What are those two extra gears on the Mini Cooper, and how do you use them?

-- Anonymous, December 13, 2004

Answers

These 'extra' gears are a faux-manual shift feature. You can slide the selector over and manually upshift and downshift for a more 'sporting' experience. It's similar to the Porche and VW 'Tiptronic' feature, and equally limited in utility.

-- Anonymous, December 13, 2004

There's actually 3 modes: Standard automatic, Sport-mode Automatic -- when the shift lever is shifted to the left, and finally clutch-less manual which uses the +/- direction to move gears up and down.

Go to the Mini Cooper web site for more detailed explanations of the gearing.

-- Anonymous, December 22, 2004

Actually, it is very useful for improving control and safety when driving along long uphill or downhill grades, as it allows the driver to quickly shift to the best gear for uphill acceleration or downhill braking, leaving the brakes cool and ready for full emergency braking efficiency. I recently rented a Chrysler Pacifica with this, and with 8 people onboard, I was much safer driving both up and down Jay mountain in the Adirondacks.

-- Anonymous, December 28, 2004