Ok, I give up.
I want to keep our 2017 F54 on a proper service schedule, but the CBS (Condition Based Service) has me a bit flummoxed.
I see this:https://www.minimania.com/Mini_Coope...for_Gen3_Minis
But I'm trying to figure out the conditional stuff.
I'm almost at 60K, so time for plugs*, but when I did my last oil change, a symbol that looked like water (coolant?) came up. But the CBS
says
"The following systems and assemblies are factory filled with long term rated fluid and oil; fluid replacement is only necessary when repairs are being performed (unless otherwise noted):
• Engine cooling system (antifreeze/coolant)
• Automatic and manual transmissions
• All-wheel drive transfer cases (except when indicated by the vehicle) "

Is the "Service" reset the plugs, and/or the "Standard Scope" things?

I figure it's time to do coolant, and at least an ATM (ATF, freudian slip) drain and fill. And the differential, while I'm at it.
Was hoping the on board system would be a bit more definitive with the indications.

Am I missing something?
Would love direction to a standard maintenance schedule.
*looking into the plugs - looks like I'll need a new hex plug socket?
If I missed some FAQ, would appreciate direction. TIA

 

Searched for a MINI service booklet. All I found is a link to MINI owners manuals online. Link below:

https://www.miniusa.com/owners/tools...r-manuals.html

I selected the 2017 2-door hard top manual and this is what I found:

Maintenance

Maintain the vehicle regularly to sustain the
road safety, operational reliability and the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Specifications for required maintenance meas‐
ures:
▷ MINI Maintenance system
▷ Service and Warranty Information Booklet
for US models
▷ Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
If the vehicle is not maintained according to
these specifications, this could result in serious
damage to the vehicle. Such damage is not
covered by the MINI New Vehicle Limited War‐
ranty.

Similar to the above, my hard copy 2023 owners manual in the Maintenance section of course gets right into the condition based service. For US vehicles there is mention of a warranty and service booklet but I went through my new car's folder of stuff and found no such booklet. Just the New Passenger Care Limited Warranty booklet.

I will speak to the dealer about this when I get a chance but it won't be for a while.

RE: "Would love direction to a standard maintenance schedule." I can offer the following based on what I was told by professional techs and my experience over the years.

My SOP is to change the coolant (have it changed) every 4 years. I have been known to cover around 100K miles in 4 years or more recently barely approaching 40K miles after 4 years. But years ago professional techs told me to help prolong the life of cooling system components: water pump (and its seals!), hoses, etc., 4 year coolant drains/refills helps. A lot.

For transmission/diff fluid if the factory calls for say 60K miles I'll have the fluid changed early at anywhere from 15K miles to 30K miles then at least every 60K miles after that but sometimes I shorten the schedule to 50K miles.

Plugs get changed on miles. The miles have ranged for my Porsche Turbo from 48K miles to my Dodge Hellcat 60K miles to my Dodge Scat Pack 96K miles. For my 2023 MINI S I have no idea. And the same goes for my 2023 BMW.

Engine air filter change schedule is likewise spread out. I can tell you a turbo charged or in the case of my Hellcat a supercharged engine really sucks in the air. Replacing the engine air filter every 20K miles would not be that far fetched. (Truth be told I let my Hellcat's air filter go to 27K miles. When I had the car in for an oil/filter service I had both the engine and cabin air filters replaced. I got a chance to see both old filters. They were filthy. And to my mild surprise with a new engine air filter the Hellcat engine ran better. Really under lined the need to change the air filter sooner. Cabin air filters may not get as dirty but they'll develop a sour/mold-y odor if not changed often enough.)

What else? Oh brake fluid flush/bleed every 2 years. Regardless of miles driven.

For oil/filter services what works for me and my usage of my vehicles is 5K miles. When there is an oil life monitor I would go by that if it indicated time to change the oil before 5K miles. However, for me 5K miles arrives before the oil life gets down that close to 0%.

The flip side is if the factory calls for oil changes on time I adhere to this. For my Dodge cars Dodge called for 6 month oil changes if the car was not driven enough to trigger a change on miles driven. So I changed the oil at anywhere from not quite 5K miles to 3K miles to around 1500 miles. Sure oil doesn't go bad sitting just the change on time is to catch those cars that don't get driven enough to change oil on miles. I came upon a car driven around 1600 miles per year. Without 6 month oil changes the engine would have gone around 6 years between oil services.

Given I now live where winter weather makes it a smart move to leave high performance cars in the garage 6 month oil changes happen before winter -- so the engine had relatively clean oil in it over the winter -- then another oil change 6 months later. This so the engine had fresh oil in it for the driving season.

'course fluid levels: oil, brake, coolant, power steering; are checked regularly. Weekly and when I fuel up the vehicle. On road trips they get checked before I leave the hotel in the morning and whenever I stop for fuel.

 

Thanks for the input. Have to adjust the the new auto world. Still freaks me out to not have a dipstick, but at least I don't have to rebuild the carb.

 

I don't miss carbs either. Well, the pair of dual side draft Webers I installed on my 510 Datsun were awesome. I miss those...

In January 2002 I got my 1st car with the electronic oil level system -- a 2002 Porsche Boxster -- which also came with a dipstick. I very quickly forgot about the dipstick after I found the electronic system worked and just fine. And from behind the steering wheel. I then owned another car with *no* dipstick and it was great.

So when I got my first MINI I was quite comfortable with the no dipstick thing. With my 2023 BMW (230i) I for the first time own two cars both sans a dipstick. Sweet.

 

So the car is supposed to tell me when I need an oil change?! This is nuts.

 

Is it? Minis have been doing this for 15 years now.

 

A bit (well, quite a bit) thread drift but I notice you are hailing from Albuquerque. How's the MINI dealer there? I will be passing through a couple of times in a month or so and may have my 2023 in for service while on road.

While I have been through Albuquerque countless times all I am familiar with is Rudy's BBQ the one just off of I40 next door to the state police HQ.

 

I really like the MINI dealer here. We've purchased 4 MINIs from them, and they've always been helpful and don't push unnecessary add-ons. Sometimes I just stop by to chat and see what's on the show floor if I'm in the area. Great bunch of people.

 

By "really like" does that apply to the service department?

 

I've never had a bad experience with the service department there.

 

That's good to know. Thanks.

Happy New Year!