Why o' why no dipstick. . ?!

P

paulgs1000

Elite
 Newcastle upon Tyne
Anyone else wonder why BMW created an engine where you cannot see the engine oil let alone check consumption and level?

Just had a rude awakening when told that the engine needs + 1.0 L - seems a little crude to be left until this much needed?

I'm sure this must have been discussed on the forum before but how reliable is this system and can I relax?

:driving: :thumbsup:
 
How did u find out u needed a top up. ? And how do u know how much to put in

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I assume from the OP, that some engines don't have a dip stick. Any one know which ones? :?
 
AlienZed said:
How did u find out u needed a top up. ? And how do u know how much to put in

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Click to expand...
+1 my oil light has just come on but how do i know how much oil to put in ? And what oil should i be using in my 3.0si

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N52 engines i.e. 6 cyl face lifts models.

To be fair its easier to check as you can do it driving along, so you can do at anytime as long as the engine is warm.
 
If it has no dipstick and it needs topping up it tells you how much you need to put in, usually 1 litre. It's nothing to panic about, it tells you to put oil in when it gets to the lower 'dipstick' marker so still perfectly safe to drive. Only a red oil light is worth worrying about.
 
I luv my dipstick.its great.pull it out ,quick check alls ok .then push it back in again .:grin:

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si-forks said:
i have a amber light on so is that a litre

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You should only need 1 litre.

Page 87-88 of the manual. The warning lamp (the oil can symbol) lights up in yellow while you are driving. In addition, A signal sounds and a "+1.0" appears in the instrument cluster, Please refer to page 88.

The cluster of which they speak. Is the same one that shows the outside temp and fuel economy/ range just below the speedometer. The button to check your oil level is the right most button that sits in between the rev counter and the speedo and has a clock looking icon on it. The left button is what resets the trip mileage counter and has a S/R on it. Mine is a us spec 3.0Si. But I suspect yours is the same.
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9666882&postcount=4
 
I also miss a dipstick, but against that I haven't had to stick any oil (or coolant for that matter) in my 2.0L since I bought it 18 months ago and I check the oil all the time just incase.
So maybe, just maybe the lack of a dipstick sort of seals the engine casing so that the only way oil gets depleted is the minimal amount on the piston rings.
I really don't know as I'm not an engineer, but what I do know is that my Z4 is the first car I've had in 35 years that just doesn't seem to use oil.
By comparison, my Elise used to get through a litre every 5k and my wife's new beetle uses oil like an additive to petrol... :roll:
 
edd_jedi said:
If it has no dipstick and it needs topping up it tells you how much you need to put in, usually 1 litre. It's nothing to panic about, it tells you to put oil in when it gets to the lower 'dipstick' marker so still perfectly safe to drive. Only a red oil light is worth worrying about.
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Just happened to me. Love the no dipstick ! No hands to get dirty, no bonnets to open, etc. Light comes on, tell husband to go buy oil and top up engine - perfect :-)
 
Thanks all for your responses - just to be able to visually check the oil would be very reassuring.

You have convinced me that the system is workable - I have a facelift 2006 2.0l sport which has used no oil for 18 months as well, until the signal started to sound and I checked the system to find that + 1.0 L was needed. I'm just concerned that this seems a lot for a 4.5 litre oil capacity engine.

Nonetheless I think the engine is fabulous - its strong and smooth - takes everything I throw at it and just keeps operating wonderfully despite being used to its full extent time after time. Better add - god willing, touch wood etc. . . !

Not surprised it needs oil but annoyed to find out when it needed a litre rather than being able to maintain the optimal level.

All's well though - just needed to hear that others managed with the system without problem - thanks again.

:driving: :thumbsup:
 
Nondizzyblonde said:
edd_jedi said:
If it has no dipstick and it needs topping up it tells you how much you need to put in, usually 1 litre. It's nothing to panic about, it tells you to put oil in when it gets to the lower 'dipstick' marker so still perfectly safe to drive. Only a red oil light is worth worrying about.
Click to expand...
Just happened to me. Love the no dipstick ! No hands to get dirty, no bonnets to open, etc. Light comes on, tell husband to go buy oil and top up engine - perfect :-)
Click to expand...

Do you put on the sad eyed lost puppy look. That works pretty well on guys. Or do you use enticement. :titshake: Which always works. :D Either way, Well done on the no muss, no fuss top up. :thumbsup:
 
When i first got my car that was my fist conundrum!

I opened the bonnet one sunday just to routinely check the oil and scratched my head for about 5 mins looking for the dipstick!

However in nearly 4 years of ownership i have never needed to top up my oil outside of the service period.
 
Nondizzyblonde said:
edd_jedi said:
If it has no dipstick and it needs topping up it tells you how much you need to put in, usually 1 litre. It's nothing to panic about, it tells you to put oil in when it gets to the lower 'dipstick' marker so still perfectly safe to drive. Only a red oil light is worth worrying about.
Click to expand...
Just happened to me. Love the no dipstick ! No hands to get dirty, no bonnets to open, etc. Light comes on, tell husband to go buy oil and top up engine - perfect :-)
Click to expand...

To be fair, I quite like the no-dipstick as well. It just encourages you to check more often, by pressing the button just below the dials, next to S/R. I now check weekly, instead of whenever I get round to it.
 
bigdog said:
Nondizzyblonde said:
edd_jedi said:
If it has no dipstick and it needs topping up it tells you how much you need to put in, usually 1 litre. It's nothing to panic about, it tells you to put oil in when it gets to the lower 'dipstick' marker so still perfectly safe to drive. Only a red oil light is worth worrying about.
Click to expand...
Just happened to me. Love the no dipstick ! No hands to get dirty, no bonnets to open, etc. Light comes on, tell husband to go buy oil and top up engine - perfect :-)
Click to expand...

Do you put on the sad eyed lost puppy look. That works pretty well on guys. Or do you use enticement. :titshake: Which always works. :D Either way, Well done on the no muss, no fuss top up. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Ha ha, nope. He just does as he's told :wink:
 
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