
BMW 5 Series regular maintenance items include replacing engine oil, oil filter, fuel filter, and air filter; checking the brake system for leaks and whether the brake pads are within the specified thickness; inspecting the engine belt for wear and adjusting the belt tension if necessary; examining the transmission, drive shaft, and universal joint protective covers for oil leaks and damage; checking tire tread depth, tire pressure, and tire wear, and performing a wheel alignment if necessary. Below is an introduction to the BMW 5 Series maintenance cycle and precautions. BMW 5 Series maintenance cycle: It is recommended to perform a routine maintenance every 10,000 kilometers for the BMW 5 Series. Before reaching 60,000 kilometers, the maintenance mainly alternates between oil and filter changes and the replacement of the three filters (oil, fuel, and air). A comprehensive fluid replacement is concentrated at the 60,000-kilometer mark. BMW 5 Series maintenance precautions: Avoid running the engine for extended periods in an unventilated garage, as the exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an invisible and odorless toxic gas; avoid sucking on fuel pipes with your mouth, as gasoline is not only flammable and explosive but also toxic; avoid contact with carburetor cleaner, as most carburetor cleaners contain methyl chloride, aromatic compounds, and ethanol, all of which are toxic to some extent.

Last time at the 4S dealership, I learned a handy trick for resetting the maintenance light on a BMW 5 Series. First, close all doors, then insert the key and turn on the ignition without starting the engine. Next, press and hold the trip reset button on the left side of the instrument cluster for about 5 seconds until 'OIL SERVICE' or 'INSPECTION' appears on the screen, then release. Quickly press the same button three times with about half-second intervals. Finally, when 'RESET?' appears, continue holding the button until 'END SIA' shows up – that's it! The whole process takes less than 30 seconds, much easier than making a trip to the dealership.

I helped a friend with this when he got his used 5 Series. Found that the procedure varies slightly by year: post-2018 models require a button combo on the instrument cluster, while older versions are simpler. First power on, look for the triangle warning light on the dash, then press the left BC button to navigate to the maintenance option in the menu. The key is waiting for the reset prompt before quickly pressing the button three times, then holding to confirm. Wrong sequence will show error codes - just restart. Important: don't press pedals during the process, and keep the trunk closed.

This is a common question from BMW owners at repair shops. The simplest method: With the ignition on, use the left directional button on the steering wheel to switch to the maintenance menu. When the wrench icon appears, press and hold the BC button for ten seconds until the screen flashes, and it will reset. For some model years, a combination of actions is required—press the ignition switch three times, hold the brake on the third press, wait for all warning lights to illuminate, then press the mileage button for ten seconds. Actually, the vehicle's computer logic is quite intelligent; improper resetting might trigger error codes. If you're unsure, it's better to spend around a hundred bucks and have a repair shop connect their diagnostic computer to do it properly.


