areddy.36

Hey Guys,

I am new to this forum and still getting a grasp on what all is available using iDrive. One of the things is the maintenance list. In my car, none of the them seem to be updating (not working) as the oil life has said "Oil Change in 12000 miles" for the past 1000 miles. I was wondering if anyone has dealt with a similar issue and what a reasonable fix would be.

Any help is welcome!

Thank You!

luigi524td

That's not unusual - it's something BMW calls Condition Based Service. Basically, the car will determine, while getting data from multiple sources, what services are recommended. As you drive, and depending "how" you drive, the miles will click down (or occasionally 'up') for each of the services that are reported on iDrive.

This is also described in your owner's manual. If you don't have one download it from the "Info" section of this forum.

That said, many BMW loyalists also adhere to a more traditional service regimen with more frequent oil and fluid changes. In all cases, be sure that if you DIY, use an independent BMW mechanic, or a BMW Dealer service that BMW approved fluids and parts are used to maintain your vehicle.

And last - but certainly not least

areddy.36

I read the section in the manual, and my suspicion is that the sensors might not be calibrated or not working at all. I am a careful driver and do not floor it at every light, but even with that style of driving, I would think that it would read that the oil change needs to be done before 12000 miles. Also, just last week, I had to add a quart of oil because the message "Oil level at minimum, add 1 quart as soon as possible" came up. I am considering taking it to the dealer to have it checked out, but since its not a necessary system, I could always resort to the old fashioned way and recording the services done in a notebook. As far as the oil change, I am considering doing it myself as it is a fairly simple process. Your thoughts?

Sonny...

How much miles you made on that car? 1000 and something or more thousands? I'm also not racer on road, so the km counters (Europe) does not change each thousand. If you would drive more aggresively - the situation turns over. As was already explained - measuring is based on matrix, developed by BMW.

Phil75070

Recommended oil change for my '05 545i is every 15,000 miles. I usually change at 7500. If you are still under the maintenance program, BMW will not cover oil changes more frequently than what is called for in the iDrive. As others have said, those maintenance miles do not click down with every mile you drive.

Wolrab

As Luigi mentioned, many of us are on our own maintenance schedules. I keep notes in an Excel spreadsheet, and I reset the iDrive whenever it complains about something. Otherwise I ignore it.

Oh, if you let an alert go from yellow to red, you won't be able to reset it without a scan tool. So long as it's yellow, you can reset it in the iDrive. At least that applies to my '04 545.

And welcome! If you feel like it, you could update your "Garage" so we can see what you drive. Then we'll know what experience is relevant without you having to tell us what it is every time.

areddy.36

drive a 2006 BMW 530xi with close to 84000 miles now . starting to understand how it works. i am probably going to go with the old fashioned way as a few of you have been for years. thanks for the responses! car had me worried that i might have to take it to the dealer, which would have been a hole in the wallet for nothing more than a small checkup! oh, and just out of curiosity, is the mpg displayed calculated using some sort of algorithm/matrix as well?

Wolrab

Don't know for sure, but I'm guessing it uses information about fuel injection periods, along with measured mileage.