THE LARGEST BMW 2-SERIES FORUM ON THE PLANET
2Addicts
2Addicts
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
2Addicts | BMW 2-Series forum Technical Topics Mechanical Maintenance and TSBs: Break-in | Oil & Fluids | Servicing | TSB Low Oil Warning

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      07-20-2015, 11:07 AM   #1
Kidu
Private First Class
United_States
55
Rep
162
Posts

Drives: 2015 M235i EBII, RWD, 6spd
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Denver CO

iTrader: (0)

Low Oil Warning

Hi all!

This is my first BMW so please pardon me if I am being ignorant
My 235 is about 8 months old and it has a little less than 5K miles on it (I had been down with a bad back for a few months). Anyway, yesterday, I got the "Engine Oil Low - Add 1 quart of oil as soon as possible" message. Is this normal? Is my car burning oil?
I have broken it in very carefully and because of my still-healing back, I havent driven it hard either.
I have had an Acura TSX and a Honda Accord before and this has never happened on those - they were fine until the next oil change and I never had to add oil (let alone have the light come on) in the 20 plus years I had them.

Any advice will be very much appreciated!
Thank you!
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2015, 11:19 AM   #2
BMWZ4
Major General
BMWZ4's Avatar
1904
Rep
5,097
Posts

Drives: '23 X1/'23 Allroad Progressiv
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (1)

I had to add a quart around 8k kms. Car is now at 11k kms and haven't had to add any since that first time. I'm not qualified to say if it's normal, although my dealer says yes.
__________________
'11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
Appreciate 1
      07-20-2015, 11:22 AM   #3
zkeeper
Captain
zkeeper's Avatar
United_States
206
Rep
602
Posts

Drives: 2017 M2 & 08 Z4 si
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: BimmerHaven

iTrader: (0)

Interesting indeed!! I have never had this in my BMW's with several recent new ones. or with 2ffer. It could be:
1. Not filled enough when you got it? Doubt that completely though. BUT I guess it could happen when dealer prepped it.

2. Doubt if sump bolt is not tight...but that could be also. If you have not seen a leak on floor, then that's probably not the culprit.

3. Could be a malfunction in the computer reading things inside, and giving a faulty signal. If that was case, then it would not be good to overfill an already full oil sump.

My best counsel is take immediately to dealer, or call them. I would not drive it a long distance a qt. low but if you are close, you would be OK.

Add the proper oil and definitely get in touch with them, then log it, with miles and date after contacting them, and watch it carefully. It is definitely unusual.
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2015, 11:53 AM   #4
nike001
Captain
United_States
312
Rep
818
Posts

Drives: 2018 718 Cayman
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: US

iTrader: (2)

My previous 330i was babied from the get-go from my previous owner and it was fantastic..everything was basically like-new. That said, it was babied so much that he never revved it and it burned 1qt every 1,000 miles.

These cars aren't meant to be babied. Our cars/engines are given their tolerances from the factory so they are said to not need a 'break-in' period. I took it easy the first 400-500 miles and since then I've been driving it how I'd normally drive it.

"A redline a day keeps the mechanic away"
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2015, 12:03 PM   #5
Cyberdemon
Brigadier General
Cyberdemon's Avatar
1538
Rep
3,332
Posts

Drives: 2020 X5 40i, 2018 M3 Comp
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Long Island NY

iTrader: (3)

Turbo motors are more likely to burn oil. Keep an eye on it, hard to say whether it is normal or a problem. Most manufacturers have a tolerance on this where it is still "Acceptable" to "Consume" 1 quart per 1000mi.
__________________
Current: '20 X5, '18 M3 ZCP
Previous: '11 E90 335i, '11 E90 M3, '16 VW GTI, '15 M235i, '13 335i, '08 TL-S, '00 Corvette
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2015, 12:05 PM   #6
scrape1
Second Lieutenant
70
Rep
229
Posts

Drives: '14 228i M Sport, '04 X3 3.0i
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Northeast

iTrader: (0)

A lot of BMW engines burn some oil.
1 qt for 5000 miles isn't bad.
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2015, 01:24 PM   #7
Kidu
Private First Class
United_States
55
Rep
162
Posts

Drives: 2015 M235i EBII, RWD, 6spd
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Denver CO

iTrader: (0)

Thanks guys, I called the dealer and have an appointment for Friday. Am leaving town tomorrow, so I dont plan to drive it till then even though the dealer said a few more miles should not be a problem.
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2015, 01:35 PM   #8
Liquidpaper
Captain
Liquidpaper's Avatar
United_States
450
Rep
845
Posts

Drives: '15 M235i
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2015 BMW M235i  [0.00]
It's normal. I'm at 16k miles and have had to add oil twice -- once at around 5k miles, and then again at around 12k I think. Don't sweat it.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2015, 02:26 PM   #9
Kidu
Private First Class
United_States
55
Rep
162
Posts

Drives: 2015 M235i EBII, RWD, 6spd
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Denver CO

iTrader: (0)

Phew! Mechanic said it was normal as well, but I kinda trust you guys a little more :-)
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2015, 02:30 PM   #10
krhodes1
Colonel
1413
Rep
2,519
Posts

Drives: 2011 328i Wagon
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Westbrook, Maine, Port Charlotte, Florida

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2011 128i  [10.00]
2011 BMW 328i Touring  [10.00]
Keep in mind - these engines hold nearly *8* quarts of oil. Being a single quart low is insignificant - the car is nice enough to tell you at that point. They hold that much oil to allow the long oil change intervals, not because they somehow need it to provide proper lubrication.

I would concur that a quart in 4-5K on brand new engine is more than acceptable. That is exactly what my 328i did when new, and it would now use about 1/2 quart per 10K miles if it ever went that far in a year. Usually about 1/4 quart low on the display when it gets its annual oil change, which has been about 5K per year for the past several years.
Having owned MANY turbo cars over the years, I would expect to add a bit of oil now and again.
__________________

'11 328! Touring - Tasman on Chestnut, 6spd manual, factory upside-down "i" option
'11 128i Convertible - Space Gray on Savannah Beige, 6spd manual,
also '14 Mercedes-Benz E350 wagon, '95 Land Rover Discovery, '74 Triumph Spitfire
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2015, 02:39 PM   #11
Zooks527
Captain
310
Rep
886
Posts

Drives: 2015 M235xi / 2005 Tacoma 4x4
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mansfield, MA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by krhodes1 View Post
Keep in mind - these engines hold nearly *8* quarts of oil.
Well, the fill capacity is ~6.5 liters, so nearly *7* would be more correct.

That being said, there's enough headspace in the crankcase to add 8 quarts of oil without tripping the high level alarm. I had a dealer overpour on one of my changes back on my 335.
__________________
2015 M235xi coupe, Black Sapphire Metallic, Black Leather, Fineline Stream trim, Steptronic, xDrive, ZPP, ZTP, ZCW, ZDA, ZDB, 5DP, hk w/BimmerTech amp, Enhanced BT

Prior 40 years: 67 BelAir wagon / 68 LeMans Tempest / 70 Mustang Mach 1 / 72 El Dorado / 78 Corvette / 81 Subaru GL wagon 4WD / 83 s10 Blazer 4x4 / 85 Bronco 4x4 / 96 Bronco 4x4 / 04 Passat 4mo / 09 BMW 335xi
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2015, 03:01 PM   #12
krhodes1
Colonel
1413
Rep
2,519
Posts

Drives: 2011 328i Wagon
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Westbrook, Maine, Port Charlotte, Florida

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2011 128i  [10.00]
2011 BMW 328i Touring  [10.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zooks527 View Post
Well, the fill capacity is ~6.5 liters, so nearly *7* would be more correct.

That being said, there's enough headspace in the crankcase to add 8 quarts of oil without tripping the high level alarm. I had a dealer overpour on one of my changes back on my 335.
There is easily another quart in there that you won't get out in a normal oil change - oil cooler, head, etc. But either way, that is a TON of oil for a smallish engine. My 4.6L Rover V8 only takes 5 and a bit on a change. I wouldn't take it on a racetrack a quart low, but I would have no issues with driving it around normally.
__________________

'11 328! Touring - Tasman on Chestnut, 6spd manual, factory upside-down "i" option
'11 128i Convertible - Space Gray on Savannah Beige, 6spd manual,
also '14 Mercedes-Benz E350 wagon, '95 Land Rover Discovery, '74 Triumph Spitfire
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2015, 03:29 PM   #13
G-Mann
Captain
G-Mann's Avatar
413
Rep
678
Posts

Drives: M4CX
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Texas

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kidu View Post
Hi all!

This is my first BMW so please pardon me if I am being ignorant
My 235 is about 8 months old and it has a little less than 5K miles on it (I had been down with a bad back for a few months). Anyway, yesterday, I got the "Engine Oil Low - Add 1 quart of oil as soon as possible" message. Is this normal? Is my car burning oil?
I have broken it in very carefully and because of my still-healing back, I havent driven it hard either.
I have had an Acura TSX and a Honda Accord before and this has never happened on those - they were fine until the next oil change and I never had to add oil (let alone have the light come on) in the 20 plus years I had them.

Any advice will be very much appreciated!
Thank you!
I would not be alarmed and it certainly would not hurt to check your oil level at regular intervals. I had to add 1 quart which is not bad for 1yr and 11,800 miles when my oil change occurred.

Did your TSX and Accord go such long distances between oil changes? Back in the day we would change every 3k miles or 3mths vs 12k or 1yr, which might account for not having to add oil in between changes?
__________________

2022 M4 Comp X
2021 M440ix - Sold
2015 M235 - Sold
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2015, 04:14 PM   #14
Pyewacket69
Second Lieutenant
Pyewacket69's Avatar
76
Rep
288
Posts

Drives: 2014 M235i
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: South Carolina USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by nike001
My previous 330i was babied from the get-go from my previous owner and it was fantastic..everything was basically like-new. That said, it was babied so much that he never revved it and it burned 1qt every 1,000 miles.

These cars aren't meant to be babied. Our cars/engines are given their tolerances from the factory so they are said to not need a 'break-in' period. I took it easy the first 400-500 miles and since then I've been driving it how I'd normally drive it.

"A redline a day keeps the mechanic away"
The BMW Owner's Manual does indeed state a vehicle "break-in" period.
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2015, 04:26 PM   #15
Orenji
Enlisted Member
Orenji's Avatar
26
Rep
41
Posts

Drives: 2015 m235i
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Ann Arbor

iTrader: (0)

Every new car should be driven soft to break it in for a thousand miles or so, regardless of manufacturer or what your owners manual says.

I would also strongly recommend an oil change at 1200 to 1500 miles.

Then drive it like you stole it.

Turbo motors do burn more oil and it's not uncommon to have to add. It's not a horrible idea to have it looked at the first time you get the message though. I would.
Appreciate 0
      07-27-2015, 03:31 PM   #16
EEBreh
Second Lieutenant
123
Rep
241
Posts

Drives: "M" 235i
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: US

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by nike001 View Post
My previous 330i was babied from the get-go from my previous owner and it was fantastic..everything was basically like-new. That said, it was babied so much that he never revved it and it burned 1qt every 1,000 miles.

These cars aren't meant to be babied. Our cars/engines are given their tolerances from the factory so they are said to not need a 'break-in' period. I took it easy the first 400-500 miles and since then I've been driving it how I'd normally drive it.

"A redline a day keeps the mechanic away"

Wrong. Please see this thread. http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1128783

I varied the RPMS a lot on my car. I kept it under 3500 for the first 500, 4k until 1,000 and then I introduced WOT...Raised it to 4500 at 4.5k and I constantly was shifting/varying RPMS. Changed the oil at 1,500 miles. I now have ~4k and I have burned zero oil according to the electronic dipstick. I bring it up to high RPMs often once it is warmed up and I let it idle approximately 30 seconds before I shut it off.
Appreciate 0
      07-27-2015, 08:18 PM   #17
nike001
Captain
United_States
312
Rep
818
Posts

Drives: 2018 718 Cayman
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: US

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by EEBreh View Post
Wrong. Please see this thread. http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1128783

I varied the RPMS a lot on my car. I kept it under 3500 for the first 500, 4k until 1,000 and then I introduced WOT...Raised it to 4500 at 4.5k and I constantly was shifting/varying RPMS. Changed the oil at 1,500 miles. I now have ~4k and I have burned zero oil according to the electronic dipstick. I bring it up to high RPMs often once it is warmed up and I let it idle approximately 30 seconds before I shut it off.
Oh how nicely you disagreed with me, so much so as to say that you're without a doubt right on the subject and there is no other way around it.

These car's aren't Porsche's. I agree with keeping it easy because the car does need to get used to RPM's but there is no foolproof proven way of breaking in an engine - there are hundreds of ways to break an engine in. My personal way of breaking my car in can be right too.. if you're solely going off of burned oil at 4,000 miles (which I'm currently at as well). Saying that is foolish - your break in won't be proven right or wrong until you near 100,000 miles of regular use. I agree with taking it easy for the first 1,000 miles but it's also said that high load, higher gear WOT pulls to ~4,500RPM help seat your rings as well.

Hell, you'll still get people saying the ideal break in is with dino oil with very low rpm, just as you'll get people saying ideal break in is driving it like you stole it. Just because Porsche said it doesn't make it 100% right, it's just their way they've found to be the best. Thousands of people drive N55 engines off BMW lots with no word or care for break-in, and BMW knows this. These engines are mass-made engines for the masses, not one-off race/performance engines. No need to be such a dick about it.
Appreciate 1
      08-07-2015, 03:38 PM   #18
spun
Private
spun's Avatar
Canada
7
Rep
56
Posts

Drives: 2010 135i
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Vancouver B.C.

iTrader: (0)

I just wrote my 2010 135i off (N54) (140,000kms) so I don't have it anymore
I could never bring myself to wait as long as BMW told me to change the oil
I did it every 10,000kms instead of the 20,000kms they recommended.

That being said, there was not one time that I did not have to add at least 1 quart of oil betwen changes.

If your burning oil you want to look into a walnut shell blasting when your at like 40,000-60,000 kms (i think its in and around 30,000 miles)
Get it done routinely and have them change the plugs at the same time, plugs are not warranty and take a lot of labor to get gone but most of that labor is covered under the blasting which is warranty so you end up getting most of the labor on the plug change for free.
Appreciate 0
      02-01-2016, 11:12 PM   #19
pjohns21
Private First Class
29
Rep
195
Posts

Drives: 2016 EB-II/CR 228i xDrive
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Chicago, IL

iTrader: (0)

The best part of trying to find BMW spec oil at every 1k miles is going to an auto store and having them turn pale and start sweating when you try to purchase fully synthetic oil.
Appreciate 0
      02-11-2016, 06:47 AM   #20
msginnie
Private
United_States
8
Rep
53
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Tuscon

iTrader: (0)

Hi Kidu,
It might be discrepancy from dealers. Oil might not be sufficient at the time of delivery. You must visit dealers at the earliest and discuss with them. It might also because of leakage.
Appreciate 0
      02-23-2016, 11:12 PM   #21
mcompact
Second Lieutenant
mcompact's Avatar
United_States
119
Rep
213
Posts

Drives: 2014 M235i
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: KY

iTrader: (0)

My ti uses a quart every 2,500 miles, while the X3 is down 0.5 quart at the 7,500 mile change. Haven't had the 2er long enough to find out if it uses any oil. In any event, I wouldn't sweat 5,000 miles per quart oil consumption at all.
__________________
2014 M235i
2015 X1 xDrive28i M Sport
2009 Cooper Clubman
1999 Wrangler Sahara
1995 318ti Club Sport
Appreciate 0
      03-02-2016, 03:59 PM   #22
rdgray
New Member
0
Rep
17
Posts

Drives: 2015 M235i
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Naples, FL

iTrader: (0)

Have you tried switching oils? for what its worth, mine has never burned a drop of oil after changing it with redline 5w30.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:07 AM.




2addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST