Hidden BMW F-Series Menu: Oil & Cooling Temperature Without App
Did you know that BMW F-Series models have hidden menus for real-time temperatures and tests? Turn on the ignition, hold the trip odometer button for 10 seconds, and unlock with the chassis number. Simple and convenient!
Hi BMW drivers! Many F-series models (F10, F20, F30, F31, F32, F33, F34, F35, F36, F80, F82, F83, and more) have built-in hidden menus that you can access without an OBD adapter, app, or laptop.
These service or test menus give you direct access to valuable information such as exact oil and coolant temperature, battery voltage, battery status, and system tests. Super handy for DIY maintenance, track days, or just checking if everything is running smoothly.
Step-by-step access to the hidden menu
It works on almost all F-Series models with an analog or digital instrument cluster.
- Turn on the ignition (engine does not need to be running).
- Press and hold the trip odometer button (usually located at the bottom left of the cluster) for 10 seconds or more. → The hidden menu will appear on the display.
- Unlock the menu: Enter the sum of the last 5 digits of your chassis number (VIN).
- Scroll the button to select numbers, press and hold to confirm.
- For example: if the last 5 digits are 12345, the sum = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 = 15. Enter 15.
- You're in! Now you can navigate to:
- Oil temperature (real-time)
- Coolant temperature
- Battery voltage (12V battery)
- Various system tests (lights, sensors, etc.)
This works on most F-Series models from 2010 to 2019. For some LCI models or xDrive versions, the unlock code may be different, but the trip odometer trick is standard.
Why this is so useful
- Real-time temperatures: Check if your oil is warm enough before you drive aggressively (ideally around 90-110°C).
- Battery Check: See if your battery is still good during cold starts.
- Diagnosis without a garage: Test lights, sensors, or fuel level without an OBD tool.
Many F30 and F10 owners use this daily to keep their car in top condition.
Conclusion
These hidden menus are one of the coolest secrets of the BMW F-Series. No app, no expensive scanner, just a few seconds of pressing and you have valuable data.
Have you tried it on your F-Series yet? What temperatures did you see, or did you discover another useful feature? Share it in the comments; we're curious about your experiences!
