Changed oil at 7,500 miles and speedometer readout keeps saying 8,000 miles until service. Any ideas? Used MINI synthetic 5/30 and MINI filter!

 

My OBC said 12,000 for my First Oil Change. I have overe 12k now is there a light that should go abd stay on or I just go by what the display says and just bring it in?

Like when you start the car it shows, 12,000 with the oil icon.

 

If you did the oil change yourself, you have to also reset the maintenance countdown.

 

How do you do the reset on an R56? Seems like someone here on NAM said that the reset on an R56 had to be done at the dealership.

 

Why would you want to reset the computer? That would just delay your free service.

 

Someone needs to make a set for maintance light that can be fired up every 5,000 miles

 

Yeah ..... You paid for this one! Next one is free at another 8K miles.

 

I agree don't re-set the service reminder for the oil change. That way you next one will be free and change sooner.

 

The readout is for miles to go before your next oil change. It's not saying that when the odometer gets to 12,000 miles you need to change the oil. I agree that the recommended oil change interval is too long, I change mine about 8000 miles and then let the dealership change if for "free".

 

You definitely do not want to reset the service indicator on intermediate oil changes, as they are 'changes' not a 'service'. The service is more than an oil change, and you get some free. I changed my oil at about 1200 miles, and plan on another change shortly before the heat of summer.

 

OK. I called the dealer and told them I need an oil change. I said I have 12k on my car and the display says 12,000 & 12/2008 he said thats how many miles you have left. ( misred it in the manual ) Holy Shi* 24k before the first oil change? Well it could go on before then but still it just seems sooooo long. He said just check the oil level.

BUT if I change my oil NOW, and DONT reset the computer will it go even longer? or the maintence light will still go on in less than 12,000 miles for the "free" oil chnage?

Does the computer calculate the OIL itself or just how you drive etc? Cause I dont want to change my oil now and not get it changed for free when I am supopsed to in 12,000 miles. Ya get what I am saying, hopefully I made sence. And what do I need to change my oil before then? DO I have to get oil from MINI or just a synthetic oil, and do you reccomend changing the filter also?

Can someone please answer that Thanks!

 

you get one free service per year regardless of mileage, so I wouldn't worry about it.

 

I certainly agree that you shouldn't re-set the computer on intermediate oil changes during the free maintenance period. Let the dealership take of it. But once the free maintenance period has ended and the service is on your dime, you may want to do the re-set. So the question remains, at that point in time can you do it yourself on an R56 or do you have to take it to the dealership?

 

The computer is not analyzing the oil and calculating your next service based on its condition. It is only predicting your next service based on your driving patterns. The prediction is measured from your last oil change, which it does not know of automatically, either; hence why the counter needs to be reset when the oil is changed.

 

I was told that there are sensors for pH and viscosity by my service manager. However, I haven't seen that in the BMW / PSA announcement .pdf.

 

My service mgr told me the tooth fairy would leave money under my pillow last night. He said to bet the house on the Patriots on Sunday too.

 

In the 2002 BMW we had, the service notice was dependent upon the amount of fuel used, if I recall.

BTW, when the heck is the Bentley manual coming out?

 

Service indicator still says the same 8,000 after an additional 1,000 miles. Hope its not stuck and starts counting down from there! I can not wait to get something for free from MINI (oil change). it does not look like many freebies are to be had from them other than the occasional floor mats!

 

Debating doing a first oil change much, much earlier - 1k. If you change earlier as a DIY or w/ an indep mechanic, what is the current consensus/wisdom on the brand/quality of oil? I'm tending toward not worrying about pennies and buying MINI OEM oil from the dealer. At least then I have a receipt - FWIW. Checked other posts on oil and that seems to be the wisdom vs. much debate on Castrol v. Mobil 1.

 

would have lost

 

In my post I should have been clearer:

"Q. What's the difference between a salesman and a service manager?"

A. The service manager knows when he is lying."

 

Little late in answering this, but what you need to look for is an oil that it meets ACEA A3/B3. If you are planning on going more than 5K miles before the next change you should also look for BMW LL-01 (or higher number). Most off-the-shelf versions of both Castrol and Mobil 1 don't meet these specs. I found the MINI branded oil to be the most economical A3 oil around.

 

As Robin says 'look for is an oil that it meets ACEA A3/B3. If you are planning on going more than 5K miles before the next change you should also look for BMW LL-01 (or higher number).'

Also,I'd say always change the filter when you change the oil. In fact, if your going 12 - 15000 miles between changes it would'nt hurt to just change the filter in between oil changes, and top off the oil if necessary. That's what I've done while running Royal Purple in my VW.

 

thanks to NAM I've done my homework and if the snow and freezing rain aren't too horrible this weekend...I will be giving Ambrosia her first oil change. (My MA even suggested doing an oil change after the break-in period...however, she wanted me to do it at the dealership!). Picked up a filter today, will get the correct oil from Olympic and I'm good to go. Now I just need a garage.....

 

Nah, much more fun changing it in the slush!

I just got mine changed--under the "annual" rather "mileage" parameter. I'm at 17,000 miles, and the counter still said 7,000 to go. Ridiculous! Actually, this was the first OFFICIAL change--we've already done it twice "unofficially."