How To Reset The BMW Service Engine Soon Light? - Vehicle Freak

• Brian Onyango

Updated on March 30, 2024

BMW is one of the most popular car brands in the world. They are known for their luxury vehicles and innovative technology. It is no surprise that many BMW owners take great pride in their cars and want to keep them running in top condition.

One important maintenance task is resetting the service engine soon light. This light comes on when the car needs to be serviced and it is important to reset it after each service. So, how do I reset the BMW service engine soon light?

To reset the BMW service engine soon light, plug an into the vehicle’s diagnostic tool port, then set the ignition to the On position. Navigate the menus of the and find the option to reset the service codes – that’s all you need to do!

What Does It Mean When BMW Says Service Engine Soon?

This is cause for concern for many drivers, as the SES light typically indicates that something is wrong with the engine. However, there are a few different reasons why this light may come on, and not all of them are serious.

One of the most common reasons for the SES light to come on is simply that the car is due for an oil change or other routine maintenance.

How Do I Clear My Check Engine Light Without a Scanner?

When your “Check Engine” light is on, it means your vehicle has one or more malfunctioning sensors. To turn it off, you will need to fix the problem that is causing the light to come on in the first place.

However, if you don’t have an OBD scanner and want to clear the check engine light yourself, there are a few ways you can do it.

One way is to disconnect the battery for 30 seconds and then reconnect it. This will reset all the sensors in your car and turn off the check engine light. However, this method should only be used as a last resort because it can also cause other problems such as losing your radio presets or clock settings.

Another way to reset the check engine light is to drive your car for about 50 miles at a steady speed. This will allow the sensors to recalibrate and should turn off the check engine light.

Will BMW Check Engine Light Reset Itself?

Yes. Most BMWs use a condition-based servicing system. This means that when the car is started, certain sensors check various vehicle components to make sure they’re up to par.

If any of these components need servicing, a message will appear on the control display informing the driver which service is required. Once this service has been carried out, the system will automatically reset itself.

However, there are some cases where the light may not reset itself. For example, if you’ve just replaced your oil and filter but forgot to reset the oil service interval indicator, then the light will remain on until you do so.

In this instance, you can simply Reset Service Interval in iDrive to turn it off.

Can I Drive My BMW With the Engine Light On?

The service engine soon (SES) light on a BMW is an indication that the vehicle’s On-Board Diagnostics system has detected a problem.

The SES light can be reset by the owner, but it will come back on if the problem that caused it to trigger in the first place is not fixed. If the SES light is ignored and the problem is not fixed, it could result in more serious issues, such as engine damage.

If your service engine soon light comes on and is not flashing, that means the problem is not an emergency and you can continue to drive your BMW. However, you should get the problem checked out as soon as possible.

If the light is flashing, that means the problem is more serious and you should take your BMW to a mechanic right away.

What Would Cause My Service Engine Soon Light to Come On?

Many things can cause your service engine soon light to come on. If you’re not sure what would cause your service engine soon light to come on, here are some of the most common reasons:

1. Loose or Missing Gas Cap

A loose or missing gas cap is one of the most common reasons why the service engine soon light comes on. If your gas cap isn’t tightened properly, it can cause your engine to run less efficiently and trigger the light.

To fix this, simply check your gas cap to see if it’s loose or missing. If it is, tighten it or replace it and the light should go off.

2. Faulty Oxygen Sensor

Another common reason for the service engine soon light to come on is a faulty oxygen sensor. The oxygen sensor is responsible for measuring the amount of oxygen in your exhaust and sending that information to your car’s computer.

If it isn’t working properly, it can cause your engine to run lean (too much air and not enough fuel) and trigger the light.

To fix this, you’ll need to replace your oxygen sensor. You can do this yourself if you’re mechanically inclined, or you can take it to a mechanic. If you replace the oxygen sensor yourself, make sure to get one that’s compatible with your car.

3. Catalytic Converter Issues

Another common issue that can cause the service engine soon light to come on is a problem with your catalytic converter. The catalytic converter is responsible for converting harmful emissions into less harmful ones.

If it isn’t working properly, it can cause your engine to run rich (too much fuel and not enough air) and trigger the light.

To fix this, you’ll need to take your car to a mechanic and have them diagnose the problem. They may be able to clean or replace your catalytic converter, depending on the severity of the issue.

4. Low Oil Level

When your oil level is low, it can cause your engine to run less efficiently and trigger the service engine soon light. To fix this, simply check your oil level and add more if it’s low. You may also need to change your oil if it’s dirty or has broken down.

Is There a Difference Between Check Engine and Service Engine Soon?

The short answer is yes, there is a difference between a check engine and a service engine soon. Check engine light comes on when the vehicle’s computer detects an issue within the powertrain.

Service engine soon light, on the other hand, means that scheduled maintenance is due.

Conclusion

In case you own a BMW, you may have been alerted by the “service engine soon” light on your vehicle’s dashboard.

This light is part of the car’s emission control system, and it comes on when the car is due for an emissions test or when there is a problem with the emission control system.

To clear the light and any error codes that are not a real cause for concern, plug in the OBD2 scanner and select the “Erase Codes” option. Just make sure to read each code that comes up before the wipe, otherwise, you might miss identifying a serious underlying issue.

Get more helpful tips from these related BMW topics:

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