|
|
|
06-25-2013, 01:34 PM | #1 |
Brigadier General
369
Rep 3,547
Posts |
oil level measurement
Does anybody know if there is a way to check to see if the bmw electronic oil level measurement system is working? I've changed my oil twice and put in 6 quarts each time and got a "full to the max" indiction on the measurement system. So I didn't add the 7th quart. But I wonder if the measurement system may just say this regardless. I hate to leave out 2 quarts to check this theory.
__________________
128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport
Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09 |
06-25-2013, 01:40 PM | #2 |
European Editor
10604
Rep 22,992
Posts |
You should always just dump in the total amount of oil BMW says too. When you only put in 6qts the electronic gauge will read full. Even though it is not full. Only after a long drive will you see the gauge reading saying you are low on oil. At least that is what I notice with my 135i.
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-25-2013, 04:31 PM | #3 |
Lieutenant
88
Rep 524
Posts |
Dack is right on. I did my oil change last weekend and I remember reading that you need some amount of time with the car on and not accelerating hard and then off and on a flat surface to update. I just left my iDrive on the oil level sensor for a day until I saw I reading change. I had added 6 qts and it showed slightly below max after half a day of showing max right after the oil change. Added another 1/2 qt and it updated within half an hour of pretty gentle driving. Sorry I can't find my source for the conditions by which the sensor updates the reading. I'll keep looking.
__________________
'13 128i | 6MT | SGM | Black Boston | Black Gloss | Lighting | Premium | Tech | HK | Anti-Theft | [CDV-Delete | Clutch Stop | 30% Pinnacle]
Ordered 2.23 | Production Begin 3.7 | Ends 3.15 | Released to carrier 3.18 | At port 3.19 | Departed 3.23 (K-line to Brunswick) | Arrived 4.7 | Truck 4.12 | Dealer 4.19 |
Appreciate
0
|
06-25-2013, 05:06 PM | #4 | |
bimmerphile, technogeek
998
Rep 3,785
Posts
Drives: 2012 E82 6MT Sport
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: SoCal
|
Quote:
Is it weird to miss an oil dipstick?
__________________
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-25-2013, 05:58 PM | #5 |
European Editor
10604
Rep 22,992
Posts |
Its funny I just came across this video while looking around on YouTube. Even though this video is about the N63 and N63T (x50i V8TT) engine... Is it funny how the BMW oil level system does not know when TOO much oil is in there>?
This is why I believe we should not have an eDip-Stick. Give me my old fashioned dip-stick back. PS: I also miss doing top-side oil changes.
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-25-2013, 06:29 PM | #6 | |
Lieutenant
88
Rep 524
Posts |
Quote:
They've programmed it to lie. Wonderful.
__________________
'13 128i | 6MT | SGM | Black Boston | Black Gloss | Lighting | Premium | Tech | HK | Anti-Theft | [CDV-Delete | Clutch Stop | 30% Pinnacle]
Ordered 2.23 | Production Begin 3.7 | Ends 3.15 | Released to carrier 3.18 | At port 3.19 | Departed 3.23 (K-line to Brunswick) | Arrived 4.7 | Truck 4.12 | Dealer 4.19 |
|
Appreciate
0
|
06-26-2013, 10:27 AM | #7 |
Brigadier General
369
Rep 3,547
Posts |
The pdf is an interesting description of the system but doesn't really say anything about checking it for functionality. My car does not just show it is full initially but it continues to say it is full when I've added 6 quarts a day, a week, and a month afterward. It never has shown low. That is why I am concerned about whether it works.
This is my first bimmer so I am inexperienced from that standpoint but I've changed dozens of cars a year for awhile on a volunteer basis at your church. I've found the manufacturer's input on what volume of oil is necessary doesn't match up with the dipstick sometimes. That is why I have the habit of adding less and checking. Being up to 1 quart low for a few seconds, or even minutes, of operation isn't going to hurt a modern motor IMHO. But being low continuously between oil changes seems like a bad thing. Being unable to know if you are low seems even worse. I guess I am still planning to asking the dealer to look at it. Jim
__________________
128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport
Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09 |
Appreciate
0
|
08-17-2013, 09:45 AM | #8 |
Private First Class
4
Rep 105
Posts |
Just did my first oil change at 1500 miles, added six quarts of BMW oil and the gauge said 'full' so I stopped there. After two weeks and 500 miles of additional driving, the gauge showed a little low, so I added another half quart, and now the gauge shows full again.
I would rather be a little low than a little high. The gauge does show when you're a little low, but I don't know if it shows when you're a little high. Therefore, I keep track of how much oil I put in, and check the gauge periodically. Obviously a simple dipstick would make all this much more straightforward, as well as allow top-side oil extractors. Apparently eliminating the simple dipstick represents "progress" for the Germans, since Porsche did the same thing. Dave |
Appreciate
0
|
08-17-2013, 09:59 AM | #10 |
bimmerphile, technogeek
998
Rep 3,785
Posts
Drives: 2012 E82 6MT Sport
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: SoCal
|
It does.
According to the documentation, you get a "> MAX" display.
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|