I have read multiple threads about how to reset the oil indicator on an R56 2007+ (I have a 2009), however no one shows that you can reset it to a specific mileage. I mean, I don't if you really can, just wonder if you can? When the mechanic at the dealership resets it; it goes to 17,000. I just got my last oil change in at 32,300 miles, since maintenance plan is just 3yrs/36,000 miles. I tried doing the reset that people explain on NAM as well as on youtube, but to me I don't think you can specify a specific mileage. I would like to set it to 7,000 as that is the mileage I will be changing my oil from now on.

If you can't change it then I will just have to keep track when it get to 10,000; change it then, and then change it again when it get to 3,000. Then reset and let it go back to 17,000. Its not really a big deal, but it would be nice to change it to a specific mileage. Follks that drive the 02-06 MCS say it gets reset to 15,500, so I am wonder maybe the mileage is predetermined in the computer, if that is the case then I guess you can't make a specific mileage change.

If anyone knows how to change the oil indicator to a specific mileage, please let me know. Thanks.

P.S. Some people say that you need a BMW/MINI Reset Indicator Tool, is this true?

 

The computer sets the interval based on your driving style. You can't set it to a certain number of miles.

 

I can understand not being able to set a specific mileage, but no way is it set per driving style. I know it drops faster or slower per one's driving style, but it doesn't max at a level per driving style. If that was the case then it would be at or around 5,000 - 7,000. Especially since I am an aggressive driver.

It has always been set to 17,000 after an oil change by the dealership, whether I am driving fast, slow, crazy, what have you. 17,000 is the set number that they must have programmed into the computer according to data they have received when manufacturing the car (saying that nowadays with these engines and the way they are built they can last 17,000 on Full Synthetic oil). That to me is b******t and will do harm to the engine down the road.

Their must be more to it then that.

 

Sorry, but I don't think there is any more to it. The onboard computer calculates the mileage based on data collected, runs it through an algorithm, and out pops the number. When the reset is done, it doesn't dump all the data and start over. If it was projecting a 17,000 mile interval for you before the reset, it will be that after the reset. With so much data collected, it would probably take some significant changes in driving style over an extended number of miles to cause a change.

Even if you could produce a change, my guess is the floor is probably in the 12,000 mile range (if that low). If you are driving in such a way as to require something more frequent, it probably qualifies as severe duty and the owners manual indicates you may need to do oil changes more frequently than the OBC indicates for severe duty.

 

I haven't had the MINI long enough to try this, but does the miles-to-service indicator change as you drive or is it a milestone set and never changed? For example, if you have 30,000 miles and perform service & reset and now the interval is 17,000 miles. Will the interval always be 47,000 - your current mileage?

On my Audi, it fluctuates based on driving. After reset, the service interval says some crazy things like "Service in 12,000 miles or 900 days." After a few weeks, it'll look more rational. I would expect the BMW/MINI computer to adjust as time goes on as well.

 

No, it adjusts as you drive. It will drop by 1,000(s) as you drive the car. The harder/faster you drive it; the faster it will drop and the slower/grandma style you drive it; the slower it will drop.

I was just saying that 17,000 is just ridiculous to wait for one's next oil change. I only did because it was on the warranty/maintenance plan. Now that I am done, I will be changing it every 7,000.

I was just hoping to being able to reset it to 7,000, but it seems that you cannot.

 

I pretty much ignore the service indicator for oil. I do 5000 mile changes and have the mileage for the next change written down on pad in the glove box. When the oil indicator comes up I reset it and then ignore it again.

 

I believe, that is exactly what I will be doing!!