Service Light

[Finlayforprez]

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone!

Right after I start the car my "Service Required" light pops on and then goes off - so I know I am due for the oil changes and maintenance. I hate to go to the dealer for this, so has anyone gone to a reputable LR knowledgeable independent garage? We have one in my area, but I just want to make sure it will be worth it to go outside the dealership and that they will complete the same recommended service.

I had my first service a little early, as I wanted to get it free before my one year of ownership. Does anyone know exactly the details (a list of what is done) of the service beside the oil change?

Thanks so much! Have a wonderful and blessed holiday season!

Regards, David

 

[stmcknig]

Some people like to stick with the official dealer during their warranty period but there's no secret to what needs to be done at each service and no reason a good indie LR workshop would do a less competent job. If you go independent, keep receipts of worksheet should it be needed. I don't think car manufacturers can insist that you only visit franchised dealers to keep your warranty valid any more. I'd actually rate my local indie LR mechanics higher skilled - they are mechanics and not fitters....generally their labour rates are lower and they aren't working on commission or group bonus to meet parts targets. </cynical mode>

 

[Count Laszlo]

Hey David,

I went through the exact same thing a few months ago. It was my second service. I went to several independent shops and although they can do the service they cannot reset the light. Only Land Rover can do this. California is fighting for a law to change this, but for now we are stuck with the dealer to do it completely. It cost me $650.00 at BMC, $100 less than what they quoted me. Was it worth it? Hell no. Was it done right, yes, so at least that's worth something.

Merry Christmas Everyone,
Stephen

 

[Land Rover Joe]

David,

The “Service Required” light blinks on as a warning, and after you exceed the “MY Maintenance Schedule” interval which the computer is set for, the light will always blink on when you start the engine up.

I did some homework. The 2010 “MY Maintenance Schedule” from Land Rover says to change engine oil (+filter) every 15,000 miles or 12 months). The workshop manual for the LR4 (May 2011 update) under “Maintenance Schedules-Gasoline Engines” says that under arduous conditions: “Engine Oil and Filter” “Renew engine oil and filter” “every three months or 3,750 miles.” See your “MY Maintenance Schedule” pamphlet (mine is page 28) which you received from the dealer with the operator’s handbook when you got the truck in order to see all the manufacturer’s service intervals.
There is quite a lot already written on the subject of LR4 oil changes. DiscoMike recommends (in his post under “Power Steering Flush” for an LR3) a whole series of check, fluids, and additives…but this is really meant for a more high mileage vehicle. There is also a lot of preventative maintenance advice out there.

I change my oil and have posted some info on this forum; other folks have done it [see Tips from My "DIY Oil Change" and DIY Oil Change for LR4], and with the little vacuum device and a filter wrench you can do it yourself. But you will not be able to reset the lamp yourself. Mine has been going strong for two years (no dealership where I live). That said, I think I recall that you are leasing your truck…which means you may need to pay (the dealership) to play.

I have not spent the money, but Black Box Solutions has a small device (CAN-Mate SRT) that will reset the “Service Required” interval for ~$100+, or you could buy the whole computer from them to run the LR4 diagnostics (I am holding out for the much more expensive but more capable computer called Faultmate MSV-2).

Cheers and Merry Christmas,
Land Rover Joe

 

[Finlayforprez]

Thanks Stephen & Land Rover Joe!

I appreciate your excellent advice - very helpful. When I checked into the independent garage, they were actually around $500 something and stated they could not clear the code. The "Service Required" light pops on when I start the car and then goes off right away - so I know it's just starting to warn me my one year is coming up - as I do not have nearly 15,000 miles since my last oil change - MAYBE 6,000 (I need to check my records). I think I can go a while before having the second service done, but will likely just have the LR dealership do it (and do it all right) and spend the money.

First things first, I am going to look at my service records and maintenance schedule to see when I should get it done.

Thanks for the advice!

Regards, David

 

[stmcknig]

If an independent shop invests in the right tools/modules for the Land Rover models then I'm pretty sure they can clear the service indicator light just like "the big boys"

 

[waltzonice]

Are there other specific things that LRNA recommends replacing on regular intervals? For example, my old Mercedes ML320 recommended spark plugs changed every 100k miles, brake fluid flush every 2 years, coolant flush every 3 years -- in addition to the regular annual maintenance.

I'm due for my 3rd maintenance with about 39000 miles. My first maintenance was free, second was less than $400. I've since replaced my rear brake pads and rotors, so I'm suspecting that they will tell me I need my front brake pads and rotors replaced at this service.

 

[Izzyandsue]

I hope someone soon finds a way to reset the service light without special tools, the ones I found on line so far are $350 and up. Crazy, when my last oil change cost me $75 in parts. As a DIY person, I want to do it in my garage with no drama.

Engineers always leave a back door for this kind of systems (I know because I is one of them). When we find it, it will probably be something like "You have to turn ignition on, blow horn 3 times while holding breath, sacrifice a chicken (or eat a chicken nugget), clap your hands and it should reset.

Come on fellow enginerds, this is a challange...

 

[umbertob]

We should all chip in and buy on of these (should be about $200 according to RoverGuy7), then pass it around among forum members when it's time to reset the SII, as apparently it's not tied to a specific VIN: DA-Dongle SIR

 

[Quijote]

I hope someone soon finds a way to reset the service light without special tools, the ones I found on line so far are $350 and up. Crazy, when my last oil change cost me $75 in parts. As a DIY person, I want to do it in my garage with no drama.

Engineers always leave a back door for this kind of systems (I know because I is one of them). When we find it, it will probably be something like "You have to turn ignition on, blow horn 3 times while holding breath, sacrifice a chicken (or eat a chicken nugget), clap your hands and it should reset.

Come on fellow enginerds, this is a challange...

So true. I am an engineer also (though a mechanical engineer).

I can't contribute until I get my car though.