Oil Level?

[jmr_70]

Hi guys, when I checked my oil level today it read around 1/3, then it said "ok" I checked it while I was driving, but isn't 1/3 a little too low? What does your read?

[Si-M240i]

I keep mine on max, when it drops to 3/4 I add 250mls straight away and it goes back to max.

I have used 3/4 Ltr in the 1st 7200 miles. I would normally be a little concerned, but when you consider it has run in with this and will burn more oil over the first few 000 miles, then I would guess I am using less oil now.

[jmr_70]

My 1 currently has only 2690kms, and I can't see any leaks and I don't feel or hear anything unusual so I hope it's nothing serious. I'll top it up and keep an eye on it over the next few days. The dealer says it is normal, but i'm still concerned..it just seems too low.

[esses]

That is a bit low, I would add more. No need to worry about leaks, doesn't your 3 have an insatiable appetite for oil too? All my BMWs have.

[baseballbreath]

Yeah I was wondering about the same thing. I was on my trip back to AL from PA and the car dinged at me saying to add 1 quart of oil. I couldn't believe it because I only have 6k miles on it. I knew I wanted to changed the oil soon but I couldn't believe it burned a quart in 6k. Is this a normal thing?

[Lester]

Mine got close to the low point at 10,000 Km (6,200 miles). This seems to be normal. I changed it instead of adding.

[baseballbreath]

Originally Posted by Lester

Mine got close to the low point at 10,000 Km (6,200 miles). This seems to be normal. I changed it instead of adding.

Yeah i'm about to, I ordered the kit yesterday. I had no other choice but to add because I was in the middle of a 900 mile trip.

[Lester]

Originally Posted by jmr_70

Hi guys, when I checked my oil level today it read around 1/3, then it said "ok" I checked it while I was driving, but isn't 1/3 a little too low? What does your read?

Keep in mind - the 1/3 does not mean it is 1/3 full (or 2/3 empty if you prefer). What it means is that in the range on 'MIN' to 'MAX' - you are about 1/3. MIN would be 6 quarts of oil in the engine, and MAX is 7 quarts. When you get to 'MIN' - your engine is down about a quart. At your curent reading, adding about 1/2 quart would be ok. You're better off being a pint short (at the 1/2 mark) than a pint over. Too much oil is not good for an engine.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by Lester

Keep in mind - the 1/3 does not mean it is 1/3 full (or 2/3 empty if you prefer). What it means is that in the range on 'MIN' to 'MAX' - you are about 1/3. MIN would be 6 quarts of oil in the engine, and MAX is 7 quarts. When you get to 'MIN' - your engine is down about a quart. At your curent reading, adding about 1/2 quart would be ok. You're better off being a pint short (at the 1/2 mark) than a pint over. Too much oil is not good for an engine.

Exactly. The engine is fine anywhere in that operating range.

[jmr_70]

Originally Posted by esses

That is a bit low, I would add more. No need to worry about leaks, doesn't your 3 have an insatiable appetite for oil too? All my BMWs have.

You're right, it does, but it's getting old so I kind of expect it now from the 3. I'm going to go with what Lester said and add 1/2 quart tomorrow. Thanks for the info everyone.

[fshowcars]

Originally Posted by baseballbreath

Yeah I was wondering about the same thing. I was on my trip back to AL from PA and the car dinged at me saying to add 1 quart of oil. I couldn't believe it because I only have 6k miles on it. I knew I wanted to changed the oil soon but I couldn't believe it burned a quart in 6k. Is this a normal thing?

This happened to me around 7k miles... I was shocked but added some oil and it's good to go.