E90Post
 


Extreme Powerhouse
 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Mechanical Maintenance: Break-in / Oil & Fluids / Servicing / Warranty > Oil Level Low



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      07-25-2010, 11:53 PM   #1
ginxer86
Private
ginxer86's Avatar
33
Rep
88
Posts

Drives: 06 BMW 323I
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Oil Level Low

Hey guys, on my way home my service indicator showed that my oil level is at minimum.
Its weird because i got an oil change like 5 months ago.
Anyways should I just go to the dealer and grab a couple of quarts of BMW oil and top it up?
and will the computer automatically weigh how much is in there and reset it self?
Appreciate 0
      07-26-2010, 12:05 AM   #2
chromisdesigns
Lieutenant Colonel
45
Rep
1,753
Posts

Drives: 2008 BMW 335i sedan
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: San Francisco

iTrader: (0)

low oil light means it is one quart down. Just add a quart of whatever oil you are using. It's not unusual for bmw engines to use some oil between changes. Some don't, some use a lot, looks like you got one of the in-between ones!
Appreciate 0
      07-26-2010, 12:12 AM   #3
ginxer86
Private
ginxer86's Avatar
33
Rep
88
Posts

Drives: 06 BMW 323I
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by chromisdesigns View Post
low oil light means it is one quart down. Just add a quart of whatever oil you are using. It's not unusual for bmw engines to use some oil between changes. Some don't, some use a lot, looks like you got one of the in-between ones!


only 1 quart?
even tho the indicator shows minimum?
Appreciate 0
      07-26-2010, 01:20 AM   #4
chromisdesigns
Lieutenant Colonel
45
Rep
1,753
Posts

Drives: 2008 BMW 335i sedan
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: San Francisco

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ginxer86 View Post
only 1 quart?
even tho the indicator shows minimum?
Yes...
Appreciate 0
      07-26-2010, 09:45 AM   #5
Pappy
Resident Septuagenarian
Pappy's Avatar
United_States
23
Rep
388
Posts

Drives: '08 328i Coupe MT w/hand brake
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Republic of Texas

iTrader: (0)

I would add a quarter quart and see what the level is..still low?? Add another 1/4 qt.

You really don't want to over fill....
__________________
Johnny

Sent from my keyboard using hunt and peck...
Appreciate 0
      07-26-2010, 10:18 AM   #6
MrDummy
→сяuisiиg iи му вмш←
MrDummy's Avatar
United_States
72
Rep
1,642
Posts

Drives: 2010 Space Gray 328i
Join Date: May 2009
Location: The Unemployment Capitol of America

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2010 BMW 328i  [0.00]
^^^ Pappy is 100% on this, mine showed 1qt low but I added 1/2 qt. and it was showing full again, if I would of added the FULL Qt. I would of been overfilled by 1/2 Qt.
__________________
SuPerMoD @ MassMonsterz.com
A "Happy" Owner of a Metallic Space Gray 2010 BMW 328i
ProGaMeR on the XboX 360
Appreciate 0
      07-26-2010, 10:37 AM   #7
ginxer86
Private
ginxer86's Avatar
33
Rep
88
Posts

Drives: 06 BMW 323I
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by MrDummy View Post
^^^ Pappy is 100% on this, mine showed 1qt low but I added 1/2 qt. and it was showing full again, if I would of added the FULL Qt. I would of been overfilled by 1/2 Qt.


THanks guys
going to the dealer now
Appreciate 0
      07-26-2010, 11:58 PM   #8
ginxer86
Private
ginxer86's Avatar
33
Rep
88
Posts

Drives: 06 BMW 323I
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

I filled it up with 1 quart
but this is what it showed after it measured.

Appreciate 0
      08-02-2010, 02:50 PM   #9
Neutrino45
Major
Neutrino45's Avatar
74
Rep
1,452
Posts

Drives: XXX
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: milky way

iTrader: (2)

If you over fill, will the mark go over the max indicator?
__________________
Appreciate 0
      08-03-2010, 09:42 PM   #10
3s4u2
Beamer Mantic
3s4u2's Avatar
United_States
84
Rep
1,191
Posts

Drives: 2006 325i Prem
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Texas

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ginxer86 View Post
I filled it up with 1 quart
but this is what it showed after it measured.

Great job, your in-between you’re Min! __-___ &______ you’re Max!
__________________
2006 325i
2006 M5
2008 X5 4.8i
2014 X5 50i M-Pkg
Appreciate 0
      08-03-2010, 09:50 PM   #11
pruettfan
Brigadier General
1627
Rep
3,402
Posts

Drives: 2017 M2, LBB, DCT, Exec
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Chandler, AZ

iTrader: (0)

You never want to overfill a car with oil so adding oil should always be done with some caution. The manual describes when and how much to add. These cars do consume some oil so you should not have much to worry about but I would take a peak and look for any potential oil leaks
Appreciate 0
      08-03-2010, 11:46 PM   #12
Chriztofor
Colonel
Chriztofor's Avatar
United_States
103
Rep
2,783
Posts

Drives: '06 325i and '13 X5
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Chicago Burbs

iTrader: (1)

and they say that we don't need the dipstick. A $10 part would resolve this issue.
__________________
If no codes are being thrown use Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner (concentrate). It solves rpm fluctuating upon cold start-up. Also, for most BMW problems start off by scanning your car with the Peake Research Tool. It contains the actual BMW codes. If you want to register a newly installed battery for free (just buy a $10 cable) and google/download BMWLogger
Appreciate 0
      08-04-2010, 12:08 AM   #13
ginxer86
Private
ginxer86's Avatar
33
Rep
88
Posts

Drives: 06 BMW 323I
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

the indicator went back up to 75% full
so i guess it just took a day or so to properly read.
the 1 quart was perfect
Appreciate 0
      08-04-2010, 11:26 AM   #14
Tom K.
Major General
Tom K.'s Avatar
United_States
125
Rep
5,626
Posts

Drives: '07 328iT, '13 Boxster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Maryland

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chriztofor View Post
and they say that we don't need the dipstick. A $10 part would resolve this issue.
Not really as the issue is simply reading the manual and understanding the readout. I've seen dipsticks which were extremely difficult to interpret - some indicating full near the top and some indicating full an inch below the top; with or without lines, indentations, etc.

Now if anyone can proove that the sensor gives erroneous readings...

Tom
Appreciate 0
      08-05-2010, 07:28 AM   #15
Chriztofor
Colonel
Chriztofor's Avatar
United_States
103
Rep
2,783
Posts

Drives: '06 325i and '13 X5
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Chicago Burbs

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom K. View Post
Not really as the issue is simply reading the manual and understanding the readout. I've seen dipsticks which were extremely difficult to interpret - some indicating full near the top and some indicating full an inch below the top; with or without lines, indentations, etc.

Now if anyone can proove that the sensor gives erroneous readings...

Tom
You are the first person, that I know, that is against a dipstick.
__________________
If no codes are being thrown use Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner (concentrate). It solves rpm fluctuating upon cold start-up. Also, for most BMW problems start off by scanning your car with the Peake Research Tool. It contains the actual BMW codes. If you want to register a newly installed battery for free (just buy a $10 cable) and google/download BMWLogger
Appreciate 0
      09-11-2017, 07:00 PM   #16
NotACarGuy
Private
16
Rep
83
Posts

Drives: 2022 G82 M4
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Sacramento

iTrader: (0)

Sorry to bring up an old thread- but did this happen to you totally out of the blue? Aka no warning before it hit you with a message saying something to the effect of "don't drive further or you might damage the engine"?

This has happened to me twice and it's infuriating. The first time I had to walk to a gas station that luckily had some nice Castrol synthetic in the correct weight for this car, and the second time I still had some Castrol left over from the first time. Hate to think what I'd do if this happened to me in the middle of nowhere.

I would think it's supposed to give you a warning when the oil level starts nearing MIN but not quite there yet, but to me it's only given me the warning when it's too late.
Appreciate 0
      09-15-2017, 08:31 AM   #17
Maq Diesel
New Member
Maq Diesel's Avatar
United_States
0
Rep
7
Posts

Drives: 2011 E90 335i xDrive
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Ohio

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ginxer86
Quote:
Originally Posted by chromisdesigns View Post
low oil light means it is one quart down. Just add a quart of whatever oil you are using. It's not unusual for bmw engines to use some oil between changes. Some don't, some use a lot, looks like you got one of the in-between ones!


only 1 quart?
even tho the indicator shows minimum?
Yes if the system detects it is lower than full it will tell you exactly how much oil to add. The warning light will say min when 1qt or more down and mention how much to add.
Appreciate 0
      09-16-2017, 07:57 AM   #18
Efthreeoh
General
United_States
19164
Rep
19,710
Posts

Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Virginia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by NotACarGuy View Post
Sorry to bring up an old thread- but did this happen to you totally out of the blue? Aka no warning before it hit you with a message saying something to the effect of "don't drive further or you might damage the engine"?

This has happened to me twice and it's infuriating. The first time I had to walk to a gas station that luckily had some nice Castrol synthetic in the correct weight for this car, and the second time I still had some Castrol left over from the first time. Hate to think what I'd do if this happened to me in the middle of nowhere.

I would think it's supposed to give you a warning when the oil level starts nearing MIN but not quite there yet, but to me it's only given me the warning when it's too late.
The owners manual states that once the low oil level notification appears (+1qt) to add 1 quart of oil to the engine within the next 120 miles. The e-dipstick can be read at any time once the engine is at operating temperature to check the oil level. All one has to do is be conscious to the fact that engines consume oil over time and the oil level should be periodically checked.

The low oil level message is not an indication that the car cannot be driven; it is a message that states to add oil at the next available time but before 120 miles has passed. For most people that means there is ample time to add 1 quart of oil.
Appreciate 0
      11-10-2024, 06:13 AM   #19
Taleb
New Member
Taleb's Avatar
0
Rep
5
Posts

Drives: e92-325i 2011
Join Date: Nov 2024
Location: Kuwait

iTrader: (0)

i have the same issue i have e92 2011 325i oil low i already but oil and it's okay now but where this oil are going does that mean there's a leak because under the car nothing
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:13 AM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST