1200 mi service done. Is this the right oil level?

[persian54]

Just had my 1200 mi service done

When I got the car back, this was the oil level:


My tech said as long as it's between the lines I'm okay...


I had more oil than this before the change... weird no?

[ManAndMachine]

Drive it a few miles,stop on a level surface and check it again.If its still at the same level add 1/2quart.There is a 1qt difference between Max and Min.Dealer should have filled it up to Max.

[Mr C]

It should be just below the MAX.

Whatever you do, DON’T overfill it.

It is very bad to overfill an M3, and that comes not only from the techs, but also “M” division people.

If you are not sure, UNDERFILL slightly…

[cmk227]

Originally Posted by E82Pilot

It should be just below the MAX.

Whatever you do, DON’T overfill it.

It is very bad to overfill an M3, and that comes not only from the techs, but also “M” division people.

If you are not sure, UNDERFILL slightly…

Agree,. it low, mine on the 1200 mile inspection was just a 1/4 of an inch from the max line. Drive it and if it does not adjust in the next 300 miles than add a 1/4 of a quart at a time. Drive it again and see where it ends up.

[MDCTFTW]

Man, new iDrive looks so nice.

[persian54]

Would it be unresponsible/ignorant if I were to wait Until it told Me it needs a top off?

I have 5L at home and carry 1 in my car (always have in all my cars)

[JCtx]

Originally Posted by persian54

Would it be unresponsible/ignorant if I were to wait Until it told Me it needs a top off?

Not according to the manual, but I rather carry the oil in the engine than in the trunk, so I always keep the oil level topped off . If you feel that task is like rocket science, like many on this forum, just wait for the warning, like the owner's manual says .

[Mr C]

I have a case of 10W 60 and I do carry a quart in the trunk…

That is a very good idea!

[BMRLVR]

Give the car a few days before adding any oil. Sometimes the sensor will read low and then all of a sudden start reading higher. Adding oil now could lead to an overfill condition a few days down the road which would require you to drain out some oil to correct. This is the real shitty part about not having a dipstick like most normal cars, the oil level sensor is so sketchy in it's operation.

If you are not a mechanically inclined person I'd wait till the car says to add a Litre/Quart of oil and then add it. Mechanically everything will be fine as long as you are within the operating range (between the minimum and maximum marks).

[c4pet0wn]

Originally Posted by persian54

Just had my 1200 mi service done

When I got the car back, this was the oil level:


My tech said as long as it's between the lines I'm okay...


I had more oil than this before the change... weird no?

I just had the same service done and mine was just a lil over Max when I got her back. It looks like they might have forgotten to top you up, who knows if they even changed the oil

[STAGGEREDM3]

Seems like the dealer is trying to short you. Go back and demand they correct it.

[wrh3]

Optimal oil level on prior M cars was in the middle of the low and full lines and it was not recommended to go to full. I wonder if the S65 is the same way? The oil sensor is sketchy, I really wish this car had a dipstick.

[tomob63]

I got a warning screen when I checked vehicle status last night. Oil Level too high - please take to service center. No oil was added. Has me nervous. Initiated a Service Request from iDrive. Will see how long it takes the service center to call me back. This is what the screen looks like.

[jbtco]

The oil check function seems very poor in some cars. I found on my last E92 that on long drives (2 hours plus) it would give a low oil reading and sometimes a warning but next day would be back to full.

[NYCMCBM3]

^weird.

[polly]

i would fill just so it touches the max line.

why would bmw put a max line if you dont need to fill to the max line?

[cmk227]

Originally Posted by tomob63

I got a warning screen when I checked vehicle status last night. Oil Level too high - please take to service center. No oil was added. Has me nervous. Initiated a Service Request from iDrive. Will see how long it takes the service center to call me back. This is what the screen looks like.

^^^^^^^ this is what you want to avoid. Don't feel bad I was in Europe when the this same thing happen. Had to drive it another 200 miles and even got the check engine light. Took it in no problems but i was stress out for a day or so.

[James T. Kirk]

Originally Posted by persian54

My tech said as long as it's between the lines I'm okay...

Do NOT take that as an answer from your tech.

First give it a day to see if the level adjusts up to just below Max.
If it still reads the same, take it back to the dealership and raise hell.

Something was overlooked on your service. A low oil level coming out
of your first service may not just mean that you need more oil. It may
mean that your oil was not properly changed out as part of the break-in
service. Remember, break-in service changes out your fluids to flush
out sediments. If you top it off yourself, you're wasting your money for oil
covered by your warranty and potentially leaving behind sediments in your engine.

Your tech's lazy answer that "it's just fine anywhere between the lines"
is relevant only if 1) the break-in service was done properly, and
2) if you've been driving the car for a few thousands miles.

A low to nominal oil level coming right out of the gate is not acceptable
and quite questionable.

[persian54]

Well my guess is that he just under filled rather than over filled

Nonetheless, if I need oil, I can go there and have it topped off without a problem since my 1200 mi service was gone

I'll be doing an oil change at 5k miles nonetheless

still confused though :/

[BMRLVR]

Understand that "most" techs know how much oil the engine should take and they put in the required quantity. Check on your invoice how many litres were charged out to your car (the TWS 10W60 only comes in litre bottles unlike the other BMW oils which can be in bulk) Although not fool proof this will at least tell you how much oil was billed to the car. The Techs don't want customers coming in and complaining so they will usually try and fill the car to the correct level if they are even a half decent tech.

I have changed my oil twice and both times it has taken 9 litres to show full. I just add 8 Litres, start the car up and let it warm up and get a reading and both times it has given the message to add 1 Litre.

The first time I changed the oil it stayed at the full mark for the duration of the oil change interval. The second time I changed the oil I used the exact same procedure and drained for the same amount of time with the car level and 9 litres brought it to the full mark again. After 2 days the level sensor read about the same as yours, Half way down or a little less. I added a half litre of oil and the level sensor never moved first or last. I have a funny feeling that if I added another half litre it would be over full........ just leave the car alone and it will be fine. The oil level sensor seems very finicky to me and from now on I am going to do oil changes by quantity...... 9 Litres, regardless of where the oil level sensor sits as long as it is within the Min and Max marks.

I recommend you add a quart/Litre only when the message prompts you to.

[martinmartin]

[just another data point] My car had the 1,200 mile service a few days ago and as I drove away i checked the oil and it was exactly at Max...

[JCtx]

Originally Posted by jbtco

The oil check function seems very poor in some cars. I found on my last E92 that on long drives (2 hours plus) it would give a low oil reading and sometimes a warning but next day would be back to full.

What's very poor is the understanding how it works . Do you check your tire pressures when hot? Hope not. You should ALWAYS check your oil at the same flat spot (your typical garage spot is perfect), with engine fully hot (at least 10 miles on the road; the hotter the oil, the more accurate the reading), and idling. And yes, you need to do a 'reset' for that, which takes about a minute to throw a reading. If you take the reading the computer takes while on the road as your correct oil level, you'd be wrong. That's why it seems to 'fluctuate' all the time. The sensor is at the very rear of the sump. If you're going uphill when the computer takes the reading, it can read as overfilled when it's not. And same if going downhilll... or cornering... or accelerating, etc. You need to be CONSISTENT to get a consistent reading. And the computer takes just ONE reading per ignition cycle, so you all know; it's not going to move until next ignition cycle. You need to tell the computer when you want the oil level checked, and that's done with the turn signal stalk (read about it if you don't know). Do it every week when you get home from your Sunday drive. Or Monday from the office. Do it a habit, and as soon as the level drops from full, you can bring it right back to full with exactly 1/4L. That's also a great way to monitor your oil consumption.

I also hate not having a dipstick, but once you understand how the system and sensor work, you'll find them perfectly consistent. And even accurate, if you keep it right at the top mark and check level regularly, like I explained above. And no need to ever carry a liter in your trunk, like if you were driving a clunker . Do some searching and reading if you want to understand how to deal with this electronic crap better. Take care gang.