Oil level reading

[murphybarnes]

Hi all. New member here. Just acquired a 2005 2.0 SE in Maldives blue. Will post pics when I can figure it out. Problem is lifting the bonnet and realising there is no dip stick. From reading through posts I figured out how to get the reading up on the binnacle. Making sense of it is another matter. Due to lack of pics it looks something like this. [==]--1. With the word oil to the right.
Some old school hieroglyphs I hope someone can decipher.
I've used equal signs between the brackets but they are further apart in reality. Thanks.

 

[murphybarnes]

Actually that number 1 could just be a vertical bar!

 

[Smartbear]

Hi, If the level is correct the display will say "oil ok" it sounds as though yours is saying to add 1 litre :?
Rob

 

[srhutch]

Hi, If the level is correct the display will say "oil ok" it sounds as though yours is saying to add 1 litre :?
Rob

I think it has two bars left so don't add any oil.

[=====] full
[==---] 2/5

It will tell you when you need to add 1 litre. It will beep and a yellow indicator will light when you turn the engine off.

 

[murphybarnes]

Wow. Quick response. Still a bit confused. Bear in mind this is our first BMW and obviously Z4. Only picked it up today so steep learning curve. Went from MG TF to this amazing machine so I'm going through emotions ranging from 'HOLY S☆☆☆' to 'WTF'.
Any links would be appreciated as the manual was not with the car.

 

[srhutch]

Here you go, a link to the manual in my dropbox

Page 86 refers to oil level

https://www.dropbox.com/s/evalz4esmkbv498/2006_Z4_Roadster.pdf?dl=0

 

[murphybarnes]

Thanks for that.
Bit off with the last graphic. It's like this:
[=]--| oil.
Just one set of horizontal bars within the brackets. No ok sign. Or for that matter 1.0 or plus minus signs.

 

[srhutch]

Can you take and post a picture up?

 

[murphybarnes]

I have a pic but posting pics on forums defeats me. Phone or ipad but no pc. Is there a sticky?
Frustrating I know but it is basically as posted, just one set of horizontal bars between the brackets followed by two hyphens and a vertical bar then the word oil on the right hand side. I'm guessing it's OK as I'm going to service it myself next week.
This is where further noob questions arise.
1. Oil type and capacity.
2. Any tricky basic servicing issues or is it all straightforward?
I think that's it. Been an exhausting 24hrs.

 

[srhutch]

Oil spec in the link I posted above,but as long as it BMW LL04 approved you will be fine.

 

[ChrisN53]

Without wishing to hi-jack the thread...quick question. Did an interim oil service today. Measured the oil out - filled 3x 2l bottles and a bit (in line with my expectations of 6.5l total capacity). I then proceeded to top up with 6l on new oil. I let the car get up to temperature and the oil indicator read oil OK but only 3 of 5 bars full. Again, I would expect this as I needed to top off with 0.5l.

Anyway, I added exactly 0.5l in so total oil used was 6.5l, but the oil indicator is still only reading 3 of 5! I'm not too concerned, as the readout says "OK", but why is it essentially under reporting? Does it need time to reset or something?

Cheers.

 

[murphybarnes]

Soz. Can't help you Chris. It's all Greek to me. Interesting though as about to do the same next week. Possibly some vids on You Tube about resetting. Turning ignition and holding buttons.
I guess they're all Eurovision fans as it's all gone quiet.

 

[srhutch]

Mine used to give odd readings once in a while. Can't beat a proper dipstick in some ways.

 

[TR4man]

I was going to suggest to the OP that he goes on eBay and buys an owner's manual, but crikey I never realised they were so much! The average price seems to be £50.00ish.

 

[srhutch]

I was going to suggest to the OP that he goes on eBay and buys an owner's manual, but crikey I never realised they were so much! The average price seems to be £50.00ish.

The link I posted is free :wink:

 

[ChrisN53]

Hopefully it sorts it's self out. I don't want, or technically need, to add more oil.

 

[cherrym]

My oil reading was 2bars last monday before I went off to Scotland so I put 1/2 a litre in.The reading stayed at 2 bars/OK untill I had driven the car for about 1/2 an hour.
I checked it whilst driving and the reading had gone up to 1 bar below full so it does take time to reset.

 

[ChrisN53]

Definitely does take time to reset. After a drive, it is now showing all bars and OK

 

[murphybarnes]

https://www.flickr.com/gp/95289592@N04/145627

 

[murphybarnes]

Hope this works. A pic should be above.