Oil Gauge Question

Karl_T · 08-26-2021, 04:02 AM

Is it a simple Full, Middle, Minimum display or does it indicate the level more accurately?

I'm asking as I bought my e92 on Sunday and the gauge was showing the mid value. 350miles and four days later its asking for a litre of oil. Could it have been lower than mid way?

Ta

Karl

therealdb1 · 08-26-2021, 04:44 AM

The worst thing BMW ever did was to remove the 100% reliable dipstick and fit this stupid oil level indicator!

Firstly it only works properly if the engine is properly up to temperature and has been run for a further 3 minutes static or 5 minutes of driving. Assuming the sensor hasn't gone faulty!

Then if it decides you need oil it tells you to add a litre regardless of how much you actually need.

Of course, you then have to go through the waiting procedure all over again to determine the new oil level which may be ok or you may have overfilled it.

All because BMW believe that their customers should not be lifting the bonnet of their cars to stick a rod into the sump! It cannot have been done on cost grounds!

Karl_T · 08-26-2021, 02:35 PM

So does that mean I might not be as doomed as I think I am?
I've not seen any blue smoke.

therealdb1 · 08-26-2021, 04:38 PM

No, you may not be doomed unless it asks for a litre of oil every four days!

Leaks are more common than burning on these motors anyway. Check for puddles

0l0dom0l0 · 08-27-2021, 04:29 AM

Just top it up to max, then see how many miles before you have to add 1l again.
I've done about 7k or so since my last oil change and the electronic dip stick reckons I am half way between min and max with no top up yet.

Rich_D · 08-27-2021, 10:52 AM

It's not progressive, it just shows max, half & min, luckily my N57 330d has an actual dipstick as well, but I wouldn't throw a litre in there, keep adding until it shows max and then monitor how many miles until it drops.

Chappers 71 · 08-27-2021, 04:19 PM

The oil level sensors great, it also monitors the condition of the oil as well as the level.
I've owned my 35i for over 9 years now & have always just added 1 litre of oil when the cars asked for it. Don't get hung up on checking the level.

There's a very good thread that explains how the e dipstick works, have attached a link below.

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1533444

08-26-2021, 04:02 AM	#1
Karl_T New Member 1 Rep 8 Posts Drives: BMW E92 330i Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Oil Gauge Question Is it a simple Full, Middle, Minimum display or does it indicate the level more accurately? I'm asking as I bought my e92 on Sunday and the gauge was showing the mid value. 350miles and four days later its asking for a litre of oil. Could it have been lower than mid way? Ta Karl
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08-26-2021, 04:44 AM	#2
therealdb1 Lieutenant 106 Rep 576 Posts Drives: Graphite E93 335i Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Norfolk UK iTrader: (0)	The worst thing BMW ever did was to remove the 100% reliable dipstick and fit this stupid oil level indicator! Firstly it only works properly if the engine is properly up to temperature and has been run for a further 3 minutes static or 5 minutes of driving. Assuming the sensor hasn't gone faulty! Then if it decides you need oil it tells you to add a litre regardless of how much you actually need. Of course, you then have to go through the waiting procedure all over again to determine the new oil level which may be ok or you may have overfilled it. All because BMW believe that their customers should not be lifting the bonnet of their cars to stick a rod into the sump! It cannot have been done on cost grounds!
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08-26-2021, 02:35 PM	#3
Karl_T New Member 1 Rep 8 Posts Drives: BMW E92 330i Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	So does that mean I might not be as doomed as I think I am? I've not seen any blue smoke.
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08-26-2021, 04:38 PM	#4
therealdb1 Lieutenant 106 Rep 576 Posts Drives: Graphite E93 335i Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Norfolk UK iTrader: (0)	No, you may not be doomed unless it asks for a litre of oil every four days! Leaks are more common than burning on these motors anyway. Check for puddles
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08-27-2021, 04:29 AM	#5
0l0dom0l0 First Lieutenant 69 Rep 316 Posts Drives: BMW E92 330i Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Uk iTrader: (0)	Just top it up to max, then see how many miles before you have to add 1l again. I've done about 7k or so since my last oil change and the electronic dip stick reckons I am half way between min and max with no top up yet.
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08-27-2021, 10:52 AM	#6
Rich_D Captain 96 Rep 667 Posts Drives: E90 330d M Sport LCI Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Lancs, UK iTrader: (0)	It's not progressive, it just shows max, half & min, luckily my N57 330d has an actual dipstick as well, but I wouldn't throw a litre in there, keep adding until it shows max and then monitor how many miles until it drops. __________________ BMW E90 330d M Sport LCI in Sapphire Black
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08-27-2021, 04:19 PM	#7
Chappers 71 Major General 5525 Rep 5,440 Posts Drives: Beige G31 40ix m sport Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Kent, The Garden of England iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 G31 xdrive 40i ... [4.00] 2006 E92 335i SE [9.50]	The oil level sensors great, it also monitors the condition of the oil as well as the level. I've owned my 35i for over 9 years now & have always just added 1 litre of oil when the cars asked for it. Don't get hung up on checking the level. There's a very good thread that explains how the e dipstick works, have attached a link below. https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1533444 __________________ G31 40ix M Sport E92 335i. E36 328is coupe E39 540i V8 6SP manual E34 3.6 M5. E34 525i sport. VW Jetta Mk2 GTI 16v. 1679cc 1967 resto-cal beetle
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