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BMW Service intervals & lights

89K views 64 replies 46 participants last post by  Airbuspilot15 
#1 ·
I was looking up the service light for the e36 model and found this. Hope this helps others as well.
May be a sticky ?


BMW Service Lights

Normal Condition: Up to five green lights illuminate depending on vehicle use since new or last maintenance. Reduction of illuminated green lights is a countdown for the next service due.


Oil Service Alert: All green lights are off and only the yellow light is illuminated along with the "Oil Service" sign, alerting you that oil service is necessary


Inspection Service Alert: All green lights are off and only the yellow light is illuminated along with the "Inspection" sign, alerting you that this service is necessary.


Overdue Inspection Service Alert: The red light will illuminate along with the yellow one to serve as a warning that service is overdue; and in the interest of read safety and reliability, avoid driving your BMW. Schedule an appointment immediately.




Service Intervals


Inspections to be carried out

BMW Inspection I
Undercarriage

* Change engine oil and filter while engine is at normal operation temperature.
* Check transmission for leaks.
* Check rear axle for leaks.
* Visually check fuel tank, lines, and connections for leaks.
* Check condition, position, and mounting of exhaust system. Examine for leaks.
* Check power steering system for leaks.
* Check overall thickness of front and rear disc brake pads.
* Examine brake disc surfaces.
* Clean brake pad contact points in calipers.
* Grease wheel center hubs.
* Check steering for absence of play, condition of suspension track rods, front axle joints, steering linkage, and joint disc.
* Check front control arm bushing for wear.
* Check brake and clutch system connectors and lines for leaks, damage, and incorrect positioning.
* Check for free movement of the parking brake cables. Adjust parking brake if necessary.
* Check all tire pressures (including spare). Correct if necessary.
* Check condition of tires (outer surfaces (left/right)), tread wear and pattern; In case of uneven tread wear readjust wheel alignment if required.

Engine Compartment

* Read out diagnostic system
* Check engine cooling system/heater hose connections for leaks.
* Check coolant level and antifreeze protection level; add coolant if necessary.
* Check level of brake and clutch fluid in reservoir; add fluid if required.
* Check windshield washer fluid level and antifreeze protection. Fill up and/or correct if necessary.
* Check air conditioner for operation.
* Reset Service Indicator.

Body/Electrical Equipment

* Check battery electrolyte level and add distilled water if required.
* Perform batter load test.
* Check lighting system, i.e. headlights, foglights, parking, backup, license plate, interior (including map reading lights), glove box, flashlight, illuminated makeup mirrors, luggage compartment lights.
* Check instrument panel and dashboard illumination.
* Check all warning/indicator lights, check control.
* Check turn signals, hazard warning flashers, brake lights, horns, headlight dimmer/flasher switch.
* Check wiper and washer system(s); wiper blades, washer jet positions.
* Check condition and function of safety belts.
* Oil hood, trunk/tailgate, and door hinges.
* Grease hood, trunk/tailgate and door latches. Check operation of all latches.
* Check central locking/double lock.
* Replace microfilter or Acc. Cabin Filter.
* Check heater/air conditioner blower, rear window defogger.
* Check rear view mirrors
* Visually examine the SRS airbag units for torn cover, obvious damage or attachment of decals, decorations, or accessories.

Final Inspection

* Road test with check of brakes, suspension, steering, clutch/manual transmission or automatic transmission

BMW Inspection II
Undercarriage

* Change engine oil and filter while engine is at normal operation temperature.
* Check transmission for leaks.
* Check rear axle for leaks.
* Visually check fuel tank, lines, and connections for leaks.
* Check condition, position, and mounting of exhaust system. Examine for leaks.
* Check power steering system for leaks.
* Check overall thickness of front and rear disc brake pads.
* Examine brake disc surfaces.
* Clean brake pad contact points in calipers.
* Grease wheel center hubs.
* Check steering for absence of play, condition of suspension track rods, front axle joints, steering linkage, and joint disc.
* Check front control arm bushing for wear.
* Check brake and clutch system connectors and lines for leaks, damage, and incorrect positioning.
* Check for free movement of the parking brake cables. Adjust parking brake if necessary.
* Check all tire pressures (including spare). Correct if necessary.
* Check condition of tires (outer surfaces (left/right)), tread wear and pattern; In case of uneven tread wear readjust wheel alignment if required.
* Check thickness of parking brake linings.
* Half-shafts; check for leaks at flexible boots.
* Inspect entire body according to terms of rust prevention limited warranty.

Engine Compartment

* Read out diagnostic system
* Check engine cooling system/heater hose connections for leaks.
* Check coolant level and antifreeze protection level; add coolant if necessary.
* Check level of brake and clutch fluid in reservoir; add fluid if required.
* Check windshield washer fluid level and antifreeze protection. Fill up and/or correct if necessary.
* Check air conditioner for operation.
* Reset Service Indicator.
* Replace spark plugs (as applicable by year and model)
* Replace intake air cleaner element.

Body/Electrical Equipment

* Check battery electrolyte level and add distilled water if required.
* Perform batter load test.
* Check lighting system, i.e. headlights, foglights, parking, backup, license plate, interior (including map reading lights), glove box, flashlight, illuminated makeup mirrors, luggage compartment lights.
* Check instrument panel and dashboard illumination.
* Check all warning/indicator lights, check control.
* Check turn signals, hazard warning flashers, brake lights, horns, headlight dimmer/flasher switch.
* Check wiper and washer system(s); wiper blades, washer jet positions.
* Check condition and function of safety belts.
* Oil hood, trunk/tailgate, and door hinges.
* Grease hood, trunk/tailgate and door latches. Check operation of all latches.
* Check central locking/double lock.
* Replace microfilter or Acc Cabin Filter.
* Check heater/air conditioner blower, rear window defogger.
* Check rear view mirrors
* Visually examine the SRS airbag units for torn cover, obvious damage or attachment of decals, decorations, or accessories.

Final Inspection

* Road test with check of brakes, suspension, steering, clutch/manual transmission or automatic transmission
 
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#33 ·
im told the service lights are also dependent on cold starts etc, that would gel with my experiance the first 2 years of ownership i did 50000 mile but a change of jobs meant the next 2 i did 4000 per anum and the lights seem to go down at the same rate. personelly i never let it go over 6000 when i was doing the miles and at 217000 miles it runs mint and i hammer it.
 
#34 ·
Just a quick question...2 weeks ago I had an inspection 1 done at BMW Sytner. An inspection 1 includes checking battery levels and also the spare tyre. My car was full of things in the boot and also had a subwoofer wired up in there. I didnt know these 2 things were covered till I recieved a checklist from them. Do you think they chcked these two or do you think they gave it a pass due to the state of my boot? Thanks guys!
 
#42 ·
i do alot of the care and maintenance on my own bmw 318i 1993 e36
i do most of those services more often than most people do
my car is almost past the 200 000 miles mark so what happens when it's past the end of the cycle? does it reset? are you suposed to have someone reset it everytime it gets serviced so it knows that it has been serviced or does it pick up the change itself?
(when it comes to electricals and computers i'm clueless)
 
#44 ·
Had a service but light on

My e36 had a service in august 2009 but all the lights has cone out except the last one they were all there after the service so what needs doing to fix it does it need a new service it has done 87000 miles with all the history ?

thanks
morne
 
#45 ·
Thank you! good info. Had inspection 2 service today but did not receive any of the information which you stated above. All i got is a invoice "carried out inspection 2 service,checking all major components changing oil,oil filter,fuel fitter and plugs. nothing to report" also "labour".
 
#46 ·
First post here, hi!

I have done a quick search and didn't find anything to match my question- so please forgive me if I have missed something and am repeating stuff...

I have a 325td and whilst it has been recently (2 weeks ago) serviced and the lights reset, the lights seem to be counting down awful fast.

Since the service I've done approx 1400 miles. There are now two green lights left on (out of five).
It previously had both the inspection and oil lights, and a countdown to red when I bought it in January. I've had the service done, with oil change and so on.

It seems to me that the lights are counting down pretty quick- at this rate it'll be recommending what I suspect'll be an oil change after maybe 2500 miles.

How does the oil counter work? I understand that it is partly time based, and also mileage based. Does it also check the state of the oil?

Any advice gratefully received! I am touring round the UK with a theatre show at the moment so will have difficulty returning to the original servicing garage for a while...

Whilst I am no pedestrian driver, the car rarely (if ever) goes above 3500 revs and almost all of those miles have been on the motorway.
 
#48 ·
I've something to add to this post regarding the little clock symbol indicating a brake fluid change.

Mine was basically lit up like a christmas tree including the clock symbol.

I followed the guide and bridged the pins for around 8 seconds or so and it reset the green lights (I serviced it myself a few miles ago) but 'Inspection' and the clock symbol were still showing. Then I bridged them for around 12 seconds and both the inspection and clock symbol have gone. Glad I did it :D
 
#49 ·
For any of you following the E36blog 'how to' and struggling to get the lights reset, it may be because you havent replaced the cap on the diag plug before turning off the ignition.
When I did mine earlier reset did NOT occur on taking out the paper clip, only when the cap was replaced.
I remember having the very same problem on my old E34.
 
#54 ·
My '93 E30 Touring has the yellow 'inspection' light illuminated permanently, even with the engine running, if that answers your question (which I realize was some time ago, sorry!). Annoying, and am going to investigage under the bonnet now that I have seen this helpful thread.

ST
 
#56 ·
oil service

hi, it's my first post in this great forum, i recently bought a bmw e90 320d , i changed the oil and evrythin.. i used liquiy moly 5/40 , my car have 143000 km on the dash , when i open the oil cap steam comes up with i lil bit of oil and a voice like boiling..
a mechanic told me that is a sign the engine is tired and runs on a thinner oil so it need a thiker oil like 10/40 although the engine starts up is nicely and also runs smoothly and i feel it's decent power output when accelerating.. i'm afraid to put 10/40 oil and the engine will suffer especially the lifters.. , any ideas?? thank u in advance i preciate any feedbacks
 
#59 ·
Hello all

Just had my BMW 325i auto 2006 in the garage for new micro filter oil service and brake fluid change.

My vechile check and handbrake light come on today. It's strange because it only seems to come on when I start car on driveway then when I'm out and about it goes off! It's doesn't come on. I get home park up turn it on and it's straight back on! Wtf?!

Could it be they haven't put enough brake fluid in when they changed it?!

It was fine at a BMW specialist that came highly recommended!

Please help!
 
#62 ·
Thanks for sharing this, illusion786. A mechanic mate of mine was suggesting that I should shorten the service interval (lesser lights instead of 5) for my B. Your thoughts? I am not a 100% on his recommendation. Sounds more like he is trying to make a buck or two.

Thanks
 
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