How do I reset the inspection light on my BMW?

It has been a while since we posted some BMW tips and trick, so we decided to to renew that tradition and make it an habit. Of course, we can’t do this without your help, so with this occasion, we extend an invitation to all of you that would like to email us some tips, tricks or fixes for our lovely bimmers.

Today, we’re going to show you how to reset your BMW inspection light that shows up on your cluster when you’re bimmer is due for Service Maintenance. One of our friends owns a 325i and he tends to change his oil at different shops who don’t own a BMW reset tool.

Without a doubt, many of you already know this, but for the others that are still new to the BMW world or simply never had to manually reset their light, this might come handy.

BMW Service Indicator Lights Reset

Ignition OFF (POS 0)
Press and Hold the trip odometer button while turning key to position 1 (ACCESSORY)
Keep the button depressed (about 5 secs.) until you see “Oil Service” or “Inspection” with “Reset” or “Re” in the display then let go

*Note: On vehicles with “High” cluster, you will also see the amount of fuel (in liters) remaining until next service

4. Press the button again and hold for approx. 5 secs. until “Reset” or “Re” flashes

5. While the display is flashing, briefly press the button again to reset the Service Interval. After the display has shown the new interval you should see “END SIA” for about 2 secs.

*Note that if the “Reset” or “Re” does not flash, then you have not met the minimum consumption level and cannot reset.

This procedure has been tested on the E46 3 Series, but if you have tried this on other models as well, please let us know and we’ll update this article.

Thanks for the tip Zsolt!

16 Responses to “How do I reset the inspection light on my BMW?”

BA says:

August 11, 2009 at 8:49 am

anyone know how to reset the “check engine soon” indicator for an e46 325i.
it’s been verified all is well but no bmw tool to reset the indicator.

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- Neal Pratt says:
  
  August 11, 2009 at 8:56 am
  
  Go to AutoZone or Advance Auto Parts. They have free “Check Engine” light checks, then they’ll clear it for you.
  
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jkp says:

August 12, 2009 at 9:37 am

All well and good, but what about those of us with a more modern Bimmer. How do I reset the inspection monitor for an E82 135i?

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- Horatiu B. says:
  
  August 12, 2009 at 12:17 pm
  
  Working on getting an answer on that
  
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- JoeDoe says:
  
  August 13, 2009 at 10:55 am
  
  I saw a mechanic do that once, it has to do with holding the bc button for several seconds until you enter a service menu. Don’t remember the exact details though.
  
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peter says:

August 12, 2009 at 12:14 pm

thanks for the tip but what is the trip odo meter can you show it with a Photo?

Thanks Peter

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- Horatiu B. says:
  
  August 12, 2009 at 12:18 pm
  
  Peter, unfortunately I don’t have a photo of that, I will see if I can get one.
  
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Peter A says:

September 23, 2009 at 1:19 pm

Thanks for the reset info, my local garage didn’t know how to do it and i’ve been going there for years!! Worked a treat on my 325 ti.

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mark says:

October 26, 2009 at 12:01 am

Worked great for me on 06 X3

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Dizzy says:

November 5, 2009 at 12:31 pm

Will the instructions above work on my Z4 3.0LTR 2002?? the bimmer reports that an ‘Inspection’ is required in 850 miles?? many thanks

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Shamim Abowath says:

November 12, 2009 at 3:02 am

I also managed to reset on my 2004, X3 three liter. It worked great.

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Dave says:

December 8, 2009 at 10:38 pm

Hey, thanks for the tip, also worked on my 04 X5

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iking says:

January 14, 2010 at 6:56 am

what is that mean if my odometer show negative(-7000)my beemer model is 325i,2003 model.pls help thanks..

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- mikelikeit says:
  
  January 16, 2010 at 2:11 pm
  
  it means you have surpassed the schedule service.
  
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  - iking says:
    
    January 21, 2010 at 2:52 am
    
    so, do i need to bring it on bmw shop?or theres anyway that i can do it by myself,pls.help thanks bro..
    
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GSG says:

February 14, 2010 at 5:50 pm

I reset the “inspection” on my ‘04 X3 but the “inspection” light comes back again. It’s showing -15300km and when I do everything that says here the screen on the car is flashing “reset” and then shows “end” but as soon as I start the car the “inspection” comes back. What can I do now? Please help….

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