No Oil Reading?

[FogCityM3]

Couldn't find anything on this, so any help is appreciated. I get a mid-service oil change from an independent guy, and they deliberately don't fill it up all the way, giving me the oil to add up to 1 extra liter for fears of overfilling. So as driving home, sure enough, says "engine oil low, add one liter", so after I do this, I don't get get any oil reading at all (it always says 'checking engine oil' but never shows a reading...didn't happen on my 20 mile commute back/forth to work today). Is it possible I added too much oil, still too little oil, or a bum sensor (which seems way too coincidental). Thx in advance.

[Mike van D]

It will reset once you restart the car.

[Vic311]

Oil level sensor needs time to calibrate..I would wait a while before adding oil

[fuddman]

Originally Posted by mhabs

Couldn't find anything on this, so any help is appreciated. I get a mid-service oil change from an independent guy, and they deliberately don't fill it up all the way, giving me the oil to add up to 1 extra liter for fears of overfilling. So as driving home, sure enough, says "engine oil low, add one liter", so after I do this, I don't get get any oil reading at all (it always says 'checking engine oil' but never shows a reading...didn't happen on my 20 mile commute back/forth to work today). Is it possible I added too much oil, still too little oil, or a bum sensor (which seems way too coincidental). Thx in advance.

If it doesn't show a reading, take it to the dealer and let them check it out. If the independent put in 8 quarts (confirm this) and you put in 1 more, then the car is at max oil capacity. I'm assuming you didn't put many miles on the car after the oil change. So, I would not put in any more oil until the dealer straightens out the problem with your gauge.

[sensi09]

After adding a quart once, I drive around for probably over 20 mins and didn't get a reading. The next morning though, everything was fine....got an oil reading rather quickly and level was at the "top."

[gatorfast]

Also when you get the low oil indicator I wouldnt blindly add one full liter. Start with half a liter and measure because thats usually good enough.

[Phanto///M]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Also when you get the low oil indicator I wouldnt blindly add one full liter. Start with half a liter and measure because thats usually good enough.

This^

[cposk]

Oil level isn't an exact science. When the car says "Oil low, +1 quart", it is fine to add a quart.

When doing an oil change, I put the dirty oil back into the containers as I use them. This way I know I put in the same amount that came out. Normally this leaves me a little lower than "full", so I keep an extra quart in the trunk and add it when I get the +1 quart message.

[Grail05]

it will take time and usually drive it for more than 20 minutes + - really depends..

sometimes it can take 30 minutes of driving it sucks... if it asked you to add a qtz then your good.

[THE TECH]

It's best never to add more than half a liter at a time. The gauge is very sensitive and the last thing you want to do is to drain oil. Also, the car needs to be on flat, level ground before it will take a reading.

[MilehighM3]

I wouldn't trust your Indy if they can't perform an oil service correctly. That's just my opinion.
With draining the filter housing prior to draining the oil and removing both drain plugs, it's a 9 liter fill. Even number, very simple and it's worked for me probably 100+ times. It's not like an M5/M6. Those are a pia to get to read full on the first shot.

[FogCityM3]

Thx guys, really appreciate. I should have added only 1/2 bottle at a time, but the service guys definitely put 8 liters in, so now I'm probably at 9 liters. Think there's a distict possibility I'm at max (hopefully not over), and so far haven't taken more than 20 min drives.

[MilehighM3]

It should update every 3-5km once the oil is at operating temp. You may want to find a nice section of level ground and park on it and let the level check complete. If they didn't put all 8 in and drain the oil correctly, you may be over filled.

[TheBingoBalls]

...And this is why having a dipstick is way better. Sure, having the CBS do the reading for you is much more convenient and keeps your hands clean but you would never run into this situation where you're thinking if something is wrong and worry about whether or not you'll have to pay to get it fixed.

[HeartMD]

Originally Posted by Phanto///M

This^

+2

learned the hard way with my old 335. Added the recommended 1quart and next thing you know the indictator goes from need one quart to throwing a fault for oil over fill.

[Mpatient]

Click the turn signal stalk until it displays "OIL". Depress the button on the end of the turn signal until it shows MIN---MAX then a clock calculating the oil level..sometimes it takes 5 minutes to calculate if it doesnt work try it again, it should work unless they unplugged the sensor at the filter.

[FogCityM3]

Thanks for the advice...holding down the button "resetted" the oil reader and sure enough...too much oil, so getting some taken out. I should have totally followed everyone's advice and added 1/2 Liter at a time, vs trusting the gauge which said "add 1 liter". Really appreciate it everyone.

Originally Posted by Jackbenimble

Click the turn signal stalk until it displays "OIL". Depress the button on the end of the turn signal until it shows MIN---MAX then a clock calculating the oil level..sometimes it takes 5 minutes to calculate if it doesnt work try it again, it should work unless they unplugged the sensor at the filter.

[CrucialScott]

I'll have to remember this if i ever do a oil change myself!