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Maintenance reminders for oil changes date back to the early 1980s. The initial system looked at the mileage and maybe the engine speed.
Mileage-based systems estimate oil life based on preset mileage recommendations which can range from 5,000 to 7,500 miles. This can be an effective reminder for some owners, but not consider heavy-duty operations or customers on short trips.
Calculation-based or intelligent oil life monitoring uses multiple inputs to determine oil health. BMW was the first to market with an on-dash oil life indicator based on mileage in 1983. The system uses an On-Board Computer (OBC) that can also calculate fuel mileage and elapsed time. A tool that jumps the wire in the diagnostic connector is required to reset the light.
Systems from BMW and Mercedes-Benz base oil change intervals on actual vehicle data. The essence of the equation is still mileage, revolutions and hours of operation. However, the system also records oil and coolant temperatures to see if the engine has time to burn off the condensate in the oil. Some systems also use a calendar to determine when it’s time to change the oil. If the date is not set in the driver information center, the oil life monitor may not work.
The most important thing to remember is that estimates of the health of these oils are based on the specific oils recommended by the automaker. Since the vehicle is not aware of the oil specifications, it must match the oil life monitor.
Reset Procedure
Nothing is more frustrating to a customer than getting into a vehicle after changing the oil and seeing that the oil life monitor has not reset. Either the technician is not aware that the vehicle has a reset procedure, or they don’t want to look it up. However, it’s safe to assume that every 2000 and newer vehicle has a reset procedure.
This procedure may involve maneuvering with the keys, buttons, and accelerator to navigate menus in the driver information center. Some have three steps, while others have up to eight steps to do with military timing.
Regardless of the reset procedure, information is very important when resetting the oil life monitor. Chances are the information is in the vehicle owner’s manual. But, do you want to rummage through your customer’s glove box to find the right page?
The service information database got even better by putting the reset procedure front and center with an icon on the page after you select the year, make, and model. Procedures may change depending on model year or engine, or even infotainment options.
The best option is to use a scan tool that can reset the oil life monitor. This functionality may already be present in your current scan tool, but there are handheld scan tools that focus on resetting the oil monitor and other maintenance items, such as batteries.
BMW
BMW is the father of the oil and service indicator light. In 1987, the E31 3 Series models had a simple onboard computer to notify customers when they needed an oil change. A jump pin in the under hood diagnostic connector can reset the light.
From 1991-’97, BMW required a special tool to reset the oil change light on some models. However, as the Series 3, 5, and 7 platforms were updated, Condition Based Services (CBS) is currently implemented. After OBDII implementation, many resets were moved to the instrument cluster menu and iDrive system. Additionally, the LEDs are replaced with graphs in the instrument cluster display.
Around 2003, BMW started using adaptive algorithms and oil condition sensors to determine oil change intervals.
An oil condition sensor, located at the bottom of the pan, measures oil level, temperature and condition via conductivity. While level and temperature are logical measurements, the conductivity test is unique and not well understood outside of BMW. The speculation is that the sensor measures oil dilution by condensation and fuel. However, mileage, time and fuel consumption are all part of the algorithm.
The reset procedure usually has two methods. First, turning the ignition key to the off position, then pressing and holding the Instrument Cluster Set/Reset button for 10 seconds to enter the menu can complete the reset. In the BMW service information they refer to terminal 15. This is the street ignition position. The second and best option is to use a scan tool. Many aftermarket scanners have a built-in shortcut to reset oil life to 100 percent. If the car is equipped with an iDrive system, the oil monitor menu can be found in the Car Data menu.
Mercedes-Benz
In 1998, Mercedes-Benz introduced the Flexible Service System (FSS) which analyzes engine oil “service requirements”. The FSS monitors engine oil levels and engine oil conductivity to determine when the oil “needs” to be changed. Part of the calculation on some models uses the dielectric oil condition sensor in the oil pan. The first vehicles to get this were models with the 3.2L V6. Later models launched new sensors as the chassis or engine was updated.
The system determines whether the customer needs a minor “A” service or a major “B” service. If the sensor detects a difficult condition in the oil, it may recommend “C” or “H” service. All services require oil and filter changes at intervals that can range from 7,000 to 13,000 miles.
Two thousand miles or 30 days before the service deadline, the FSS indicator on the total mileage speedometer lights up when the vehicle is first started. The next maintenance due is displayed in miles (or km), or as days remaining. If the recommended maintenance time is exceeded, the display will flash and is preceded by a minus sign.
Reset procedures can vary widely depending on chassis platform, engine and interior options. Consult your service information or owner’s manual for model and year procedures.
Volkswagen
VW began equipping its vehicles with maintenance interval reminders in 1993. Programmed maintenance recommendations are based on normal service intervals. When you reset the interval using the button and press method, you are resetting the maintenance reminder to its normal setting. If you use the scan tool to reset reminders, you can adjust the interval to suit customers and conditions.
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