Whats With The Oil Service Light?

[BombSquad]

I have no idea what this "oil service" thing is. I assume it tells me when i am supposed to change my oil or it tells me the quality of my oil, but i really have no idea. Its got a few green "_"'s and a yellow and red block. im clueless.

[Fadec40]

Originally posted by BombSquad@Apr 14 2005, 05:02 AM
I have no idea what this "oil service" thing is.* I assume it tells me when i am supposed to change my oil or it tells me the quality of my oil, but i really have no idea.* Its got a few green "_"'s and a yellow and red block.* im clueless.

[snapback]332159[/snapback]

After an oil change, the oil service reminder should be reset using the tool. Once reset, when you start the vehicle you will see the green bars, a yellow, and a red.
Depending on driving habits, miles, and starts, the green bars slowly disappear one by one as it gets closer to the next change. The yellow is the alert that you are at the time to change the oil. Red means it is your overdue, get off your ass and change the oil!

[BombSquad]

so i need to get this tool for every time i change my oil or just deal witht the light being on? Im not a big fan of paying somewhere to do my oil for me, but would they reset the light for a small fee? What im trying to get at is, what does the average BMW owner do?

[tomctx]

Originally posted by BombSquad@Apr 14 2005, 07:25 AM
so i need to get this tool for every time i change my oil or just deal witht the light being on? Im not a big fan of paying somewhere to do my oil for me, but would they reset the light for a small fee? What im trying to get at is, what does the average BMW owner do?

[snapback]332162[/snapback]

You can reset it yourself. There is a DIY under the "maintenance and troubleshooting" FAQ in this forum.

[fredo328]

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/electrica...ice_lights.html

here too, its easy

[vmelikRUS]

Originally posted by fredo328@Apr 14 2005, 06:30 AM
http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/electrica...ice_lights.html

here too, its easy

[snapback]332175[/snapback]

Has anyone tried doing it? It does sound easy, but is it safe? Won't blow anything? I will try it. I will just connect pin 7 to pin 19 (internal ground.) Hope nothing blows.

[dutchbmw]

You can buy a reset tool for ~20 bucks.

[93 325i]

I tried the reset way w/ a paper clip and it worked like a charm. Just be careful not to touch the clip to the wrong pin.

[fredo328]

you would have to be seriously challenged to screw this up. I actually ground 7 to a big bolt to the left of the diagnostic port. I keep the wire in my glove box.

[NeverLeaned]

How does the oil service light work?

I reset it when I did my first oil change....... 3k later I had 2 bars, changed the oil but didn't reset it...... another 3k later and its still @ 2 bars.

[tomctx]

Originally posted by NeverLeaned@Apr 14 2005, 10:22 PM
How does the oil service light work?

I reset it when I did my first oil change....... 3k later I had 2 bars, changed the oil but didn't reset it...... another 3k later and its still @ 2 bars.

[snapback]332594[/snapback]

It takes into accunt of how you drive. Your speed, accel, stop and go, extented idling, extended high speed driving. Short trips, long trips, etc. It (the computer) then decides when you should change your oil. Europeans change by how they drive, not any particular interval. I believe Mercedes and Porsche also go by this method.