CBS Vehicles…if you own a late model 1-Series (E82), 3-Series (E90), 5-Series (E60), 7-Series (E65), X-5 (E70), or X-3 (E83)…welcome to a new world of maintenance schedules!

In the “old” days, maintenance was determined by miles driven.  You drive so many miles,  it was time to change your oil, check your belts, etc.

Today, manufacturers are starting to take into consideration driving factors as well.

A vehicle driven for 50,000 miles of short trips in the city with numerous cold starts, lots of idling, stop and go driving, and high engine speeds only during acceleration requires more frequent maintenance than a car driven 50,000 miles for long distances primarily at an even operating temperature.

This has led BMW to develop what they call the  “Condition Based Service” platform, which computes maintenance requirements based not just on accumulated mileage but also other factors such as high or low engine speeds, long or short trip driving, and condition of vital parts such as the engine or brake pads.

How does this work?  Sensors throughout the car and sophisticated algorithms take detailed accounts of myriads of data throughout your car, constantly calculating.  You realize you are driving a big computer, right?

So, times for selected maintenance tasks as well as any required intervals will be displayed to the driver individually;  things like engine oil, brakes (front and rear separately), brake fluid, general vehicle check, and required state inspection will be indicated on your dash by lights.

CBS will theoretically show you the current and upcoming maintenance requirements of your car.  But that doesn’t mean you can get rid of your mechanic!