On my way home earlier on a flat road i pressed the Oil button and it showed 1/2 full (3.0si), i popped to Halfords and ive put in about 2.5-3 Litres. Funny thing is, its still showing Half full? Is this common or do i have a fault somewhere - i might just need to take it for a long run maybe? :?
How much Oil?
- Thread starter nick_z4
- Start date
I think you've put in way way too much oil there, are you certain about how much you put in?
If it's showing at minimum you should only need to add a litre. If you've really added 3 litres, I'd seriously think about getting it drained and refilled. Is it going through the full measurement? If memory serves it can take 3 minutes to get a reading. Mine has a dipstick, so I just check it the old fashioned way.
Have you driven it since you filled it up?
If it is showing at minimum level on the dipstick you should start by adding about half a litre first, then some more if required after it has settled.
If it is showing at minimum level on the dipstick you should start by adding about half a litre first, then some more if required after it has settled.
nick_z4 said:So the indicator, is that not showing the level for the whole system i.e 6.5 litres?
Or is it just to show you when to add say a litre, i.e when its at the bottom, you just top up 1 litre? If its this then ive added way too much and will get it drained tomorrow
Ive just read the manual and if its at minimum it says to add 1 litre immediately (I guess this is just so it doesnt seize!), i dont think this has a bearing on the indicator measuing the last litre in the engine but for the whole engine (6.5 litres)
So given that its 6.5 litres in total and the indicator was half way, would 2.5-3 litres not be ok?? Also, it didnt run through the 3 min cycle but just read instantly and surely it should have the O next to it if there's an overfill??
Stuart Truman said:
Ive just read my handbook and it doesnt say anything about low to high being 1 litre, just that if its on low you should add at least a litre immediately (I presume to stop it seizing). Surely having just a 1 litre range would be daft and especially with this having a bearing on the low oil warning light coming on.
The low to high must be for the whole 6.5 litres surely?
ranski said:
I agree! Wish it had a dipstick, technology should be a good thing lol
I'll call the Stealers in the morning and if the low to high is the for the whole engine (6.5 litres) then adding in a few from a half measure reading should be fine. But if its just the last litre then it will need a drain.
And, also why is it not flagging an overfill with the O indicator or something more than half way.....
It also says "Do not add the maximum amount of 1 US quart/1 liter of engine oil until the warning lamp lights up in the instrument cluster, refer to page 85, or until the oil level monitor shows "+1.0"."
No dipstick and relying on electronics is dumb (that's aimed at car manufacturers and not you) Too much oil can cause damage as can too little. I don't have the electronic system so I can't tell you for sure whether it's the full qty or the standard min/max that you'd get on a real dipstick.
I'd strongly suggest putting in a call to your nearest dealer in the morning and ask them the question.
No dipstick and relying on electronics is dumb (that's aimed at car manufacturers and not you) Too much oil can cause damage as can too little. I don't have the electronic system so I can't tell you for sure whether it's the full qty or the standard min/max that you'd get on a real dipstick.
I'd strongly suggest putting in a call to your nearest dealer in the morning and ask them the question.
jan_tekin said:
I dont think it has been overfilled now;
From reading the manual, the add 1 litre sign comes on when its at minimum and can arise from 2 situations:
1. The lamp comes on
Engine oil level
The warning lamp lights up in yellow while you are driving. In addition, a sig- nal sounds and "+1.0" appears in the
instrument cluster, refer to page 93.
The oil level is at the absolute minimum; refill as soon as possible. Do not drive more than
125 miles/200 km before refilling.
or
2. The check reveals
Oil level down to minimum:
Add 1 US quart/1 liter of engine oil as soon as possible, refer also to Adding engine oil.
Theres no other instance when it would ask you to add just 1 litre.
Nick If you definitely think you've put in 2.5 to 3 litres I don't think I would drive it at all without speaking to them first, just in case - too much oil can be as bad as not enough.
Wondermike said:
2nd that, it can cause Hydraulic lock in the engine, the oild need room to move around hence why it is important to not only enure you have enough in but also that there is not too much in.. i agree dont move the car, get a mobile mechanic out if your not sure on how to drain the oil out.
Thanks all, ive spoken to BMW and indeed i have overfilled! The electronic system "measures the whole engine but reports 1 litre from low to high on the dashboard".
I get why they've done it like that to keep it topped up but they could explain it clearer in the manual.
Given that ive driven about 2 miles with it and its parked near to a garage they said it should be fine. Im going to get it drained this morning
I get why they've done it like that to keep it topped up but they could explain it clearer in the manual.
Given that ive driven about 2 miles with it and its parked near to a garage they said it should be fine. Im going to get it drained this morning
Glad it worked out and nothing went pop. It's bad enough when something fails from lack of maintenance, it would be too much to think something went pop because you were trying to look after your car!
