Engine Oil at minimum level

[egtownsend]

So the car isn't due for its first scheduled service yet, but I'm getting a warning in the notification area about 50% of the time when I shut off the car that the engine oil is at the minimum level, and I should add more soon, to check the owner's manual for more details.

Should I add more oil to the car? What's the recommended brand, if any? I also think maybe this error comes on intermittently due to the ambient temperature or the degree of incline the car is resting on, causing the oil to shift in the pan. I obviously don't want to damage the car over a quart of oil, but I'd prefer not to take any chances.

I haven't contact the BMW service center as normally they are proactive and call me when there's a service due.

[ManiacGT]

This happened to me, it needed half a litre to top it up (though it wanted a full litre, BMW service suggested just half to see how it goes and they were right). I got the oil from BMW service themselves to ensure I had the right stuff. Its not done it since, so I guess it was the running in period that ate it.

[jparnes1]

You can check the level in the iDrive or on the dashboard. I would def add some oil. If it says you're at a minimum, the one quart is needed, but you can add less as was suggested and then check the level.
You can use BMW 5W-30, Castrol Euro formula 5W-30, Mobil 1 Euro formula 0W-40. Google BMW approved oils.

[cdeslandes]

It's not unusual to have to add oil between scheduled service during the first 5,000 miles. I had to do it once. Since then, the car had not been burning any oil.

My BMW daler gave me a bottle of oil for free, you should ask for the same.

Better yet, do your first service early.

[az34]

take it to the dealer.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Add some oil it is your responsibility to do so until the first oil change. Having said that, sometimes those readouts are bogus so doubble checking even to triple check the level is not a bad idea. Under no circumstances would I run the car with a low oil level. Make sure you do use the right oil, check the manual.

I wish the car would have a dipstick where you can actually check and verify. Also in the past we were able to see, feel and smell the oil ... no more them days on the Bimmer apparently are history.