735 service/inspection etc

[ansteyg]

Hi, I have just bought a 735I, it has full service history and I'm very happy with it, my question is this. I was studying the owners manual and service book. As far as I can tell the car tells you when it needs servicing via the green/yellow/red lights on the service indicator, there appears to be no set milage or time when servicing is to be carried out. Now when the car says it needs an Inspection must it be done by a BMW dealer? How does the car know its been done? I mean does the dealer update someting in the car to tell it or does the car automatically know that the required check/maintenance has been carried out? Is this designed so you have to take it to a BMW dealer? Thanks people I'm new to this game I'm sure you enlightened bunch will help!

[askabry]

Originally Posted by ansteyg

Hi, I have just bought a 735I, it has full service history and I'm very happy with it, my question is this. I was studying the owners manual and service book. As far as I can tell the car tells you when it needs servicing via the green/yellow/red lights on the service indicator, there appears to be no set milage or time when servicing is to be carried out. Now when the car says it needs an Inspection must it be done by a BMW dealer? How does the car know its been done? I mean does the dealer update someting in the car to tell it or does the car automatically know that the required check/maintenance has been carried out? Is this designed so you have to take it to a BMW dealer? Thanks people I'm new to this game I'm sure you enlightened bunch will help!

this site (http://www.carsoft.ru/avtorepair/serv/bmw_7_si.pdf) is a good starting point. I just bought my own 735i and like you am very, very happy.

There are some other good web sites ... one of which I have at home but can't seem to locate here. It's a mechanic's shop where he details nicely what needs to be done on a regular basis and what he charges to have it done. If you don't have tools ... you might want to get some, and try to get some of the stuff done yourself.

It's going to be expensive to enjoy that 7 series, but I think worth it.

[1988735iLBrooklyn]

Diagnostic tool from bavauto.com for all BMW could be helpful 89.$

[Antiburn]

I believe you ground pin #7 and it should reset the light. Theres a post someone on this forum on how to do that. Try searching for "Reseting the service light"
How the car knows that it needs an inspection or oil service is it counts the milage (15000miles). As the bars start going down by the time its yellow you should be getting it done. Dont worry if it goes into 1 red bar, just get it changed within that week or 2.

The car knows that the oil is changed by the "tool" that is being talked about. It sends a signal to the DME and tells it to illuminate the 5 green lights. Some shops may have this tool but if they dont then you can eather try grounding out pin #7 like I sid before (search for the post b4 you do it) or take it to a dealer and get it done.