New Shorter Oil Change Distance after ECU update

[JAJ]

I had my car in for it's first annual low mileage oil change this week. While it was there, they dealt with a bunch of minor niggles by reprogramming the car's computers (it took overnight to complete them all).

When I got the car back, the distance remaining to the next oil change was 4000 km shorter than when I took it in. Sure enough, they didn't drive 4000 km overnight, so the total distance from the previous (2000km) oil change to the next had been reduced from 24000km to 20000km. That's 2500 miles.

Has anyone else had this happen? Is there a service bulletin that says that BMW is cutting the service cycle from 15000 miles to 12000 miles?

Car runs great, by the way.

[Dascamel]

Drive it a while, should adjust to 15k again. Probably just reset it.

[py0413]

damn i wish i can do that oil change asap
i have almost 18000kms now and still the computer shows another 7000kms before my next service; however, i called my dealership last week and they said i can bring the car in once i reach 22000kms.

[JAJ]

Originally Posted by py0413

damn i wish i can do that oil change asap
i have almost 18000kms now and still the computer shows another 7000kms before my next service; however, i called my dealership last week and they said i can bring the car in once i reach 22000kms.

They will also do a free oil change one year after your 2000km change. It's the "Annual Low KM Oil Change" and it's available for any BMW under the factory maintenance plan.

[schnell325]

Originally Posted by JAJ

They will also do a free oil change one year after your 2000km change. It's the "Annual Low KM Oil Change" and it's available for any BMW under the factory maintenance plan.

WOW!!

This is great to know.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by Dascamel

Drive it a while, should adjust to 15k again. Probably just reset it.

Canadian vehicles do not have Condition Based Service intervals.

[sparkyg]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Canadian vehicles do not have Condition Based Service intervals.

Are you fibbin'?

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by sparkyg

Are you fibbin'?

I could be, but not intentionally. It is my understanding that Canadian models use set maintenance intervals in lieu of a variable service indicator. Any Northerners care to confirm? JAJ?

[JAJ]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

I could be, but not intentionally. It is my understanding that Canadian models use set maintenance intervals in lieu of a variable service indicator. Any Northerners care to confirm? JAJ?

It took me a while to get there, but I dug out the owner's manual and warranty book and sure enough, the Canadian cars have CBS just like the rest of the world.

I've done about 300 miles on the highway since the oil change and it still thinks there are 9000 km to go to the next change - the number is not increasing as the measured fuel economy improves. The old system used the number of liters of fuel burned to trigger the oil change light. That meant that low consumption driving would get you more distance per change. The new system is a bit of a mystery to me - it seems to be 25,000km or less, where "less" is determined by some factor that they don't publish.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by JAJ

It took me a while to get there, but I dug out the owner's manual and warranty book and sure enough, the Canadian cars have CBS just like the rest of the world.

I've done about 300 miles on the highway since the oil change and it still thinks there are 9000 km to go to the next change - the number is not increasing as the measured fuel economy improves. The old system used the number of liters of fuel burned to trigger the oil change light. That meant that low consumption driving would get you more distance per change. The new system is a bit of a mystery to me - it seems to be 25,000km or less, where "less" is determined by some factor that they don't publish.

Okay--sorry for the misinforrmation. I'm currently due for service @ 16k miles per my readout.

[mr.i]

Considering purchasing the extended service plan for this reason. Porsche had this with my 2000 Boxster S, but I always changed it twice a year or 3000 miles depending on what came first. The only exception was a 6500 mile road trip that I took across the US. I had all fluids changed prior and got the oil done when I got back. The recommended interval was 15000, but I couldn't do it to a car I loved.

[JCtx]

I always change the oil on my cars at 5K miles or every year, mostly due to short distances, high levels of dust, and excessive heat in summer, but the year almost always comes first. However, if I was using the M3 more, I'd feel 7,500 is perfectly fine since it holds 9 quarts, rather than 5. Porsche is the same way; they're at 8 or so. But no way I'd wait 15K, but that's just me. I figure these incredibly expensive engines deserve it, plus also seems like cheap insurance to me. Good day.

[lucid]

Originally Posted by JAJ

I had my car in for it's first annual low mileage oil change this week. While it was there, they dealt with a bunch of minor niggles by reprogramming the car's computers (it took overnight to complete them all).

When I got the car back, the distance remaining to the next oil change was 4000 km shorter than when I took it in. Sure enough, they didn't drive 4000 km overnight, so the total distance from the previous (2000km) oil change to the next had been reduced from 24000km to 20000km. That's 2500 miles.

Has anyone else had this happen? Is there a service bulletin that says that BMW is cutting the service cycle from 15000 miles to 12000 miles?

Car runs great, by the way.

Yep, a similar thing happened to me after I took it in for the 15000 service (it came up at 14200 actual miles). When I picked the car up, the next oil change was indicated at 13000 miles. (And, no they had not driven my car 2000 miles in 3 hours).

I wonder if it has to do with me driving the car at relatively high revs, and the system recognizing that suggesting a shorter interval for the next change or something strange like that...

[BMRLVR]

Originally Posted by JAJ

I had my car in for it's first annual low mileage oil change this week. While it was there, they dealt with a bunch of minor niggles by reprogramming the car's computers (it took overnight to complete them all).

When I got the car back, the distance remaining to the next oil change was 4000 km shorter than when I took it in. Sure enough, they didn't drive 4000 km overnight, so the total distance from the previous (2000km) oil change to the next had been reduced from 24000km to 20000km. That's 2500 miles.

Has anyone else had this happen? Is there a service bulletin that says that BMW is cutting the service cycle from 15000 miles to 12000 miles?

Car runs great, by the way.

The Oil Change interval on my 09 was 20000KM when I picked it up..... it also didn't give me a service warning for the 2000km service. The dealer did the 2000km service like normal though. I think the intervals for the 09's are indeed shorter.