SES light on, take it to dealer, say nothing is wrong

cbs21 · 05-25-2010, 11:29 AM

I just got a CPO (my first BMW) and after a long road trip, the ses light comes on when I start the car. So I take it to the dealer and they say they "cannot reproduce ... whatever" and that no error codes were found. I think they even went as far as saying that the ses light was never even on...

The light started coming on about a week ago. I took the car in yesterday.

I do have a 1 year oil change coming up june 1st so is that all this is?

Alexander · 05-25-2010, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbs21

I just got a CPO (my first BMW) and after a long road trip, the ses light comes on when I start the car. So I take it to the dealer and they say they "cannot reproduce ... whatever" and that no error codes were found. I think they even went as far as saying that the ses light was never even on...

The light started coming on about a week ago. I took the car in yesterday.

I do have a 1 year oil change coming up june 1st so is that all this is?

I hope that you change your oil more than once a year...

Delta0311 · 05-25-2010, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbs21

I just got a CPO (my first BMW) and after a long road trip, the ses light comes on when I start the car. So I take it to the dealer and they say they "cannot reproduce ... whatever" and that no error codes were found. I think they even went as far as saying that the ses light was never even on...

The light started coming on about a week ago. I took the car in yesterday.

I do have a 1 year oil change coming up june 1st so is that all this is?

You should be changing your oil every 5k miles if you want to keep your car for a long time.

cbs21 · 05-25-2010, 12:12 PM

Yeah I bought the car like 2 weeks ago as a CPO so I had no choice about not getting an oil change. As for the ses light, is it just talking about getting an oil change soon?

Delta0311 · 05-25-2010, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbs21

Yeah I bought the car like 2 weeks ago as a CPO so I had no choice about not getting an oil change. As for the ses light, is it just talking about getting an oil change soon?

No the SES light on a BMW is emissions related. Could be anything from a lose gas cap to a faulty O2 sensor. Take it to Autozone if you don't have a ODB reader, they can read and clear the error code for you. As for the oil change; I'd get it done ASAP if I was you.

Gart · 05-25-2010, 04:19 PM

Normally, if the SES light comes on, a code should be stored. If there is a possibility that when it is on, go to the dealer (leave the car running so it doesn't go out) and show them that it is on.

As far as the oil change you will get varying opinions. Some think that BMW recommends 1 year, 15,000 to save "them" money. If the engine couldn't safely (and I really stress safely) go that far between changes, they would recommend otherwise. If they thought 10,000 miles would be the limit, they would recommend that. Castrol also uses the same mind set as far as quality of their product.

If it is all about saving money, they wouldn't figure the cost into the sales price. It would be up to the owner to take care of the maintenance if it was an issue.

Using the same mentality as some, you should replace your tires every 10,000 miles even though they may be rated for 45,000 (just to be safe).

It's your money. You decide.

Delta0311 · 05-25-2010, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gart

Normally, if the SES light comes on, a code should be stored. If there is a possibility that when it is on, go to the dealer (leave the car running so it doesn't go out) and show them that it is on.

As far as the oil change you will get varying opinions. Some think that BMW recommends 1 year, 15,000 to save "them" money. If the engine couldn't safely (and I really stress safely) go that far between changes, they would recommend otherwise. If they thought 10,000 miles would be the limit, they would recommend that. Castrol also uses the same mind set as far as quality of their product.

If it is all about saving money, they wouldn't figure the cost into the sales price. It would be up to the owner to take care of the maintenance if it was an issue.

Using the same mentality as some, you should replace your tires every 10,000 miles even though they may be rated for 45,000 (just to be safe).

It's your money. You decide.

A Do it yoursef oil change is roughly $70 and the peace of mind that it provides you is priceless. With that said, I change my oil every 5k miles.

Blubaron79 · 05-25-2010, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gart

Normally, if the SES light comes on, a code should be stored. If there is a possibility that when it is on, go to the dealer (leave the car running so it doesn't go out) and show them that it is on.

As far as the oil change you will get varying opinions. Some think that BMW recommends 1 year, 15,000 to save "them" money. If the engine couldn't safely (and I really stress safely) go that far between changes, they would recommend otherwise. If they thought 10,000 miles would be the limit, they would recommend that. Castrol also uses the same mind set as far as quality of their product.

If it is all about saving money, they wouldn't figure the cost into the sales price. It would be up to the owner to take care of the maintenance if it was an issue.

Using the same mentality as some, you should replace your tires every 10,000 miles even though they may be rated for 45,000 (just to be safe).

It's your money. You decide.

+1

You stated this perfectly. I was at first against BMW oil change intervals. I used to have my Eclipse GT's oil change every 3,000 with Mobil 1. Now I feel like an idiot. I atleast could have let it go 5,000+ miles between changes.

John 070 · 05-25-2010, 04:58 PM

I think the dealer says nothing is wrong scenario under warranty is quite common. I understand it, it's not about solving the root cause of the problem, it's about letting the problem get to a point where it's obvious so they can fix it and not waste a lot of time. None of us like it, but that's BMW service.

I can't imagine how when you're out of warranty they say nothing is wrong and send you on your way. They'll gladly troubleshoot T&M.

As far as the oil I feel 5k is overkill, but overkill is ok. I'd do 7500. Lease? fuggetiboudit don't do it at all except when free and according to BMW's schedule. The above is what my service mgr told me--7500. He said that is probably not necessary but old school peace-of-mind.

fdriller9 · 05-25-2010, 06:05 PM

Your gas cap was probably loose. A loose gas cap will trigger a SES light and clear itself after awhile if it is sealed again. It will also make you fail NJ state inspection.

:ma d0259:

:mad0259 :

05-25-2010, 11:29 AM	#1
cbs21 New Member 9 Rep 24 Posts Drives: 328 Join Date: May 2010 Location: usa iTrader: (0)	SES light on, take it to dealer, say nothing is wrong I just got a CPO (my first BMW) and after a long road trip, the ses light comes on when I start the car. So I take it to the dealer and they say they "cannot reproduce ... whatever" and that no error codes were found. I think they even went as far as saying that the ses light was never even on... The light started coming on about a week ago. I took the car in yesterday. I do have a 1 year oil change coming up june 1st so is that all this is?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

05-25-2010, 12:12 PM	#4
cbs21 New Member 9 Rep 24 Posts Drives: 328 Join Date: May 2010 Location: usa iTrader: (0)	Yeah I bought the car like 2 weeks ago as a CPO so I had no choice about not getting an oil change. As for the ses light, is it just talking about getting an oil change soon?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-25-2010, 04:19 PM	#6
Gart Private 0 Rep 61 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Lantana, TX iTrader: (0)	Normally, if the SES light comes on, a code should be stored. If there is a possibility that when it is on, go to the dealer (leave the car running so it doesn't go out) and show them that it is on. As far as the oil change you will get varying opinions. Some think that BMW recommends 1 year, 15,000 to save "them" money. If the engine couldn't safely (and I really stress safely) go that far between changes, they would recommend otherwise. If they thought 10,000 miles would be the limit, they would recommend that. Castrol also uses the same mind set as far as quality of their product. If it is all about saving money, they wouldn't figure the cost into the sales price. It would be up to the owner to take care of the maintenance if it was an issue. Using the same mentality as some, you should replace your tires every 10,000 miles even though they may be rated for 45,000 (just to be safe). It's your money. You decide.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-25-2010, 04:58 PM	#9
John 070 Lieutenant General 1707 Rep 14,829 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	I think the dealer says nothing is wrong scenario under warranty is quite common. I understand it, it's not about solving the root cause of the problem, it's about letting the problem get to a point where it's obvious so they can fix it and not waste a lot of time. None of us like it, but that's BMW service. I can't imagine how when you're out of warranty they say nothing is wrong and send you on your way. They'll gladly troubleshoot T&M. As far as the oil I feel 5k is overkill, but overkill is ok. I'd do 7500. Lease? fuggetiboudit don't do it at all except when free and according to BMW's schedule. The above is what my service mgr told me--7500. He said that is probably not necessary but old school peace-of-mind.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-25-2010, 06:05 PM	#10
fdriller9 Banned 255 Rep 7,089 Posts Drives: '06 AW 330xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North Jersey/Philly/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [6.44]	Your gas cap was probably loose. A loose gas cap will trigger a SES light and clear itself after awhile if it is sealed again. It will also make you fail NJ state inspection.:ma d0259::mad0259 :
	Appreciate 0 Quote