BMW: Condition Based Service (CBS)
Posted by Matthew Yu on Wed, Dec 23, 2009 @ 01:40 PM
On older BMW models before 2002, when the service reminder indicator lights up and you take your car into the repair shop for an oil change to have the technician tell you that you need to replace your filter and have your brake pads replaced. What you thought was only going to cost you $30.00 your bill turns into $500.00 for the entire service but you feel as if your brakes are not yet in bad condition. This is why for models 2002 and up BMW has come out with a more advanced system to monitor service intervals and reduce replacement of maintenance items called the Condition Based Service (CBS).
Condition Based Service module applies to:
- E90, E91, E92 (3 series)
- E60, E61 (5 series)
- E63, E64 (6 series)
- E65, E66 (7 series)
CBS has been created to measure, monitor, and determines when and if the certain maintenanced item need to be replaced separately from each other to reduce unnecessary replacements. Some select wear and tear items are physically detected while others have virtual sensors that use mileage, vehicle performance, temperature, etc. to indicate if replacement is needed. The three sensors detect the following wear conditions on:
- engine oil
- micro filter
- front and rear brake linings
For example using the Autoboss PC Max scan tool to process a CBS reset follow the instructions below :
1) Select Diagnose and choose the series (Exp.- 3 series, 5 series, etc.)
2) Select the chassis and then "Service functions"
3) Then "Maintenance" and "CBS Reset"
4) Then follow the prompts until all the steps have been completed the reset.
Procedure to manually view or reset service items in the instrument cluster E90, E91, E92, E60, E61, E63 and E64 if a scan tool is not available:
1) Turn ignition to Terminal 15.
2) Press and hold the Instrument Cluster Set/Reset button for 10 seconds.
3) The upper display in the Instrument Cluster will be illuminated with a Service Item (example: An oil can is the designation for Oil Service). The lower display in the Instrument Cluster will indicate the remaining time or mileage left for that Service Item (example: 14000). Pressing the button repeatedly will allow the display to scroll through all of the Condition Based Service Items.
4) Press and hold the Instrument Cluster Set/Reset button again and the lower display screen will indicate "OK" or "DUE".
5) Pressing the Instrument Cluster Set/Reset button again will allow the "RESET" to appear in the lower window for that service. Releasing and reapplying the button one more time will reset the service displayed in the upper window only.
Repeat the procedure for any additional service reset needs.