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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Mechanical Maintenance: Break-in / Oil & Fluids / Servicing / Warranty > Oil level question



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      10-06-2012, 01:40 PM   #1
9352e90
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Oil level question

For the past month my oil level indicator has been showing "OK" at the level of 1/4 above min, or -.75 qt. The other day I dropped to min so I went to the dealer and bout a quart. As suggested by other forums I didn't add a full quart but instead added half a quart. Just took the car for a quick drive to check the level and it still shows that its at min. There is no oil leaking anywhere. Does this suggest a faulty sensor, or should I give it a day or two to adjust. I know the sensors are rather temperamental, if they would just give us a dipstick. Any thoughts? thx
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      10-06-2012, 01:48 PM   #2
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I'd give it a while to adjust. I know when I added a quart to mine a few changes back, it didn't show up as full until after a day or so.
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      10-06-2012, 11:25 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andrew_b View Post
I'd give it a while to adjust. I know when I added a quart to mine a few changes back, it didn't show up as full until after a day or so.
Thx, drove a bit later in the day and it did adjust to -.5 (half way between min and max) good thing I waited and didn't add more.
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      10-07-2012, 01:15 AM   #4
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Yep you have to drive it two to three times

Yep you have to drive it two to three times and get an average
or reading on three separate days at standard air temperature and pressure
while driving on a level surface before you can have any confidence in
what it's telling you.
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      10-07-2012, 07:36 AM   #5
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The manufacturer provides explicit instructions on when to add engine oil. The e-dipstick does not act exaclty like a direct-reading dipstick. The e-dipstick is part of the engine oil lubrication/quality and VANOS valve control system and plays a more advanced role than just measuring the oil level in the engine. When the system indicates "+1QT" it means add a full quart, not less than a full quart. You need to understand that the system expects you to add a full quart as instructed by the owners manual.
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      10-07-2012, 09:42 AM   #6
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So should I add another 1/2 quart. I also read that sometimes you can overfill it by adding a whole quart at once, because it only measures at a .25 qt level of accuracy.
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      10-07-2012, 12:02 PM   #7
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This thing make me crazy mucho crazy

This thing make me crazy mucho crazy

Because there is no real verification of whats in the motor.
It gives an interpretation of whats in the motor.
And its the friggin motor.
I think the safe thing is to add a little at a time when you are topping off
though since its digital there is some segmentation error. My Indy puts in 7.5 quarts and it just reads full. The dealer puts in 7 and it reads full . It goes a little further before reading low from the Indy and so far no problems .
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      10-08-2012, 12:17 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 9352e90 View Post
So should I add another 1/2 quart. I also read that sometimes you can overfill it by adding a whole quart at once, because it only measures at a .25 qt level of accuracy.
So, ive had my car for 191K. On the times its need oil ive added a full single quart of oil. Just add a full quart and stop trying to outguess the engineering.
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      10-08-2012, 12:31 PM   #9
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Just had my oil changed at my indy and it now shows only 1/4 above min. I can't blame my indy for not being able to outsmart the electronics when there's no damn dipstick.
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      10-08-2012, 12:39 PM   #10
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7-7.5, even if it doesn't read at max, it won't cause harm if you change it regularly, twice a year.
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