oil level measurement

JimD · 06-25-2013, 01:34 PM

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.

Dackelone · 06-25-2013, 01:40 PM

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.

Mach1er · 06-25-2013, 04:31 PM

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.

bmw1racer · 06-25-2013, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

When you only put in 6qts the electronic gauge will read full. Even though it is not full.

That's kooky...

Is it weird to miss an oil dipstick?

Dackelone · 06-25-2013, 05:58 PM

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.

Mach1er · 06-25-2013, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

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.

They've programmed it to lie. Wonderful.

JimD · 06-26-2013, 10:27 AM

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

dm135is · 08-17-2013, 09:45 AM

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

jordantii · 08-17-2013, 09:51 AM

Also remember that you are not draining all of the oil from the sump and especially the oil cooler.

bmw1racer · 08-17-2013, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dm135is

I don't know if it shows when you're a little high.

It does.

According to the documentation, you get a "> MAX" display.

06-25-2013, 01:34 PM	#1
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	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
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

06-25-2013, 04:31 PM	#3
Mach1er Lieutenant 88 Rep 524 Posts Drives: '13 128i Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	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 Quote

06-25-2013, 05:58 PM	#5
Dackelone European Editor 10539 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	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. __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-26-2013, 10:27 AM	#7
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	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 Quote

08-17-2013, 09:45 AM	#8
dm135is Private First Class 4 Rep 105 Posts Drives: 2013 135i 6MT M Sport Coupe Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (0)	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 Quote

08-17-2013, 09:51 AM	#9
jordantii First Lieutenant 115 Rep 337 Posts Drives: M2 Sea Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tampa Bay iTrader: (0)	Also remember that you are not draining all of the oil from the sump and especially the oil cooler.
	Appreciate 0 Quote