Need Help: Engine Oil

[Z4BMC]

Last week when I started my 35i without moving, " engine oil low" came out on the idrive screen told me to add 1L engine oil, but after I drove the car a little while, everything is fine. the oil level came back to the max level which showed on the screen. Today it just happened again. Whats the problem? really low oil level or the faulty sensor?
BTW, without the dipstick how can I check the oil...
Thanks.

[HerrK]

You check the oil through your idrive - vehicle info/vehicle status. How do you know the oil level is at max after driving?

[Z4BMC]

Originally Posted by HerrK

You check the oil through your idrive - vehicle info/vehicle status. How do you know the oil level is at max after driving?

I started the engine without moving the car in around 5mins, the alert just came out on screen, but after I drove it for 2-3 mins the vehicle status of engine oil turns to be max level on screen.

[mcbeee]

Originally Posted by Z4BMC

I started the engine without moving the car in around 5mins, the alert just came out on screen, but after I drove it for 2-3 mins the vehicle status of engine oil turns to be max level on screen.

The car has to be warmed up first to get accurate readings. Yours might be borderline low and causing erroneous alarms. I have never seen an Oil alarm in mine and it hasn't used any in 10k km's. I'd be tempted to put in about a third of a quart to see what happens. That much added won't hurt anything if you're mid scale on the level gauge.


See page 114 of the online manual at BMWUSA.com in the owners section. or read the one in your car.

[mikeinaustin]

i'd say you have a faulty sensor. from the low mark to the max mark is one liter and your sensor reported both (first at the low mark and then later at the max mark). mine has never left the max mark.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

My recommendation would be to run it by your BMW Service manager.

[Memphis1]

Z4BMC, simply turn on your engine, drive like six miles or so around your house, pull over unto a level surface and check the oil level thru idrive or thru the BC stalk. if it says low, just add a quart of the recommended oil, you should be fine...BMW engines on average go thru a quart of oil from brand new to maybe anywhere less than 5k miles, i put a quart in mine, after that they usually don't need any more until their service. no need to take it for service, you guys telling him to take it for service sound so paranoid...

[cdeslandes]

If you check your oil level before you start your engine, iDrive will tell you if there is enough oil to start it.

If so, as mentioned above, drive the car for a while then check the oil level while on a parking lot or while driving on a flat road.

Do not add oil unless it tells to you with a warm engine.

[msimon18]

Just as an aside. BMW has an oil sensor built in the engine. If there is not enough oil to safely start the engine it WILL NOT START !! I know I had an issue with a 335i cab where the sensor actually failed and the car would not start. Had to be towed !!

[Z4BMC]

Thanks for reply, I will try today to see wat happens tho.

[Z4BMC]

News updated: Seriously double checked the engine oil, I found that I have to add a quarter cos the lv is 1/3 below the max.
Which oil you guys recommend, should I buy them from the dealer or "castrol" in auto shop?

[cdeslandes]

Originally Posted by Z4BMC

News updated: Seriously double checked the engine oil, I found that I have to add a quarter cos the lv is 1/3 below the max.
Which oil you guys recommend, should I buy them from the dealer or "castrol" in auto shop?

If that's the level indicator in your car display, being 1/3 below the max does not mean you can add a quart of oil!

"MIN" on the display signifies a quart/liter of oil is required. The display fill read "+1 qt" and only then is it safe to add a quart of oil.

Overfilling your oil sump is as dangerous as underfilling it.

[mcbeee]

Mine has been down 1/3 since I got it, leave it be and wait.

[mikeinaustin]

in the states, two are readily available: castrol syntec 0w30 european grade and mobil 1 0w40 european car formula. both are BMW LL01 approved grades.

[Z4BMC]

Originally Posted by cdeslandes

If that's the level indicator in your car display, being 1/3 below the max does not mean you can add a quart of oil!

"MIN" on the display signifies a quart/liter of oil is required. The display fill read "+1 qt" and only then is it safe to add a quart of oil.

Overfilling your oil sump is as dangerous as underfilling it.

Woo, Thank you.
So I just wait till I get the alert again.

[Z4BMC]

Originally Posted by mikeinaustin

in the states, two are readily available: castrol syntec 0w30 european grade and mobil 1 0w40 european car formula. both are BMW LL01 approved grades.

Not quite sure in aus, I will ask dealer what they put in
Thanks!

[tranquility]

Didn't want to start a new thread:
just wanted to know, what is the big deal w/ not having a dipstick?

On a tangent, what is the big deal w/ not having a 'real' handbrake? (Other than doing autocross, I guess?) In real-world, applications, I guess no biggie?

Thx.

[az34]

Originally Posted by Z4BMC

News updated: Seriously double checked the engine oil, I found that I have to add a quarter cos the lv is 1/3 below the max.
Which oil you guys recommend, should I buy them from the dealer or "castrol" in auto shop?

i remember someone told me that the castrol oil who is factory fill on every BMW car is'nt the same castrol oil you can buy on Wall Mart or auto parts i suggest you should buy engine oil at a BMW dealer.

[jparnes1]

The regular Castrol you buy in the store is not the correct oil It has to be the euro formula oil. Not that easy to come by. If you go to the dealership, they'll top you off for free, or just buy a quart or 2 of BMW oil to refill and have around.

[cdeslandes]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Didn't want to start a new thread:
just wanted to know, what is the big deal w/ not having a dipstick?

On a tangent, what is the big deal w/ not having a 'real' handbrake? (Other than doing autocross, I guess?) In real-world, applications, I guess no biggie?

Thx.

Less opportunity to allow dust into the engine perhaps?

As for the electric brake, beats me. Interior design perhaps?

[richard in NC]

I don't know why BMW is doing away with the dip stick. I still don't trust the electronic method.

Regarding the electronic hand brake. It doesn't bother me. It does allow more space in the console. That's always been a shortcoming of BMWs with the lever taking 1/3 the console space.

[az34]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Didn't want to start a new thread:
just wanted to know, what is the big deal w/ not having a dipstick?

On a tangent, what is the big deal w/ not having a 'real' handbrake? (Other than doing autocross, I guess?) In real-world, applications, I guess no biggie?

Thx.

forget about the return of the dipstick in BMW its gone for ever as for the handbrake, it make a cleaner center console + no mechanical parts to adjust (cable ect) or break.