Check oil level message

Noka · 5th April 2002, 06:07

BMW tech says only necessary to keep between lower and upper dipstick marks (i.e. not necessary to bring all the way to upper mark). I have noticed the check oil level OBC message comes on if the oil level is about 1/8" or so above lower mark. At this point I added a little bit. Is it normal for message to come up before oil reaches lower mark? (Again, I checked level with car warm and 15/60 sec procedure in manual).

BTW it's an '01 (9/00 build) and used about 1qt in 2500 mi.

Rgds,
Norm

livenupe · 5th April 2002, 07:24

My experience has been that the "Check Oil Level" comes on when the oil is a quart low...miraculously not a bit over the lower mark on the dip stick.

greg · 5th April 2002, 07:26

It would be normal if your checking procedure isn't by the book - warm engine, wait 60 seconds after shutdown to check.

I do NOT recommend letting your oil get down the last 1/8 anyway. In my car, anything within 1/4 of the lower mark makes a difference in how long it takes to get initial oil pressure when cold, and that is in turn directly related to how long the VANOS rattles for lack of oil pressure. When I start with full oil, the rattle is only a second or less.

Noka · 5th April 2002, 12:48

Thanks guys. I do check 'by the book'. I'll also ask BMW tech next week when I have it in for service.

Rgds,
Norm

MarkM5Lauderdale · 5th April 2002, 13:24

Thanks for putting that together for us Greg. I never noticed the relation to the Vanos noise in the morning to lower oil levels.

Digi · 5th April 2002, 17:10

It is better to err on the low side, rather than overfill the engine with oil.