Open your BMW's electric parking brake for a rear brake job

On a BMW with an electric parking brake, the rear caliper pistons can't be pushed back for new pads while the parking brake holds them. Its service mode opens the parking brake fully and blocks its switch, so the work can be done; leaving service mode makes the switch work again.

AutoLingo for BMW puts the parking brake module in service mode and takes it out again, and reads the mode back to confirm it.

Which BMWs

BMWs with a separate electric parking brake module, among them the 7 Series (E65, E66, F01, F02), the X5 and X6 (E70, E71), the Z4 (E89), and the 5 and 6 Series of the F-chassis (F06, F07, F10, F11, F12, F13). It changes the car, so it runs on the cars we've confirmed it on (below); on others the app shows it as Coming until we have. On F-chassis BMWs whose parking brake is built into the stability control, the app offers only the parking brake's bed-in after the work, and that is coming too.

Service jobs that change the car come to each BMW once we've confirmed them on a real car like it; until then the app shows them as Coming. Every update is free.

Before you start

  • The car on level ground with the wheels chocked: with the parking brake open, only the wheels' chocks (and P) keep it from rolling.
  • Ignition on, engine off, an automatic in P.
  • The AutoLingo for BMW adapter plugged in and connected.

Step by step

  1. Open the Service tab.
  2. Under “Parking brake”, tap Start next to “Enter service mode (open the parking brake)”.
  3. Read the confirmation and tap Start. The actuators run for a few seconds: you should hear them.
  4. The app reads the mode back: “the module reports service mode on”. The parking brake is open and its switch blocked. Now change the pads or discs.

After the brake work: leave service mode

  1. Ignition on, engine off.
  2. Under “Parking brake”, tap Start next to “Leave service mode”, then Start again to confirm.
  3. The app confirms “the module reports service mode off”.
  4. Apply and release the parking brake with its switch two or three times, so it adjusts to the new pads.

Good to know

  • If the app says the module refused, check the ignition is on, the engine off and the battery charged, then try again.
  • Don't drive the car while the parking brake is in service mode.

More how-tos: Check if your BMW is ready for an emissions inspection · Check your BMW's battery health · Read and reset your BMW's service intervals (CBS)