Oil Check

[step_change]

Hi all,
Checking my oil (none dipstick), dashboard says OK, as per photo below.
However, I expected the right hand square bracket "]" to be over to the rightmost segment.....????

Next inspection is in 6000 miles according to dash display. I got the car 800 miles ago and the last oil service from previous owner was 10000 miles ago last May. MOT is this May. I was originally thinking of getting oil changed at the May MoT on one garage visit (very good Indy). However, I don't think it would hurt getting it done now. What do you guys think please?

 

[nick_l]

Whenever I get a new car I ignore the service interval and get one done as soon as I can. Its more a peace of mind thing so I know its all tickety-boo.

 

[Fox889]

Never too early to do an oil change!

 

[bmwaddict]

Whenever I get a new car I ignore the service interval and get one done as soon as I can. Its more a peace of mind thing so I know its all tickety-boo.

Great advice, always do quite a thorough service as soon as you get a car (I did an oil change and then an inspection 2 after 6 months) as you don't know how it's been looked after.

 

[Smartbear]

Hi, your oil level is nearly 1litre down from looking at the display, you're right, the ] symbol should be at the far right with the oil at max level.
As already mentioned get the oil changed-10k is a long enough interval imho
Rob

 

[Scooba_Steve]

From my own experience each graduation is 200ml and ideal is one to the left of fully right. DIY, a full change will cost you less than £50 and I've never incorrectly filled, unlike the two times I've paid a 'professional' to do it...

 

[Smartbear]

From my own experience each graduation is 200ml and ideal is one to the left of fully right. DIY, a full change will cost you less than £50 and I've never incorrectly filled, unlike the two times I've paid a 'professional' to do it...

Why would you aim for one notch below max?
Rob

 

[step_change]

So that indicator just shows the "top" one liter in the oil system then? I thought it showed the oil content in absolute terms - i.e. from empty to full.....

Thanks guys, a local, highly recommended Indy will do it for me for £100 including filter. Not worth me even getting dirty. I am getting it done and an inspection next Thursday.

Thanks for the information guys!

 

[Smartbear]

So that indicator just shows the "top" one liter in the oil system then? I thought it showed the oil content in absolute terms - i.e. from empty to full.....

Correct, id be worried if I was topping up with 6 litres of oil!
Rob

 

[step_change]

So that indicator just shows the "top" one liter in the oil system then? I thought it showed the oil content in absolute terms - i.e. from empty to full.....

Correct, id be worried if I was topping up with 6 litres of oil!
Rob

 

[Any1else]

Whenever I get a new car I ignore the service interval and get one done as soon as I can. Its more a peace of mind thing so I know its all tickety-boo.

+1

Indy did oil and filter for £80 for me. Well worth it for the peace of mind.

 

[Chris_D]

Who at bmw thought getting rid of the dipsstick was a good idea? Drrrr

 

[step_change]

What type of oil would one of these cars need? I supposed gone are the days you'd pick up 4 litres of "Liquid Engineering" from Halfords or ASDA £15?!

What oil tends to be used nowadays?

 

[Smartbear]

What type of oil would one of these cars need? I supposed gone are the days you'd pick up 4 litres of "Liquid Engineering" from Halfords or ASDA £15?!

What oil tends to be used nowadays?

Fully synthetic 5w30, 10w40 etc-there's endless threads on oil viscosity choices :roll:
Rob

 

[Mr Tidy]

OP, when it gets to the furthest mark on the left it will probably also be flashing the low oil level warning light at you!

BMW always used to use Castrol, but switched to Shell a year or two ago. Someone told me this came about because Castrol wouldn't supply it in a container that didn't have the Castrol logo on it!

As mine haven't had a change for a while I'm still topping up with Castrol Edge Fully Synthetic - Facelift Z4s need the one that meets BMW LL (Long-life) 04 and the back of the bottle will tell you if it does. Strangely enough my local Tesco sells it, but Asda is a bit cheaper.

Obviously there are plenty of other options too!