Checking Oil 320D

JLR1969 · 01-31-2009, 12:59 PM

This may be a daft question..but

Is is best to check the oil level using the dash computer or the dip-stick?

Reason I ask is the computer says its full and OK but when checking the dip-stick its half way between full and empty.

The car is on a level surface and the engine is cold.

Thanks again.

Carrera RSR · 01-31-2009, 01:10 PM

Engine needs to be full operating temperature and left to stand for 5 minutes. The difference between min and max is only a litre. So with your car at full temperature the oil will expand to near the max mark. Or at least be short of a 1/2 litre at the most. I'd use the dipstick to be more accurate. The computer will only show you are low when near or below the min mark

AlanQS · 01-31-2009, 02:09 PM

Guys, I have read the manual and 4 cylinder cars do not have a dipstick under the bonnet... so how the hell can you check the dipstick in a 320D!!!!?

craig stephen · 01-31-2009, 03:05 PM

my 320d has a dipstick

JLR1969 · 01-31-2009, 03:32 PM

Mine has a dip stick also, its just not obvious when looking for it

F104 · 01-31-2009, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlanQS

Guys, I have read the manual and 4 cylinder cars do not have a dipstick under the bonnet... so how the hell can you check the dipstick in a 320D!!!!?

I'd be surprised. pull off the plastic cover on top of the engine, locate the black wire going to the alternator, and your dipstick is right next to it.

You also have the steering wheel stalk to check the oil level. Best way is dipstick. Wait 15 minutes until after running and check level. Oil doesn't expand (at least not measurable for joe bloke), but it does go everywhere and needs time to go back into the sump. Also modern upside down oil filters need time to drain.

You don't want too much oil either. If the oil level in the sump is too high the crank will hit it more often (it will anyway upon accelerating./braking -that's why racing engines have dry sumps). Thus best is keeping the oil level at the minimum mark and check it often

robbie99 · 01-31-2009, 04:19 PM

Can someone upload a photo of where the dipstick is?

AlanQS · 01-31-2009, 04:29 PM

That's nice to know, but pulling off the engine cover to check the oil seems a bit O.T.T.

I'll take a guess and suggest it wasn't BMW's intention for us to check the oil that way.

JLR1969 · 02-01-2009, 05:13 AM

You do not need to remove any covers, its towards the right as you look at the engine about a foot from the back, its a black round plastic circle that just pulls off like any other dipstick

Its not obvious though unlike other manufacturers who colour them in bright colours so maybe they prefer that you use the computer instead.

Being old school I prefer to do things the old fashioned way

- Paul - · 02-01-2009, 05:14 AM

Mine only has a dipstick - no way of checking otherwise - no Idrive

rup · 02-01-2009, 07:24 AM

The new 177 320D has NO dipstick (had one so i know) the old 163 does. The car's computer tells u how much oil it has.

Thetoycollector · 02-01-2009, 08:23 AM

Confusing as my old 163ps had a dipstick, so does my 177ps (in the same place).

Right hand side behind the alternator with a black handle.

JLR1969 · 02-01-2009, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rup

The new 177 320D has NO dipstick (had one so i know) the old 163 does. The car's computer tells u how much oil it has.

Not true!!!

I have a 2008 320d E92 177BHP with efficient dynamics and it certainly has a dip stick, I checked it yesterday.

Perhaps you could not find yours, it is well hidden

doughboy · 02-02-2009, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLR1969

This may be a daft question..but

Is is best to check the oil level using the dash computer or the dip-stick?

Reason I ask is the computer says its full and OK but when checking the dip-stick its half way between full and empty.

The car is on a level surface and the engine is cold.

Thanks again.

The dipstick range is not so much 'full & empty' as 'full & very nearly full'

In the middle is spot on I'd say, but like they say - engine warm then left to stand for 5 minutes.

I must say I don't think my 330i has a dipstick.

Geoffo · 02-02-2009, 03:59 AM

My 318d also has a dipstick..Some day's It's behind the steering wheel.. I'm suffering from a lack of sleep today.

skyper · 02-02-2009, 04:57 AM

my 320d also has a dipstick keep looking it there some where

dxb335d · 02-02-2009, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoffo318

My 318d also has a dipstick..Some day's It's behind the steering wheel.. I'm suffering from a lack of sleep today.

creepy coupe · 02-02-2009, 10:30 AM

F104 · 02-06-2009, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlanQS

That's nice to know, but pulling off the engine cover to check the oil seems a bit O.T.T.

I'll take a guess and suggest it wasn't BMW's intention for us to check the oil that way.

Pulling off the plastic cover (two seond job) was only meant to make it very clear where the dipstick is, as indeed it is not that obvious.

cheers,

rado_slav · 09-30-2015, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlanQS

Guys, I have read the manual and 4 cylinder cars do not have a dipstick under the bonnet... so how the hell can you check the dipstick in a 320D!!!!?

Dude, every single vehicle has a dip-stick letting you check the oil level. You are probably not looking correctly (on my 320d 4-cil. is located approximately on the right back side of the engine). Search for an orange handle

Wish you luck finding it

bishbosh · 09-30-2015, 11:15 AM

Don't assume so rado_Slav, not every car does have a manual dipstick.

01-31-2009, 12:59 PM	#1
JLR1969 Major General 1882 Rep 7,000 Posts Drives: Kubota GR1600 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: England iTrader: (1)	Checking Oil 320D This may be a daft question..but Is is best to check the oil level using the dash computer or the dip-stick? Reason I ask is the computer says its full and OK but when checking the dip-stick its half way between full and empty. The car is on a level surface and the engine is cold. Thanks again.
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01-31-2009, 01:10 PM	#2
Carrera RSR Colonel 75 Rep 2,937 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Location: Location: iTrader: (1)	Engine needs to be full operating temperature and left to stand for 5 minutes. The difference between min and max is only a litre. So with your car at full temperature the oil will expand to near the max mark. Or at least be short of a 1/2 litre at the most. I'd use the dipstick to be more accurate. The computer will only show you are low when near or below the min mark
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01-31-2009, 02:09 PM	#3
AlanQS Colonel 243 Rep 2,811 Posts Drives: Jaguar XE P250 HSE Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 430i m-sport G ... [0.00]	Guys, I have read the manual and 4 cylinder cars do not have a dipstick under the bonnet... so how the hell can you check the dipstick in a 320D!!!!?
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01-31-2009, 03:05 PM	#4
craig stephen skyper 0 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 320d m sport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: scotland iTrader: (0)	my 320d has a dipstick
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01-31-2009, 03:32 PM	#5
JLR1969 Major General 1882 Rep 7,000 Posts Drives: Kubota GR1600 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: England iTrader: (1)	Mine has a dip stick also, its just not obvious when looking for it
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01-31-2009, 04:19 PM	#7
robbie99 Private First Class 31 Rep 113 Posts Drives: F36 420d Gran Coupé M Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Dublin iTrader: (0)	Can someone upload a photo of where the dipstick is?
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01-31-2009, 04:29 PM	#8
AlanQS Colonel 243 Rep 2,811 Posts Drives: Jaguar XE P250 HSE Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 430i m-sport G ... [0.00]	That's nice to know, but pulling off the engine cover to check the oil seems a bit O.T.T. I'll take a guess and suggest it wasn't BMW's intention for us to check the oil that way.
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02-01-2009, 05:13 AM	#9
JLR1969 Major General 1882 Rep 7,000 Posts Drives: Kubota GR1600 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: England iTrader: (1)	You do not need to remove any covers, its towards the right as you look at the engine about a foot from the back, its a black round plastic circle that just pulls off like any other dipstick Its not obvious though unlike other manufacturers who colour them in bright colours so maybe they prefer that you use the computer instead. Being old school I prefer to do things the old fashioned way
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02-01-2009, 05:14 AM	#10
- Paul - Major General 695 Rep 7,308 Posts Drives: see above. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Yorkshire, UK iTrader: (5) Garage List 2005 320D SE [10.00] 2005 645 [9.00]	Mine only has a dipstick - no way of checking otherwise - no Idrive __________________ My Photos
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02-01-2009, 07:24 AM	#11
rup Private First Class 4 Rep 171 Posts Drives: Z4 - 23 Sdrive Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: London iTrader: (0)	The new 177 320D has NO dipstick (had one so i know) the old 163 does. The car's computer tells u how much oil it has.
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02-01-2009, 08:23 AM	#12
Thetoycollector The Toy Collector 0 Rep 19 Posts Drives: 08 320D SE E90 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Margate, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 320D SE E90 [0.00] 2004 Harley-Davidso ... [0.00] 2003 Yamaha XJR1300 [0.00] 1967 Chevrolet C-10 [0.00] 1998 Chrysler Grand ... [0.00] 1971 Oldsmobile Cut ... [0.00]	Confusing as my old 163ps had a dipstick, so does my 177ps (in the same place). Right hand side behind the alternator with a black handle. __________________ 2008 BMW 320D SE (177) E90
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02-02-2009, 04:57 AM	#16
skyper Private 4 Rep 50 Posts Drives: 325 msport mineral white Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: scotland iTrader: (0)	my 320d also has a dipstick keep looking it there some where __________________
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02-02-2009, 10:30 AM	#18
creepy coupe Lieutenant General 1867 Rep 13,043 Posts Drives: BMW M340I G20 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 435d [0.00] 2009 335i [0.00]
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09-30-2015, 11:15 AM	#21
bishbosh Lieutenant Colonel 840 Rep 1,993 Posts Drives: F30 335d Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Sheffield iTrader: (1) Garage List 2014 BMW 335d [0.00]	Don't assume so rado_Slav, not every car does have a manual dipstick.
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