Welcome, everyone! Did you change your BMW car battery recently and now you are looking for how to reset the BMW computer?

Most BMW car owners run into this kind of problem often, but today’s post will show you how to reset BMW x5 computer after a battery change.

It is true that BMW cars are very sophisticated, meaning that most of the diagnostics and displays are run by the computer system. Related: Why are BMW Oil Changes so Expensive?

How to Reset BMW x5 Computer After Battery Change (HOW TO RESET BMW COMPUTER)

What you should know is that whenever you do any maintenance on your car such as changing the oil, replacing the battery and other, your mechanic will need to reset the computer to start counting again till the next service schedule.

But what if you had replaced the battery or change the oil and filter by yourself?

Then it will be vital to know how to reset BMW computer after battery change or filter and oil change.

This is what today’s post will help you to achieve.

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How to Reset BMW x5 Computer After Battery Change (HOW TO RESET BMW COMPUTER)

The Battery reprogramming

Indeed, the BMW battery reprogramming or coding happens when a different battery has been fitted, this is simply because the car knows the specification of this new battery to modify its entire charging algorithm. Take for example,

A 2006 BMW 330i E90 model will provides the following choices when programming a battery in:

80Ah AGM, 90Ah, 90Ah AGM, 80Ah, 70Ah, 70Ah AGM, 55Ah, 46Ah.

But what if our high spec model came with a 90Ah AGM battery, and was programmed for this, and you intend to save money by fitting in a 55Ah lead/calcium battery?

Again, apart from the real capacity problems, it’s so clear that the car is going to be utilizing an AGM based charging strategy which will pose a problem for a lead/calcium battery. 

You should know that models like the VW calls for a specific code to be entered and aftermarket batteries does not have their manufacturer recognised code printed on them.

This means that you are to match up and then enter a code that has the same chemistry and specification as the new battery you are installing. Although this, of course, is not ideal. 

Be aware that if a battery is staying with the same chemistry, but the Ah rating is eventually changing, we however recommend to reprogram the correct rating, physically going up in Ah ‘capacity’, this shouldn’t be a problem.

However, if the system intends to maintain the battery at about 80% State Of Charge (SOC), and then you should add up some energy and note what the result will be when the energy is added, there will be every probability to even add more.

Though if a smaller battery was really installed, then the logic should still cut out based upon the SOC, which the conditions may be such that it could cause overcharge or even add too much energy so quickly.

It is true that the current day model of BMW electrical system are so complicated that it ensures a close charging as possible to all kind and age of their batteries.

The BMW models have a computer program that is intended to control and run the alternator.

So after you must have replaced the battery, your BMW car computer is supposed to be aware about the changing.

Meaning that the equipment software needs to be informed on the new update which is from a standard Lead Acid Battery to an AGM.

Please have it in mind that the process of updating the computer controlled alternator is the same thing as battery resetting.

And again, know that the battery registration processes or failing to reset the computer after changing the battery won’t trigger the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) and (MIL) Malfunction Indicator Lamp.

Please this is a warning regarding the danger of skipping the BMW computer battery change, because this can result in shortage of the battery lifespan. This can also damage the entire components of the electrical system of your car.

One of the primary reason why BMW developed this new way of regulating the charging performance by the reset of BMW computer after battery change is to ensure an improvement of the entire engine performance of the vehicle.

A lot of BMW automotive workshops have experienced diagnosis problems by customers who fails to reset and install their BMW computer after changing the battery in less than a year.

please note that the actual charging system of the car usually reduces the lifespan of unregistered batteries by enabling an aggressive battery charge especially in a cold-weather condition, which also damages the car control unit.

Although in contrast with a Lead Acid batteries, the AGM battery does not hold the sulphuric acid freely in its casing.

However, the acid is instead bound into the fibre fleece glass. And it is one of the reasons why no acid can escapes when the housing is damaged.

Although the AGM batteries are air tightly sealed to prevent water from entering into it.

Please note that resetting the BMW computer after battery change does the following tasks:

• sends information to the computer that the new battery registration has been successfully done
• ensures that the car battery has successfully registered 80% of the capacity as a reference point
• It ensures that the Current Odometer readings are stored perfectly
• Resetting enables battery storage statics like the battery temperature, voltage, the current, and also the charge levels are deleted.

Here are the BMWs models that needs a computer reset after Battery Change

• The 2002 and newer 7-Series E65/E66 chassis
• The 2007 and newer X5 E70 chassis
• The 2003 and newer 6-Series E54/E63 chassis
• The 2005 and newer X5 E53 chassis with N62 engine
• The 2008 and newer X6 E71 chassis
• The 2006 and newer 3-Series E90/E91/E92/E93 chassis
• The 2004 and newer 5-Series E60/E61 chassis

HOW TO RESET BMW COMPUTER AFTER BATTERY CHANGE

For you to do this, just follow the simple steps below to reset a BMW computer.

• Ensure that your ignition key is turn to the accessory position when the lights and radio comes on (that is before starting the car).
• Then press and hold the “Trip” button on the instrument panel until the red light turns on.
• Once done, press the Trip button the second time and then hold until Reset comes out.
• And after which, press the Trip button the third time. Once done, your BMW computer is now reset.

How to Reset BMW x5 Computer After Battery Change

Please watch this video  

Summary on  How to Reset BMW x5 Computer After Battery Change

Please do not ever gamble with resetting your BMW computer after battery change.

Not gambling with resetting your BMW computer after battery change will ensure you enjoy all the pleasures your BMW car gives and it’s also cost effective.

There are lots of reputable BMW car workshops that are well equipped with training that ensures proper registration of your car battery and also ensuring that the manufacturer’s warranty standards are still okay.

Right now we hope this post has helped you to see how to reset BMW computer after battery change and in the video above, you will learn How to Reset BMW x5 Computer After Battery Change.

At least you will agree that the steps on how to reset BMW computer after battery change is not that complicated as you thought.

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