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      05-06-2011, 02:48 PM   #1
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Oil question

Oil meter shows " 1 quart" but I already added a whole quart a month ago. Should I just get an oil change instead of just adding more oil this time? I know these things guzzle oil, but I want to make sure should not add more oil, without doing something else as well right?

Thanks!
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      05-06-2011, 02:56 PM   #2
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How many miles/months since the last oil change? I usually don't get the oil changed until needed (depending on mileage and time). The BMW dealership I go to for service tops off the oil for free as long as the car is asking for it. My car also does not seem to consume as much oil as others. I was able to drive about 4300 miles before adding 1L. See the below excerpt from the service records I keep:


4/17/09
1200 Mile Service Performed
Oil & Filter Change
Transmission Filter Cleaned
Transmission Fliud Changed
Differential Fliud Changed
Mileage: 001219

3/4/10
1L of 10w-60 Castrol TWS Motorsport Oil Added
Mileage: 005511

4/29/10
Oil & Filter Change
Mileage: 006838
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Last edited by rbk1115; 05-06-2011 at 03:05 PM..
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      05-06-2011, 06:57 PM   #3
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My 09 just turnover 25K miles and have only had to add 1/4 of a liter to top it off at 18K. Still showing to the full mark today. Guess I got lucky?
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      05-06-2011, 11:18 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Raustin View Post
My 09 just turnover 25K miles and have only had to add 1/4 of a liter to top it off at 18K. Still showing to the full mark today. Guess I got lucky?
Just out of curiosity, what is your oil change interval?
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      05-06-2011, 11:52 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rbk1115 View Post
Just out of curiosity, what is your oil change interval?
I'm going through a quart roughly every other month
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      05-07-2011, 10:07 AM   #6
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^ most dealers add a quart for free, but some may not.
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      05-07-2011, 10:52 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E=mc2 View Post
I don't understand, if the car says it needs oil, its free no? But if the oil meter is showing low oil just not low enough to fill it up, then I don't really care (or should I?). As long as its safe to operate the car and when its unsafe if BMW covers it, why do you need to worry about this adding quart thing?
When any BMW model that is still under the 4 years/50,000 mile warranty is asking for oil (i.e. OBC says +1L or +1qt), one can take their car to the dealership and they will top it off free of charge. They will only do this when the car is asking for it. However, there are some dealers that are not as generous as others and WILL NOT offer this "top off" service.

This has nothing to do with an oil change. All BMW models have been known to consume oil between oil change intervals. Some people wait till the car asks for oil, while others always want it completely full. You can search these forums and get people's opinions about this matter. Feel free to do what you want after your research. Personally, I don't add oil until the car asks for it. No problems so far!
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      05-07-2011, 08:18 PM   #8
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Just had dealer top off the oil, but now Check Control says the following on oil level:

"> Max"

This obviously doesn't sound good, but there are no lights or any warning from IDrive which I believe I have seen others report. Please advise. Thanks!
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      05-07-2011, 11:45 PM   #9
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Sounds like they overfilled it (shock) so have them drain the front sump. Don't drive around with it overfilled.
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      05-07-2011, 11:49 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seattle S65B40 View Post
Just had dealer top off the oil, but now Check Control says the following on oil level:

"> Max"

This obviously doesn't sound good, but there are no lights or any warning from IDrive which I believe I have seen others report. Please advise. Thanks!
I would drive around for a few days and see if the "> MAX" goes away. I had the "> MAX" message after my second oil change. I was freaked out at first, but then I just decided to see what would happen after driving around for a few days. Eventually, the indicator went back to normal. BMW most likely took a slight overfill into consideration for the S65 as one cannot get every last drop of oil out of the engine, oil cooler, both sumps, etc. I would not worry about this. My friends and I used to put 7 quarts of oil in our old E36 M3s that required 6.2 quarts. Never had any issues with a slight overfill.

Currently, my car is at about halfway on the oil level indicator. No issues!
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      05-08-2011, 07:27 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rbk1115 View Post
Just out of curiosity, what is your oil change interval?
I go exactly with the factory recommendations. Many believe it is way too many miles between but, I sort of figure the BMW experts know best.
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      05-09-2011, 09:41 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Raustin View Post
I go exactly with the factory recommendations. Many believe it is way too many miles between but, I sort of figure the BMW experts know best.
Can't go wrong with BMW's recommendations. Looks like you lucked out on an S65 that does not consume oil.
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      05-09-2011, 11:51 AM   #13
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My data points:

My M3 consumed 1 liter of oil every 4,500 miles.

My M6 consumes 1 liter every 4,000 miles.
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      05-09-2011, 01:01 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seattle S65B40 View Post
Just had dealer top off the oil, but now Check Control says the following on oil level:

"> Max"

This obviously doesn't sound good, but there are no lights or any warning from IDrive which I believe I have seen others report. Please advise. Thanks!
there are 2 different overfill warnings, yours is less severe, read this:


http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=408366
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      05-09-2011, 06:14 PM   #15
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Thanks. So far, about 100 miles with the "extra oil" and still only check control (in the dash) is indicating "> max" No iDrive warning and definitely no lights in the dash. Hoping it goes away soon, as it still has me a little worried.
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      05-09-2011, 06:17 PM   #16
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^ just go back as ask them to drain a small amount
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      05-09-2011, 06:18 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seattle S65B40 View Post
Thanks. So far, about 100 miles with the "extra oil" and still only check control (in the dash) is indicating "> max" No iDrive warning and definitely no lights in the dash. Hoping it goes away soon, as it still has me a little worried.
Why take the chance! It might be fine but if it isn't, this will be one expensive experiment! I'd get it fixed... maybe I'm a worry wart but still...
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      05-10-2011, 12:26 PM   #18
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it depends on how you drive.... having to add another 1qt of oil within a month is not normal but it looks like your one crazy driver. LOL

if you drive the car pretty hard yes you will need to add 1qt and in some case it will be once a month.

if it says add 1 qt please add one.
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