Engine oil

bras0782 · 06-21-2008, 03:12 AM

My engine oil telltale light comes on in yellow when I switch the engine off. Checked the dip stick and the level has fallen just below the minimum.

Since my service is due in 2750 miles (the car will be 4.5yrs old and have done ~40k miles by then) I was thinking of just topping up with a bit of oil for now to get me to the service, during which I assume they will clear and re-fill the oil anyway (right?)

The manual suggest some BMW oils and ACEA A3 (European standard), but the only oil I have lying around is ACEA A1/B1-98 (API-SL/CF), 5W/30. I found this useful link which says A3 is for performance cars and A1 is fuel economy oil.

Do you think it'll matter if I top up a little with the ACEA A1/B1-98 I have at home until I go for the service in 2750 miles?

bosstones · 06-21-2008, 07:11 AM

Personally, I'd pick up some OE or recommended oil and just top it off. It's not like the oil left over in the bottle will go bad and you'll have some on-hand if you ever need to top off again in the future.

wasupdu · 06-21-2008, 09:29 AM

I'd personally just put in any old synthetic 5w30...I prefer Mobil1 myself as I've used it in all of my vehicles/bikes in the past.

Or, if you're near the dealer they should top it off for free.

OH FO SHO · 06-21-2008, 03:07 PM

my light just started coming on too... gonna stop by the dealer today to see if they can fill me up

DocRiSK · 06-22-2008, 04:42 PM

Had the same think happen about 2 weeks ago. Light would come on after I turned off the engine as well. The oil level though was fine. Took it to the dealer and they replaced a sensor and did an oil change for me to at the same time (without me asking!

).

rc'Z · 06-23-2008, 09:32 AM

An oil dip stick, what a neat idea. When did BMW stop putting in dip sticks.

06-21-2008, 03:12 AM	#1
bras0782 Enlisted Member 0 Rep 30 Posts Drives: E90 320i SE Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Engine oil My engine oil telltale light comes on in yellow when I switch the engine off. Checked the dip stick and the level has fallen just below the minimum. Since my service is due in 2750 miles (the car will be 4.5yrs old and have done ~40k miles by then) I was thinking of just topping up with a bit of oil for now to get me to the service, during which I assume they will clear and re-fill the oil anyway (right?) The manual suggest some BMW oils and ACEA A3 (European standard), but the only oil I have lying around is ACEA A1/B1-98 (API-SL/CF), 5W/30. I found this useful link which says A3 is for performance cars and A1 is fuel economy oil. Do you think it'll matter if I top up a little with the ACEA A1/B1-98 I have at home until I go for the service in 2750 miles? __________________ 2007 57 plate E90 320i SE
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06-21-2008, 07:11 AM	#2
bosstones Lieutenant Colonel 1154 Rep 1,543 Posts Drives: o_0 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Suburbia iTrader: (0)	Personally, I'd pick up some OE or recommended oil and just top it off. It's not like the oil left over in the bottle will go bad and you'll have some on-hand if you ever need to top off again in the future.
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06-21-2008, 09:29 AM	#3
wasupdu Lieutenant 25 Rep 413 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0, CLS63 AMG Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 Mercedes CLS63 ... [0.00] 2005 BMW Z4 [0.00]	I'd personally just put in any old synthetic 5w30...I prefer Mobil1 myself as I've used it in all of my vehicles/bikes in the past. Or, if you're near the dealer they should top it off for free. __________________ 2005 BMW Z4 Roadster 3.0 - Black Sapphire with Red Extended Leather / NAV / Premium & Sport Pkgs / 19" wheels / M steering wheel / Xenon 2013 Mercedes CLS63 AMG
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06-21-2008, 03:07 PM	#4
OH FO SHO Captain 15 Rep 615 Posts Drives: z4 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: california iTrader: (0)	my light just started coming on too... gonna stop by the dealer today to see if they can fill me up __________________ '03 3.0i z4: tiag ext., red int., SMG, sport, premium HAMANN exhaust l HAMANN front lip l 19" Miro type 366 (HAMANN edition race replicas) l RPI air scoop l KW v2 coilovers *-MY PICTURE THREAD-*
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06-22-2008, 04:42 PM	#5
DocRiSK Private First Class 17 Rep 195 Posts Drives: Z4MC Join Date: May 2007 Location: IL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 Z4 Coupe 3.0si [0.00]	Had the same think happen about 2 weeks ago. Light would come on after I turned off the engine as well. The oil level though was fine. Took it to the dealer and they replaced a sensor and did an oil change for me to at the same time (without me asking! ).
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06-23-2008, 09:32 AM	#6
rc'Z Captain 13 Rep 821 Posts Drives: 2009 335i Convertible Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	An oil dip stick, what a neat idea. When did BMW stop putting in dip sticks.
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