Adding oil

[Anglan]

I have an E86 bought on 88k miles and was serviced on 87k miles, now sitting at 91k. I've not serviced it or ever added oil as nothing ever came up on the dash to add oil or check oil l. I just checked the oil and it said to add 1L oil according to the code on the cluster, so I added 1L of oil.

Just started the car back up and the message still reads to add 1L. I'm not sure if the sensor is faulty or was the car really low on oil? Surely if that was the case it would've warned me without me manually checking the oil level?

Don't really want to add another liter in case i overfill it, really annoying there is no dipstick on this car.

 

[mjennings23]

Don't own an N52 engined car myself, but on the N54 engined 5er my dad has, it takes a few miles after adding oil to remeasure, it only checks the levels when the engine is warmed up, running and on level ground.

 

[Smartbear]

As above, it seems common to get a lag with the electronic display after adding oil, give it a day or so & it should have sorted itself out
Rob

 

[Anglan]

Cheers lads

 

[Thrustyjust]

I topped mine up and still wouldnt show full for a few journeys !! In fact I went to my local garage and spoke to the guys that MOT my cars and they said BMW's are usually Ok, Volvo's can be a pain for the oil sensors. Weirdly, I drove off, checked the oil and said it was full !! :roll:

 

[Mr Tidy]

It was always a delayed reaction in both my E86s as well as my E91 and current E90 with the same system.

I could top it up, do a 30+ mile trip and still get the same reading, then on the way home it would eventually realise there was more oil in it!

Definitely give it some use rather than add more oil.

 

[kis]

This is why I love my M54. Get home from my drive, wait 5-10mins. Whip it out and I know exactly where I stand! Read into that what you will :wink:

 

[barnyg]

As above My E86 takes some time to readjust, definitely easy to think it needs more oil and overfill, so check it again in a few miles when the engines warmed up. I've had to do a mid-year +1 litre most years sometime between the annual services.

 

[scootr]

N52 always spot on in an hour or two
If it says add oil add it.... and wait for it to recognize the addition. No worries

 

[Rockhopper]

I'd never trust an electronic dipstick personally, check the level yourself then there is no doubt.

 

[mr.tourette]

I'd never trust an electronic dipstick personally, check the level yourself then there is no doubt.

We don't have that luxury on the n52 though as there is no dipstick

 

[Rockhopper]

Ah i see - i'd never sleep at night!

 

[Kit Mitchell]

This has been and invaluable thread, I too have just checked my oil level and after adding some oil it was still saying to add a litre. I now know not to panic and to check again after a trip round the block. Thanks so much!