Engine oil at minimum level?!

[theshiningnova]

Did a bit of google search and couldn't find a similar situation reported :O

My car's engine oil at minimum level warning came up after the end of a drive coming home from work when I shut the engine off. The engine oil indicator is yellow and shows the oil at the MIN level. The lamp has come up at least 1 other time the day before so I was gonna call the dealer to schedule a free top up once I get into work next day.

After driving my car for 30mins to work the next day, I did not get an oil level warning. The oil indicator also shows green and at the MAX level!!! What gives?

I live in New Hampshire which is pretty cold right right now and park outdoors. 0-20F temp range, would this has any effect on the oil level sensor?

[JimD]

Temperature should not affect the oil level sensor but you can ask the dealer to check it out. Mine shows max level after an oil change when I add 6 quarts of oil. It is supposed to hold 7. I asked the dealer to check it and he said it is fine. Mine did not vary as yours is, however, which seems more suspicious. I bet you wish you had a dipstick.

Oil level too high is a problem as is oil level too low. So adding based upon an uncertain indication could actually hurt something. I'd get it checked out.

[davis449]

Let me throw another wrench into the gears here. My car parks on a slight incline at work and sits there 9-11 hrs. a day. If I let the car run longer than about 1.5 mins. in it's parked position after a full day of work, the critically low oil warning message displays. It will do this for about 20-30 mins. of driving and then turn off right about the time I arrive home and, then, I will never see it again unless the same action is repeated. Car has a verified (we measured at the last oil change) 6.75 quarts in it. Right at recommended fill level.

[mr.fabulous]

Interesting stuff. The oil level sensor in an N55 is one unit at the bottom of the pan, 12617607910. What I cannot say is how it works, nor what the car's computers need from it to determine overall level?

[mr.fabulous]

Originally Posted by mr.fabulous

Interesting stuff. The oil level sensor in an N55 is one unit at the bottom of the pan, 12617607910. What I cannot say is how it works, nor what the car's computers need from it to determine overall level?

I should research before I write. The Bently E90-E93 manual has a good description of oil condition sensor operation on p119-8. If you're getting erratic readings, perhaps it's time to replace the thing? $200-ish for the part, it seems.

[ShocknAwe]

Be better if we just had a fucking dipstick.

[mr.fabulous]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Be better if we just had a fucking dipstick.

No shit. Two things I swore I'd never do: [1] buy a car with no spare tire, [2] buy a car with no dip stick. Oooops.....

[Overpar56]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Be better if we just had a fucking dipstick.

From the BMW perspective, a dipstick doesn't break so there goes future service revenue.

[BrokenVert]

Did you get the light when facing downhill? From my experience the car oil starves slightly when the nose is pointed down an incline. I guess the pickup or sensor are near the back of the pan.

[cbl117]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

Did you get the light when facing downhill? From my experience the car oil starves slightly when the nose is pointed down an incline. I guess the pickup or sensor are near the back of the pan.

1+++

I live on a hill and park on a hill. If I start my car in the morning and let it sit there until the electronic dipshit is done doing it thing my oil level is low. I can drive off and it corrects itself in a few minutes or turn off the car and let it measure again. Either way it fixes itself.

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by cbl117

1+++

I live on a hill and park on a hill. If I start my car in the morning and let it sit there until the electronic dipshit is done doing it thing my oil level is low. I can drive off and it corrects itself in a few minutes or turn off the car and let it measure again. Either way it fixes itself.

My driveway is inclined, its the only reason why I know that fact. Haha

Forgot to note that BMW says in the owners manual that the oil level sensor is only accurate on level ground when the car is stationary.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by mr.fabulous

No shit. Two things I swore I'd never do: [1] buy a car with no spare tire, [2] buy a car with no dip stick. Oooops.....

LOL, one more strike and you're out.

Originally Posted by Overpar56

From the BMW perspective, a dipstick doesn't break so there goes future service revenue.

That is spot on.

[davis449]

Thanks for the confirmation BrokenVert and Cbl117 of exactly what I though was the case with the sensor. To answer the question, yes. I really didn't think such a slight incline (at least that's how I see it) would really affect it.

[theshiningnova]

wow thanks for all the reply

I did park where the nose is pointing slightly down hill but it would be a bit surprising to see the level jump from MIN to MAX. Plus I was getting the warning after having driven for 30 mins, got home and just shutting off the engine, not when I first start the engine and let it calibrate when the car is still pointing downhill.

It didn't happen to me again for the last 2 days. I guess I'll bring it in if it shows low oil again.

[davis449]

Originally Posted by theshiningnova

wow thanks for all the reply

I did park where the nose is pointing slightly down hill but it would be a bit surprising to see the level jump from MIN to MAX. Plus I was getting the warning after having driven for 30 mins, got home and just shutting off the engine, not when I first start the engine and let it calibrate when the car is still pointing downhill.

It didn't happen to me again for the last 2 days. I guess I'll bring it in if it shows low oil again.

What I've done since then is start the car and make sure I am moving within 1 min. Haven't seen the oil light since and levels always check out ok.