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      06-23-2015, 08:34 PM   #1
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Low oil?

I just picked up my first M3. 2012 with 18K miles. I got it from a dealer in MD and it was delivered on Saturday.

When I took delivery I went for a 5 minute drive and I got the low oil warning. I haven't driven it since as I was waiting on additional paper work from the dealer before I could go to the registry.

I took it out tonight, same warning, low oil +1 quart. I've attached some pics.

I did a search and see that this topic has been discussed a lot but I can't make out if there could be an oil sensor issue or it really is a little low.

The car was serviced and is a CPO and supposedly the oil was changed this month.

This is my 5th BMW but my first M but I've never had an issue like this.

Could it be a sensor issue or could the tech have not filled it enough?

Any advice would be much appreciated!
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Last edited by Mr. BMW; 06-23-2015 at 08:40 PM..
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      06-23-2015, 09:03 PM   #2
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hit up your local O'Reilly Auto, grab a liter of of Castrol Edge Pro 10W60, add half a liter, and you'll know for sure.

BMW tech sometimes under fills the crankcase.
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      06-23-2015, 10:51 PM   #3
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In the threads I've seen about the oil sensor going bad, it would act very erratic. Appears yours is reporting consistently low so my guess is you just need to add oil. Try adding 1/3 quart and see if the level moves 1/4 or 1/2. FYI even when the sensor is working fine it can be a little erratic after adding oil before settling in on a more stable level.
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      06-24-2015, 08:51 AM   #4
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Keep in mind that after adding half a quart it could take a while before the car 'sees' the oil. I had to drive 20km and several 3 startups before it recognized there was some new oil.
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      06-24-2015, 09:08 AM   #5
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Liking The sox pic even tho we suck this year. What part of MA you in? If it's under warranty you can go to the dealer and find out if it's low or if it's the sensor but it's not rare that people need to add a quart here and there between oil changes
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      06-24-2015, 09:12 AM   #6
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Learn listen to the car ....And that's it .
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      06-24-2015, 08:51 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EJT86 View Post
Liking The sox pic even tho we suck this year. What part of MA you in? If it's under warranty you can go to the dealer and find out if it's low or if it's the sensor but it's not rare that people need to add a quart here and there between oil changes
I've had the sox pic for a while now. I'm on the North Shore.
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      06-24-2015, 08:55 PM   #8
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I stopped by the dealer on the way to work this morning and added half a quart of oil. Its saying the level is ok now. I could probably add the rest but I'm going to wait and see if it goes low again.
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      06-24-2015, 09:04 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. BMW View Post
I've had the sox pic for a while now. I'm on the North Shore.
Me too sort of I'm in Malden. Saw a couple M3s in the south end yesterday. How about some pics of that new M3?
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      06-24-2015, 10:21 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EJT86 View Post
Me too sort of I'm in Malden. Saw a couple M3s in the south end yesterday. How about some pics of that new M3?
I haven't really taken any good pics yet but I will try to post some this weekend.
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      06-25-2015, 01:00 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. BMW View Post
I stopped by the dealer on the way to work this morning and added half a quart of oil. Its saying the level is ok now. I could probably add the rest but I'm going to wait and see if it goes low again.
If it says "ok" hold off, do no add any more oil. Remember the indicator tells you your "final quart" level, not the entire oil pan level. So if indication is at middle or anywhere along the stick, don't add anymore. It's more of a pain to remove oil after an overfill.

General rule of thumb (especially if you have the old sensor) is add a 1/4 bottle at a time, give the car 1 day to recalculate. I've learned that everytime when I get the +1 qt message, the car shouldn't take anymore than 3/4 of a bottle. I've owned the car for over 5 years now and have this down to a science, lol, I know I can just add 1/2 bottle and it'll be okay. You'll see after you add 1/2 bottle, one day it'll show 3/4 mark, the next day it'll settle at the 1/2 mark, it's just how the sensor works.
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      06-25-2015, 08:24 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flying Ace View Post
If it says "ok" hold off, do no add any more oil. Remember the indicator tells you your "final quart" level, not the entire oil pan level. So if indication is at middle or anywhere along the stick, don't add anymore. It's more of a pain to remove oil after an overfill.

General rule of thumb (especially if you have the old sensor) is add a 1/4 bottle at a time, give the car 1 day to recalculate. I've learned that everytime when I get the +1 qt message, the car shouldn't take anymore than 3/4 of a bottle. I've owned the car for over 5 years now and have this down to a science, lol, I know I can just add 1/2 bottle and it'll be okay. You'll see after you add 1/2 bottle, one day it'll show 3/4 mark, the next day it'll settle at the 1/2 mark, it's just how the sensor works.
Good to know thanks!
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