Early service indicator

[alphaod]

My car says its due for service at only under 8000 miles. In the past I've encountered maybe 9500 miles or something, I did my own service at 1200 and 5000, should I just reset the service indicator and head in around 10000 miles or would they refuse me service if it doesn't show service?

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by alphaod

My car says its due for service at only under 8000 miles. In the past I've encountered maybe 9500 miles or something, I did my own service at 1200 and 5000, should I just reset the service indicator and head in around 10000 miles or would they refuse me service if it doesn't show service?

How's your oil level?

[alphaod]

Originally Posted by Roundown

How's your oil level?

Oil level hasn't moved since I changed it if that's what you mean.

In fact, I haven't seen the oil level indicator move at all since checked my oil levels before every change. And I only fill 9 qt instead of the 9 L since I figured if I hit the minimum, I would just top off a whole qt instead of opening and having to store half a qt of oil.


BTW, for the in the past, I meant in the past for my older cars (ie: E70), rather than this car.

[IndyJer]

I would leave the service indicator alone and go in when it says to get the free service. Well, not really free, let's say "prepaid" service. The service interval is based on driving conditions, so it will not always be the same number of miles.

[42pilot]

Originally Posted by IndyJer

I would leave the service indicator alone and go in when it says to get the free service. Well, not really free, let's say "prepaid" service. The service interval is based on driving conditions, so it will not always be the same number of miles.

++1

Depending on driving habits and conditions, the ECU determines the interval. I think it's obscene that the ECU recommends 8,000 miles between changes. But I own mine and it's changed every 4,500 to 5,000 miles - cheap insurance.

[alphaod]

Well like I said, I already did service at 1200 and at 5000, and now I'm at about 7000 miles and it says I'm due for service in a few hundred miles and that seems kind of ridiculous even if it's "free" service.

[42pilot]

Originally Posted by alphaod

Well like I said, I already did service at 1200 and at 5000, and now I'm at about 7000 miles and it says I'm due for service in a few hundred miles and that seems kind of ridiculous even if it's "free" service.

I'm sorry - I mis-read your original post. When I change my own, I don't reset the computer because I am augmenting the maintenance program - I am not replacing it. If you reset the computer, you run the risk of the dealer not changing the oil.

I have 19,000 miles on mine. The dealer changed it right at 10,000 miles and then again at 17,500. The second change was 2,500 miles less than the first change. FYI, I changed it at 5,000 and 15,000 miles.

When mine is out of the maintenance program, I will stick to every 5,000 miles using Rotella T6.

[alphaod]

No sorry needed. I was not clear in my explanation. I am basically wondering if I reset, the dealer will tell me my car doesn't need service or will they just assume at 10,000 miles that my car needs service (since I believe that's the requirement now) especially with no record a previous dealer service.

But I think I may just be over thinking this and go and get the service with only 3000 miles on this change.

[MysticBlue]

Originally Posted by alphaod

But I think I may just be over thinking this and go and get the service with only 3000 miles on this change.

Yeah. This. I did the same thing. I changed it at 1200 and again at about 4000, which was earlier than I planned, but whenever you start it, it tells about how many more miles until maintenance is needed, so I knew it was going to come up at around 8k. Then I let BMW do their thing when it came up. Keep in mind you can kind of stretch it a little. Just wait until it tells you it's time, then wait a week or two and make an appointment for a few weeks later. I don't know what the accepted "window" is, but I don't think BMW is going to make a deal out of it if you are 500 miles late getting it in. And no, I would not reset it. Just let them do their thing and go from there.

[alphaod]

If I wait a week or two and make an appointment for a few weeks after that then I would have driven like another 3000-4000 miles.