Changing Oil and the Maintenance Sensor

[GizzmoGeek]

So I have read these two forums and have a question about changing the oil more often...

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...r&pagenumber=1

and

http://mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6685

Since I have been brain washed and believe in changing my oil before 10,000 miles, what will my maitenance sensor say? If I compromise and change it at 5000 will the sensor ever tell me to change it near 10,000 or will it wait until 15,000 to tell me to change it?

[Racer]

The sensor isn't a sensor as such the ECU records the way the car is being driven and estimates the oil change from that - By changing your oil it will not know that you have done this hence it has to be reset at the dealership or you ignore it until the next time you think a chage is really due -

Works fine if you have a Club Sport like me and don't have any warranty but others may not be so keen

I don't know the answer to your question. But, I will probably be finding out for myself. Oil is still cheap in sprite of what our friend Saddam is trying to do. I plan on changing oil at about 5000 miles. I don't care about the extra cost or inconvenience, this car is worth it.

I think it's great that MINI says 10,000 miles between changes. They have built a great little engine to be able to say that. However, the engine in my MINI belongs to me and I plan on pampering it with care as much as I abuse it with the accelerator.

[GizzmoGeek]

Thanks for the info about the maintenance flag/sensor or whatever it is called. Much appreciated. And regarding how often they say to change the oil - many people have put out there that they wouldn't put specs out there that would ruin the engine b/c it is under warranty - I agree however want my engine to last well beyond 50,000 miles. I am hoping for more like 200,000 miles out of this engine. So I don't care about a little extra cost, I'm going with 5,000 miles for oil changes. Thanks for the input.

[noahe]

Quote:

Originally posted by Racer
The sensor isn't a sensor as such the ECU records the way the car is being driven and estimates the oil change from that...

Actually, there is an "Oil Condition and level sensor" supplied by Bosch. "Bosch's new oil quality sensor constantly monitors the oil's actual physical state in terms of its viscosity, permittivity, conductivity and temperature. In conjunction with an engine oil management system, the optimal time for an oil change can thus be determined much more accurately."

There is a picture of it posted on the first link provided above by GizzmoGeek.

I do not know if it can reset the service interval it's self, or if you need BMW to reset it for you. I'm sure you can have it reset, or buy a reset tool.

[GizzmoGeek]

Actually I don't want it to be reset. If the Cooper is set to flag about every 10,000 miles for an oil change/maintenance I want it to continue to do so. My plan is to do an extra oil change between the "scheduled" maintenance. I want it to flag on schedule at 10,000 miles for an oil change or maintenance and I will take it in for the free scheduled maintenance. I just want to be able to do extra oil changes between those 10,000 mile service check-ups. Make sense or am I talking in circles?

[Racer]

Quote:

Originally posted by noahe


Actually, there is an "Oil Condition and level sensor" supplied by Bosch....

Thanks Noahe you learn something new everyday!

[chiph]

Quote:

Originally posted by noahe
I do not know if it can reset the service interval it's self, or if you need BMW to reset it for you. I'm sure you can have it reset, or buy a reset tool.

It won't reset the service interval back to 10,000 miles, but it will recognize that new oil has been added, and extend the miles until service. At some point the ECU will flag a service simply because of elapsed time, and you will have to get it reset.

noahe, do you know if the BMW service reset tools that they sell in the back of car magazines work on the MINI? I'm guessing that they might because so much of the electrical system is shared with the E46 chassis. Maybe a BMW expert can tell us. When I get my Cooper S (in November!!!), I'll look for the service connector.

Chip H.