttons on the steering wheel cruise control to manual shift buttons by holding down the gear lever for a couple of minutes)

[@stephencairns5962]

@@TheJuno106 Am intrigued by this... why would it be necessary to hold it down for so long? Mine arrives late October and has D/L. I was wondering what the L stood for. So, just to clarify, by doing what you state above, I could manually change gears using the buttons you mention (I am thinking this would be useful in snowy weather, or going down a steep hill). Thank you.

[@TheJuno106]

@@stephencairns5962 From what I have heard, It might be a debug feature - Thats why you have to hold the toggle down for so long. From the manual:- Without shift paddles: gear selector position L In selector lever position L, shifts are still performed automatically, but generally with lower gears. When the brake pedal is released, the vehi cle drives off slowly

[@stephencairns5962]

@@TheJuno106 Thank you very much. So L stands for 'Low' I guess. It sounds like you cannot control the gears with the + / - controls on the left of the steering wheel - or perhaps you can! Thanks for taking the time to reply- appreciate it.