Be careful when adding engine oil!

[lucid]

After the break-in service, the oil indicator was one notch above the center line. At 4400, it dropped to the lower end of the range (the lower triangle) and a message came on saying "add 1 qrt". So, I went to the dealer and picked up the quart of oil for $12. I figured it would be best to add in increments since I don't want to overfill. So, I put in 1/2 qrt, and drive. It takes 15 minutes to report oil level again, and the indicator is still sitting at where it was before with the same message on. I drive around for another 15 minutes nothing changes.

Then, I add the other 1/2 qrt. It takes another 15 minutes to report, and this time all of a sudden, the oil level is all the way at max of the allowable range (the higher triangle). Luckily no overfill message. So the first 1/2 qrt has no effect (the indicator was not bottomed out to begin with, so you can't say I had no resolution at the bottom end at that point), but the second 1/2 all of a sudden moves it from the lowest to the highest allowable. That's very precise, ha?

So, my advice is to add the damn oil in 1/4 qrt increments to make sure you don't overfill if your oil ever runs low. If you overfill, you'll need to go to the dealer, and they will probably charge you $200 for an oil change.

[KonigsTiger]

Thanks much for the info Lucid!

[IWearScrubs]

this thread once again begs the question...

Why is there not a dipstick?

[Dascamel]

Why did you pay for the oil? Get freebies on oil all the time...

[lucid]

Originally Posted by Dascamel

Why did you pay for the oil? Get freebies on oil all the time...

I didn't have time to deal with finding my service guy, having him call someone downstairs, etc. I just bought it and drove to work. Not a big deal.

[nusevad]

THis is why a dipstick is FTW.

[!Xoible]

thanks man!!! my oil dropped yesterday and was thinking of adding another quart even before the message shows up, but i decided to wait. thanks!

[skierman64]

I'm at 3400 (2200 since service) and no drop yet.

[SMSgt B]

Originally Posted by skierman64

I'm at 3400 (2200 since service) and no drop yet.

When I hit 4600 miles it dropped.

[Dr. T]

Originally Posted by lucid

If you overfill, you'll need to go to the dealer, and they will probably charge you $200 for an oil change.

Curious, Why would you need to go to the dealer to drain off a bit of oil?

[lucid]

Originally Posted by Dr. T

Curious, Why would you need to go to the dealer to drain off a bit of oil?

If you've got a way to jack up the car and crawl under it to drain oil, you're probably fine. I don't. No garage. City living. Was speaking to my kind more than anything else I guess...

That is assuming the warning would go away when oil is drained, and does not require the dealer to turn off some kind of fault code electronically.

[Dr. T]

OK, thanks.

[lucid]

Originally Posted by Dr. T

OK, thanks.

It could get messy though. I don't know if you can cleanly drain "some" oil from the pan without a whole lot coming out.

[Dr. T]

Just don't remove the plug all the way. That or put in a Fumoto valve.

[cosmos515]

You guys are not so stupid to realize that the indicator says add +1 liter (not a quart) and that the oil from BMW comes in 1 quart which is 1.25 liters....I am just asking.

So when you added 1/2 a qrt and the car asked for 1 liter and then you added another 1/2 qrt, you in fact added 1.25 liters.


ps. When you go overfill you really mess up the vanos pressure unit and engines have needed replacement because of this.

[sayemthree]

the manual says if you add less than 1/2 a liter/qt. the i-drive cant get an accurate reading.

No Dipstick FTL!

[kenwelch]

Originally Posted by cosmos515

You guys are not so stupid to realize that the indicator says add +1 liter (not a quart) and that the oil from BMW comes in 1 quart which is 1.25 liters....I am just asking.

So when you added 1/2 a qrt and the car asked for 1 liter and then you added another 1/2 qrt, you in fact added 1.25 liters.


ps. When you go overfill you really mess up the vanos pressure unit and engines have needed replacement because of this.

Adding 1 quart will fill less than 1 liter. 1 qt(US Liq) = 0.946352 L
Check the oil container.

Also the S65 M3 engine does not use a high pressure pump for the Vanos units. The S65 M3 engine operates the compact double Vanos system at normal oil pressure. The S85 engine in the M5/6 uses a high pressure pump and system for the Vanos. Additional oil in the S65 M3 will not affect the Vanos system because it operates at normal engine pressure. More oil in the sump does not raise the system operation pressure.

Overfilling the engine can cause other problems....like leaks and oil use, and others.

[lucid]

Originally Posted by cosmos515

You guys are not so stupid to realize that the indicator says add +1 liter (not a quart) and that the oil from BMW comes in 1 quart which is 1.25 liters....I am just asking.

So when you added 1/2 a qrt and the car asked for 1 liter and then you added another 1/2 qrt, you in fact added 1.25 liters.

The indicator did not say add 1 liter. It said add 1 qrt. And as other have mentioned, 1 qrt is not 1.25 liters.

[booforty]

Who you calling a dipstick? lol

[rai]

where else can I get the oil for the M3? My jack-ass dealer didn't give me any.

This may be the lsat BMW I buy if this oil and no-dipstick becomes and issue for me. I live 40 minutes from a dealership I need extra trips there like I need a hole in the head.

[sayemthree]

when they overfilled mine - i noticed higher than normal oil temps , 20 minutes before I finally got an i-drive reading.

[southlight]

Originally Posted by lucid

So, my advice is to add the damn oil in 1/4 qrt increments to make sure you don't overfill if your oil ever runs low. If you overfill, you'll need to go to the dealer, and they will probably charge you $200 for an oil change.

Had a similar experience. Added half a liter with the bc reading of 1/4 over minimum and the oil level didn't change at all. But my conclusion is to wait till the indicator tells to add 1l (or 1 qrt) and then doing just that and add exactly 1l (or qrt). Otherwise you have filled up but confused the reading.


Best regards, south