How long is a piece of string but maybe someone can help?
We will be shortly taking the caravan on a two week trip down to the South of France. I always have the car checked and levels topped before going, however the car computer (BMW X5 40d) is saying it wants its first service in 6000 miles.
Normally this would not be an issue as 6000 solo miles would more than adequately cover the holiday and some. However I will be towing on autoroutes to the South of France , putting the van on site then day trips out and back to UK with the caravan.
Does anyone know by how much percentage the cars computer will reduce the mileage showing bearing in mind the distance / towing / heat etc?
Normally I would just get the car serviced early, however herein lies the dilemma... I bought the car new and have covered 10,000 miles so far, when I ordered the car I paid for the service pack (services included for 5 years /50,000 miles. I spoke to my local BMW dealer about having the car serviced before I go considering I am travelling lot distance towing and he said the service pack alliws for the car to be serviced within a 1000 miles of the mileage shown in the computer. I have explained that I think the mileage shown will rapidly decrease when under load over long autoroute distance and that it would probably envisage being done immediately I got back , if not before?
So I either pay for the first service (oil and filter change (circa £320/£340) to have it done slightly earlier before I go , despite already paying nearly £500 for a
service pack or trying to find out if the service counter would not go over the service before getting back because I am towing?
Any thoughts?
I have the same problem with my VW ... the local VW dealer has agreed to do the service when I return from France/Spain, whatever the mileage is.
Perhaps your BMW dealer could do the same?
I think I'm missing something here because the mileage remains the same towing or not. Do you mean the computer calculates how hard the car is working & reduces the miles required before the next service accordingly?
In less high tech times the advice in the handbook was just to get an extra oil/filter change halfway through service interval if car was used under 'severe operating conditions'. I've never seen the need for an extra oil change although I know some drivers do.
So if you are worried then get oil changed before you leave. Nice little earner for the Beemer garage for 50quids worth of oil & filter & an hours work though. I would have thought though your car towing in France at legal limit of 56mph would not be unduly stressed though.
The reduction in expected mileage to the service on the computer will be very small. I have had run Audis on variable serving for several years. Within the 18-19k miles between services the variation has only been around 500miles. I do 22k a year and about 5k of that is towing. Audi also allow a 1k miles allowance over when the computer tells you service is due. How many miles are you expecting to do on the trip? Sussex to south coast return trip will be no more than 2k miles - so are you expecting to tour around to add another 4k? Personally I would just go and get service done on return.
I am currently on 32k miles and have 6k left before service and we're off to near Royan and then the Dordogne - service will be done September I expect.
However IF your engine is Euro 6 and needs AdBlue I would take some AdBlue with you or at least top it up before you go.
Ones learns something every day but it's just a hi tech version of more frequent oil changes as required. You can buy Ad Blue at any autoroute services though, trucks have been using it for years.
If you have a BMW service package then this should be available throughout Europe, so you will be able to get the service done in France.
I think the UK dealer is just trying to protect their business.
Quote: Originally posted by Opensauce on 15/6/2016
Ones learns something every day but it's just a hi tech version of more frequent oil changes as required. You can buy Ad Blue at any autoroute services though, trucks have been using it for years.
AdBlue as used by the trucks at services is AFAIK at a separate pump - and from experience they don't fit my Audi and I haven't found one that will let you fill a container (only tried twice mind you). The worrying part o the Adblue message when it appears is that it starts a mileage countdown so to avoid any undue worry it's perhaps best to either fillip before leaving or carry some spare.
"My car's service interval does not change depending on the way I drive."
"It's not the way you drive it, it's purely on mileage so if your not going to more than what's left on the dash get it done when you get back."
According to the computer - mine does change - and varies by up to 1k miles. On my car there isn't a fixed service interval unless you choose to have the car set to it.
I believe the BMW one does look at your usage pattern to determine service interval. Lots of short journeys, cold starts, engine temp, speed, revs, miles etc. I suspect a 4L diesel running at a constant 56mph (the legal limit for this combo) on excellent roads will not even notice. It may even allow you more miles if your previous 10,000 were short journeys.
We too are off to south France towing 520d touring, my service is likely to say 5,000 mile to go and I have no concern. The mileage and as many have said strain at 60 mph on motorways will be fine. I did this trip last year and noticed no big change on the service clock.
We are off to st tropez and all in trip and out and about 2 to 3k miles will cover it.
Jaiash, Hubby had his adblue on his Audi come on a few weeks ago, he bought some in Halfords( I think, may have been the petrol station) and it came with a filler nozzel that fit the car, this maybe of help. He got fed up with the dealers charging a fortune and wanting the car for a full day for 5 minutes work!!
I have a similar dilema my BMW service interval is 18000 and I have done 17300 miles and the service clock is still showing over 2000 miles to service. I'm hoping to get close enough to have service done before holiday.
Its called condition based servicing and takes driving style and distances into consideration
------------- Joanne
May - Peak District
June - MG Live Silverstone
August/Sept - Salou
Quote: Originally posted by Wibsey on 15/6/2016
Jaiash, Hubby had his adblue on his Audi come on a few weeks ago, he bought some in Halfords( I think, may have been the petrol station) and it came with a filler nozzel that fit the car, this maybe of help. He got fed up with the dealers charging a fortune and wanting the car for a full day for 5 minutes work!!
Thanks for that - for the first 25k miles my dealer did it for free, but I have bought the next lot ready from a local BP station. My local dealer also has fixed price fill up now £38!! while you wait. As a matter of interest what model car is it and how many miles is he getting between getting the computer fill up message??
Hmmm...So, some Euro 6 engines need Adblue and have variable service intervals depending on how you drive. Just commented on another topic about the differences in how and when 4wd can be used. Like my ASX more and more.
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Topic: Towing and Car Computer
