Oil level after change, bad sensor?

[bimmer414]

Hi guys,

Changed my oil Tuesday night. Engine was hot, drained both sumps for 1 hour, and sucked out the bit in the filter housing. Added 8.25L of oil and got the "immediately add oil" warning. Added another 0.5-0.6L and it went up to the bottom arrow and is requesting another L. Read that it can take a few drives before it detects it but I've had 4 cold starts and nearly 100 miles of driving since then and it hasn't changed. I know the capacity is 8.8L so adding more doesn't seem like a good idea to me. Is the sensor bad? Is there a way to test it? It seems to take 20 minutes of driving before it reads out even if the car is warm and I reset it.

[Helmsman]

Hi Bimmer, did you take any further action on this yet?

Cheers

[bimmer414]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Hi Bimmer, did you take any further action on this yet?

Cheers

Yes, added another 0.25L of oil and it went up all the way to one level from the top. Go figure

[Helmsman]

Interesting Bimmer. Working my way up on the gauge myself after a recent oil change. Added 0.3L, nothing happend. Plan to add another tad in a few days.

Btw also remembered todat that its possible to get some kind of level measure with the Carly app engine parameter. Its an od number, 32.64 in my case when at max gauge prior the change, and now at 31.46. I'll check this number again after another top off. Would be nice if this would be a way to get additional info to the freaking standard meter...

Cheers

[Yvette]

Last time it took me about a week total of 200 - 250 miles to read exact oil capacity.

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by e90sexion

Last time it took me about a week total of 200 - 250 miles to read exact oil capacity.

200 miles and then the gauge all of a sudden reflected last topp up?

[lepp0012]

I've had a similar issue after a recent change. Mine was reading about half way to add a quart, but then today, all of a sudden it read full. It's been about 9 days/150 miles since the change. God I want a dip stick.

[pbonsalb]

Common complaint. If you added 8L after a change, wait before adding more. It may take up to a few hours of driving to register properly -- even with the oil hot and the level reader supposedly working. I have no idea why, but this has been my experience.

The only thing I can think of is that maybe the car senses there has been an oil change and is waiting for some sort of service reset. I don't think I have immediately reset the service indicator after doing an oil change.

[ksa]

So I guess I will ask my question here since this is somewhat related.

The other day I noticed that the oil level on the M3 had dropped from the Max line to a little below it. It's still quite far from the MIN level but I did notice the drop from the MAX level.

Now my question is, is this normal?

Also, I checked the service part of the computer and I am not supposed to have an Engine Oil service until 2017 or 22K km's. Now wouldn't the oil be completely depleted by then if it's already dropped? I did notice that I have a 'vehicle check' service that shows the date of February 2016 and I am wondering what exactly is this? Am I supposed to take the car to the dealer and they just check the vehicle and top off the oil if necessary etc? First BMW from a range of Merc's so not sure how this works.

Also, would those services be covered? Something about pre-paid service etc?

Cheers all.

[pbonsalb]

Yes, the engines use oil over time. You might use 1L, which is about what the oil level indicator shows in total, over 1000 to 10,000 miles depending on your driving style. If your car is under warranty, the dealer should top it off for you, but not yet since it is just a little under max. Wait until it is halfway between the middle and minimum. If not under warranty DIY or find an independent shop. Or pay a dealer but at least make sure you get a free coffee and wifi access.

[dparm]

That sensor has a margin of error. If you're within the "okay" area, I wouldn't sweat it over small fluctuations.

[Helmsman]

+ I wouldn't wait 22k km to change. BMWs 24k km (15k miles) recommendation is regarded complete BS by most folks. Keep it to half i.e. 12k km at most. I do mine around 8k km for piece of mind + make it possible to sell when that day come.