I just had my oil changed... - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

Blubaron79 · 02-23-2011, 11:55 PM

And it's down one notch when check it after driving it home. Is this something I should worry about?

I'm afraid if I go back and they top it off, they will over fill it. Isn't a little less oil better than too much oil??

Chriztofor · 02-23-2011, 11:58 PM

Yep it can be flaky at times, check again tomorrow. BRING BACK THE DIP STICK.

Blubaron79 · 02-24-2011, 12:12 AM

I knew this might start the dip stick debate...

Chriztofor · 02-24-2011, 12:13 AM

^

x26 · 02-24-2011, 04:38 AM

Go Dipstick Go!!!

Spydeputy · 02-24-2011, 06:02 AM

There is no debate, everyone but BMW wants it.

Chriztofor · 02-24-2011, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spydeputy

There is no debate, everyone but BMW wants it.

Actually there is one person that thinks that the e-dipstick is just fine. I respectfully disagree.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...light=dipstick

ceb · 02-24-2011, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chriztofor

Actually there is one person that thinks that the e-dipstick is just fine. I respectfully disagree.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...light=dipstick

We have to remember that 99.9999% of the population never checks the dipstick and 99% couldn't find it on a car with a dipstick.

Checking oil levels was less important in the days of 3k oil changes but it becomes vital with 15k intervals.

Remember that the "full" is really immaterial. What is important is knowing when you are reaching critically low levels and the "e-dipstick" is intended to do that.

335BBS · 02-24-2011, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceb

We have to remember that 99.9999% of the population never checks the dipstick and 99% couldn't find it on a car with a dipstick.

Checking oil levels was less important in the days of 3k oil changes but it becomes vital with 15k intervals.

Remember that the "full" is really immaterial. What is important is knowing when you are reaching critically low levels and the "e-dipstick" is intended to do that.

I didnt even know my car didnt have a dipstick. I feel like a bit of a dipstick.

Verbiage · 02-24-2011, 09:36 AM

InB4 derailed thread and [more] dipstick jokes.

Chriztofor · 02-24-2011, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceb

We have to remember that 99.9999% of the population never checks the dipstick and 99% couldn't find it on a car with a dipstick.

Checking oil levels was less important in the days of 3k oil changes but it becomes vital with 15k intervals.

Remember that the "full" is really immaterial. What is important is knowing when you are reaching critically low levels and the "e-dipstick" is intended to do that.

I agree, most people don't check their oil, but a low level light would have sufficed. If it worked pefectly I would love it too, but it does not read the correct level of oil all the time and that makes me feel uneasy. As the cars get older more people will complain about this.

I would also like to know, not the hard way, if the senor fails altogether will it tell us so on the dash?

335BBS · 02-24-2011, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chriztofor

I agree, most people don't check their oil, but a low level light would have sufficed. If it worked pefectly I would love it too, but it does not read the correct level of oil all the time and that makes me feel uneasy. As the cars get older more people will complain about this.

I would also like to know, not the hard way, if the senor fails altogether will it tell us so on the dash?

Good point. Is there backup? Had a sensor fail on a Yamaha outboard and fried the engine.

Blubaron79 · 02-24-2011, 10:08 AM

My question was: If it's one notch low; is that ok?

redline2001 · 02-24-2011, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chriztofor

I agree, most people don't check their oil, but a low level light would have sufficed. If it worked pefectly I would love it too, but it does not read the correct level of oil all the time and that makes me feel uneasy. As the cars get older more people will complain about this.

I would also like to know, not the hard way, if the senor fails altogether will it tell us so on the dash?

There is a low level indicator. It comes on when you are down a quart.

creepy coupe · 02-24-2011, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

My question was: If it's one notch low; is that ok?

It's ok BB, I just had mine changed and was in the workshop under the car with the Tech. I watched him put 8.4 litres back in my engine and it still read one notch low.

He said it would be fine and anymore might overfill it, which was a lot harder to rectify.

I'd say you'll be fine

968tomr · 02-24-2011, 10:15 AM

Yes - if you are down one notch it indicates you are within tolerance. When I had a dipstick and changed my oil I would always shoot for somewhere between half full to topped off. If you add more you could easily overfill - so I would wait until you get down to 3/4 low and add half a quart (as the indicators typically show you 1 Litre from the bottom of the graphic to the top).

-Tom

m42stanle · 02-24-2011, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

My question was: If it's one notch low; is that ok?

Yes probably.

But if you're as paranoid as me why not pick up a quart from the dealer and then add it yourself 1/4 bottle at a time until the e-dipstick shows full again? $7-8 seems a pretty small price to pay if this is going to keep you up at night.

BMWsky · 02-24-2011, 10:16 AM

I can't imagine having it one notch low would cause any harm at all. Even if the car were a quart low, you'd be fine as long as oil levels didn't continue to fall. That's what I'd watch more carefully.

Blubaron79 · 02-24-2011, 10:23 AM

Cool. Thanks!

335BBS · 02-24-2011, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

My question was: If it's one notch low; is that ok?

Why would you ask here? If you get the wrong answer, then what? Try the owners manual.

Verbiage · 02-24-2011, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

My question was: If it's one notch low; is that ok?

In iDrive? Yeah man. As long as the bars are green. It should say "Engine Oil Level O.K." or something.

Lenaxia · 02-24-2011, 11:13 AM

Out of curiosity, what are the consequences of overfilling the oil? Obviously never tried it myself so dunno what it would do.

02-23-2011, 11:55 PM	#1
Blubaron79 Major Drives: '09 335 XDrive Coupe Join Date: May 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,362 iTrader: (0)	I just had my oil changed... And it's down one notch when check it after driving it home. Is this something I should worry about? I'm afraid if I go back and they top it off, they will over fill it. Isn't a little less oil better than too much oil?? __________________ '09 E92: Space Grey, Black Leather, Alum. Trim, XDrive, Premium, Sport, Nav, Sirius, Logic 7, CA, 18'', iPod, Cold, PPK.
	Tweet

02-23-2011, 11:58 PM	#2
Chriztofor Colonel Drives: '06 325i Auto Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Burbs Posts: 2,434 iTrader: (1)	Yep it can be flaky at times, check again tomorrow. BRING BACK THE DIP STICK. __________________ For most BMW problems start off by scanning your car with the BT Tool or Peake Research Tool. They contain the actual BMW codes as opposed to a generic OBII scanner. Pays for itself on the 1st scan. http://www.bavariantechnic.com/ OR http://www.peakeresearch.com/ (less expensive, but does not reset battery info)

02-24-2011, 12:12 AM	#3
Blubaron79 Major Drives: '09 335 XDrive Coupe Join Date: May 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,362 iTrader: (0)	I knew this might start the dip stick debate... __________________ '09 E92: Space Grey, Black Leather, Alum. Trim, XDrive, Premium, Sport, Nav, Sirius, Logic 7, CA, 18'', iPod, Cold, PPK.

02-24-2011, 12:13 AM	#4
Chriztofor Colonel Drives: '06 325i Auto Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Burbs Posts: 2,434 iTrader: (1)	^ __________________ For most BMW problems start off by scanning your car with the BT Tool or Peake Research Tool. They contain the actual BMW codes as opposed to a generic OBII scanner. Pays for itself on the 1st scan. http://www.bavariantechnic.com/ OR http://www.peakeresearch.com/ (less expensive, but does not reset battery info)

02-24-2011, 06:02 AM	#6
Spydeputy Brigadier General Drives: 2012,E92,335is/2008,E90,335xi Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Harford County, Maryland Posts: 3,146 iTrader: (17) Garage List 2008 335xi [0.00] 2012 335is [1.00]	There is no debate, everyone but BMW wants it. __________________ 2012, E92, 335is, Space Metal Gray, DINAN Stage 2, Helix FMIC, M Sport Pkg, Dbl Spoke 313 Wheels, Gray & Blk Leather, Conv. Pkg, Cold Weather Pkg, Prem Pkg, 7 Sp DCT, Navigation, Satellite / Harman Kardon Radio. BMW CCA Member

02-24-2011, 04:38 AM	#5
x26 First Lieutenant Drives: 335i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dante's Inferno... Posts: 327 iTrader: (0)	Go Dipstick Go!!!

02-24-2011, 09:36 AM	#10
Verbiage I swag on 'em. Drives: N54B30 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: MD Posts: 8,044 iTrader: (4)	InB4 derailed thread and [more] dipstick jokes. __________________ Peep my music shit here

02-24-2011, 10:08 AM	#13
Blubaron79 Major Drives: '09 335 XDrive Coupe Join Date: May 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,362 iTrader: (0)	My question was: If it's one notch low; is that ok? __________________ '09 E92: Space Grey, Black Leather, Alum. Trim, XDrive, Premium, Sport, Nav, Sirius, Logic 7, CA, 18'', iPod, Cold, PPK.

02-24-2011, 10:15 AM	#16
968tomr Private First Class Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: US:IN Posts: 151 iTrader: (0)	Blubaron Yes - if you are down one notch it indicates you are within tolerance. When I had a dipstick and changed my oil I would always shoot for somewhere between half full to topped off. If you add more you could easily overfill - so I would wait until you get down to 3/4 low and add half a quart (as the indicators typically show you 1 Litre from the bottom of the graphic to the top). -Tom

02-24-2011, 10:16 AM	#18
BMWsky Major Drives: 335i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Webster NY Posts: 1,243 iTrader: (1)	I can't imagine having it one notch low would cause any harm at all. Even if the car were a quart low, you'd be fine as long as oil levels didn't continue to fall. That's what I'd watch more carefully.

02-24-2011, 10:23 AM	#19
Blubaron79 Major Drives: '09 335 XDrive Coupe Join Date: May 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,362 iTrader: (0)	Cool. Thanks! __________________ '09 E92: Space Grey, Black Leather, Alum. Trim, XDrive, Premium, Sport, Nav, Sirius, Logic 7, CA, 18'', iPod, Cold, PPK.

02-24-2011, 11:13 AM	#22
Lenaxia Lieutenant Drives: 2006 330xi 6MT Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 562 iTrader: (3) Garage List 2006 330xi [0.00]	Out of curiosity, what are the consequences of overfilling the oil? Obviously never tried it myself so dunno what it would do. __________________

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