minicar: It is below freezing 13F and I wanted to check the anti-freeze level of my brothers mini-cooper while he is out of town for a month. Any suggestions as to how to get into the hood? Also would it be ok if I can't get in there to check and winterize it properly. Should I unplug the battery? It is stored outside.How do you open the hood on a 2004 mini-cooper?The hood or "bonnet" release is on the passenger side floor board. It's British!!! Plus, the MINI has a Full Maintenance warranty, you shouldn't have to do anything. The car should be fine while it is outside. If you have the keys, turn it to the first click and it will tell you on the speedo how many miles it has until it's check up. If it is not there yet then you don't need to do anything. Plus, it's your brother's MINI, I would hate it if someone was jacking with my MINI. We are pretty close to our MINI's.|||This year model car should have plenty of antifreeze, unless its been overheating lately. Just make sure you run the engine for at least 15 minutes each day, should be OK. Run the engine until the heater gets hot, should be pleanty of time. Good Luck. You run a good chance of having your brother mad at you if you get in there and ruin something.How do you open the hood on a 2004 mini-cooper?if you look under the hood the instructions are written very clearly there :)|||the passager floorboardHow do you open the hood on a 2004 mini-cooper?The latch to open the hood on a MINI is on the right wall of the passenger side floor board, near the spot the door hinges on. It's an English (right-hand) drive car, originally, remember? =) Good luck! and Happy Motoring!