|
|
06-17-2010, 08:42 AM | #1 |
Private
13
Rep 55
Posts |
Need Help: Engine Oil
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. Last edited by Z4BMC; 06-17-2010 at 09:07 AM.. |
06-17-2010, 08:55 AM | #2 |
Captain
46
Rep 640
Posts |
You check the oil through your idrive - vehicle info/vehicle status. How do you know the oil level is at max after driving?
__________________
HerrK - 2021 X5 40i M Sport l PCD l Atlantis Blue/Ext'd Tartufo Merino l M Sport w/blue Calipers l Matt Popular l HK Sound l 740's l Exec & Drive Pro Pack Sold w/Great Memories - E89 Z4 l ED 2010 l 2011 35i l Crimson/Ext'd Coral Red w/Alum l 6 sp MT l Prem Sound l Sport Pack l 296's |
Appreciate
0
|
06-17-2010, 09:05 AM | #3 |
Private
13
Rep 55
Posts |
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.
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-17-2010, 09:31 AM | #4 | |
Lieutenant
5
Rep 446
Posts
Drives: '09 Z4 s35i & '03 Z4 3.0i
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Calgary
|
Quote:
See page 114 of the online manual at BMWUSA.com in the owners section. or read the one in your car.
__________________
Member ZSCCA 2009 Z4 s35i with Dinan Stage II software, Sport and Exec packages, 19" 296 rims , a stubby and mud flaps
'03 Z4 3.0i Sterling Grey (Hers) '01 Z3 3.0i Sapphire Black, M sport package (Mine) |
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-17-2010, 10:09 AM | #5 |
First Lieutenant
43
Rep 364
Posts |
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.
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-17-2010, 11:44 AM | #6 |
Happy Camper
628
Rep 7,869
Posts
Drives: C63 AMG & 280 SL on Weekends :
Join Date: May 2010
Location: GTA, Ontario - Canada
iTrader: (0)
Garage List 1969 Restored Merce ... [7.50]
2011 M3 Coupe TRADED [7.34] 1987 BMW 535is [1.00] Cars from the Past [6.50] The ///M3 Engine S65 [9.59] |
My recommendation would be to run it by your BMW Service manager.
__________________
Cheers, Rolf-Dieter
Life will take us to some interesting places, fortunately The ///M3 will too with a many of us know this very well, now my C6.3 AMG with 487 HP does it too ---> Click here for some good stuff I found |
Appreciate
0
|
06-17-2010, 02:05 PM | #7 |
Lieutenant Colonel
95
Rep 1,838
Posts |
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...
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-17-2010, 03:21 PM | #8 |
Captain
29
Rep 676
Posts |
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.
__________________
2010 BMW Z4 s35i
2014 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2013 Volvo XC90 |
Appreciate
0
|
06-17-2010, 03:51 PM | #9 |
Retired
19
Rep 868
Posts
Drives: Z4 s30i
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: The Villages, FL
|
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 !!
__________________
M3 GTR - 1/5 scale - 4.2 HP w/ Collari hydraulic brakes - would you believe ~80 MPH on straightaway !! |
Appreciate
0
|
06-18-2010, 07:44 AM | #11 |
Private
13
Rep 55
Posts |
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? |
Appreciate
0
|
06-18-2010, 01:12 PM | #12 | |
Captain
29
Rep 676
Posts |
Quote:
"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.
__________________
2010 BMW Z4 s35i
2014 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2013 Volvo XC90 |
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-18-2010, 03:54 PM | #13 |
Lieutenant
5
Rep 446
Posts
Drives: '09 Z4 s35i & '03 Z4 3.0i
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Calgary
|
Mine has been down 1/3 since I got it, leave it be and wait.
__________________
Member ZSCCA 2009 Z4 s35i with Dinan Stage II software, Sport and Exec packages, 19" 296 rims , a stubby and mud flaps
'03 Z4 3.0i Sterling Grey (Hers) '01 Z3 3.0i Sapphire Black, M sport package (Mine) |
Appreciate
0
|
06-18-2010, 04:13 PM | #14 |
First Lieutenant
43
Rep 364
Posts |
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.
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-18-2010, 06:05 PM | #15 | |
Private
13
Rep 55
Posts |
Quote:
So I just wait till I get the alert again. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-18-2010, 06:06 PM | #16 |
Private
13
Rep 55
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-14-2012, 03:01 PM | #17 |
sportscars only
3436
Rep 3,258
Posts |
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. |
Appreciate
0
|
01-14-2012, 03:27 PM | #18 |
Major
56
Rep 1,014
Posts |
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.
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-14-2012, 04:06 PM | #19 |
Colonel
249
Rep 2,386
Posts |
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.
__________________
2016 340i XDrive, EBII/black, 6 MT, M Sport, Track Handling, Cold Weather, Tech, Lighting, Driver Assistance Plus.
2012 Z4 35i, ED 2/24/2012, Melbourne Red Metallic, Black Leather, Carbon Trim, 6MT, M Sport, CW, PP, PS, NAV, CA. |
Appreciate
0
|
01-14-2012, 06:20 PM | #20 | |
Captain
29
Rep 676
Posts |
Quote:
As for the electric brake, beats me. Interior design perhaps?
__________________
2010 BMW Z4 s35i
2014 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2013 Volvo XC90 |
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-15-2012, 08:17 AM | #21 |
Colonel
1234
Rep 2,602
Posts |
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.
__________________
2020 X3M non-comp, Alpine White over black : Exec Pkg, ventilated M Sport seats, 20"s
2020 M2 Comp, Sunset Orange/Blk: Orange stitching, DCT, exec pkg, bicolor rims Gone '18 M550i, '16 X4 M40i, '15 M5, '13 X3 35i, '12 335is, '11 X5 50i, '09 Z4 35i, '08 550i, 06 X3, 06 650i, '02 M5, '99 540i |
Appreciate
0
|
01-15-2012, 08:31 AM | #22 | |
Major
56
Rep 1,014
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|