Visited relatives over Christmas and I now have a small clock symbol appearing by the service indicator lights when I start the ignition
I thought this may be an annual service light, but I am also seeing replies for a brake fluid service light
Can anyone please confirm which it may be ?
I do have the manual but its buried behind Christmas tree and I am not moving that for another 8 nights :xmaswink:
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Clock symbol by the service lights on start up
Clock symbol by the service lights on start up
E30 320i
E36 325i Coupe
E46 330i SE
Now an E53 4.6iS
E36 325i Coupe
E46 330i SE
Now an E53 4.6iS
Re: Clock symbol by the service lights on start up
Hi,
I had the same symbol recently. It is for the brake fluid.
I had the same symbol recently. It is for the brake fluid.
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OnlineX5Sport
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Re: Clock symbol by the service lights on start up
As above. It comes up every two years for time based service/change of brake fluid.
Richard
Richard

Re: Clock symbol by the service lights on start up
[quote="X5Sport"]
As above. It comes up every two years for time based service/change of brake fluid.
Richard
[/quote]
It came up on mine just before the oil change service, as it had only done 10k since it was changed 2 years previous, I had the garage do a boil test on the fluid and it was still good as new I reset the timer by pressing the odometer button as explained on YouTube, this extinguished the light.
As above. It comes up every two years for time based service/change of brake fluid.
Richard
[/quote]
It came up on mine just before the oil change service, as it had only done 10k since it was changed 2 years previous, I had the garage do a boil test on the fluid and it was still good as new I reset the timer by pressing the odometer button as explained on YouTube, this extinguished the light.
2011 Kia Sorento KX3 2.2D 60 Plate Auto in black ( mine )
BMW E83 X3. 3.0d M Sport, 2008 in black ( now gone )
BMW E93 330i Convertible Msport 2007. ( Now sold )
VW Golf 2.0 TDI 140 GT 2010 ( now sold )
Now Sold 55 plate, X5, 3.0 D Sport. Silv
BMW E83 X3. 3.0d M Sport, 2008 in black ( now gone )
BMW E93 330i Convertible Msport 2007. ( Now sold )
VW Golf 2.0 TDI 140 GT 2010 ( now sold )
Now Sold 55 plate, X5, 3.0 D Sport. Silv
Re: Clock symbol by the service lights on start up
Thank you, 'Boil test' is that something any decent garage can do/check ?
E30 320i
E36 325i Coupe
E46 330i SE
Now an E53 4.6iS
E36 325i Coupe
E46 330i SE
Now an E53 4.6iS
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OnlineX5Sport
- Global Moderator
- Posts: 18990
- Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:09 pm
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Re: Clock symbol by the service lights on start up
Should be. If the system is well sealed you should not normally get much extra water getting into the fluid over two years. Brake fluid grabs water from the air and that's why they change it - but it's mainly a 'just in case' need.
Richard
Richard

Re: Clock symbol by the service lights on start up
You can change it yourself, it's very simple.
Brake fluid is Hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture. This moisture can cause pistons and bores to corrode and cause issues.
Just because the fluid in the reservoir is ok doesn't mean the rest of it is.
I've never heard of a garage doing a "boil test".
You can use an optical refractometer to gauge the amount of water in the fluid, but I'd rather just change it for the sake of £100 at BMW or £40 at home.
Brake fluid is Hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture. This moisture can cause pistons and bores to corrode and cause issues.
Just because the fluid in the reservoir is ok doesn't mean the rest of it is.
I've never heard of a garage doing a "boil test".
You can use an optical refractometer to gauge the amount of water in the fluid, but I'd rather just change it for the sake of £100 at BMW or £40 at home.
Last edited by Caesium on Wed Jan 08, 2014 2:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Currently :
2013 BMW E70 X5 40D MSport
Previously :
2008 BMW E92 335D MSport
2004 BMW E46 M3
2005 BMW E60 535D MSport
2002 BMW E39 530D Sport
The list goes on...
2013 BMW E70 X5 40D MSport
Previously :
2008 BMW E92 335D MSport
2004 BMW E46 M3
2005 BMW E60 535D MSport
2002 BMW E39 530D Sport
The list goes on...
Re: Clock symbol by the service lights on start up
Actually having it done in 40 minutes for £53.04 

E30 320i
E36 325i Coupe
E46 330i SE
Now an E53 4.6iS
E36 325i Coupe
E46 330i SE
Now an E53 4.6iS
Re: Clock symbol by the service lights on start up
[quote="Ant"]
Actually having it done in 40 minutes for £53.04
[/quote]
Blimey that's a no-brainer
Actually having it done in 40 minutes for £53.04

[/quote]
Blimey that's a no-brainer
Currently :
2013 BMW E70 X5 40D MSport
Previously :
2008 BMW E92 335D MSport
2004 BMW E46 M3
2005 BMW E60 535D MSport
2002 BMW E39 530D Sport
The list goes on...
2013 BMW E70 X5 40D MSport
Previously :
2008 BMW E92 335D MSport
2004 BMW E46 M3
2005 BMW E60 535D MSport
2002 BMW E39 530D Sport
The list goes on...