There are a few easy actions you may take to see if your BMW needs maintenance. If you want to know if your BMW needs maintenance, go to the iDrive Controller, click “Vehicle Status,” then “Service Required,” and search for the following symbols.
- Each maintenance category has a green “OK” mark next to it, signifying that no maintenance is necessary.
- The approaching deadline for service or a checkup is indicated by a yellow triangle, and the owner should schedule an appointment with a BMW shop.
- The service deadline is indicated by a red triangle, which means it has already gone.
A display additionally depicts part(s) of the vehicle with distinct colored highlights that indicate whether service is required on the right half of the “Service Required” screen.
- A green accent indicates that no maintenance is necessary.
- Red highlights indicate items that need maintenance.
Along with the mileage, the screen also shows the month and year that the necessary maintenance is due as well as the due date. The due date or the mileage mark, whichever comes first, should be brought in for maintenance on or before the scheduled appointment.
In This Article...
The Optimal BMW Maintenance Schedule
Although each engine created by the BMW Group is slightly unique, they all follow a similar basic pattern.
Be aware that each engine and vehicle that BMW engineers may vary somewhat. Always consult your owner’s manual or get advice from a reputable automotive shop, especially if you are unsure about something.
When the solution can be found by making a call or doing some reading, it is never worth risking your BMW.
BMW automobiles are outfitted with the CBS system as a safety measure. If a planned maintenance is overdue, this system will notify you via the dash screen.
When my BMW requires maintenance, does it notify me?
If it has been a year or 10,000 miles since the last service, your automobile needs to be serviced. With the help of its Condition Based Service (CBS) dashboard InfoDisplay, the newest technology from the manufacturer (BMW Service Tech) will notify you when a service is necessary. This is only offered in more recent BMW vehicles. Other indications that you might want a service are:
- The dashboard displays a check engine light.
- Your vehicle is emitting strange noises.
- Despite having the appropriate gear, your vehicle keeps stalling.
- You’re finding it challenging to catch up.
- Unusual breaktime pursuit
What is major service for BMW?
Every car needs to be serviced once a year to check for problems and keep it in the best possible shape.
This is a thorough yearly maintenance package for trouble-free driving. It comprises 77 checks and adjustments, which are more than most manufacturer’s recommended maintenance plans. These include changing the engine oil and oil filter, the air filter, and topping off the coolant, power steering fluid, and brake fluid. To provide you even more peace of mind, we employ high-quality parts and monitor and record wear and tear items using a color-code reporting system.
This all-inclusive 24-month service includes all necessary upkeep. In addition to everything covered in our Full Service, the Major Service also takes care of the cabin filter and hydraulic brake fluid, which are typically recommended for replacement every two years by manufacturers.
How frequently should a BMW be serviced?
Every 15,000 miles or 12 months, BMW typically advises that you perform this “Safety & Oil Service.” It entails making sure that several of your car’s fundamental parts, such as the brakes, horn, windshield wipers, engine coolant, rubber belts, suspension, and tires, are in working order.
What does “service due” mean on my BMW?
Service Vehicle: Your BMW needs service if this light is red. When it’s yellow, your BMW needs maintenance soon. It’s best to book a servicing appointment as soon as you can in either situation.
What is covered by the BMW oil service?
An oil change is the most fundamental and important maintenance that all BMWs require in order to safeguard your engine and its supporting structures. Each oil change for your BMW involves a complete oil and filter change as well as a multi-point inspection to ensure that there are no difficulties with the vehicle in the future.
According to your driving style, it is advised that you change the oil in your BMW. Here is a schedule for when your BMW should have an oil service based on mileage:
- 0 – 12,000 miles annually and 2 oil services annually
- 12,000–20,000 miles annually, including oil changes every 5,000 miles.
- 20,0000 miles and greater – Oil Service every 7,500 miles
For an oil service, there is no need for an appointment, and you can often be in and out in under 40 minutes. Depending on the size of the engine, prices for BMW oil services can vary somewhat.
While your service indication light may suggest that you should change the oil in your BMW every 15,000 miles, this has been shown to have long-term negative effects on the engine. An excerpt from a piece describing the risks of sticking to a 15,000 mile oil change interval is provided below:
My first experience with the program’s results was in a 2001 BMW 525it with 86,000 miles on it. We removed the valve cover because it had a leaking valve cover gasket and found what is now becoming a bigger issue:
What you are seeing is a sizable build-up, or what some people refer to as “gunk.” The outcomes for this car, which had its oil changed every 15,000 miles or so, are dismal. The synthetic oil has essentially transformed into a plastic film, obstructing numerous critical oil passageways and choking the engine as a result. Break this behavior right away if you own a BMW and have been following the 15,000 mile oil change policy or simply waiting for the car to indicate that it’s time to replace the oil.
Can independent shops modify a BMW’s service record?
Yes, insofar as they have independent access to the BMW and Mini to update the online service history, is the short response.
BMW servicing occurs every two years?
We advise obtaining a complete service every two years and an interim service every other year for the majority of BMWs. There are a few exceptions to this advice, such as if your vehicle:
- is still covered by the guarantee, but in order for it to continue in effect, it must be maintained at regular intervals.
- is having any issues at the moment.
- displays any alerts informing you that maintenance or repairs are necessary.
- exceeds or falls short of the average in distance traveled.
The meaning of orange OK in a BMW service?
The service indicator on the 2014 520d that I’m looking at contains the following information:
15k miles in 2015, and it’s fine 33k miles in 2016 are fine. 50k kilometers in 2018 and an exclamation point in orange 2018 with 51,000 miles and okay
I know that the green OK on the IDrive signifies that the services have been completed by BMW and correctly logged, but what do the orange exclamation point and OK mean?
As mentioned above, click on the screen to get a different screen that shows the actual job that was completed. The code for the BMW dealer that carried out the service is 086….
I’ve seen it a few times: “orange (really amber) ok” denotes that it was completed a little bit late (either after the due date or the required mileage).
It’s unusual to see this shortly before “amber ok” 1,000 miles later, and I have no idea what “amber!” means.
If there’s a concern for you, BMW service has informed me that “amber ok” does not effect warranty.
The best course of action is to have the car taken to a dealership where the key will be read and the history will be made clear.
A standard car requires an oil change within the first two years or a certain number of kilometers, which is often around 18,000. This cycle repeats, and various filters are also changed. First, every three years, then every two years, brake fluid is changed. It should have also had a car inspection based on its mileage. You’ll see this kind of data for the service items you itemized in the next displays.
How much is routine maintenance for a BMW?
Remove the Band-Aid now. Every 10,000 miles, BMW owners may anticipate paying between $150 and $400 per service. A significant service may cost up to $3,000 or more. In the end, owners spend more on maintenance and repairs than most brands, between $1,000 and $1,700 annually.
You may always purchase an extended warranty, either directly from BMW or through a third-party service contract, if you’re concerned about future ownership costs. Standard BMW maintenance expenditures are not covered by a car warranty, but it will cover pricey items that are more prone to break over time.
We’ve combed the market and selected a handful of the top third-party extended vehicle warranty companies because there are many possibilities for extended coverage. These are businesses who did well in regards to things like price, standing, and customer support.
To help you reduce your out-of-pocket vehicle ownership costs, compare the best BMW extended warranty packages above.
Does a BMW require a lot of upkeep?
BMWs are by far the most expensive car manufacturer to repair, claims Your Mechanic. The competition is not even close. With an average maintenance cost of $17,800 over ten years, BMW comes in #1. Mercedes-Benz came in second with an average maintenance cost of $12,900 during a 10-year period. In contrast, the typical Toyota only cost $5,500 to maintain during a 10-year period because they are recognized for requiring less maintenance.
According to Your Mechanic, such high maintenance costs are usual in German premium vehicles. Audi comes in sixth with an average $12,400 maintenance expense over a 10-year period. This is primarily a result of the pricey, high-end parts that these luxury vehicles require. Naturally, it will cost a lot of money to fix those pieces when they break or need maintenance.
However, while being premium vehicles, they also have ongoing problems. For instance, according to Your Mechanic, a BMW is four times more likely to not start than a typical automobile. It was ranked seventh overall as a result. Additionally, the window regulator on the BMW required replacement 18 times more frequently than the window regulator on the ordinary car.
What are some typical BMW issues?
- Engine Cooling Unit. Overheating is a problem that many BMW owners frequently experience.
- Oil Spills.
- Under Braking, the steering wheel vibrates.
- Tail Lamp Unit
How frequently should a BMW have its oil changed?
They are made to go up to 12,000 or even 15,000 miles between oil changes, or nearly one driving year. Even the owner’s manual for your BMW suggests having your oil changed every 15,000 miles.
How durable are BMW engines?
With good care, almost any BMW has the ability to last up to 200,000 or even 250,000 miles, and there will always be outliers that last even longer.
What does a BMW oil change cost?
How much does a BMW oil change cost? BMW oil changes typically cost between $135 and $175, with parts and fluids accounting for roughly $90 to $110 of that total and labor making up the remaining percentage.
What does a BMW oil filter cost?
After discounts, a BMW oil filter typically costs between $8.99 and $19.99 depending on a number programmable factors. The cost of labor is typically more expensive than the filter itself in most situations.
Should the brake fluid in a BMW be replaced?
Every two years, according to BMW, you should replace the brake fluid. Although it’s not a particularly difficult process, you must exercise caution because if you get any of the paint on your car, it can be messy.