DIY resetting service "due" lights…

[DietTab]

Can't turn off the service due without a cable and computer. You can do all the rest of them though. I've just been ignoring mine.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by DietTab

Can't turn off the service due without a cable and computer. You can do all the rest of them though. I've just been ignoring mine.

IF you go too long on brakes needing service... some guys have needed to visit a dealer to reset their brake wear light. You also need to have replaced the brake pad wear sensor(one per axle) and then try my DIY for resetting the service light. Some guys have needed to visit the dealer bc they drove too long on brake service needed light.

[DietTab]

The car on lift indicator, not the brakes

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by DietTab

The car on lift indicator, not the brakes

I've had that "car on a lift" icon light up on my BC before. I used this same DIY to reset it. I did not have to take it to a dealer.

[pj.rodriguez]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

I've had that "car on a lift" icon light up on my BC before. I used this same DIY to reset it. I did not have to take it to a dealer.

Attachment 1076501

What does that car on the lift indicate you actually need? Is it dependent on mileage?

If so, I have 167000 km or 103000 miles. Any ideas?

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by pj.rodriguez

What does that car on the lift indicate you actually need? Is it dependent on mileage?

If so, I have 167000 km or 103000 miles. Any ideas?

I think it goes off based on time really. I think every two years. It's BMW way to mess with us. Really.

We know it is NOT for: oil change, brake fluid or brakes(front or rear) bc we have other lights for those things. I think it's just BMW's way in to have us take our car in for service. For a tech to look the car over and say you need this or that.

Possible service items would be: spark plugs(every 45K miles or sooner with a tune), air filter, wiper blades, pollen micro filter, tires, alignment, worn suspension, worn/loose exhaust or blown out lights on the car.

Dackel

[fe1rx]

Originally Posted by pj.rodriguez

What does that car on the lift indicate you actually need? Is it dependent on mileage?

If so, I have 167000 km or 103000 miles. Any ideas?

When mine came on at about 96,000 km it was for a power steering fluid flush and a coolant flush. It counted down based on mileage, not calendar so these both seem to be distance related. I have no idea if they are at a fixed distance or based on a usage algorithm though. I think you will get the light for a variety of other scheduled service items (like spark plugs, cabin air microfilter, intake filter, etc.). BMW can tell you specifically if they read your key.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by fe1rx

When mine came on at about 96,000 km it was for a power steering fluid flush and a coolant flush. It counted down based on mileage, not calendar so these both seem to be distance related. I have no idea if they are at a fixed distance or based on a usage algorithm though. I think you will get the light for a variety of other scheduled service items (like spark plugs, cabin air microfilter, intake filter, etc.). BMW can tell you specifically if they read your key.

BMW AG has no specific interval for a coolant or PS flush/change. That service is something your dealer told you - and you bought it. Nothing wrong with that, bc IMO it was probably needed based on time. But this service light has nothing to do with those two services. Its merely to get you "in the door".

I believe on some cars, when they are PDI'd(pre delivery inspected) some dealers don't even activate this service light in the CBS menu.

[fe1rx]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

But this service light has nothing to do with those two services. Its merely to get you "in the door".

Interesting. They were very vague when I made the appointment as to what the light could mean, which surprised me. That said, I actually went in at 99,000 km and I am ok with a 100,000 km service interval for the coolant and PS fluid. I will probe a little deeper next time.

Next one shows it will be at 148,000. I was expecting it to be 120,000 for the spark plugs and intake filter, which I thought were at 60,000 intervals.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by fe1rx

Interesting. They were very vague when I made the appointment as to what the light could mean, which surprised me. That said, I actually went in at 99,000 km and I am ok with a 100,000 km service interval for the coolant and PS fluid. I will probe a little deeper next time.

Next one shows it will be at 148,000. I was expecting it to be 120,000 for the spark plugs and intake filter, which I thought were at 60,000 intervals.

The one series does not have a spark plug service light like the 3er/e9x cars do. For 135i's the plugs have always been due at 45K miles. Most dealers even will change them under the warranty service plan. For 128i NA motors the plugs are due at 100K miles. No way would I go that long on my own car.

I think changing spark plugs every 30K miles is better.

Intake air filter is due at 60K miles. There will be a lot of little stones, sand and leaves caught up in there. I used a vacuum cleaner on my air box.

Dack

[dans135i]

Just to chime in on the light shown, I just took my 2011 135i in for it, as it indicated inspection needed. My car only has 7k miles on it and was a CPO , it was a date of 8/2014 shown as being due when looking at vehicle status. Its definitely to get you in there and the work order indicated everything that was 'checked'. It was under factory warranty so no charge.

I am new here but could use some input , I have a small time window to add MBI mechanical breakdown from my credit union. It is less than half of what the dealer wanted I could get 5 years/75k coverage from now for under $1000 any ideas?

Really appreciate it ,
Thank you
Dan

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by dans135i

I am new here but could use some input , I have a small time window to add MBI mechanical breakdown from my credit union. It is less than half of what the dealer wanted I could get 5 years/75k coverage from now for under $1000 any ideas?

^^So with that coverage any BMW dealer will repair your car for free? I bet you first have to pay for the needed repairs and then, MAYBE this MBI coverage will reimburse you. Maybe. ?

[dans135i]

Hi Dack, really appreciate the input. I will go over the details tonight and get back to you. You are supposed to be able to take to any repair facility not just BMW dealer. Anyway Even though I can do some stuff DIY I am nervous about the 7speed DCT , turbo or CIC down the line. The car will not be tracked ( I have an old 73 911 for that) and mainly for weekend driving/fun. It has very low miles so I do feel better about that. For the money I dont think you can get a car with this kind of performance , really love it.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by dans135i

Hi Dack, really appreciate the input. I will go over the details tonight and get back to you. You are supposed to be able to take to any repair facility not just BMW dealer. Anyway Even though I can do some stuff DIY I am nervous about the 7speed DCT , turbo or CIC down the line. The car will not be tracked ( I have an old 73 911 for that) and mainly for weekend driving/fun. It has very low miles so I do feel better about that. For the money I dont think you can get a car with this kind of performance , really love it.

Jelly of your 911. I need to buy/own one.

Yea... that was what attracted me to the 135i too. The power/performance/small packaging FTW!

[dans135i]

Hi Dack, get one quick! the prices just over the last year have gone to the absurd. I would post a pic but that would be blasphemous on this site I think LOL.
Went over the details for MBI , gold and platinum choices , gold covers specifics in the doc , engine , trans , bigger items..then exclusions are NAV some electronics but can be added. Platinum states cover everything except whats stated in Section III , and then excludes wear and tear items , fluids etc.

Car can be taken to any licensed facility and can be paid directly.
Gold 5 year/ 60k is $892 , Platinum is $959 ,
gold 5/75k $1100, $1196 platinum...
, and so on up to 7/100k for 2k+
Based on mainly possible big ticket repairs I was considering 5/60k...
Again any input is greatly appreciated , btw the insurance company is one of the largest here, been around forever. So they will pay.
Thanks Dack,
Dan

[dans135i]

Hi Dack,
Decided to skip the MBI. Still have 2 years left on CPO and would be duplicate coverage and the insurance co stated they would use the CPO and not pay anything for the first 2 years but would not give a discount. Hopefully if I take care of it properly it will be as trouble free as a lot have indicated. Thanks.
Dan

[Ericsson.FFS]

First of all, thank you Dackelone for sharing this with the rest of us! One must love the fact that BMW decided to make this so surprisingly easy and convinient, but still, without someone "putting it out there" it would be of no use to all of us DIY'ers!

Now, second of all, for those of you who like my self experienced problems resetting the brake pad service, front and rear, with the sudden appearance of the RED "car on lift", dong-making service announcement.... have faith, unless your brake wear sensor actually is worn out, it most likely can be fixed without the need for you to go to the dealer.

In my case I recently replaced disc rotors and pads, front and back, and since I did this in advance of the brake wear signal turning up, the sensors were both fine and did not need to be replaced, so I reused them both.
For that time beeing I didn't know how to reset the service indication in the BC, but after finding it out from reading this topic I tried it out, which resulted in "blank" (-----) kms in the BC, and a new born "car on lift"-issue.

Since the car reads the resistance (ohm) from within the brake pad wear sensor it awaits the input of a new value that differs from the old/present one. As mentioned, both my sensors were completely fine so to fool the car I therefore unplugged the front sensor and replaced the male end connector (sensor side) with one very simple piece of steel wire, inserted into the female connector (car side), closing the circuit, much like the "old school" brake wear sensor-delete-method...



I then went back into the car and again performed the BC-reset, now successfully, since the car apparently reckons it has a brand new sensor installed! Sucker....
Note: Only by doing this up front fixed both the front and rear issues!

After doing this, simply turn the ignition off, remove the steel wire acting as a bridge and reconnect the original wear sensor.

Problem most likely solved - brake service data refreshed and annoying red "Car on lift" long gone!

Hopefully BMW won't suffer too bad financially, missing out on some of the easiest money they probably can get, with these built in functions from hell..!

[MontegoCoupe]

My 2012 128i is just out of dealer warranty, approaching 60k. Service light popped on. Reset the light using this guide. Pretty sure I can do the service myself, and haven't been impressed by the dealer here in Toledo. Every time it went in under warranty, they wanted to change all four tires, regardless of condition. Just got to be fun to just say no.

I've always done my own service on my other cars, so this one should be no different. However, it's funny to hear it talk to itself in the garage.

MontegoCoupe

[abucom]

thanks!

[Aetey]

Just to confirm, this procedure works like a charm on the 1M. This has saved me a trip to the local stealer, thanks for posting

[Pyrat 2]

No luck trying this on my 135is. Suggestions? Do I need to do anything else. I tried this without actually changing the pads. Is there an additional sensor on the brakefluid level or something else.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by HeelToe

No luck trying this on my 135is. Suggestions? Do I need to do anything else. I tried this without actually changing the pads. Is there an additional sensor on the brakefluid level or something else. Help!

You need new pad sensors. Or you can try @Ericsson.FFS way posted above.