The Meaning of the "Please Service Engine Soon" Light on a BMW
by Michelle Enos
The "Service Engine Soon" light can come on in your BMW for many reasons. It appears to alert you to a malfunction or error so you can get a problem fixed before it gets worse.
How It Works
The "Service Engine Soon" light in your BMW is similar to a "Check Engine" light in other cars. Your car has a computer which runs diagnostic tests while your car is running. If something comes back faulty or negative, the light comes on.
Easy Fixes
If the "Service Engine Soon" light appears, first check that the gas cap is on tightly. Also make sure you have enough coolant and are not due for an oil change. These are things you can fix yourself easily (or, in the case of an oil change, have done easily by a serviceman) and cheaply.
Other Issues
If none of those issues seem to be the problem, it's time to take your BMW to a dealer or auto repair technician. Your dealer will have a computer that can be hooked up to the car's computer to determine exactly what the light means. The sooner you can take your car in, the better; often the "Service Engine Soon" light alerts you to issues that start out small but can quickly escalate into bigger and more expensive problems.
References
Writer Bio
Michelle Enos has been freelance writing since 2010. She is especially interested in writing about photography, music, health and environmental issues. Enos is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in piano performance from the University of New Hampshire.
