ok folks, here's the deal. BMW refuses to reset my oil interval because they did not do the work. i had my indy mechanic change my oil instead. so what other means/option do i have to reset my oil interval? do i just call around and find another dealer or some indy mechanic that will do it via software? there has got to be a way. help!

NOTE: please do not waste our time providing me the super easy routine to reset it via the odometer button because i tried that all kinds of various ways and it is not working. i have done that method before and it is a piece of cake but it does not work now. it is probably because my interval was at -300 when i first tried. my indy mechanic who has done it via the odometer button also cannot get it to work either. so please for the love of God, don't post how to reset it via the odometer button (again). it does not work. thanks.

 

Good luck with getting an answer, as a simple search just doesnt work here.

 

i found an oil reset tool that works via the OBD2 port but the seller said it only works with CANBUS. he said 2006 was the borderline year for CANBUS and so wasn't sure if it would work from my car or not. does anybody by chance know what obd2 bus protocol a 530i build 11/05 uses?

 

Firstly with the ignition switched on, set the odometer trip meter back to zero by pushing it once. Then switch the ignition back off again. (I found this step was critical, otherwise I couldn't get to the "Service" menu).

Now you are ready to go through the reset steps as follows:

1. Switch the ignition on (so that the battery, Oil and Parking brake lights are displayed) and the key is ready to start the engine - but don't actually start the car.

2. Press the odometer reset button for between 5 and 10 seconds until a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark in the centre appears in the top window between the clocks (where the outside temperature / time or date normally appears) - this is the "Service" icon.

3. Release the odometer button briefly and press again straight away which brings up a picture of the Brake Fluid symbol (same as the one that the i-drive shows when you look at the Service menu).

4. If you want to reset the Brake Fluid interval for another 2 years then keep holding the odometer button until the word "RESET?" appears at the bottom of the lower window.

5. Release the button briefly and push it in again and hold for about 5 - 10 seconds until the new date appears in the bottom window. You can then switch the ignition off and the new Brake Fluid date will appear in the service menu on the i-drive screen next time you switch on.

6. If you want to reset the Oil, Microfilter or Brake Pad indicators then you will need to follow the same sequence as steps 1 and 2 above, but when you get to step 3 and the brake Fluid icon appears, just release the button and press again and the next service item will appear.

7. You can continue releasing and pressing the button until the required service item icon appears for the one you want to reset. As soon as it does then hold in the button in until the word "RESET?" appears again as in step 4 above. Once the word "RESET?" has appeared, you need to release the button briefly and hold it in again for about 5 - 10 seconds until it is replaced by the new service interval figure (as per step 5 above).

Hints & Tips
Before actually resetting anything, go through steps 1, 2 and 6 above until you are familiar (and sure) what you want to reset. Practice this a few times and note down in what order the icons appear after the initial "Service" icon appears.

If you do happen to hold the button down too long against an item you don't want to reset and the "RESET?" appears, just leave the button alone for 10 seconds or so and it will not let you reset the item. (Alternatively just switch the ignition off and start again).

Sometimes if you have not released and pressed the button again quickly enough, when you hold it down again the German technical writing will appear after about 15 - 20 seconds instead of the Service item icon you were expecting. (If this happens just switch off the ignition and start again).

Once you are sure what item you want to reset and are confident of the sequence, then give it a go. If you do hesitate between releasing and pressing the button at any time, you will have to go back to the beginning and start again as "he who hesitates is lost".

It took me a while to get the hang of it and I'm sure it'll take me a while to get my head around it again next time.

 

i already tried that and it did not work. and so did my indy mechanic, and it did not work.

 

ok i just went into the hidden menu and found out that my car uses CAN BUS.

 

+1 with Phil. I was 500 miles over service and it worked for me, but I have not had a reflash of the code in a year or so.

 

yeah i think those numbheads reflashed my code. i am almost sure of it. when i took my car in recently for the battery cable recall i believe is when they did it.

i was just in that hidden menu during my break at work. i will go back in there and see what firmware version I have.

ok i went out and checked right quick and its SW 59.51.01.

 

You could try other BMW dealers but they will charge you for the reset.However,if they are all conforming to BMW policy (i.e. anti-DIY servicing) then an easy option is to take it to a BMW dealer for your next oil & filter change.
The DIY reset procedure has been covered for years and I recall instances where it did not work once your interval went negative.I have used it for over 5 years without problems.
A word of warning especially for European owners doing their own servicing,if your service record book is not stamped by a BMW dealer or an Independent Specialist repairer you will have problems when you want to trade-in the car at a BMW dealership.If,like me,you intend to keep the car then carry on with your DIY and save loads of cash (as well as knowing that the work is done correctly!).

 

my indy mechanic is a bmw specialist. he has been working on them for like forever. he is german with an accent and everything. and he refuses to use anything but genuine bmw parts. he installed bmw oil and filter. plus an oil change is not rocket science anyways. the only difference is bmw charges $220 and he only charged $90.

i am looking for someone with or to purchase my own can bus reset tool. the non-can bus reset tools are very cheap but won't work on the e60 though.