Engine Oil Light - Drove ~80 miles with low oil... engine okay??

drew4392 · 10-16-2011, 08:34 PM

After turning off my engine, I noticed the oil light on the dash illuminate. Wasn't in a position to add oil, and had to drive ~80 miles before I was able to add a quart.

Added a quart, now oil level says it's full.

I kept RPMs low (kept cruising RPM under 3k on highway), and tried not getting too high on the streets.

Do you think it was damaging to the engine?

Thanks for dispelling my concerns (or, validating

).

-Drew

OpenFlash · 10-16-2011, 08:48 PM

You're fine. It's only when the add engine oil icon is red that you should stop the car and not run it until you add oil. Usually, the add oil is yellow and, like you saw, shows that you need to only add 1 quart. The time you would ever seen the red icon is if you drained your oil and started the engine up unknowingly. Or if you smacked your oil pan while driving and dumped your oil to the ground.

Shiv

drew4392 · 10-17-2011, 09:40 AM

Thanks for the info!

enrita · 10-17-2011, 09:52 AM

you should always keep a bottle of oil in the trunk ;-)

achien · 10-17-2011, 03:30 PM

+1, I do that with the X5 when it "drinks" engine oil at ~4,000km a pop (quart).

I used to keep a quart in my 335i until I realize I only need half a quart at more than 22,000km.

Quote:

Originally Posted by enrita

you should always keep a bottle of oil in the trunk ;-)

Syndicategt · 10-17-2011, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by achien

+1, I do that with the X5 when it "drinks" engine oil at ~4,000km a pop (quart).

I used to keep a quart in my 335i until I realize I only need half a quart at more than 22,000km.

So true, my X5 used to sip oil like it was an 18 year old scotch. She took atleast a quart every month, finally got fed up with her and bought a MB ML.

Elie335 · 10-17-2011, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by achien

+1, I do that with the X5 when it "drinks" engine oil at ~4,000km a pop (quart).

I used to keep a quart in my 335i until I realize I only need half a quart at more than 22,000km.

OMG, so I assume you change oil at 22k KM++ ???!

Mike@N54Tuning.com · 10-17-2011, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shiv@vishnu

You're fine. It's only when the add engine oil icon is red that you should stop the car and not run it until you add oil. Usually, the add oil is yellow and, like you saw, shows that you need to only add 1 quart. The time you would ever seen the red icon is if you drained your oil and started the engine up unknowingly. Or if you smacked your oil pan while driving and dumped your oil to the ground.

Shiv

+1

I usually need to add 1L every 5-7,000km

Mike

achien · 10-18-2011, 08:47 AM

yes, my first oil change took place after 22k km, my second one took place after 40k km.

I "red-line" the car at least once per-drive. the OBD shows no anomaly or come out with any code. the engine still runs fine with no oil consumption.

p.s. may be the early '07 335i do have better engines. mine is a Jan. 07 (week-5) production.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elie335

OMG, so I assume you change oil at 22k KM++ ???!

JStang · 10-18-2011, 11:09 AM

I burnt through 1 quart at 5k miles. I tend to change the oil every 5k anyways versus the BMW crock of $hit every 15k miles. What a gimmick!

10-16-2011, 08:34 PM	#1
drew4392 Second Lieutenant 51 Rep 238 Posts Drives: '07 335i Sedan Join Date: May 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	Engine Oil Light - Drove ~80 miles with low oil... engine okay?? After turning off my engine, I noticed the oil light on the dash illuminate. Wasn't in a position to add oil, and had to drive ~80 miles before I was able to add a quart. Added a quart, now oil level says it's full. I kept RPMs low (kept cruising RPM under 3k on highway), and tried not getting too high on the streets. Do you think it was damaging to the engine? Thanks for dispelling my concerns (or, validating ). -Drew __________________ '07 E90 335i Jet Black // Navi // Logic 7 // Premium Pkg // BMW Performance Springs, Shocks, Struts // M3 Front Sway // JB4 Tune // BMS Drop-In Air Filter // Blacklines // M3 Spoiler Lip
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10-16-2011, 08:48 PM	#2
OpenFlash 1806 Rep 17,960 Posts Drives: A Lot Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: SF Bay, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 Ducati Panigal ... [0.00] 2016 Mazda CX5 [0.00] 2017 Aprilia Tuono ... [0.00] 2019 BMW M2 Competi ... [0.00] 2015 BMW M5 Competi ... [10.00] 2016 Ducati XDiavel S [0.00] 2016 AMG GT S [0.00] 2011 Ferrari 458 It ... [0.00] 2017 Charger Hellcat [0.00] 2015 KTM Super Duke ... [0.00] 2016 KTM RC390 [0.00]	You're fine. It's only when the add engine oil icon is red that you should stop the car and not run it until you add oil. Usually, the add oil is yellow and, like you saw, shows that you need to only add 1 quart. The time you would ever seen the red icon is if you drained your oil and started the engine up unknowingly. Or if you smacked your oil pan while driving and dumped your oil to the ground. Shiv
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10-17-2011, 09:40 AM	#3
drew4392 Second Lieutenant 51 Rep 238 Posts Drives: '07 335i Sedan Join Date: May 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	Thanks for the info! __________________ '07 E90 335i Jet Black // Navi // Logic 7 // Premium Pkg // BMW Performance Springs, Shocks, Struts // M3 Front Sway // JB4 Tune // BMS Drop-In Air Filter // Blacklines // M3 Spoiler Lip
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10-17-2011, 09:52 AM	#4
enrita Major General 161 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: 335i - Big turbos Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Italian in Sweden iTrader: (0)	you should always keep a bottle of oil in the trunk ;-) __________________ 07 335i AT - MOTIV 750 - MHD E85 BMS flash - BMS PI - JB4G5 - Okada Coils - NGK 5992 Plugs - Helix IC - Snow Stg. 3 - Stett CP - Custom midpipes with 100 HJS Cats - Bastuck Quad - PSS10 - QUAIFE LSD - BMS OCC - Forge DVs - AR OC - ALCON BBK - M3 Chassi - Dinan CP - Velocity M rear Toe arms - Advan RZ-DF - LUX H8 - Level 10 AT upgrade
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10-18-2011, 11:09 AM	#10
JStang Brigadier General 572 Rep 3,627 Posts Drives: FDB M3 CS Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: St. Petersburg, FL iTrader: (9)	I burnt through 1 quart at 5k miles. I tend to change the oil every 5k anyways versus the BMW crock of $hit every 15k miles. What a gimmick!
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