Unexpected oil change service

[MotoWPK]

First oil change on my 2013 128i was 4/14 with about 12,800 miles showing, done under the annual change interval rather than the mileage interval which was still a few thousand miles away.

The other day, at about 15,800 miles, the service indicator displayed in red when starting the car and, working through the menu, the oil can symbol was shown in red. Called the dealer and was first told that indicated the oil level was a quart low. I explained the oil level is showing full but, with the 4/14 service record indicating "low mile oil service", I asked if it was as simple as the CBS not having been reset. The SA explained they do not reset the CBS miles when oil is changed at the annual mark, so an appointment has been made to have the oil changed.

This seems odd. I understood the oil change interval to be the CBS miles (nominally 15,000) or one year. With the first oil change having been made at one year and 12,800 miles, I would have expected the next oil change to be needed at ~27,800 miles or 4/15, whichever came first. As it is, the oil's going to be changed after 7 months and 3,000 miles. Is this correct or does the SA have it wrong?

[gregthegr8]

I was surprised by this recently, too, but they will give you the 1 year oil change if low mileage, and they DO NOT reset the computer and will then due the service when it says it's due as well. I'm in the same position as you and had a lengthy conversation about it. So, I got a 1 year oil change, and then will get a free one 6 months later after 3,000 miles. I'm shocked they do both or don't reset it, but I'll take all the free oil changes I can get.

[DSSG]

The computer is programmed to show the Major Service Interval. BMW also does an annual change that isn't programmed in. If you think about it, it works fairly well in most cases.

[Fume]

Originally Posted by DSSG

The computer is programmed to show the Major Service Interval. BMW also does an annual change that isn't programmed in. If you think about it, it works fairly well in most cases.

Wait, so to get this annual change, do you have to call the BMW service centre to request it?

[Iron Man]

Originally Posted by Fume

Wait, so to get this annual change, do you have to call the BMW service centre to request it?

My dealer actually contacted me to have it done. I did not have to call anyone.

[luv135i]

The annual oil change is only for low mileage changes that dont fall into the normal oilchange window within a year. In that case they do not reset the cbs. Ive had like 8 oil changes on my car with only 15k total on the car over the 4 years ive had it due to low mileage oil changes every year. And another oil change a few months later. Basically they want everyone to have at least one oil change a year.

[Fume]

Originally Posted by luv135i

The annual oil change is only for low mileage changes that dont fall into the normal oilchange window within a year. In that case they do not reset the cbs. Ive had like 8 oil changes on my car with only 15k total on the car over the 4 years ive had it due to low mileage oil changes every year. And another oil change a few months later. Basically they want everyone to have at least one oil change a year.

Yeah my car is at 8600 miles and one year has passed since I got the car. Maybe I should email the BMW service centre near me.

[Nemco]

They'll encourage you to come in since BMW reimburses the dealer. Oil change and filter. And if you tell them the wipers are streaking, new blades.

[02rsxpilot]

Yep, Nemco has it right. This is about money for your dealer more than need for your car. As I understand it, they are allowed to do an oil change at one year, and also anytime the computer says it needs one. They are also allowed to replace your wipers, do brake service, etc... every so often. My wipers were fine the last time I was in but the guy said they could replace them for free so he added a note to my file that said "the owner says the wipers are streaking". I obviously said no such thing but it's free money for the dealer on a 10 second service. They also flushed my brake fluid even though it wasn't even six months since I had flushed it myself.

The other side of this is an oil change and a service are not the same thing. Services include inspection of the vehicle for other wear and tear and unusual items, so there's value in having it up on a lift once in a while beyond just having some new fluids.

[JimD]

My 2009 is now out of warranty/"free" service but I got oil changes at slightly over 1 year intervals for the first 4 years. I drive less than 7,500 miles per year (I have a SUV too). I never got an oil change other than these at 1 year intervals. I also never got a "service now" light or anything like that.

I now change at 5K intervals using Mobil 1 0-40W European formula.

[DSSG]

Yes the above is all true. Get your oil and filter changed annually by BMW. Call for your first appointment and then do it every year thereafter on the same date.

The CBS tells the dealer when to do the Major Service. You should notice it counting down as the miles rack up. In my case, the annual change and the major will coincide on the same date.

[MotoWPK]

Thanks for the feedback explaining this is usual, though it still seems a waste to change the oil after only 3000 miles and seven months.

[Mach1er]

Just to clarify this general situation: Say you drive 9k mi per year.
1st oil change 1 year after your purchase, at 9k miles.
2nd oil change and "major service" interval at 15k, 1 year and 8 months in.
3rd oil change 1 year later, at 2 years, 8 months and 24k mi.

The distinguishing factor is that the "annual" oil change is one year from the most recent oil change, not one year from the last "annual" oil change for low-mileage cars.

As others have said, for my annual oil change I got wiper blades because the SA said I could get a new set annually. I did call and schedule my own annual service, but given time the dealer may have called me. I just happened to want mine at exactly 365 days...