Oh no! Dreaded Service Engine Soon light is on!
 

Ok, quick damage control. What could this be? And how does that translate to $$$??

Bumper to bumper warranty JUST ran out. DOH. i have the supplemental, but i BET it's not covered. those guys are GOOD!

Check the gas tank cap? is it tight?

that depends.. bring it over (you're in the bay area right?) I have a code reader.

Most SES issues aren't major. Have the fault code(s) read before panicking

where do i locate the code? or do i need a special reader?

will try the gas cap in a bit (i did add gas yesterday, but the light didnt come on unti 24 hours later). what other non-engine things can i check for before i start hyperventilating?/

you need a code reader... need to plug it into the diagnostic port.. the list of possible code is 6 pages long.. trying to guess would be a little tough..

i might take you up on the offer. where are you located?

it maybe be the gas cap, although it may take a day or so to reset itself once you tighten the cap again.

please, for the love, be the gas cap. why would you have to wait one day to reset? i'd think it would be real time? i will check. i dont have the car with me. has anyone had this problem before too? i had my x5 for over a year, this is the first time. can't imagine i put the gas cap on incorrectly or something.... i hope so, tho. thanks for the tips, guys.

It's probably the gas cap if you aren't experiencing stalling or idling problems. When the gas cap is not fully tightened, oxygen gets into your system and that triggers the SES light. I just went through this and paid 50 bucks for the dealership to tell me it was the gas cap and that it's completely harmless. Tighten the gas cap until it clicks and the SES light should go away in approximately one week's worth of normal driving.