9/2/2020

09 02 20_REMOTE SOFTWARE UPGRADE

SIB 09 02 20
REMOTE SOFTWARE UPGRADE

2020-08-12

This Service Information Bulletin replaces TRI 09 01 19 dated January 2020.
What’s New (Specific text highlighted):

Replaces TRI 09 01 19
More Frequently Asked Questions added
Warranty information added

MODEL
E-Series

Model Description

Production Date

F91
F92
F93
G05
G06
G07
G12
G14
G15
G16
G20
G29

M8 Convertible
M8 Coupe
M8 Gran Coupe
X5 Sport Activity Vehicle
X6 Sport Activity Vehicle
X7 Sport Activity Vehicle
7 Series Sedan (LCI)
8 Series Convertible
8 Series Coupe
8 Series Gran Coupe
3 Series Sedan
Z4 Roadster

All
All
All
All
All
All
As of March 2019
All
All
All
All
All

Affected Option
Code
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All

INFORMATION
For BMW, Remote Software Upgrade (RSU) is the next consequent step with regard to digitalization and customer
satisfaction. With the introduction of RSU, customers now can update the vehicle software by themselves. This is a
completely new way for customers toa. Keep their vehicle up-to-date
b. Purchase new Software features (first rollout started in mid-2020)
The download of the data can be done in two ways:
via BMW Connected App
Over The Air, using the vehicle SIM-card

Copyright ©2020 BMW of North America, Inc.
1/7

9/2/2020

09 02 20_REMOTE SOFTWARE UPGRADE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
1. Which vehicles can receive a Remote Software Upgrade?
The customer must have an active ConnectedDrive contract
The vehicle must be equipped with a HUH-3 head unit (head unit high, MGU – Media Graphics Unit)
Only vehicles that are in an active RSU Campaign will show and receive any RSU related information
2. What happens during the Upgrade?
After the download is completed, the vehicle checks the downloaded content and its current status. Only
when all prerequisites are fulfilled the car offers the next step
The upgrade installation is offered after a driving cycle when the car is parked and all preconditions are
fulfilled
The customer needs to confirm the upgrade and that the car is parked safely
The vehicle switches to a programming mode (special PAD) and starts with the programming of all relevant
ECUs.
The customer does not need to remain in the vehicle
After approx. 20 minutes the car is ready to be used with the new Software version and informs the customer
in the vehicle and via the Connected App (in case of connectivity and a correct mapping)
Some settings may be reset to default after the upgrade (e.g., Remote Engine Start, Connected Music or
notification settings), and need to be re-activated. This is noted in the customers release notes
3. What are the pre-conditions for Remote Software Upgrade to start?
The vehicle needs to be in an active RSU campaign
The download needs to be completed (fully automatically via vehicle SIM or via BMW Connected App, also
fully automatically when correctly setup (see note below))
Sufficient battery charging level

Copyright ©2020 BMW of North America, Inc.
2/7

9/2/2020

09 02 20_REMOTE SOFTWARE UPGRADE

Vehicle not parked on an incline
Transmission must be in Park
Engine must be off

Note: For the correct setup of the BMW Connected App, please see the following YouTube Video: LINK /
QR-Code

4. What happens in case of an upgrade failure?
For safety reasons the vehicle prevents the engine start
The customer is prompted to call Roadside Assistance, that takes care of the case
In most cases the vehicle needs to be towed, in some cases Roadside Assistance can release the engine
lock, when it is assured that the vehicle is safe to drive (with clear CC-messages, stating which limitations
appear, i.e. driving assistance is not working). In that case the customer is still mobile and can make an
appointment with the dealer of his or her choice
Once the vehicle arrives at the BMW center, the technician can fix the vehicle (compatible ISTA Software will
always be available at least 2 weeks in advance to the centers)
5. In case of a programming failure, can the vehicle be programmed on-site?
Yes, if the necessary equipment is available (ISTA, ICOM, Battery Charger)
If there are no follow up issues during / after the programming, the vehicle can be handed over to the
customer afterwards
For centers participating the BMW Servicemobile Network, a ticket for the Service “Mobile Mechanic” can be
created by the BDC in the RSA Digital Platform. BMW Servicemobile centers receive a dispatch fee +
additional work-time allowance for the main labor operations for on-site work (See below)
For further details about BMW Servicemobile, please reference the Mobile Service Portal found in
CenterNet under the Customer Relations menu.
6. Is it possible to release the engine lock to move the vehicle onto the tow truck or to move the vehicle into the
workshop?
The Roadside Assistance team can release the engine lock if the vehicle has an internet connection
With a connected ISTA it is also possible to remove the engine lock, to move an affected vehicle into the
workshop area. Please follow the test plan in the troubleshooting menu.
Attention: Vehicles with a manual released engine lock are not allowed to be driven on public streets, and
only be driven at walking speed
Attention: A vehicle with a released engine lock must not be handed over to the customer, until it has been
successfully programmed with ISTA
Attention: During the movement no one is allowed to be close to the vehicle
7. What happens in case of a failure during a feature purchase?
Features that are purchased and installed via the Remote Software Upgrade technology may also fail in very
rare cases. If so, the same safety procedures are in place: For safety reasons the vehicle prevents the engine

Copyright ©2020 BMW of North America, Inc.
3/7

9/2/2020

09 02 20_REMOTE SOFTWARE UPGRADE

start and the customer is prompted to call Roadside Assistance
8. How can the technician diagnose Remote Software Upgrade issues?
If there is a problem with a Remote Software Upgrade, a fault code will be stored in ISTA
The fault code will be linked to a Test plan (ABL) and include important information in the Functional
Description (FUB) document

Test plan shown in ISTA, when Remote Software Upgrade related faults are stored in the vehicle

9. What can I do, when a customer wants further information on the RSU status of his car? Is it possible for the
technician to see if a particular vehicle has had a Remote Software Upgrade?
Yes, in the new Dealer Cockpit under “BMW Remote Software Upgrade”
The Dealer Cockpit contains the status of the upgrade along with the software level and the date and time
when the upgrade installed

Remote Software Upgrade option in the Dealer Cockpit Application
With the introduction of the RSU dealer Dashboard, a second way was provided to give BMW centers an
overview on the current RSU status on all vehicles that have the home dealer assigned to it.

Copyright ©2020 BMW of North America, Inc.
4/7

9/2/2020

09 02 20_REMOTE SOFTWARE UPGRADE

The Dashboard is located in the DCSnet and can be found at “Service” à “Remote Software Upgrade”,
where the data are updated on a weekly base.
10. Can the technician use Remote Software Upgrade instead of ISTA to program a customer vehicle?
Each Software Update process is designed and optimized for its own purpose.
ISTA is optimized to update a car in a workshop to the latest available I-Level. The complete update usually
takes less than 60 minutes and ISTA provides additional options for known issues (i.e. manual modification of
a Measures Plan)
RSU is optimized to have a robust download phase during the customer driving cycle, which only works when
the car is driving or in PAD (connected to a battery charger) and can take more than an hour. After the
preparations are completed, the RSU installation process still requires 20 Minutes to perform the upgrade. To
be able to provide a stable customer process, usually the I-Level provided with RSU is one step behind that
from ISTA.
So, it is not recommended to use RSU instead of ISTA, as it does not provide any advantages related to
programming time or actuality of the I-Level.
11. Can the technician do the programming of the car with ISTA if the customer gets no update offered in the car?
BMW does not recommend automatically updating a vehicle with new software when it becomes available. This
practice is time consuming, costly and may change the functionality of one or more systems. In most cases, it offers
no tangible benefit to the customer and is not covered under warranty.
Unless otherwise instructed, BMW NA does not cover the center’s costs for updating the customer’s vehicle
software in this case
Please create a TSARA case if you have any doubts before performing a Software Update
12. How can the work be reimbursed (Item # 5)?
Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks, when it
is either performed in:
Your center’s workshop; or via
Off-site BMW Mobile Service.
Claim the work to address a failed RSU under the following the Defect Code with the flat rate labor operations that
apply:

Defect Code:
:
Labor
Operation
00 00 006

6512791500

Remote software upgrade permanent malfunction

Description

Labor Allowance

Performing vehicle test (with vehicle diagnosis system –
checking faults) (Main work)

Refer to AIR

Performing vehicle test (with vehicle diagnosis system –
checking faults) (Plus work)

Refer to AIR

Connect an approved battery charger/power supply
(indicated in AIR as Charging battery)

Refer to AIR

Programming/encoding control unit(s)

Refer to AIR

Or:
00 00 556
And:
61 21 528
And:
61 00 730

And, additionally for the:
e-Vehicles

Copyright ©2020 BMW of North America, Inc.
5/7

9/2/2020

09 02 20_REMOTE SOFTWARE UPGRADE

Labor
Operation

Description

Labor Allowance

61 25 910

Recharging high-voltage battery unit (to high voltage
charging socket)

Refer to AIR

Mobile Service - Off Site Repair
For centers that qualify, the repair to address a failed RSU is eligible to be performed and submitted as a
Mobile Service Off-Site Repair which includes an additional labor allowance.
Claim - Labor Reimbursement (Special Rate Applies)
When a vehicle has a repair performed to address a failed RSU under this program, qualifying centers will
be reimbursed at a rate of 200 percent for the corresponding labor operations published flat rate unit (FRU)
allowances.
This Mobile Service repair work is subject to the same policy and procedures that apply to the warranty
repair work being performed in your workshop.
Time Control and Documentation
While repair-specific punch times are not necessary for this repair work being performed on a vehicle off-site
(outside your center), the on-call technician must still punch on the corresponding repair order (electronic or
manual) prior to leaving your BMW center when he or she is dispatched. The technician must punch off the
repair order upon their return to your center.
In cases where the technician is out on the road for an extended time period (for example, on multiple calls),
only one on/off punch time is required.
Claim Submission
In addition to the repair order line item for Defect Code 65 12 79 15 00, please open an additional line item
for submission described below:
Defect Code:
:
Labor
Operation
65 99 000

85820269TK

Takata Recall and RSU - Mobile Service Off-Site Repair

Description

Labor Allowance

Additional labor allowance to perform off-site repair
through Mobile Service

# FRU

Claim the sum of the labor operations’ FRU allowances that were claimed under Defect Code 65 12 79 15
00 a second time in full using the above Defect Code and job/repair work time provided above.
Notes:
Identify this line time as additional labor for a Mobile Service off-site repair
Itemize the additional labor claimed and explain the repair performed on the repair order and in claim
comment section
Labor operation code 65 99 000 is not considered a Main labor operation
As applicable to your center, please refer to SI B01 01 20 or B01 07 20 for claiming your diagnosis work time,
job/repair work time (WT), WT and repair-related explanation procedures.
Additional information regarding Remote Software upgrade can be found on TIS under Videos and

Copyright ©2020 BMW of North America, Inc.
6/7

9/2/2020

09 02 20_REMOTE SOFTWARE UPGRADE

Technical Documentation/Programming and Diagnostics. This includes release notes for each software
version.

QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS BULLETIN
Technical inquires
Warranty inquires
Parts inquiries

Submit feedback at the top of this bulletin
Submit an IDS ticket to the Warranty Department
Submit an IDS ticket to the Parts Department

Copyright ©2020 BMW of North America, Inc.
7/7