I use a nylon pan scraper. You can find one at Sur La Table, cost less than a dollar. Make sure to get one with a sharp edge. It slips into the gap between the metal and plastic pretty easily, and since it is two inches wide, it will release a couple of the catches at a time. Also, it won't bend the metal. Works every time.

I use the v-checker tool. Got one on ebay. It has a specific reset for oil changes. Otherwise, find a german auto specific shop. They will probably reset it for free.