My 2010 cooper as 15K on the odometer. So far I changed the engine oil once at 10K and installed driving lights. But when does the light come on for scheduled maintenance?? ie. tire rotation, "free" dealer oil changes, air filter, etc?

Thanks

 

My first was at 17k. Varies now between 11k and 16k. It all depends on your driving as monitored by the CPU. Drive hard and you'll wind up with shorter required maintenance intervals... Drive conservatively and you'll have longer intervals. Just make sure your dealer doesn't reset the service light if you decide to have oil changed between required maintenance... Also, check your warranty for the number of services you are guaranteed per year regardless of mileage.

 

I'm not so sure that it automatically comes on at 15K. I was under the impression that it comes on based on a combination of miles, type of driving, speed, and many other factors. Once you hit some magic combo then it comes on. The dealer will give you a free oil change when the car is 12 months old or when the oil car tells you too. If your car is a year old you should take it in. You can also get free wipers but typically you have to ask. (Depends on the dealer.)

 

The MINI should be telling you how long till the next service everytime you start up, it counts down but depends on your driving style. You can also ask the MINI how long it is till the scheduled service using the button on the end of the stalk, the procedure is in the manual. There are several different service counters.

 

is it true with the 12 months free oil change regardless of miles and the service light not coming on?

 

I'm pretty certain that is gospel.

Call your particular dealer to ensure. (But I'm pretty certain.)

 

Check your owner's manual. Mine says change the oil either when the computer says or after 12 months, whichever comes first. My dealer has done my oil changes at 12 months as I don't put that many miles on my cars.

That said...there are plenty of threads on NAM and discussion in the BMWCCA magazine about the engine problems that can occur by waiting until the service light tells you to change the oil. Generally, if you plan to keep the car longer than the warrantee, then you want to change your oil every 5000 to 7500 miles (depending on how you drive), even with the synthetic. Pay for it yourself if you have to, but that is a lot less expensive than engine problems.

 

Thanks guys, good tips. I was afraid that I may have "voided" something while installing the factory driving lights, since this entailed unplugging the CPU on in the driverside footwell.