Oil Maintenence - 'Max' Oil level Reading

MikeB2 · 09-27-2011, 06:26 AM

Dear All,

The oil indicator on the dash was showning that the oil level had dropped to about half way to the 'middle line. So I decided to top it up to the top arrow. I did this in stages, by adding 250ml of oil at a time. After 3 x 250ml top ups no change registered on the oil level reading. I had left a day inbetween top-ups and driven the car such that the oil was up the temp and the reading had registered a level.

I then added the remaining 250ml, and the reading moved to show it was at the 'Max' level and I needed to take into the dealer.

I called the dealer and when through what I'd done. He recommeded I drain off 500ml and start again.

I wanted to see if anyone else had experienced anything similar, and whether the electronic oil level reading in their car was as unreliable as mine!.

dar2008 · 09-27-2011, 06:51 AM

I've only ever topped up my oil when the car has told me to. By the sound of things you've added additional oil on your own decision.

markjord · 09-27-2011, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dar2008

I've only ever topped up my oil when the car has told me to. By the sound of things you've added additional oil on your own decision.

Same here. Car says add oil. I add one litre. Level is perfect. Happens about every 5k.

Team Plutonium · 09-27-2011, 09:02 AM

Never do that! Ever! Only add oil if your sensor tells you to do it. And even then... let the car sit for a while, and then check again before you add anything. Our sensors are *highly* inaccurate! Never top it off... if you are at half or a third you are fine.

stega · 09-27-2011, 09:28 AM

Yhea... Just drain out the front sump... Should bring it down enough.

jonasaurus · 09-27-2011, 11:26 AM

My car engine oil goes from full to half to 'add oil' and back from time to time but am cautious with adding. Ensure you're measuring after engine is at working temp and at the same place (assuming it's relatively flat) each time if possible.

Id have to be seeing the add oil inidcator for a good couple of readings (no more than 50 miles) before I take it seriously. Also ignore the reading the car takes on it's own accord during actually travel.

ed335d · 09-27-2011, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markjord

Same here. Car says add oil. I add one litre. Level is perfect. Happens about every 5k.

+1, always keep a litre in the boot

vanmoo · 01-03-2012, 11:48 PM

Did the same here ... oil indicator was getting close to MIN. I added in 1/2 liter of Mobil 1 0W-40 with the engine warm. I checked the oil indicator again after about 8 minutes and there appeared to be little or no change. I added in the remainder of the oil (for a total of 1 liter). 20 minutes later the oil level was reading EXACTLY at MAX. Notwithstanding the fact I would prefer it to be a wee under MAX, is MAX okay? The car reports that the oil is 'OK' but if it was over-filled would it report otherwise (i.e. alter to a problem)? I would drain off a little but cannot get under the car to find/open the drain.

ed335d · 01-04-2012, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vanmoo

Did the same here ... oil indicator was getting close to MIN. I added in 1/2 liter of Mobil 1 0W-40 with the engine warm. I checked the oil indicator again after about 8 minutes and there appeared to be little or no change. I added in the remainder of the oil (for a total of 1 liter). 20 minutes later the oil level was reading EXACTLY at MAX. Notwithstanding the fact I would prefer it to be a wee under MAX, is MAX okay? The car reports that the oil is 'OK' but if it was over-filled would it report otherwise (i.e. alter to a problem)? I would drain off a little but cannot get under the car to find/open the drain.

I do hope you don't have an M3

The electronic indicators do take a while to register the level

SoTempted · 01-04-2012, 12:25 PM

The owner's manual actually says don't add oil until it tells you to add 1 liter. and it won't register correctly if you add anything less than half a liter. I freaked out when mine said add 1 liter, added one the next day, drove around, then it read right at MAX... good enough.

09-27-2011, 06:26 AM	#1
MikeB2 Registered Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: uk Posts: 1 iTrader: (0)	Oil Maintenence - 'Max' Oil level Reading Dear All, The oil indicator on the dash was showning that the oil level had dropped to about half way to the 'middle line. So I decided to top it up to the top arrow. I did this in stages, by adding 250ml of oil at a time. After 3 x 250ml top ups no change registered on the oil level reading. I had left a day inbetween top-ups and driven the car such that the oil was up the temp and the reading had registered a level. I then added the remaining 250ml, and the reading moved to show it was at the 'Max' level and I needed to take into the dealer. I called the dealer and when through what I'd done. He recommeded I drain off 500ml and start again. I wanted to see if anyone else had experienced anything similar, and whether the electronic oil level reading in their car was as unreliable as mine!.
	Tweet

09-27-2011, 06:51 AM	#2
dar2008 Captain Drives: e93 M3 Convertible! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bromley, UK Posts: 888 iTrader: (0)	I've only ever topped up my oil when the car has told me to. By the sound of things you've added additional oil on your own decision. __________________ It's arrived, e93 M3 Convertible: M-DCT, JzB / extended BB, and most of the options.

09-27-2011, 09:02 AM	#4
Team Plutonium Major General Drives: 911 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate Posts: 8,513 iTrader: (1)	Never do that! Ever! Only add oil if your sensor tells you to do it. And even then... let the car sit for a while, and then check again before you add anything. Our sensors are highly inaccurate! Never top it off... if you are at half or a third you are fine. __________________ Gone... ESS VT2-625 \| ESS Tune \| M24 Oil Cooler \| Brembo 380mm BBK \| Dinan 4.10 Diff \| KW Variant 3 Coilovers \| Dinan Camber Plates \| Dinan Strut Tower Braces \| Dinan X-Pipe \| Akrapovic Exhaust \| Vorsteiner GTS3 Bumper \| Varis System One Diffuser \| OEM Performance Spoiler \| Stack Gauges \| GTS Door Sills \| Volk TE37 \| Falken Azenis RT615K 275/315 \| Pulled Fenders \| Turner Stud Kit \| OMP ARS Racing Seats New: 991C2S

09-27-2011, 11:26 AM	#6
jonasaurus Colonel Drives: 11.5 E90 M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: London Posts: 2,782 iTrader: (0)	My car engine oil goes from full to half to 'add oil' and back from time to time but am cautious with adding. Ensure you're measuring after engine is at working temp and at the same place (assuming it's relatively flat) each time if possible. Id have to be seeing the add oil inidcator for a good couple of readings (no more than 50 miles) before I take it seriously. Also ignore the reading the car takes on it's own accord during actually travel. __________________ ///M3 \| E90 \| Space Grey \| Fox Red with CF Structure \| 6MT \| 260M \| My build

01-03-2012, 11:48 PM	#8
vanmoo Registered Drives: E90 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: CT Posts: 2 iTrader: (0)	Max oil level Did the same here ... oil indicator was getting close to MIN. I added in 1/2 liter of Mobil 1 0W-40 with the engine warm. I checked the oil indicator again after about 8 minutes and there appeared to be little or no change. I added in the remainder of the oil (for a total of 1 liter). 20 minutes later the oil level was reading EXACTLY at MAX. Notwithstanding the fact I would prefer it to be a wee under MAX, is MAX okay? The car reports that the oil is 'OK' but if it was over-filled would it report otherwise (i.e. alter to a problem)? I would drain off a little but cannot get under the car to find/open the drain.

09-27-2011, 09:28 AM	#5
stega Captain Drives: 2011 M3 E93 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 666 iTrader: (3)	Yhea... Just drain out the front sump... Should bring it down enough.

01-04-2012, 12:25 PM	#10
SoTempted Captain Drives: Incompetently Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 729 iTrader: (2)	The owner's manual actually says don't add oil until it tells you to add 1 liter. and it won't register correctly if you add anything less than half a liter. I freaked out when mine said add 1 liter, added one the next day, drove around, then it read right at MAX... good enough.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search