Low oil

[bmwcs]

I was just down the street from home, just got off work and my 2011 e92 M3 popped up that my oil is low saying +1qt.

Ive only put 4000 miles on my M3 since purchasing, And I had my oil changed at bmw 1500miles ago, I noticed a couple times it had dropped but nothing large and always stayed well within the too low/too high area. Im very stern on letting the car warm up (especially before having fun) and im wondering if anyone has any ideas on what it could be before I take it to service, is it the fuel breather valve?

Also is it safe to gently drive it to service ~15 miles from me? Or should i try buying the oil and adding a quart myself?

Anything helps, thanks

[amrazM]

its not abnormal to need a quart every 1500

[bmwcs]

Originally Posted by amrazM

its not abnormal to need a quart every 1500

Thanks for the quick response, Just added the quart hopefully it'll be good until the next oil change. Appreciate you man

[TboneS54]

I think the sensor will also vary in its reporting of the level of oil. It might saw low, but then the next drive, it might say OK.

I wouldn't add too much (not more than a quart) at a time. I'd even wait until the car was saying it was very low before adding a full quart. Maybe just a personal thing, I'd rather be a little low than over filled.

But yes, very normal for these cars to need topping off. I feel like a full quart/liter every 1500 is excessive though. I think a quart every 7500 (common OCI) would be more acceptable.

Does the engine look like it has any wetness/leaking?

To answer your other question, yes it's perfectly safe to drive, but I wouldn't bother driving to a mechanic/dealer - just buy some 10w40 (colder climate, never redline), 5w50 or 10w60 and add it yourself.

[bmwcs]

Originally Posted by TboneS54

I think the sensor will also vary in its reporting of the level of oil. It might saw low, but then the next drive, it might say OK.

I wouldn't add too much (not more than a quart) at a time. I'd even wait until the car was saying it was very low before adding a full quart. Maybe just a personal thing, I'd rather be a little low than over filled.

But yes, very normal for these cars to need topping off. I feel like a full quart/liter every 1500 is excessive though. I think a quart every 7500 (common OCI) would be more acceptable.

Does the engine look like it has any wetness/leaking?

To answer your other question, yes it's perfectly safe to drive, but I wouldn't bother driving to a mechanic/dealer - just buy some 10w40 (colder climate, never redline), 5w50 or 10w60 and add it yourself.

There has been some oil "seeping" but my bmw technician told me its nothing to be worried about and is normal. The oil level read low 2 days in a row and said "+1 qt".

Its now in the top range of what the oil reader says is OK and hasnt dropped at all yet. Also I've been hearing mixed opinions on when to oil change, some owners saying 3-4k and service advisors saying 7-8k. Still not sure whats best for the car on oil change periods.

[TboneS54]

The old 3k mile change was from back in day with conventional "dino" oil. With modern full synthetic oils, they easily go 15k miles (standard BMW interval), though most BMW enthusiasts will cut that interval by half and do 7-8k changes mostly for peace of mind and a little because it's believed that changing it more often won't stain the internals as much, or leave less build up. I do about 6-7k miles a year, so I just do one change a year.