10 00 0212 Determining brake pad thickness, vehicles with CBS (Condition Based Service) and LCD (Light Crystal Display)

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2013 BMW 128i, 2012 BMW 128i, 2011 BMW 128i, 2010 BMW 128i, and 2009 BMW 128i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: The brake pad thickness can be determined on BMW vehicles for all new models from 1990 without removing the wheels.

On vehicles which are equipped with CBS, it is possible not only as previously the norm to determine the brake pad thickness on the disc wheel.

Thanks to CBS, it is now also possible to interrogate directly at the instrument cluster the remaining driving distance (wear limit) until the next change of the brake pads/brake fluid.

CBS (Condition Based Service) means that the service and maintenance requirements are individually determined for each vehicle.

This is done by means of distance - and time-based interval forecasts of the wear-recording electronic control units.

Vehicles equipped with CBS:

1 Series: E81, E82, E87, E88
3 Series: E90, E91, E92, E93
5 Series: E60, E61
6 Series: E63, E64
7 Series: E65, E66:
Model series X5: E70
Model series X6: E71

Vehicles with CBS and LCD (Light Crystal Display):

General-inspection-related data can be interrogated at the direction indicator stalk via the on-board computer button BC (1) and rocker switch (2).

Fig 1: Identifying On-Board Computer Button BC And Rocker Switch

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Fig 2: Identifying Condition Based Service And Light Crystal Display

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Procedure for interrogating general-inspection-related data:

Apply parking brake.
Switch on ignition.
Actuate rocker switch on direction indicator stalk until "Service Info" (1) appears in the display.
Select "Service Info" with on-board computer button (BC).
The relevant data are now interrogated with the rocker switch.
- (2) Brake fluid change (here 06/2009)
- (3) Wear limit for rear brake pads (here at km 50000)
- (4) Wear limit for front brake pads (here at km 40000)