[Modmike]

My daughter failed to screw in the gas cap properly and the check engine light came on.

Can I easily reset it with the tips shown? Is there any way to get the car to reveal the code through flashing lights or other? I was considering using a Bavarian Tech tool. Is that the best way to go or I am better off getting a computer cable?

I am very comfortable with both cars and computers but would like something easy.

[Glim]

BT tool is easiest

The code will clear itself after a couple drives with no faults.

How on earth can the gas cap be put on wrong?

[Modmike]

Wasn't tightened. Never cleared in 3 months.

[ENINTY]

Originally Posted by Modmike

Wasn't tightened. Never cleared in 3 months.

There something else wrong. 1st off a loose gas cap comes on as a separate notification (it looks like a little light bulb sitting over the right rear tail light) and not the service engine soon light. Get a BT Scan tool if you plan on servicing the car yourself, or at least want to know for what the SES light is on.

[Glim]

Originally Posted by Modmike

Wasn't tightened. Never cleared in 3 months.

Looks like this picture?

[ENINTY]

Originally Posted by Glim

Looks like this picture?

Pretty much. The E90 verson is much clearer; not sure the source of your pic. I was wrong (I just looked at my service notes) the SES light does come on with this symbol - sorry for the confusion.

I discovered this when my car kept showing this funky light on the dash back in Aug 2007. The symbol is not in the 2006 version of the owners manual. My OBDII scan tool kept coming up with a fuel system vacuum leak (loose gas cap). I kept resetting it and made sure my gas cap was fully closed. Bugged the crap out of me for a few months. Thought I had a bad gas cap and was waiting for a service interval for BMW to warranty it. I took my car in for free service in December 2007 and found out a mouse had eaten a hole in the vent pipe from the filler neck to the carbon canister.