hit 15k miles, but no yellow light yet?

[Kris@modmynav]

Hello,

I thought that when my mileage hits 15k miles, that yellow light should would on for oli change service.
but still have one green light on.
so I called dealer to set up an appointment for service but the lady who picked up the phone was saying that
I need to wait until yellow light on if I want free service since I'm under warranty.
is this correct information that she gave me?

[Rob_]

Yes it is correct.

[vinuneuro]

Originally Posted by wuzin

Hello,

I thought that when my mileage hits 15k miles, that yellow light should would on for oli change service.
but still have one green light on.
so I called dealer to set up an appointment for service but the lady who picked up the phone was saying that
I need to wait until yellow light on if I want free service since I'm under warranty.
is this correct information that she gave me?

I don't know if you already got one in yet, but you are quite better off changing at the very least, the oil filter, once in between the "free" oil changes. If you look at the maintence schedule, BMW specifies the free oil changes as oil "services", and suggests you do one in between, which are just oil changes.

[jmh]

Dpending on your driving characteristics it might take quite a while for the service indicator to illuminate ....
I have the oil and filter changed every 3000 miles regardless of the service indicator. Just tell your dealer to NOT reset the service lights when performing the "for fee" oil changes ....
On my X5 it usually takes +20k for the service indicator to show up.

- Jan

[vinuneuro]

Originally Posted by jmh

Dpending on your driving characteristics it might take quite a while for the service indicator to illuminate ....
I have the oil and filter changed every 3000 miles regardless of the service indicator. Just tell your dealer to NOT reset the service lights when performing the "for fee" oil changes ....
On my X5 it usually takes +20k for the service indicator to show up.

- Jan

Every 3000 miles ?!! Do't you think that's a bit excessive? Good synthetic oil will last through 15k miles. It's the filter that holds it back. As long as synthetic oil is clean, it's ability to lubricate and withstand heat is outstanding.

I personally am not a fan of the dealer Castrol oil (at least the 5W-30) because Castrol's synthetic is not 100%...synthetic. It uses a Group III basestock, which is a dino base. The only good Castrol synthetic is the german formula, which is 0W-30 and 0W-40.

[motordavid]

Originally Posted by jmh

...Just tell your dealer to NOT reset the service lights when performing the "for fee" oil changes ....
- Jan

I thought that the trick is to Get the Stlr to Reset the "1st oil change" lights, so the chase to Insp.1 is slightly quicker?
BR,md

Edit: PS...that's what I did at the First Oil Change way back; thus, I was able to extinquish all the "new greens" over time, and grab Insp 1 30K+ miles later, "inside" the existing Maint. deal, at aprox 35K miles.

[MGR8]

The oil indicator is based on gallons used rather than miles driven. My wifes X5 was into the 16K range before BMW would do the service. My 330 went 12K before service. Depends on your driving style.

MGR8

[AutoXer]

I had the same response from the SF dealer also. I tried to make an appointment at 12k miles (1 green left), and they wouldn't do it. Mine turned yellow at the 13.5k mark, so if this keeps up, I will get insp I and another oil service under warranty. Was hoping that I can get insp II done too, but doesn't seem that way.

[MatriX5]

Originally Posted by motordavid

I thought that the trick is to Get the Stlr to Reset the "1st oil change" lights, so the chase to Insp.1 is slightly quicker?
BR,md

Edit: PS...that's what I did at the First Oil Change way back; thus, I was able to extinquish all the "new greens" over time, and grab Insp 1 30K+ miles later, "inside" the existing Maint. deal, at aprox 35K miles.

Ok MD. Here's a question for you after your maint deal reference.

I have the 100k maint deal (got a good price at the time of purchase). It took me to 17k for the first oil service, and I'm on pace for another 17k to Inspection 1 - 34k miles. If my driving styles remain the same, I should hit Service 2 at 68k, and then my second scheduled "free" Inspection 1 wouldn't come up until 102k (supposed to be 90k), conveniently outside the maint agreement.

Would you (or anyone else) suggest that I can reset my service lights a little early (before the yellow comes on) for the oil service between the first Insp 1 and Insp 2 at say 49 or 50k, and again between Insp 2 and the next Insp 1 at say 82 or 83k? That would make it about 17k to the next (and last "free") Insp 1 if I can time it to fall within the 100k.

Will the minimum consumption deal allow me to reset the lights early enough to get it all in by the 100k cutoff? I realize I may lose a dealer oil service or two, but I can make up for it by squeezing in that extra Insp 1.

[X5Jay]

I had a little under 15k and one green light left and my dealer had no problem taking my X in for it's first inspection at about the 1 year mark. My service rep (who is great) said sure, no problem - close enough. I also do an in between oil change as well. The dealer is BMW of Peabody in MA. They are first rate, IMO.