Battery Load Tests and Standard Scope Service

[smswy]

Hi Folks,

I would like to know your perception regarding what the dealer service shop does on your bike during service while under warranty relative to the above subject. I have no intention of being condescending, but please don't just reply and say you do your own service, that has no value to me related to my question.

My situation: I own a 1250 GS, a 1250 R and a nineT Scrambler. All 2023 models and under warranty. The GS and Scrambler were purchased at Dealer A, while the R was purchased at Dealer B. While under warranty I take the bikes back to the dealerships I purchased them from for service. Dealer A has replaced the batteries, under warranty, in both the GS and Scrambler based on them failing the battery load test. I assume that is all on the "up and up". Dealer A also tends to note/list the Standard Scope procedures/inspections they perform in the repair order (the stuff you pay that basic $100-125 labor cost for).

I am not sure Dealer B is actually doing the same thing. I took the R in today for the 18k service and had my own list of service items to include Standard Scope, Engine Oil Change with Filter and Oil Change in the Telescopic Fork. Oil change in bevel gears and brake line flush are not due since they were done less than a year ago. When I asked about the battery load test, and told them the batteries on two newer bikes had failed and been replaced, the service counter guy seemed to not know what I was talking about. I stated that the Standard Scope list showed this to be one of the items to be checked. He then replies that we go off what the system says is due and that is the oil change with filter and oil change in telescopic forks. I didn't feel like debating, but it would seem Standard Scope of Service should be showing up as well.

So, do you feel that when you take your bike in for service that they are actually doing the inspections listed as part of the Standard Scope Service (in addition to the other primary service items) or are they just hooking up the bike to the BMW computer software, running diagnostics, and resetting next service timing in the TFT?

Thanks,
Stephen

 

[omega man]

Had to look Standard Scope Service as I have never heard of it.
There a a couple of active members here on the forum that seem to be all over it. When they chime in, they can elaborate.
OM

 

[smswy]

Had to look Standard Scope Service as I have never heard of it.
There a a couple of active members here on the forum that seem to be all over it. When they chime in, they can elaborate.
OM

It's in all 3 owner's manuals I have. Item 2 on the Maintenance Schedule and then the list on the second page after the Break-in Service List. It is more or less the same as what shows up in the BMW AIR Database.

 

[omega man]

Guess I’m just behind on this new bike stuff. The last dealer I had the F800GS at for a front tire and oil and filter didn’t reset the service minder and when I questioned it, said “we didn’t know you wanted the bike hooked up to the computer”.

OM

 

[lee]

When we had the R1200RS bikes I asked the shop to check the batteries on our bikes while they were on warranty.
The service manager used a hand held unit to check the batteries and it spit out a paper that said pass or fail.
It only took a minute or 2 when connected.
Last week when I had our bikes in for the driveshaft test I asked that they also check the batteries since they were 4 years old.
On one of our bikes I watched as they hooked up the computer to the bike. This took 15 minutes or so and I'm guessing it was a actual load test.

When we have our Chevys in for a oil change they check the battery. Does not take long.
One time I thought I had a battery problem and took the car in for a battery check.
They said for a true load test it has to be on the computer for 15 minutes or so.

It appears that when a vehicle is in for a standard service, some of the minor checks like the battery may vary on how they do it.

 

[RPGR90s]

With all due respect, you kind of answered your own question within the caveat of "but please don't just reply and say you do your own service, that has no value to me related to my question."

If, IF I was taking my bike to the dealer and asking them to perform the 'Standard Scope Service', I would expect a checklist of all the items that were inspected.
On my '24 R1250RT, this is what is in my manual.

The only way you can really be sure is, well, you know.

 

[omega man]

FWIW, I also run a device like this-

That does an internal check of battery resistance/health.

Battery Testers, Battery Checkers | sisco.com

Shop on sisco.com one-stop online store for reliable test and measurement equipment! We offer a wide range of solutions to meet all your testing and measuring needs.

www.sisco.com

This device along with the standard “toaster” Element, battery age and experience gives me a pretty good reading on the state of my batteries.
OM

 

[smswy]

With all due respect, you kind of answered your own question within the caveat of "but please don't just reply and say you do your own service, that has no value to me related to my question."

If, IF I was taking my bike to the dealer and asking them to perform the 'Standard Scope Service', I would expect a checklist of all the items that were inspected.
On my '24 R1250RT, this is what is in my manual.

The only way you can really be sure is, well, you know.
View attachment 104886

Thanks, but I don't see how I answered my own question. My primary question again: "So, do you feel that when you take your bike in for service that they are actually doing the inspections listed as part of the Standard Scope Service? In your case, do you think they are, without you asking for it? Yes or No is sufficient.

I should not have to ask them to perform the Standard Scope of Service given that it is Item 2 on the Maintenance Schedule for each of the scheduled service milage marks (6k,12k, 18k, etc.), at least in the owner's manual for my 3 bikes, and I am paying $100-125 for the primary BPW Service. That service is not just hooking the bike to the BMW software and running diagnostics. And yes, I am familiar with that list, it's in all my owner's manuals too.

I will follow up with an additional post based on the results after picking up my bike yesterday.

 

[smswy]

FWIW, I also run a device like this-
View attachment 104889
That does an internal check of battery resistance/health.

Battery Testers, Battery Checkers | sisco.com

Shop on sisco.com one-stop online store for reliable test and measurement equipment! We offer a wide range of solutions to meet all your testing and measuring needs.

www.sisco.com

This device along with the standard “toaster” Element, battery age and experience gives me a pretty good reading on the state of my batteries.
OM

Thanks for that. When I owned an Airstream trailer with AGM batteries I upgraded (well, my electrician son did the heavy work) the battery monitoring system so that I would know state of charge and could monitor when the battery was starting to age.

 

[omega man]

Thanks for that. When I owned an Airstream trailer with AGM batteries I upgraded (well, my electrician son did the heavy work) the battery monitoring system so that I would know state of charge and could monitor when the battery was starting to age.

As an aside to RV’s and their batteries and charging systems….. Most come with a converter which is sorta like a transformer that just keeps a charge voltage from a 110 source and supply a steady, constant charge which will boil the water out of acid lead acid battery. Swapping the (dumb) transformer style to an intelligent charger/converter can make an amazing difference.
In my case, with a dual house battery setup, the original (dumb) charger used 2-3/4 gallons of makeup water per season. Swapping to an intelligent charger/converter dropped the makeup water to 2-1/2 cups of water per season.
OM

 

[smswy]

As OP I want to comment on the experience I had relative to my initial post and question to you folks. And thank you to those who have added your own insight.

I contacted the service department of Dealer A (BMW only dealer in business several decades) where I purchased two on my bikes, the GS and Scrambler. This is the service department that does a battery load test every service interval and has already had to replace the batteries on the two bikes under warranty. They suggested I ask Dealer B (the multi-brand dealer where I purchased the R), for the service checklist for my R at 18k miles from the BMW AIR Database. That way I could cross check what the BMW AIR system is instructing them to service. Dealer A sent me an example of the checklist from my last GS service and I took that as an example to show Dealer B.

When I returned to pick up my bike Dealer B could not find a similar checklist in their AIR system, hypothetically. But they did say that they are not claiming it does not exist, only that they could not find it. When I started discussing the Standard Scope of Services that is Item 2 in the Maintenance Schedule (which includes the battery load test) they seemed somewhat clueless about it. I had my owner's manual with me and showed them and they started studying it. I then looked them straight in the eye and said I am willing to bet that you have never done a battery load test on my bike during any of the 4 services, and perhaps many of the other items in that list are never done because you never specify them in the Repair Order final printout. They just looked at each other in uncertainty. And they were supposed to change out the telescopic fork oil as part of the scheduled service, but told me they did not have the tool to do it (after initially telling me 2 weeks earlier they did) and that they would have to order it. So I will need to take the bike back in for that and I indicated I would want the battery load test done at that time.

Interestingly, when one of the service counter guys brought my bike around to the front of the store he said he talked to the tech and that the tech said when he hooked up the bike to the software and looked at the readout, the battery showed 12.7 volts. I guess they do not know the difference between current state and a load test.

Makes me wonder how closely BMW monitors the sales and service conditions at multi-brand dealers.

Thanks again.

 

[omega man]

Took me a while to find this-
Aftersales Information Research (AIR)
For repair professionals, the most important system is the BMW Aftersales Information Research (AIR) portal, where technicians can retrieve detailed, vehicle-specific repair information. The process for accessing repair instructions is as follows:
1.

1. • Enter the vehicle's VIN to narrow down the information.
   • Select Repair Instructions.
   • Choose a section from the Unified Parts Group menu (e.g., "41 Body" or "51 Body Equipment") to view the specific repair information for that part.

Repair stage notation
Within the AIR system, BMW provides different repair instructions based on the severity and type of damage. For example, for body damage, a repair could be classified by its "repair stage".

• • Repair Stage 1a covers the replacement of bolt-on components. The instructions include detailed procedures for using fasteners like blind rivets and for replacing bonded window glass.
  • Repair Level Two or Three might describe the specific body repair procedure needed. A technician might learn that a "Level Two" repair does not require a workbench, while a "Level Three" repair does.
  
  

This may explain why it’s getting tougher and tougher to get a dealer to service a Airhead.
OM

 

[kickstandsup]

I believe what you have actually discovered is the value of a good, honest, organized dealer.

 

[Baron_Samedi]

I ran German automotive service departments for 30 years before I retired and based on that experience, I can tell you that how closely the technician adheres to the Manufacturer - recommended "Scope of Service" depends ENTIRELY on shop environment and service management. Most techs simply have a standard "list" of checks they make (brakes, suspension, leaks - repairs they can make money on) with the addition of interval called for services (spark plugs, valve adjustments, etc).

In an ethical, disciplined shop (like your Shop A?), you'll find that management enforces adherence to the FULL service checklist and grooms trainee techs accordingly. It's shop culture to do things the "factory way" (for better or worse really).

I'd suggest you'll (and your bikes) be happier at Shop A.

 

[smswy]

I ran German automotive service departments for 30 years before I retired and based on that experience, I can tell you that how closely the technician adheres to the Manufacturer - recommended "Scope of Service" depends ENTIRELY on shop environment and service management. Most techs simply have a standard "list" of checks they make (brakes, suspension, leaks - repairs they can make money on) with the addition of interval called for services (spark plugs, valve adjustments, etc).

In an ethical, disciplined shop (like your Shop A?), you'll find that management enforces adherence to the FULL service checklist and grooms trainee techs accordingly. It's shop culture to do things the "factory way" (for better or worse really).

I'd suggest you'll (and your bikes) be happier at Shop A.

I agree. In regards to my R, bought at Dealer B, I allowed myself to get seduced into purchase of a service contract. I think after the 24k service, which will use up all the prepaid $$$, I will not use them again. I don’t trust them.

 

[pauls1150]

Would you be willing to share who those two shops are?

 

[bigjohnsd]

Makes me wonder how closely BMW monitors the sales and service conditions at multi-brand dealers.

They don't!

 

[omega man]

They don't!

That would be my guess as well. Dealers seem to act as the buffer between the customer and the OEM manufacturer.
OM

 

[smswy]

Would you be willing to share who those two shops are?

Well, since you are south of LA, probably would not affect you. Just let me say the BMW only dealer is in Tucson and the multi-brand dealer is in Prescott Valley (with stores in multiple AZ cities).

 

[pauls1150]

You've confirmed what several other members have already posted, regarding both cases.

By the way, I and several friends have been to Iron Horse and liked it!