Be careful when adding engine oil!

lucid · 07-14-2008, 07:38 PM

After the break-in service, the oil indicator was one notch above the center line. At 4400, it dropped to the lower end of the range (the lower triangle) and a message came on saying "add 1 qrt". So, I went to the dealer and picked up the quart of oil for $12. I figured it would be best to add in increments since I don't want to overfill. So, I put in 1/2 qrt, and drive. It takes 15 minutes to report oil level again, and the indicator is still sitting at where it was before with the same message on. I drive around for another 15 minutes nothing changes.

Then, I add the other 1/2 qrt. It takes another 15 minutes to report, and this time all of a sudden, the oil level is all the way at max of the allowable range (the higher triangle). Luckily no overfill message. So the first 1/2 qrt has no effect (the indicator was not bottomed out to begin with, so you can't say I had no resolution at the bottom end at that point), but the second 1/2 all of a sudden moves it from the lowest to the highest allowable. That's very precise, ha?

So, my advice is to add the damn oil in 1/4 qrt increments to make sure you don't overfill if your oil ever runs low. If you overfill, you'll need to go to the dealer, and they will probably charge you $200 for an oil change.

KonigsTiger · 07-14-2008, 07:40 PM

Thanks much for the info Lucid!

IWearScrubs · 07-14-2008, 07:42 PM

this thread once again begs the question...

Why is there not a dipstick?

Dascamel · 07-14-2008, 07:51 PM

Why did you pay for the oil? Get freebies on oil all the time...

lucid · 07-14-2008, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dascamel

Why did you pay for the oil? Get freebies on oil all the time...

I didn't have time to deal with finding my service guy, having him call someone downstairs, etc. I just bought it and drove to work. Not a big deal.

FifthStreetz · 07-14-2008, 08:05 PM

THis is why a dipstick is FTW.

!Xoible · 07-14-2008, 08:11 PM

thanks man!!! my oil dropped yesterday and was thinking of adding another quart even before the message shows up, but i decided to wait. thanks!

skierman64 · 07-14-2008, 08:16 PM

I'm at 3400 (2200 since service) and no drop yet.

SMSgt B · 07-14-2008, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skierman64

I'm at 3400 (2200 since service) and no drop yet.

When I hit 4600 miles it dropped.

Dr. T · 07-14-2008, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucid

If you overfill, you'll need to go to the dealer, and they will probably charge you $200 for an oil change.

Curious, Why would you need to go to the dealer to drain off a bit of oil?

lucid · 07-14-2008, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. T

Curious, Why would you need to go to the dealer to drain off a bit of oil?

If you've got a way to jack up the car and crawl under it to drain oil, you're probably fine. I don't. No garage. City living. Was speaking to my kind more than anything else I guess...

That is assuming the warning would go away when oil is drained, and does not require the dealer to turn off some kind of fault code electronically.

Dr. T · 07-14-2008, 09:29 PM

OK, thanks.

lucid · 07-14-2008, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. T

OK, thanks.

It could get messy though. I don't know if you can cleanly drain "some" oil from the pan without a whole lot coming out.

Dr. T · 07-14-2008, 10:40 PM

Just don't remove the plug all the way. That or put in a Fumoto valve.

cosmos515 · 07-14-2008, 10:47 PM

You guys are not so stupid to realize that the indicator says add +1 liter (not a quart) and that the oil from BMW comes in 1 quart which is 1.25 liters....I am just asking.

So when you added 1/2 a qrt and the car asked for 1 liter and then you added another 1/2 qrt, you in fact added 1.25 liters.

ps. When you go overfill you really mess up the vanos pressure unit and engines have needed replacement because of this.

sayemthree · 07-14-2008, 11:03 PM

the manual says if you add less than 1/2 a liter/qt. the i-drive cant get an accurate reading.

No Dipstick FTL!

kenwelch · 07-14-2008, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmos515

You guys are not so stupid to realize that the indicator says add +1 liter (not a quart) and that the oil from BMW comes in 1 quart which is 1.25 liters....I am just asking.

So when you added 1/2 a qrt and the car asked for 1 liter and then you added another 1/2 qrt, you in fact added 1.25 liters.

ps. When you go overfill you really mess up the vanos pressure unit and engines have needed replacement because of this.

Adding 1 quart will fill less than 1 liter. 1 qt(US Liq) = 0.946352 L
Check the oil container.

Also the S65 M3 engine does not use a high pressure pump for the Vanos units. The S65 M3 engine operates the compact double Vanos system at normal oil pressure. The S85 engine in the M5/6 uses a high pressure pump and system for the Vanos. Additional oil in the S65 M3 will not affect the Vanos system because it operates at normal engine pressure. More oil in the sump does not raise the system operation pressure.

Overfilling the engine can cause other problems....like leaks and oil use, and others.

lucid · 07-15-2008, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmos515

You guys are not so stupid to realize that the indicator says add +1 liter (not a quart) and that the oil from BMW comes in 1 quart which is 1.25 liters....I am just asking.

So when you added 1/2 a qrt and the car asked for 1 liter and then you added another 1/2 qrt, you in fact added 1.25 liters.

The indicator did not say add 1 liter. It said add 1 qrt. And as other have mentioned, 1 qrt is not 1.25 liters.

booforty · 07-15-2008, 07:36 AM

Who you calling a dipstick? lol

rai · 07-15-2008, 07:57 AM

where else can I get the oil for the M3? My jack-ass dealer didn't give me any.

This may be the lsat BMW I buy if this oil and no-dipstick becomes and issue for me. I live 40 minutes from a dealership I need extra trips there like I need a hole in the head.

sayemthree · 07-15-2008, 11:31 AM

when they overfilled mine - i noticed higher than normal oil temps , 20 minutes before I finally got an i-drive reading.

southlight · 07-15-2008, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucid

So, my advice is to add the damn oil in 1/4 qrt increments to make sure you don't overfill if your oil ever runs low. If you overfill, you'll need to go to the dealer, and they will probably charge you $200 for an oil change.

Had a similar experience. Added half a liter with the bc reading of 1/4 over minimum and the oil level didn't change at all. But my conclusion is to wait till the indicator tells to add 1l (or 1 qrt) and then doing just that and add exactly 1l (or qrt). Otherwise you have filled up but confused the reading.

Best regards, south

07-14-2008, 07:38 PM	#1
lucid Major General Drives: E30 M3; Expedition Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Posts: 8,057 iTrader: (0)	Be careful when adding engine oil! After the break-in service, the oil indicator was one notch above the center line. At 4400, it dropped to the lower end of the range (the lower triangle) and a message came on saying "add 1 qrt". So, I went to the dealer and picked up the quart of oil for $12. I figured it would be best to add in increments since I don't want to overfill. So, I put in 1/2 qrt, and drive. It takes 15 minutes to report oil level again, and the indicator is still sitting at where it was before with the same message on. I drive around for another 15 minutes nothing changes. Then, I add the other 1/2 qrt. It takes another 15 minutes to report, and this time all of a sudden, the oil level is all the way at max of the allowable range (the higher triangle). Luckily no overfill message. So the first 1/2 qrt has no effect (the indicator was not bottomed out to begin with, so you can't say I had no resolution at the bottom end at that point), but the second 1/2 all of a sudden moves it from the lowest to the highest allowable. That's very precise, ha? So, my advice is to add the damn oil in 1/4 qrt increments to make sure you don't overfill if your oil ever runs low. If you overfill, you'll need to go to the dealer, and they will probably charge you $200 for an oil change. __________________
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07-14-2008, 07:40 PM	#2
KonigsTiger Racying Dynamics Drives: E92M3 RS46 Club Sport, others Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Dweller Posts: 4,422 iTrader: (0)	Thanks much for the info Lucid! __________________ ==================================================

07-14-2008, 07:51 PM	#4
Dascamel Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2008 e92 M3, 2010 e91 328i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 1,663 iTrader: (0)	Why did you pay for the oil? Get freebies on oil all the time... __________________ 2008 E92 M3 Jerez Black,DCT,Fox Red ext,Prem,Tech,19", ipod/usb, CF roof and trim 2010 E91 328i Space Gray,Black int, M sport, most options 2007 Montego Blue 335i (retired)

07-14-2008, 08:05 PM	#6
FifthStreetz O! So Sour!! Drives: Fast e30 / Slow M3 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Fort Lee, NJ Posts: 15,221 iTrader: (20) Garage List 2008 M3 [4.50]	THis is why a dipstick is FTW. __________________

07-14-2008, 08:16 PM	#8
skierman64 Brigadier General Drives: 2008 E92 Space Gray M3 & E36M3 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Greater St Louis Metro area Posts: 3,080 iTrader: (1) Garage List 1998 M3 Coupe [0.00] 2008 M3 Coupe [0.00]	I'm at 3400 (2200 since service) and no drop yet. __________________ Get a professional motorsports full featured stopwatch app for your Blackberry here: http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/19464 Invest Wisely...The best mod for your money?? BMWCCA high performance driver's school. The mod that lasts a lifetime and improves the performance of any car you drive

07-14-2008, 07:42 PM	#3
IWearScrubs Doctor Awesome! Drives: M3 Sedan 6MT Jerez and Fox Red Join Date: May 2008 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 195 iTrader: (0)	this thread once again begs the question... Why is there not a dipstick?

07-14-2008, 08:11 PM	#7
!Xoible Banned Drives: .... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: . Posts: 1,820 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 M3 [3.50] 2007 335i [4.50] 2008 528i [4.00] 2006 Infiniti - G35 ... [4.00]	thanks man!!! my oil dropped yesterday and was thinking of adding another quart even before the message shows up, but i decided to wait. thanks!

07-14-2008, 09:29 PM	#12
Dr. T Private Drives: 996TT Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 66 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 E93 M3 [0.00] 2004 FX35 [0.00] 2006 Tundra [0.00] 2003 996TT [0.00] 2002 S2000 [0.00]	OK, thanks. __________________ 2009 E93 M3 2003 996TT 2002 S2000 2006 Tundra 2004 FX35

07-14-2008, 10:40 PM	#14
Dr. T Private Drives: 996TT Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 66 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 E93 M3 [0.00] 2004 FX35 [0.00] 2006 Tundra [0.00] 2003 996TT [0.00] 2002 S2000 [0.00]	Just don't remove the plug all the way. That or put in a Fumoto valve. __________________ 2009 E93 M3 2003 996TT 2002 S2000 2006 Tundra 2004 FX35

07-14-2008, 10:47 PM	#15
cosmos515 Second Lieutenant Drives: I find what I keeps Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: So Cal Posts: 215 iTrader: (0)	You guys are not so stupid to realize that the indicator says add +1 liter (not a quart) and that the oil from BMW comes in 1 quart which is 1.25 liters....I am just asking. So when you added 1/2 a qrt and the car asked for 1 liter and then you added another 1/2 qrt, you in fact added 1.25 liters. ps. When you go overfill you really mess up the vanos pressure unit and engines have needed replacement because of this. __________________ "Motion does not equal progress" "I love the smell of cosmoline in the morning"

07-14-2008, 11:03 PM	#16
sayemthree Brigadier General Drives: bmw Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: usa Posts: 4,846 iTrader: (0)	the manual says if you add less than 1/2 a liter/qt. the i-drive cant get an accurate reading. No Dipstick FTL!

07-15-2008, 07:36 AM	#19
booforty Major General Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 8,817 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E92 M3 [0.00]	Who you calling a dipstick? lol

07-15-2008, 07:57 AM	#20
rai Captain Drives: M3 coupe with DCT Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: maryland Posts: 634 iTrader: (0)	where else can I get the oil for the M3? My jack-ass dealer didn't give me any. This may be the lsat BMW I buy if this oil and no-dipstick becomes and issue for me. I live 40 minutes from a dealership I need extra trips there like I need a hole in the head.

07-15-2008, 11:31 AM	#21
sayemthree Brigadier General Drives: bmw Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: usa Posts: 4,846 iTrader: (0)	when they overfilled mine - i noticed higher than normal oil temps , 20 minutes before I finally got an i-drive reading.