Digital dipstick

[Singapore stag]

The oil buzzer beeped today with the red symbol with the oil canister coming up briefly. I checked the oil level via the digital button. It read 1 litre required. I topped it up , and after a short driver I switched off then switched ignition on, it said oil ok.

But after having tested the level several times via the digital reader, it still read 1 litre required.
Does it take a little time to settle down ? Or does it require resetting?
I do not know much about digital dipsticks.
Cheers,
Sukhi.

 

[buzyg]

Was there no amber warning? Different system from the S54, but surely you get an amber first. :?

 

[Rich8]

It should recheck and reset itself after a short drive. It simply won't give a reading (just a clock) until the system is warm enough to give a result, so it shouldn't give a false reading saying to add oil if it doesn't need it.
So if you have driven about a bit and it still says you need to add another litre, maybe you had a lot less oil in there to start than you think u did. (I think it only had the ability to say add 1 litre, so it would say that even if you need to add 2??? - this just an assumption, ready to be corrected by those more knowledgeable).
Would be odd getting through that much oil that quick tho without it chiming up sooner. Have you checked for obvious leaks, or has it been sitting a while since you last drove ot?

 

[Singapore stag]

It should recheck and reset itself after a short drive. It simply won't give a reading (just a clock) until the system is warm enough to give a result, so it shouldn't give a false reading saying to add oil if it doesn't need it.
So if you have driven about a bit and it still says you need to add another litre, maybe you had a lot less oil in there to start than you think u did. (I think it only had the ability to say add 1 litre, so it would say that even if you need to add 2??? - this just an assumption, ready to be corrected by those more knowledgeable).
Would be odd getting through that much oil that quick tho without it chiming up sooner. Have you checked for obvious leaks, or has it been sitting a while since you last drove ot?

Hi, no leaks and driven every other day.
Thanks

 

[Smartbear]

My si used to have a delayed response to oil level adjustments, I’m pretty sure I’ve read of others experiencing the same thing. Try it a few times over the next week & I'm sure it’ll settle down
Rob

 

[enuff_zed]

Well I would give it a chance to sort itself out. Definitely don't keep throwing more litres of oil in as that'll potentially make matters worse.

 

[Singapore stag]

My si used to have a delayed response to oil level adjustments, I’m pretty sure I’ve read of others experiencing the same thing. Try it a few times over the next week & I'm sure it’ll settle down
Rob

Thanks smartbear, I think you mentioned the same in another post, so I will monitor how it goes... just put 1 litre in, so will not add anymore.
Sukhi.

 

[Mr Tidy]

It should sort itself out - my 2nd Coupe and both my 3 Series seemed to suffer from quite a delay before any top-ups registered.

 

[Singapore stag]

It should sort itself out - my 2nd Coupe and both my 3 Series seemed to suffer from quite a delay before any top-ups registered.

All ok now, digital reading 'OIL OK'. Thanks for all the advice and response.
Sukhi.

 

[Liam22]

How long does it need to register a new level? This is going to make top-ups at the track a real PITA.

 

[Smartbear]

How long does it need to register a new level? This is going to make top-ups at the track a real PITA.

I wouldn’t worry to much, if it says “add one litre” and you obey the instruction, you know it’s going to be ok no matter how long the gauge takes to catch up.
Rob

 

[Liam22]

Not really. I need to run with the sump full to avoid oil surge on long corners. Will top up as soon as it shows not full.

 

[Smartbear]

Not really. I need to run with the sump full to avoid oil surge on long corners. Will top up as soon as it shows not full.

That’s fine as well, if it says not full just add 200ml & it’s full again
Rob

 

[Liam22]

Not necessarily. If it was 350ml short then it would still show as 75% full.

I need those extra 150ml, so not being able to accurately check oil level before heading out for a 1 hour race is a real worry.

So I'd really like to know how long it takes to register a top up so that I can plan accordingly.

 

[Smartbear]

Not necessarily. If it was 350ml short then it would still show as 75% full.

I need those extra 150ml, so not being able to accurately check oil level before heading out for a 1 hour race is a real worry.

So I'd really like to know how long it takes to register a top up so that I can plan accordingly.

Without a physical dipstick you’re never going to know 100% if the oil level is on maximum unless you drain and refill the day before your track time. If it’s that critical that’s what I’d do otherwise you run the risk of being 150ml or so low
Rob

 

[Liam22]

I can come up with various coping strategies, but what I really want to know is how long it needs to register a new level?

Can I just leave it idling for an hour?
Does it need actual miles?
Or a number of key on-off cycles?

Any pointers appreciated - I'll figure it out eventually!

 

[Singapore stag]

I can come up with various coping strategies, but what I really want to know is how long it needs to register a new level?

Can I just leave it idling for an hour?
Does it need actual miles?
Or a number of key on-off cycles?

Any pointers appreciated - I'll figure it out eventually!

In my case, I did take it for a run...about 5-7 miles but it did not register the top up.
Next day I disconnected the battery to change a blown fuse, took it for a couple of miles to test the car amd then did the oil check.
It registered the top up, whether it was to do with the battery being disconnected or the time span I would not know.

 

[Liam22]

Oh, that's a good tip. Battery disconnect may help it forget - thanks!

 

[enuff_zed]

Oh, that's a good tip. Battery disconnect may help it forget - thanks!

Any chance there is a fuse that controls that without upsetting anything else?
Just wondering if you could somehow fit a switch to 'reset' it by simulating pulling the fuse?
Be easier than a battery disconnect and maybe less likely to upset anything else.
I'm no electrician, so this is just wildly stabbing in the dark.

 

[Smartbear]

I can come up with various coping strategies, but what I really want to know is how long it needs to register a new level?

Can I just leave it idling for an hour?
Does it need actual miles?
Or a number of key on-off cycles?

Any pointers appreciated - I'll figure it out eventually!

That’s still not going to help you if those 150ml are absolutely crucial, the gauge won’t register it’s at less than max until about 200ml has gone.
You could be driving around with less oil than “full” and you would never know.
The only way to be sure is to drain and refill with the correct amount.
Rob