Motor Oil Capacity

GAaaAR · 01-19-2009, 04:31 PM

I just got a oil change. From what the manual says, the capacity is 6.9 quarts, so I decided to put 7 quartz in thinking the last .1 quarts shouldn't make a difference. When i start my car up to check engine oil level, to my surprise the Idrive only displays 3 bars with the last bar empty. Shouldn't it show that i topped off my oil?

I have a 2009 335i if it makes a difference. When i first picked up my car from the dealer, it has always showed that I only had 3 bars with the last bar empty. I always thought that the dealership just didn't top off the oil for me. But today i realize, even when going by the manual and topping off when performing a oil change, the Idrive still only displays 3 bars. Is this normal or is something wrong with my oil sensors?

BK · 01-19-2009, 05:04 PM

I don't know about the 2009 graphic representation of the oil level, but for the older iDrive, there are 5 bars to "full," not 4. Also, keep in mind the graphic represents "the last liter," so 3 out of 5 bars would mean you're 2/5 of a liter down, nothing to worry about.

In any case, this is why not having a dipstick sucks. If you put in 7 qts and you don't see any on the ground, you're full. Take it to the dealer if it doesn't report full soon.

GAaaAR · 01-19-2009, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BK

I don't know about the 2009 graphic representation of the oil level, but for the older iDrive, there are 5 bars to "full," not 4. Also, keep in mind the graphic represents "the last liter," so 3 out of 5 bars would mean you're 2/5 of a liter down, nothing to worry about.

In any case, this is why not having a dipstick sucks. If you put in 7 qts and you don't see any on the ground, you're full. Take it to the dealer if it doesn't report full soon.

I'm not sure how many bars, I might of remembered wrong. I'll check later. But whatever the case is, I'm sure the last bar is empty. But i filled it up with 7 quarts.

E90330iS · 01-19-2009, 05:40 PM

i put 7.5 last time it still wasnt full. i think the engine can take more. 7.5 is just a safe bet

NaTuReB0Y · 01-19-2009, 05:43 PM

I've done 8 oil changes with 7 quarts each time.......and I'm always 3/4 full.

Same thing with the dealer...........

Jns2001 · 01-19-2009, 05:47 PM

Should we go with 8 quarters? Anyone has done it?

jhbodle · 01-19-2009, 05:49 PM

The sensor needs time to adjust to the new oil level in my experience. After a long-ish drive it usually changes to read full.

Neutrino45 · 01-19-2009, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jns2001

Should we go with 8 quarters? Anyone has done it?

I wouldn't do it. You should always follow what the manual says. It's bad to overfill the oil.

NaTuReB0Y · 01-19-2009, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhbodle

The sensor needs time to adjust to the new oil level in my experience. After a long-ish drive it usually changes to read full.

not true.........i've never seen mine passed the 3/4 bar............i have over 55k miles

Hoothout · 01-19-2009, 09:25 PM

i would go by the manual, or ask someone at the dealership about it next time your there

GAaaAR · 01-19-2009, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaTuReB0Y

not true.........i've never seen mine passed the 3/4 bar............i have over 55k miles

+1 before i changed my oil, I was always at 3/4 bar. Wow so this is actually common. I thought it was just me. Im surprised nobody has talked about this.

jhbodle · 01-20-2009, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaTuReB0Y

not true.........i've never seen mine passed the 3/4 bar............i have over 55k miles

Really? Always has on my E90s - straight after the oil change it would read half full, after a 30 mile drive it would reassess and say full

jaxxx · 01-20-2009, 03:33 PM

how can i check my oil level?? all mine does is say "OK"

methodtim · 01-20-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaxxx

how can i check my oil level?? all mine does is say "OK"

OMG, really? Have you even cracked open your manual?

methodtim · 01-20-2009, 03:44 PM

Oh, what the hell, I'll be nice. Here's a screenshot from something called the owner's manual. It's for cars w/o iDrive. If you have iDrive, well, go look it up yourself.

3er BMW · 01-20-2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jns2001

Should we go with 8 quarters? Anyone has done it?

8 quarts could damage the engine. The correct amount is 6.5 liters.

blue2fire · 01-20-2009, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaxxx

how can i check my oil level?? all mine does is say "OK"

LOL, you are just running a system check.

Staszek · 01-20-2009, 10:08 PM

I always fill with 7 quarts and my car shows full, not right after the change but after a nice drive it does.

jaxxx · 01-20-2009, 10:15 PM

yea did it today it it worked fine while driving the car for a bit, its topped off on the high limit

gino58 · 01-21-2009, 03:06 PM

engine needs 6.9 quarts so 7 is fine but not more than that or you damage your engine. you get an accurate reading only after driving about 5 miles not immediately after oil change. it sucks coz it means you have get off your jack or ramp to drive. so be sure to do oil change correctly (7 quarts).

smv · 01-21-2009, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GAaaAR

I just got a oil change. From what the manual says, the capacity is 6.9 quarts, so I decided to put 7 quartz in thinking the last .1 quarts shouldn't make a difference. When i start my car up to check engine oil level, to my surprise the Idrive only displays 3 bars with the last bar empty. Shouldn't it show that i topped off my oil?

I have a 2009 335i if it makes a difference. When i first picked up my car from the dealer, it has always showed that I only had 3 bars with the last bar empty. I always thought that the dealership just didn't top off the oil for me. But today i realize, even when going by the manual and topping off when performing a oil change, the Idrive still only displays 3 bars. Is this normal or is something wrong with my oil sensors?

I also have a 2009 335i. I changed my oil and filter to Mobil1 0W-40 right after the first 2,000KM. Dealer told me it takes 6.5 Ltr with filter change, 6 Ltr without. I put 6ltr only although I changed the filter. The bar was showing full always, untill I made a long highway drive at high speed/rpm for about 2hrs. After I checked the oil it was showing 3/4 level and was frigthened to see that I burned almost 1 ltr in 2 hrs drive on a brand new engine... Anyways, it never showed again since. I always drive in the city and it always shows full. I really don't understand why they replaced the oil stick with a sensor that takes 3 min at least to provide an accurate (?) reading... What was in their minds anyway? Cost savings? I wonder if a dipstick is more expensive than a sensor and computer chip associated to it....

riggzee · 02-11-2009, 01:46 PM

i drive was near "low" on graph, so I added little over 1/2 liter. now it reads o.k. "max"
the dealer says this is fine? Is there a warning if it is over filled? (2006 325i sedan)

01-19-2009, 04:31 PM	#1
GAaaAR Captain 33 Rep 671 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 335i Join Date: May 2006 Location: NYC iTrader: (1)	Motor Oil Capacity I just got a oil change. From what the manual says, the capacity is 6.9 quarts, so I decided to put 7 quartz in thinking the last .1 quarts shouldn't make a difference. When i start my car up to check engine oil level, to my surprise the Idrive only displays 3 bars with the last bar empty. Shouldn't it show that i topped off my oil? I have a 2009 335i if it makes a difference. When i first picked up my car from the dealer, it has always showed that I only had 3 bars with the last bar empty. I always thought that the dealership just didn't top off the oil for me. But today i realize, even when going by the manual and topping off when performing a oil change, the Idrive still only displays 3 bars. Is this normal or is something wrong with my oil sensors?
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01-19-2009, 05:04 PM	#2
BK Smiling politely 165 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	I don't know about the 2009 graphic representation of the oil level, but for the older iDrive, there are 5 bars to "full," not 4. Also, keep in mind the graphic represents "the last liter," so 3 out of 5 bars would mean you're 2/5 of a liter down, nothing to worry about. In any case, this is why not having a dipstick sucks. If you put in 7 qts and you don't see any on the ground, you're full. Take it to the dealer if it doesn't report full soon.
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01-19-2009, 05:40 PM	#4
E90330iS Major General 143 Rep 6,333 Posts Drives: BMW M4 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arcadia, California iTrader: (56) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	i put 7.5 last time it still wasnt full. i think the engine can take more. 7.5 is just a safe bet __________________ 2017 BMW M4 DCT Lease Transfer: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...8#post23736398
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01-19-2009, 05:43 PM	#5
NaTuReB0Y Powered By 36DD 337 Rep 7,369 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Inland Empire iTrader: (12)	I've done 8 oil changes with 7 quarts each time.......and I'm always 3/4 full. Same thing with the dealer........... __________________ 2006 E90 330i Jet Black \| 20" WORK VS-XX \| FK452 \| H&R Sport on Koni Yellow \| REMUS QUAD
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01-19-2009, 05:47 PM	#6
Jns2001 Second Lieutenant 15 Rep 269 Posts Drives: BMW 325i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sao Paulo iTrader: (0)	Should we go with 8 quarters? Anyone has done it?
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01-19-2009, 05:49 PM	#7
jhbodle Captain 144 Rep 897 Posts Drives: F90 M5 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E92 335i M-Spo ... [10.00] 2005 E90 325i SE (E ... [0.00]	The sensor needs time to adjust to the new oil level in my experience. After a long-ish drive it usually changes to read full. __________________ F90 M5 (Marina Bay Blue, M Performance Parts) Previous: F82 M4 / F20 125d M / E92 335i M Ind / E90 325i SE / E46 318i SE / E36 316i
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01-19-2009, 09:25 PM	#10
Hoothout Colonel 59 Rep 2,799 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW E92 328i Join Date: May 2008 Location: Brentwood, TN iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 e92 328i [0.00]	i would go by the manual, or ask someone at the dealership about it next time your there __________________ 2008 SG E92 328i iDrive,Premium Pkg,Sport Pkg,Cold Weather pkg,Black Dakota Leather,GP Thunder 8500k cornering,drl,and foglights, ,Blacked Out Grills,Painted Reflectors,Shadowline Emblems,Hardwired Beltronics V-995, AFE Intake, Muffler Delete, Berger tune
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01-20-2009, 03:33 PM	#13
jaxxx Second Lieutenant 32 Rep 281 Posts Drives: 440i GC Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	how can i check my oil level?? all mine does is say "OK"
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01-20-2009, 03:44 PM	#15
methodtim Brigadier General 374 Rep 3,883 Posts Drives: Audi RS Q8 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Darkness there, and nothing more iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 Audi RS Q8 [0.00] 2021 BMW X3 M40i [0.00] 2017 Toyota Tacoma [0.00]	Oh, what the hell, I'll be nice. Here's a screenshot from something called the owner's manual. It's for cars w/o iDrive. If you have iDrive, well, go look it up yourself. Attached Images __________________
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01-20-2009, 10:08 PM	#18
Staszek Schumacher 786 Rep 2,278 Posts Drives: E30 325is,E93 M3,X7M50,F06 M6 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lake Forest, IL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW M3 [9.00] 1990 BMW 325is [8.75] 2022 BMW X7 M50 [0.00] 2018 BMW M6 Gran Coupe [9.92]	I always fill with 7 quarts and my car shows full, not right after the change but after a nice drive it does. __________________
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01-20-2009, 10:15 PM	#19
jaxxx Second Lieutenant 32 Rep 281 Posts Drives: 440i GC Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	yea did it today it it worked fine while driving the car for a bit, its topped off on the high limit
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01-21-2009, 03:06 PM	#20
gino58 Enlisted Member 4 Rep 42 Posts Drives: 2006 325i zsp Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: elk grove, ca iTrader: (0)	engine needs 6.9 quarts so 7 is fine but not more than that or you damage your engine. you get an accurate reading only after driving about 5 miles not immediately after oil change. it sucks coz it means you have get off your jack or ramp to drive. so be sure to do oil change correctly (7 quarts).
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02-11-2009, 01:46 PM	#22
riggzee riggzee 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: phoenix, az iTrader: (0)	i drive was near "low" on graph, so I added little over 1/2 liter. now it reads o.k. "max" the dealer says this is fine? Is there a warning if it is over filled? (2006 325i sedan)
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