After you replace the brake pads on your BMW and the brake pad wear sensor, you need to perform the procedure to reset the BMW brake light. If you are unsuccessful at resetting the BMW brake light, an alternative method is provided to help you reset the BMW brake light with a tool.
These steps will work on BMW, including models 1-series, 3-series, 5-series, 6-series, 7-series, x1, x3, and x5.
Before You Start
- Perform the following steps quickly.
- Sometimes, you may have to perform the BMW brake reset procedure more than once.
- BMW brake light reset procedure can be performed for front or rear brakes.
- Brake pads must have at least 80% of life remaining.
Procedure
- Turn on the ignition but do not start the car. If your BMW has a START button, press it without pressing the brake pedal.
- Make sure time is shown at the center of the instrument cluster.
- Press and hold the ODO reset button for about five seconds. First, a yellow triangle will show on the dash. Continue holding the ODO reset button pressed until the next symbol comes up.
- Press the ODO reset button a few times until you see the front or rear brakes symbol. Depending on which sensor you replaced and would like to reset.
- When the symbol for the desired brakes is displayed on the screen, press and hold the ODO reset until you see the word RESET below the symbol.
- Once the word reset displays below the brake symbol, quickly release the button and press it again. Continue holding the ODO reset button until the brake light disappears.
- The miles should change to —–, indicating the reset was performed successfully. The next time you will be reminded to change your BMW brakes is 25000 miles for front and 31000 for rear brakes, even though these intervals may vary between models.
Alternative Method to Reset BMW Brake Light
- Insert the key into the ignition. Turn on the ignition but do not start the engine.
- Press and hold the BC button until time and mileage appear on the instrument cluster center.
- Next, press and hold the ODO Reset button. A yellow triangle will show up first. Hold the ODO reset button until you see the next symbol on the screen.
- Press the Check button on the steering column stalk until you see the Front Brakes or Rear Brakes symbol.
- While the brake Brake Light shows on the dashboard, press the BC button until the words RESET show below the brake symbol.
- Next, press and hold the BC button until the
How to reset BMW brake with a scan tool
It is possible to reset the brake pad sensor on BMW vehicles using various OBD2 Scanners for BMW.
The generic OBD-II scanner may be unable to reset BMW CBS and brake light. If you cannot reset the brake light, check the brakes’ condition on the opposite axle.
For example, if you replaced the front brake pads and sensor and can’t reset the brake light, you should check the rear brake pads’ condition. The YOUCANIC Full System Scanner can run every control module of your BMW vehicle, including your vehicle’s brake system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won’t my BMW brake light won’t reset?
BMW brake light reset procedure must be performed after you reset the front or rear brake pads. It would be best if you replaced the brake wear sensor as well. In some cases, the brake wear sensor may get damaged during installation, so you won’t be able to reset the brake light.
Which BMW models will these instructions work with?
The instructions above will work on many BMW models, including E30, E90 F30 F10 E39 E83 E92 E70 E87 E93 E92 E30 E36 E38 E34 etc.
Can generic OBD-II scanners reset CBS and brake light modules?
No, you need a multi-system scanner to reset the CBS and brake light system.
We hope you find the Reset BMW Brake Light Service Reminder guide helpful. Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your BMW.
Thanks Matt. You’re the best.I follow your advised and it ‘s work for me with my X1 F48 2017 model.
Cheers Mate.
I had new brake pads and rotors installed on my 2014 320i as well and light will not go out. Tried resetting and after the progress finishes… says unable to reset.. ideas? Thanks in advance
This worked on my 2016 F82 M4. The interface is slightly different but the technique is essentially similar. I had to reset the rear brake light after I ran my track brake pads too low and rubbed the brake pad sensor (right rear) down to the wire. Luckily I had a spare sensor so I replaced it when I swapped back to my street brake pads
Tried this on my 2010 328i xDrive and when the yellow triangle goes away I don’t get symbols, I get codes with dates on them in a very small font(?). Any suggestions?
OMG, thank you. The brake pads were replaced along with the sensor…couldn’t get the warning message off, and the mechanic couldn’t either. Read this and went out to my car, boom done! Didn’t know it could be reset on the ODO button. Thank you, anxiety is better lol
F15 2018 X5. Replaced the brakes and sensor, couldn’t reset the indicator until I read here about trying without parking on. Worked a treat Reset !
I tried to reset my rear brake light fault after replacing brake pads and still it does not reset . What other plan can I have to reset on 650i bmw E63.
Thanks Matt for the advice. It only works for my Z4 E89 after I released the parking brake.
I tried to do the reset on my BMW X1 F48, i did not work at the begining, untill i tried it with the parking brake off.
So if it does not work for you, try it again with parking brake off.