Hello,

Newbie here so this may be a silly question. I've read quite a few threads about how the Mini is supposed to tell you when to come in for service and the number(s) it displays related to that. My question is more about what is being displayed and how it typically works. I don't necessarily plan on following what it says, but was curious as to what I am seeing.

I bought my used 2008 Mini back in October 2009 and since then I have noticed that the recommended service mileage continues to increase not decrease. If I recall the numbers correctly, it started at around 2,500 miles, then went up into the 3,000s, then 4,000, and is now sitting at 5,000. There is no "-" (negative sign) before the number so it doesn't appear that I am over the recommended interval.

Does this mean that I am a more "gentle" driver than the previous owner and it "thinks" I can go longer before an oil change/service?

Has anyone had this experience?

thanks!!

 

You are correct on your assumption the car does probably think you are a more conservative driver.

My suggestion is to have the oil changed soon especially if you have not had it done since buy the car. Who knows when the last oil change was done unless they gave you a reciept for it (even then it may be questionable) then reset the service interval for oil changes and then you are good to go. I still would not recommend that you let it go the 15k-18k or more that it may suggest but would change the oil at least every 7500.

 

Mine started at 18k when I got the car new. Then it crept upward to about 22k when the first "official" service point was reached. There's a date thing in there too, but that never changed (and it didn't make sense either, I ignore that). I got my first service at one year at my dealer, my second one at the indicated time.

 

Mine started at 15,000 and went up to 19,000. IMO, this is ridiculous interval for oil changes on a new engine. So I changed the oil at 1,600, and around 5,000 miles later.

The computer calculates its service number based on a number of factors. Length of trip, average speed of trip, number of stops during trip, etc. So, if you drive in bumper to bumper traffic you will get a lower number than if you just drive long distances at 65 mph most of the time.

 

I have a 2005 Mini that I bought new. It has always indicated that the oil change should be about every 17,000 miles which I have done. Now have 83,000 miles on it and no engine problems, at the 17,000 mile mark I may be down 1/4 of the full range. So far have used the dealer to change oil but have decided I don't need to pay the $250.00 I have been charged so will do it myself from here on out.

How do I reset the Oil change indicator?
Thanks

 

The mileage going up on the service indicator is probably a combination of you driving the car more gentle as you indicated and also that you may be making trips of longer consistent speed driving versus the initial owner making more short stop and go drives. I would hesitate resetting the indicator on your own following an oil change done by yourself. Since your MINI is a 2008, then isn't it still covered under warranty and also the maintenance warranty ? If so, then the dealer should be the only one messing with the maintenance indicator. I would first see if you can check out what the maintenance history has been based on it's previous service and what exactly you have coming to you for the remainder of the warranty and/or maintenance agreement. The dealer can advise you when should be the next time to bring the MINI in for maintenance which will be based on the mileage service indicator or if an annual inspection is sooner. Based on that info, you then can determine if it would be best to change the oil yourself right now or wait. For example, if the previous owner purchased the MINI new in January '08, he may have had maintenance performed in January '09. Then you bought the MINI in October '09 with the mileage mtn indicator indficating 2500 miles left till mtn but as you indicated it has been climbing ever since which would mean bringing it in for maintenance in perhaps months from now. But date-wise, 12 months since last maintenance may be this month - Jan '10. If so and the 2008 MINIs had a maintenance service agreement (I have a 2009 and it has one but I am not familiar with the 2008 MINIs), then you do not have to do an oil change yourself. You could just bring it into the dealership and they will do it for free since another year has passed and that came first ebfore the maintenance mileage indicator zeroed out.

Check with the dealer for what's best course of action on your MINI.

 

Don't know about your 1st Gen MINI, but on 2nd Gen the service indicator is for more than an oil change. It also includes a brake fluid flush, and various filters. Make sure you are doing everything required if you do it yourself.

There have been some threads about that, but it maybe different for 1st Gen. You might ask in that forum.