Does our oil level sensor ever tell us if it's overfilled?

BimmerNugget · 10-25-2017, 04:59 PM

A few days ago, I made a thread regarding oil usage on my LCI 328i. I was worried that my car might be using more oil than normal. The oil level was roughly 1/4 of the way down from MAX after only 2,200 miles of driving since my last oil change. See pic: https://ibb.co/isGa1R After checking in with everyone on the forums, it seems like 1/4 quart usage in 2200 miles is within the normal range. No issues here then.

So I picked up a quart of Castrol Edge 0W-40 and added about 1/4 quart back into the engine to make up for that usage. I kept checking the oil level for 4 days straight, multiple times a day and the level stayed the same. (1/4 down from Max). I was beginning to wonder if I should add a little more oil....

THEN today out of no where, BOOM! The oil level showed MAX again. Why did it take this long for the oil level sensor to pick up that 1/4 quart that I added in?

Now i'm starting to think that it was never short of 1/4 quart and that I actually overfilled it by 1/4 by adding more. Was the oil sensor just messed up? Does the oil sensor ever tell you if the engine oil is over filled?

*P.S. I did check the oil level properly AKA the little clock thing popped up. To make sure it was a new reading and not an old reading.**

lukasB · 10-25-2017, 05:05 PM

it does not tell you if it's overfilled

Welcome to NBA Jam · 10-25-2017, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lukasB

it does not tell you if it's overfilled

Yes it does.

BimmerNugget · 10-25-2017, 06:17 PM

Welcome to NBA Jam Thanks! I guess mine is not overfilled after all. Its exactly at the MAX mark.

Welcome to NBA Jam · 10-25-2017, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerNugget

Welcome to NBA Jam Thanks! I guess mine is not overfilled after all. Its exactly at the MAX mark.

You're good to go! It measures in quarters. I'm not sure if it rounds up or down, but generally as long as you're within that range you're fine.

fravel · 10-26-2017, 09:09 AM

I usually don't bother topping up the engine oil between changes unless the car tells me to, that entire bar from 'min' to 'max' is within the acceptable range. Let it ride until it hits the min mark and car asks for oil, add a quart, forget about it.

lukasB · 10-26-2017, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam

Yes it does.

my bad, mine never showed it's overfilled and I am sure I overfilled it ones

ECSTuning · 10-26-2017, 01:46 PM

^You have to seriously overfill it to get the system to tell you.

-James

Efthreeoh · 10-26-2017, 03:11 PM

Just add oil when the +1Qt notification appears. Trying to out guess the e-dipstick only leads to trouble.

10-25-2017, 04:59 PM	#1
BimmerNugget Crazy Frog 543 Rep 1,212 Posts Drives: L.L.Bean Bootmobile Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: 560 State Street iTrader: (0)	Does our oil level sensor ever tell us if it's overfilled? A few days ago, I made a thread regarding oil usage on my LCI 328i. I was worried that my car might be using more oil than normal. The oil level was roughly 1/4 of the way down from MAX after only 2,200 miles of driving since my last oil change. See pic: https://ibb.co/isGa1R After checking in with everyone on the forums, it seems like 1/4 quart usage in 2200 miles is within the normal range. No issues here then. So I picked up a quart of Castrol Edge 0W-40 and added about 1/4 quart back into the engine to make up for that usage. I kept checking the oil level for 4 days straight, multiple times a day and the level stayed the same. (1/4 down from Max). I was beginning to wonder if I should add a little more oil.... THEN today out of no where, BOOM! The oil level showed MAX again. Why did it take this long for the oil level sensor to pick up that 1/4 quart that I added in? Now i'm starting to think that it was never short of 1/4 quart and that I actually overfilled it by 1/4 by adding more. Was the oil sensor just messed up? Does the oil sensor ever tell you if the engine oil is over filled? P.S. I did check the oil level properly AKA the little clock thing popped up. To make sure it was a new reading and not an old reading.*
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10-25-2017, 05:05 PM	#2
lukasB God 97 Rep 152 Posts Drives: 09 E92 N54 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	it does not tell you if it's overfilled
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10-25-2017, 06:17 PM	#4
BimmerNugget Crazy Frog 543 Rep 1,212 Posts Drives: L.L.Bean Bootmobile Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: 560 State Street iTrader: (0)	Welcome to NBA Jam Thanks! I guess mine is not overfilled after all. Its exactly at the MAX mark.
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10-26-2017, 09:09 AM	#6
fravel Colonel 1645 Rep 2,494 Posts Drives: Monaco Blue '06 330i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: The Nasti 'Nati iTrader: (1)	I usually don't bother topping up the engine oil between changes unless the car tells me to, that entire bar from 'min' to 'max' is within the acceptable range. Let it ride until it hits the min mark and car asks for oil, add a quart, forget about it. __________________
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10-26-2017, 01:46 PM	#8
ECSTuning New Lifetime Replacement Policy 821 Rep 11,738 Posts Drives: Independent Tuning Specialists Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ohio iTrader: (18)	^You have to seriously overfill it to get the system to tell you. -James
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10-26-2017, 03:11 PM	#9
Efthreeoh General 17374 Rep 18,772 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Just add oil when the +1Qt notification appears. Trying to out guess the e-dipstick only leads to trouble.
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