[Brad from the OC]

I took my car to the dealership for my annual oil change yesterday even though my on board computer said I had another 8,000 miles left and until 9/09. I last had the oil changed a year ago at 10,000 miles at the dealership and then I changed the oil myself at about 15,000 miles. When I did my own oil change at 15,000 miles, the on board computer reset itself to 15,000 miles until the next change. I have about 20,000 miles on the car now and took my car in to get my warranty annual oil change.

My SA initially took my key and put it into his service reader and said my car was not due for any service. I asked for the annual oil change and a few other items and he said yes it was all covered under warranty. They completed the work and gave me my invoice which detailed what services they performed. It listed the oil change, but when I checked the on board computer, the oil service still indicated 8,000 miles and 9/09 as the time to do the next oil change. Do you think that they didn't do the oil change at all but billed BMW for the service? I think the only way I would know if they did actually changed the oil is the on board computer should have reset to 15,000 miles because of the new oil. I understand that the computer actually analyzes the oil quality and establishes the next oil changed based on that.

[nicknaz]

check out this tsb

http://www.x5world.com/articles/x5/g...hange-tsb.html

"“A limited number of BMW owners accumulate very low mileage on their BMWs
annually, in some situations insufficient for the Service Interval Indicator
System to call for an Oil Service or Inspection. However, all BMWs should
have an engine oil change at a minimum of once a year, regardless of whether
synthetic or petroleum-based oil is used.”



As a part of the BMW Maintenance Program your dealer should perform the annual
oil service and update/stamp the Service and Warranty Information Statement
but SHOULD NOT RE-SET THE SERVICE INDICATOR SYSTEM. "

Looks like your dealer performed the work to spec

[ENINTY]

The BC does not automatically reset itself when you change the oil. It has to be reset by the Tech.

[Brad from the OC]

I changed my own oil about 5 months ago (between the annual warranty oil change) and when I completed the job and checked for the proper oil level, I noticded that the computer reset itself to indicate that I had 15,000 more miles until my next oil change. Prior to the oil change that I didn myself, my computer indicated 8,000 miles. Has anyone else had this experience? Based on that experience, I believe that the oil change interval computer actually detects oil quality to determine how much longer or how many more hours to the next oil change.

[742]

Originally Posted by Brad from the OC

I changed my own oil about 5 months ago (between the annual warranty oil change) and when I completed the job and checked for the proper oil level, I noticded that the computer reset itself to indicate that I had 15,000 more miles until my next oil change. Prior to the oil change that I didn myself, my computer indicated 8,000 miles. Has anyone else had this experience? Based on that experience, I believe that the oil change interval computer actually detects oil quality to determine how much longer or how many more hours to the next oil change.

I have done 6 "extra" oil changes in a 2006 325 and none have affected the countdown to the scheduled ones.

[cobradac]

The oil is not actually analyzed. It is an algorithm that determines driving conditions and adjusts the interval accordingly. Easy going highway miles would result in a longer period, while stop and go or high RPM a shorter interval.

The fact yours reset is a mystery perhaps explainable in some way but not sure how.

[kennethpetro]

Originally Posted by Brad from the OC

I changed my own oil about 5 months ago (between the annual warranty oil change) and when I completed the job and checked for the proper oil level, I noticded that the computer reset itself to indicate that I had 15,000 more miles until my next oil change. Prior to the oil change that I didn myself, my computer indicated 8,000 miles. Has anyone else had this experience? Based on that experience, I believe that the oil change interval computer actually detects oil quality to determine how much longer or how many more hours to the next oil change.

This happened to me too. The Service engine soon light came on and when i did a OBC check it said 8000 miles for oil. So i got my oil changed and now when i try and check the oil level, there is a clock saying it's calculating the level but it never completes it. Does this mean BMW has to reset something? Why will it not show how much oil they put in? (BTW - they used 6.73L)

[drvai]

The oil and filter change is accepted by most dealers, but I wonder if they also would change the air conditioner filter and windshield wipers.