How To Reset The Service Light On A BMW X5

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The BMW X5 is one of the best small luxury SUVs. It is an appealing option when you need to drive on the road and for light off-roading. 

Newer models have highly advanced features and will give you detailed information when the vehicle needs servicing. 

If the service light is still on even after servicing the vehicle, how do you turn it off?

How To Reset The Service Light On A BMW X5

You can reset the service light on your BMW X5 using the trip odometer reset button. The process is for resetting the service light is different for older and newer models of the X5, with it being a bit easier on the newer models.

Resetting the service light on your BMW X5 may be a straightforward process, but you still need to know what to do.

No matter what model or year of BMW X5 you have, check the steps below for detailed instructions on how to reset the service light.

How To Reset The Service Light On 2000-2006 BMW X5

To reset the service light on a 2000-2006 BMW X5, you need to keep the ignition key off. 

Press the trip/odometer button that is on the instrument cluster and hold it. 

Turn the vehicle’s ignition key to the initial position. 

Continue pressing and holding the button until you see the words “Inspection” or “Reset.” Your vehicle will show “Reset” if you have met the minimum service requirements. 

However, if you do not meet the minimum limit for service, you will not see the “Reset” option. 

This means that, if you do not get the “Reset” option, you need to continue servicing the vehicle until it shows the “Reset” option. 

If the option shows, click on it and hold it until you see the word Reset starting to flash. 

As that happens, press the left button for a short while to reset the service. 

The display will show the new interval, and you will see the words “End SIA.” You can only reset the interval only after you have used at least 10 liters of fuel. 

After the reset, switch off the ignition and switch it on again to see if the service light has already been reset. 

How To Reset The Service Light On 2006-2012 BMW X5

To reset the service light on the 2006-2012 BMW X5, you need to insert the remote key into your vehicle’s key slot.

Press the Start-Stop button and ensure your foot is not on the brake pedal. 

When you do that, you will see several lights flash on the dash of your BMW. 

Wait until all the warning lights go out.

In some instances, you may need to press the “BC” button to switch off some lights, such as the low fuel warning lights. 

There is a black button on the bottom left side of your vehicle’s speedometer. 

Press this button until you see an exclamation mark appear in the middle of the speedometer. 

Continue holding down the button until you see another image appear on the instrument cluster and then release the button.

You can cycle through the pictures by pressing the black button once. 

As you continue cycling through the pictures, you will come to the oil service light option.

Press and hold the black button on your instrument cluster until the word “Reset” appears – the word shows under the picture. 

Press and hold the button again to reset the service light, and you will be good to go. 

You can then switch off the ignition and switch your vehicle back on to see if the reset was successful. 

How To Reset The Service Light On Newer BMW X5 Models

How To Reset The Service Light On A BMW X5 How To Reset The Service Light On A BMW X5

Newer BMW X5 models (up to the 2022 model) have more advanced features and are easier to reset. 

To reset the service light, you need to put the car into diagnostic mode. 

Ensure you do not step on the brake pedal and then press the START button three times rapidly. 

From there, press and hold the vehicle’s BC button that is on the left stalk. 

Press and hold this button for about 10 to 15 seconds, and it will show you the service menu. 

From the service menu, locate the engine oil option. 

Press the BC button for a while and scroll to the Engine Oil option. 

When you see the engine oil option, press the BC button again, and you will see the reset option come up. 

Release the button and then hold it down again to confirm that you have reset the service light. 

The manual of your BMW X5 will give you all the details that you need to reset the service light.

If you have any challenges, go back to your user manual and check the process. 

What is the Difference Between the Service Light and Warning Light?

The service light is an indication that your vehicle needs maintenance. 

The light comes on after you have driven your vehicle for a set number of miles and for a given time since the last service. 

You can check the service intervals on your user manual – it is usually about 10,000 miles or 12 months for the BMW X5. 

The dashboard warning lights come on when there is an issue detected. 

These lights will show even when the vehicle has not stayed for 12 months or not driven for 10,000 miles. 

If you want to reset the dashboard lights, you can do so with the following steps. 

Turn on the electrical system of your vehicle without starting the engine. 

If your vehicle uses a push-button ignition, push the ignition button three times rapidly – though some may only require one push, and they ignite (your owner manual should tell you how many times to push). 

Press the odometer button on the left corner of your instrument panel and hold it until you see the service message on the display. 

Release the odometer button. 

Press the odometer button once (without holding it) to scroll through the service menu. 

Scroll through to the warning light that you need to reset.

Once you get to the warning light setting that you want to reset, press and hold the odometer button until you see the reset option.

Press and hold the button again to confirm resetting the warning lights. 

You will see a message that says “Reset in Progress” and then another that says “Reset Successful.” Turn your car off and then start it again to confirm that the reset was a success. 

What Does the BMW X5 Have to Offer?

The BMW X5 is sporty and luxurious.

It is available in a choice of three engines; a turbocharged six-cylinder engine and two turbocharged V8 engines. 

If you need real power, you pick the 4.4L V8 engine.

This powerful engine makes 456 horsepower in the xDrive50i and the power goes up to 523 horsepower in the M50i trim that was introduced in 2020. 

The vehicle will haul your family around and still give you so much fun. 

The base engine is a 3.0L six-cylinder that makes 335 horses and 330-pound feet of torque. 

There is an optional third-row model, but it does not offer as much space as you would need for a vehicle that hauls your family. 

All-wheel drive is standard for the models above the base model while the base model uses standard rear-wheel drive. 

You can fit the vehicle with all the plush amenities you need to make it highly luxurious. 

Some of the standard features in the base model include:

  • adaptive LED headlights
  • adaptive suspension dampers
  • a panoramic sunroof
  • 12.3-inch central display
  • power-adjustable, heated front seats
  • dual-zone automatic climate control
  • 10-speaker sound system

You will also get a host of driver-assistance features, such as forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic alert. 

Closing Thoughts

The warning lights and the service lights are very important to a motorist – they tell you when the BMW X5 needs your attention. 

Do not ignore these lights as doing so might result in costly damages to your vehicle.

After the service, however, you need to reset the service lights so that they are not a distraction.

Your vehicle user manual will have the entire process, but you can follow the process above to reset the light in a few minutes.