Oil top-off tips and information

BMWM.D. · 05-15-2009, 08:24 PM

I know the lack of an engine oil dipstick combined with a finicky oil level sensor system is causing confusion among many M car owners. Just thought I'd clear a few things up about the M3 oil level readings and BMW's policy on oil top-offs, so here it goes.

BMW does NOT pay for oil top offs between scheduled services. Some dealerships absorb the cost of top offs and supply their customers with free oil. Other dealerships do not. Some dealerships only supply free oil to customers who purchased the car from them. What I can tell you is that ANY busy BMW dealer gets many people coming in every day for oil top offs. This is a huge expense to the dealer (especially for the 10w60 Motorsport oil) and they do not get reimbursed for it. If you have been getting oil for free, you are fortunate. If you have not, you should not feel like you are being ripped off.

I would recommend buying an extra litre and keeping it in the car if it is needed. The oil level reading system can be confusing, but there are tricks to make it much easier to use. The reading in the cluster is the most accurate; where the center display gives more of a generic reading. When I am checking the oil level on my car or a customer's car, I follow this same procedure:

If a check control message comes on for oil level at or below minimum, the oil is at least a quart (or litre) below maximum. There is a 1 quart range that is "ok" on the cluster readout. A reading of 0.0 (or the lower arrow mark) in the cluster is the minimum "ok" level, where 1.0 (or the top arrow mark) is the maximum "ok" level. I always put my cars at the 1.0 mark.

Add 1 litre of Castrol Motorsport 10w60 oil and switch both the i-drive screen to oil level display (in the "info sources" section) as well as the display in the cluster using the turn signal stalk button. Press and hold the stalk switch button for about 5 seconds to perform a oil level sensor "reset". The cluster will start displaying a little stopwatch icon to indicate it is calculating the oil level. If you don't perform this "reset" I speak of, it can take a very long time to report a change in level after a top off or service. I then let the engine idle for a few minutes until the change is shown on both readouts. Anywhere from 0.5 to 1.0 is probably a good place to be, but I always strive to get it right at 1.0.

Edit: I just realized that the M3 does not give the number readings; I guess I was confusing that with M5/M6. Either way, the numbers I gave do coincide with the marks on the cluster readout. This should make it easier to gauge the amount of oil needed to get the best level.

Hope this helps clear up the process for any of you guys. It really is not that bad of a system after you get the hang of it. I would still like a dipstick, but that is not going to happen.

Andy

consolidated · 05-15-2009, 08:39 PM

Thanks for putting numbers to the graphs, very helpful. Also didn't know about having to reset the reading.

mPlasticDesign · 05-15-2009, 09:19 PM

Who cares if it is a huge cost to the dealer. Someone please explain why it shouldn't be covered? Why cover wiper blades, light bulbs, brake pads, or even topping off coolant (all maintenance covered, but not scheduled) when necessary but not oil? Dealerships need to fight it out with BMW coorporate not their customers!

Silvertige · 05-15-2009, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWM.D.

I know the lack of an engine oil dipstick combined with a finicky oil level sensor system is causing confusion among many M car owners. Just thought I'd clear a few things up about the M3 oil level readings and BMW's policy on oil top-offs, so here it goes.

BMW does NOT pay for oil top offs between scheduled services. Some dealerships absorb the cost of top offs and supply their customers with free oil. Other dealerships do not. Some dealerships only supply free oil to customers who purchased the car from them. What I can tell you is that ANY busy BMW dealer gets many people coming in every day for oil top offs. This is a huge expense to the dealer (especially for the 10w60 Motorsport oil) and they do not get reimbursed for it. If you have been getting oil for free, you are fortunate. If you have not, you should not feel like you are being ripped off.

I would recommend buying an extra litre and keeping it in the car if it is needed. The oil level reading system can be confusing, but there are tricks to make it much easier to use. The reading in the cluster is the most accurate; where the center display gives more of a generic reading. When I am checking the oil level on my car or a customer's car, I follow this same procedure:

If a check control message comes on for oil level at or below minimum, the oil is at least a quart (or litre) below maximum. There is a 1 quart range that is "ok" on the cluster readout. A reading of 0.0 in the cluster is the minimum "ok" level, where 1.0 is the maximum "ok" level. I always put my cars at the 1.0 mark.

Add 1 litre of Castrol Motorsport 10w60 oil and switch both the i-drive screen to oil level display (in the "info sources" section) as well as the display in the cluster using the turn signal stalk button. Press and hold the stalk switch button for about 5 seconds to perform a oil level sensor "reset". The cluster will start displaying a little stopwatch icon to indicate it is calculating the oil level. If you don't perform this "reset" I speak of, it can take a very long time to report a change in level after a top off or service. I then let the engine idle for a few minutes until the change is shown on both readouts. Anywhere from 0.5 to 1.0 is probably a good place to be, but I always strive to get it right at 1.0.

Hope this helps clear up the process for any of you guys. It really is not that bad of a system after you get the hang of it. I would still like a dipstick, but that is not going to happen.

Andy

Great post. Thanks for the info.

cut2qr · 05-15-2009, 09:26 PM

then it is not 4yr of maintance paid for.
That is total BS, ie false adverstising. With this kind of BS BMW of NA is going to loose customers. Audi tops off oil for free in wifey's rs6. WTF BMW either make a car that does not drink oil (MY 911 c4s never drank oil) or pay for it or do not claim there is no maintance for 4 yr.

consolidated · 05-15-2009, 09:36 PM

Some of you guys get pretty worked up over a quart of oil.

mPlasticDesign · 05-15-2009, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by consolidated

Some of you guys get pretty worked up over a quart of oil.

You're missing the point. It's the principal of the matter and the inconsitencies between dealerships that is upsetting so many customers. "Why should I pay for something that another guys gets included in his maintenance?"

MysticBlue · 05-15-2009, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///Metak

You're missing the point. It's the principal of the matter and the inconsitencies between dealerships that is upsetting so many customers. "Why should I pay for something that another guys gets included in his maintenance?"

No, you're missing the point. The point is...

Quote:

Originally Posted by consolidated

Some of you guys get pretty worked up over a quart of oil.

I just shake my head when someone starts whining about this bs. It's not worth the breath and energy expended. I live 3 hours from the nearest dealer, so when I hear someone whining that they are a quart low and they should be able to swing by their dealer on a moments notice and get it topped off, and if they don't, there should be a class action suit... jeese. Get over yourselves. It's a quart of oil once or twice a year. I have a case of it sitting in my garage and an extra quart I always keep in my trunk. Even if I lived down the block from a dealer who would do it for free, it wouldn't even occur to me to ask them to top it off. It is literally easier for me to do it myself.

Silvertige · 05-15-2009, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticBlue

No, you're missing the point. The point is...

I just shake my head when someone starts whining about this bs. It's not worth the breath and energy expended. I live 3 hours from the nearest dealer, so when I hear someone whining that they are a quart low and they should be able to swing by their dealer on moments notice and get it topped off, and if they don't, there should be a class action suit... jeese. Get over yourselves. It's a quart of oil once or twice a year. I have a case of it sitting in my garage and an extra quart I always keep in my trunk. Even if I lived down the block from a dealer who would do it for free, it wouldn't even occur to me to ask them to top it off. It is literally easier for me to do it myself.

+1

smokinjoe64 · 05-15-2009, 10:23 PM

...my dealer tops off without blinking an eye. It only makes sense given the need to burn and simple customer service for a premium brand.

consolidated · 05-15-2009, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///Metak

You're missing the point. It's the principal of the matter and the inconsitencies between dealerships that is upsetting so many customers. "Why should I pay for something that another guys gets included in his maintenance?"

Some dealers give better service than others, simple as that. You guys also drop in to the service bay for air or wiper fluid too?

mPlasticDesign · 05-15-2009, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by consolidated

Some dealers give better service than others, simple as that. You guys also drop in to the service bay for air or wiper fluid too?

Now you just being ridiculous. You're absolutely right, some dealers give good customer care and others not so much. That's the problem. Like I said the inconsitancies! I HAVE TO go to the dealer for the oil as it is a specialty item, unlike the air and wiper fluid I can get anywhere...

MysticBlue · 05-15-2009, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///Metak

Now you just being ridiculous. You're absolutely right, some dealers give good customer care and others not so much. That's the problem. Like I said the inconsitancies! I HAVE TO go to the dealer for the oil as it is a specialty item, unlike the air and wiper fluid I can get anywhere...

Not ridiculous at all. As I said, I wouldn't even consider going to a dealer to top off the oil, any more than I would consider going to a dealer to add air to my tires or wiper fluid.

amgthis · 05-15-2009, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticBlue

Not ridiculous at all. As I said, I wouldn't even consider going to a dealer to top off the oil, any more than I would consider going to a dealer to add air to my tires or wiper fluid.

air to your wiper fluid?

jk

MysticBlue · 05-15-2009, 11:10 PM

I didn't finish the sentence with "adding wiper fluid to the wiper fluid reservior" because I assumed anybody with an ounce of common sense would know what I meant. I was wrong.

mPlasticDesign · 05-15-2009, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticBlue

Not ridiculous at all. As I said, I wouldn't even consider going to a dealer to top off the oil, any more than I would consider going to a dealer to add air to my tires or wiper fluid.

Where do you get your oil?

GregW / Oregon · 05-15-2009, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///Metak

Who cares if it is a huge cost to the dealer. Someone please explain why it shouldn't be covered? Why cover wiper blades, light bulbs, brake pads, or even topping off coolant (all maintenance covered, but not scheduled) when necessary but not oil? Dealerships need to fight it out with BMW coorporate not their customers!

Oil is an expendable fluid like gas and windshield washer fluid. It is not a normal wear item like brakes or wipers. It's a subtle difference. That being said, the smart dealer will spend $10 or so a year to keep their customers happy. That said, I don't bother my dealer with this, unless my car is in for something else and I might ask them to check it. As others said, not worth getting worked up about. We already have a sweet maintenance ceal compared to Audi, Mercedes & Porsche.

spyderco10 · 05-15-2009, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by consolidated

Some of you guys get pretty worked up over a quart of oil.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticBlue

No, you're missing the point. The point is...

I just shake my head when someone starts whining about this bs. It's not worth the breath and energy expended. I live 3 hours from the nearest dealer, so when I hear someone whining that they are a quart low and they should be able to swing by their dealer on a moments notice and get it topped off, and if they don't, there should be a class action suit... jeese. Get over yourselves. It's a quart of oil once or twice a year. I have a case of it sitting in my garage and an extra quart I always keep in my trunk. Even if I lived down the block from a dealer who would do it for free, it wouldn't even occur to me to ask them to top it off. It is literally easier for me to do it myself.

+1

Voltigeur · 05-15-2009, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregW

Oil is an expendable fluid like gas and windshield washer fluid. It is not a normal wear item like brakes or wipers. It's a subtle difference. That being said, the smart dealer will spend $10 or so a year to keep their customers happy.

Completely agree. And to the OP: I always carry a spare litre.

SlammedR8 · 05-16-2009, 12:13 AM

touchy subject...my dealer tops me off. but i would understand if they didnt, afterall if you think about how many people may come in to get topped off in a single day. it could cost them $1000s per month

amgthis · 05-16-2009, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticBlue

Not ridiculous at all. As I said, I wouldn't even consider going to a dealer to top off the oil, any more than I would consider going to a dealer to add air to my tires or wiper fluid.

maybe you missed the 'jk' part of my post

MysticBlue · 05-16-2009, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amgthis

maybe you missed the 'jk' part of my post

Yes, I did.

05-15-2009, 08:24 PM	#1
BMWM.D. Stupid Idiot 134 Rep 827 Posts Drives: E90 335i & 6th Gen ZL1 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Santa Barbara iTrader: (1)	Oil top-off tips and information I know the lack of an engine oil dipstick combined with a finicky oil level sensor system is causing confusion among many M car owners. Just thought I'd clear a few things up about the M3 oil level readings and BMW's policy on oil top-offs, so here it goes. BMW does NOT pay for oil top offs between scheduled services. Some dealerships absorb the cost of top offs and supply their customers with free oil. Other dealerships do not. Some dealerships only supply free oil to customers who purchased the car from them. What I can tell you is that ANY busy BMW dealer gets many people coming in every day for oil top offs. This is a huge expense to the dealer (especially for the 10w60 Motorsport oil) and they do not get reimbursed for it. If you have been getting oil for free, you are fortunate. If you have not, you should not feel like you are being ripped off. I would recommend buying an extra litre and keeping it in the car if it is needed. The oil level reading system can be confusing, but there are tricks to make it much easier to use. The reading in the cluster is the most accurate; where the center display gives more of a generic reading. When I am checking the oil level on my car or a customer's car, I follow this same procedure: If a check control message comes on for oil level at or below minimum, the oil is at least a quart (or litre) below maximum. There is a 1 quart range that is "ok" on the cluster readout. A reading of 0.0 (or the lower arrow mark) in the cluster is the minimum "ok" level, where 1.0 (or the top arrow mark) is the maximum "ok" level. I always put my cars at the 1.0 mark. Add 1 litre of Castrol Motorsport 10w60 oil and switch both the i-drive screen to oil level display (in the "info sources" section) as well as the display in the cluster using the turn signal stalk button. Press and hold the stalk switch button for about 5 seconds to perform a oil level sensor "reset". The cluster will start displaying a little stopwatch icon to indicate it is calculating the oil level. If you don't perform this "reset" I speak of, it can take a very long time to report a change in level after a top off or service. I then let the engine idle for a few minutes until the change is shown on both readouts. Anywhere from 0.5 to 1.0 is probably a good place to be, but I always strive to get it right at 1.0. Edit: I just realized that the M3 does not give the number readings; I guess I was confusing that with M5/M6. Either way, the numbers I gave do coincide with the marks on the cluster readout. This should make it easier to gauge the amount of oil needed to get the best level. Hope this helps clear up the process for any of you guys. It really is not that bad of a system after you get the hang of it. I would still like a dipstick, but that is not going to happen. Andy Last edited by BMWM.D.; 05-16-2009 at 01:02 PM..
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05-15-2009, 08:39 PM	#2
consolidated Lieutenant Colonel 206 Rep 1,864 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Texas iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 Porsche GT4 [0.00] 1999 Porsche Spec B ... [0.00] 2014 Ram 1500 Laram ... [0.00] 2007 Porsche GT3 RS [10.00] 2013 Tesla Model S 85 [0.00]	Thanks for putting numbers to the graphs, very helpful. Also didn't know about having to reset the reading.
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05-15-2009, 09:19 PM	#3
mPlasticDesign Major General 684 Rep 5,069 Posts Drives: BMW 230i Msport w/LSD Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Astral Projecting: ∞ 23.516 -122 02.625 0242.101 ĕv'rē-hwâr' iTrader: (16) Garage List 2009 Porsche 911 997.2 [10.00] 2019 Hyundai N (Sold) [10.00] 2013 BMW M3 (Sold) [10.00] 2011 1M Coupe (Sold) [8.78] 2008 E90 M3 (Sold) [8.60] 2007 Z4 Mcpe (Sold) [9.50] 2005 BMW M3 (Sold) [10.00]	Who cares if it is a huge cost to the dealer. Someone please explain why it shouldn't be covered? Why cover wiper blades, light bulbs, brake pads, or even topping off coolant (all maintenance covered, but not scheduled) when necessary but not oil? Dealerships need to fight it out with BMW coorporate not their customers! __________________
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05-15-2009, 09:26 PM	#5
cut2qr Private 1 Rep 67 Posts Drives: e90 M3 sedan Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	then it is not 4yr of maintance paid for. That is total BS, ie false adverstising. With this kind of BS BMW of NA is going to loose customers. Audi tops off oil for free in wifey's rs6. WTF BMW either make a car that does not drink oil (MY 911 c4s never drank oil) or pay for it or do not claim there is no maintance for 4 yr.
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05-15-2009, 09:36 PM	#6
consolidated Lieutenant Colonel 206 Rep 1,864 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Texas iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 Porsche GT4 [0.00] 1999 Porsche Spec B ... [0.00] 2014 Ram 1500 Laram ... [0.00] 2007 Porsche GT3 RS [10.00] 2013 Tesla Model S 85 [0.00]	Some of you guys get pretty worked up over a quart of oil.
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05-15-2009, 10:23 PM	#10
smokinjoe64 Naval Aviator 607 Rep 680 Posts Drives: 12 e92 M3 6MT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: OC CA iTrader: (1)	...my dealer tops off without blinking an eye. It only makes sense given the need to burn and simple customer service for a premium brand. __________________ e92 M3 - Interlagos Blue \| Recaros w/Fox Red Extended \|Carbon Leather Performance Mods: Alpine Stage II; SuperSprint F1s; Cat-less Bomiz X-Pipe; aFe CAI; Bilstein B16s w/EDC; Brembo BBK; AutoSolutions SSK
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05-15-2009, 11:10 PM	#15
MysticBlue Lieutenant Colonel 369 Rep 1,887 Posts Drives: '20 M5C, '09 M3 DCT Coupe Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Eastern Oregon... They call 'em rigs here iTrader: (0)	I didn't finish the sentence with "adding wiper fluid to the wiper fluid reservior" because I assumed anybody with an ounce of common sense would know what I meant. I was wrong.
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05-16-2009, 12:13 AM	#20
SlammedR8 Major General 523 Rep 5,483 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 40i/2020 R8 V10 Spyder Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (2)	touchy subject...my dealer tops me off. but i would understand if they didnt, afterall if you think about how many people may come in to get topped off in a single day. it could cost them $1000s per month __________________ Current: 2019 BMW X5 40i - Carbon Black/Tartufo Individual Leather 2020 Range Rover HSE - Black/Black 2020 Audi R8 V10 Performance Spyder 6MT - Ascari Blue/Black
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