Got the very low engine oil warning. How much should I add?

deshields · 08-26-2012, 11:47 AM

Got the warning but still have a lot of driving to do today

How much engine oil should I add?

Without stirring a debate which oil should I use? 5w30 is what I last heard but which one? Castrol syntec? Mobil 1? This is going to be added to whatever is still in the engine right now from the factory

Thanks!!

CarJunkie · 08-26-2012, 11:57 AM

Is this regarding an M3? Your profile would suggest so.
1M would need 1 quart if the low oil warning has come on, but you should try the M3 forum or look in your owners manual.

deshields · 08-26-2012, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarJunkie

Is this regarding an M3? Your profile would suggest so.
1M would need 1 quart if the low oil warning has come on, but you should try the M3 forum or look in your owners manual.

Sorry, yes this is in regards to the 1m

Notion-Za · 08-26-2012, 12:24 PM

Make sure the car was parked on a flat piece of road. I had my light come on twice during my break in period because the car was parked on a slant.

Otherwise add a bit, drive, measure and repeat.

deshields · 08-26-2012, 12:27 PM

Thanks.

Does this look like the right one to get? (5w30 weight)

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/secti...tentId=7067038

torquedemon · 08-26-2012, 12:45 PM

you can use either one...castrol or mobil 1....as long as its 5w30. As for the amount you should add...my 1M actually said "engile oil low, please add 1 quart"

Dee Pee · 08-26-2012, 01:57 PM

Take it to the dealer and it will be taken care of for free.

ayao · 08-26-2012, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deshields

Got the warning but still have a lot of driving to do today

How much engine oil should I add?

Without stirring a debate which oil should I use? 5w30 is what I last heard but which one? Castrol syntec? Mobil 1? This is going to be added to whatever is still in the engine right now from the factory

Thanks!!

The BMW approved LL-01 oils are:
-Castrol Syntec Euro Formula SAE 0W-30
-Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40
-Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30
-BMW synthetic 5W-30

Ky1M · 08-26-2012, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee Pee

Take it to the dealer and it will be taken care of for free.

Yes and get some free chips and drink!! Why not its included we all paid for it!

ozinaldo · 08-26-2012, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayao

The BMW approved LL-01 oils are:
-Castrol Syntec Euro Formula SAE 0W-30
-Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40
-Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30
-BMW synthetic 5W-30

This.

fun2k · 08-26-2012, 10:37 PM

Becarefull not to add too much.Mine was showing as add 1L but i only put 300ml and it was at max again.That was at 1200km now at 3600km the oil level is at midpoint between the max and min.

mikewills · 08-26-2012, 11:01 PM

Mine said to add a quart, so I added 1 quart.

b33g33 · 08-27-2012, 10:03 AM

Mine asked for a quart of oil and a 'something fun to do'.

So, I took it to the dealer for oil and then gave it a flogging.

I'm writing up the details (poorly) and will call it Fifty shades of BS&M.

///M1 · 08-27-2012, 10:26 AM

Man, I still can't get used to not having a dipstick. Every time I look at the digital display is shows me 'max'. I wonder what the tolerance level is, how much of fluid it actually takes to go from Max to Mid level, and in fact one can be above the Max by a bit but it will still show Max...

1978.530i · 08-27-2012, 11:28 AM

Very timely post.

My low oil indicator just came on for the first time. 1 quart low.

Since October I have put just under 5,000 miles on the car. I did the 1,200 mile maintenance on schedule.

Normal or cause for concern?

Thanks!

Artemis · 08-27-2012, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///M1

Man, I still can't get used to not having a dipstick. Every time I look at the digital display is shows me 'max'. I wonder what the tolerance level is, how much of fluid it actually takes to go from Max to Mid level, and in fact one can be above the Max by a bit but it will still show Max...

Noticed that oil level info on the OBC display (the one you can call up with the vertical button on the turn indicator lever) ain't accurate. With my 1M, "Vehicle Information" on SATNAV shows that oil is at mid level, unlike the OBC display.

Tom K. · 08-27-2012, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by torquedemon

you can use either one...castrol or mobil 1....as long as its 5w30. As for the amount you should add...my 1M actually said "engile oil low, please add 1 quart"

Mobil 1 5w30 is NOT approved by BMW although their 0W40 is approved.

Why not simply get a couple of spare quarts of BMW branded 5w30 from your dealer?

Tom

MDORPHN · 08-27-2012, 03:00 PM

Motul 8100 XMax 5W40 is also BMW LL-01 approved.

Neil

1978.530i · 08-27-2012, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1978.530i

Very timely post.

My low oil indicator just came on for the first time. 1 quart low.

Since October I have put just under 5,000 miles on the car. I did the 1,200 mile maintenance on schedule.

Normal or cause for concern?

Thanks!

Bump. Anyone?

mikewills · 08-27-2012, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1978.530i

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1978.530i

Very timely post.

My low oil indicator just came on for the first time. 1 quart low.

Since October I have put just under 5,000 miles on the car. I did the 1,200 mile maintenance on schedule.

Normal or cause for concern?

Thanks!

Bump. Anyone?

Mine did the same....exactly at 5k miles. I'm not worried, though.

CarJunkie · 08-27-2012, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1978.530i

Bump. Anyone?

Me too, I went 1 quart down within 4000 miles of my 1200 mile run-in service and was a bit concerned, but the car runs great. The oil consumption seems to have slowed down considerably now, probably due to the rings getting seated in. The e-dipstick does seem to be inaccurate at times, making it hard to be sure. Slanted surfaces definitely throw it off.

I changed the oil at 6000 miles and have put on 2000 miles including back roads blasts (800 in the past two days) as well as 2 autocrosses and just started to show 1/4 down from max yesterday. That would mean 1 quart per 8000 miles of aggressive driving, which seems perfectly normal for a turbo car.

1978.530i · 08-28-2012, 05:58 AM

Awesome, thanks guys!

08-26-2012, 11:47 AM	#1
deshields Private First Class 9 Rep 122 Posts Drives: 2009M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Modesto iTrader: (0)	Got the very low engine oil warning. How much should I add? Got the warning but still have a lot of driving to do today How much engine oil should I add? Without stirring a debate which oil should I use? 5w30 is what I last heard but which one? Castrol syntec? Mobil 1? This is going to be added to whatever is still in the engine right now from the factory Thanks!! __________________
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08-26-2012, 11:57 AM	#2
CarJunkie Colonel 2616 Rep 2,819 Posts Drives: e82 1M, f87 M2cs Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Tri-Cities, Washington iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 M2cs [0.00] 2011 BMW 1M [0.00]	Is this regarding an M3? Your profile would suggest so. 1M would need 1 quart if the low oil warning has come on, but you should try the M3 forum or look in your owners manual.
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08-26-2012, 12:24 PM	#4
Notion-Za Second Lieutenant 28 Rep 293 Posts Drives: '16 M4 ZCP Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	Make sure the car was parked on a flat piece of road. I had my light come on twice during my break in period because the car was parked on a slant. Otherwise add a bit, drive, measure and repeat. __________________ 2016 M4 ZCP 2018 Ford Ranger WildTrak 3.2
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08-26-2012, 12:27 PM	#5
deshields Private First Class 9 Rep 122 Posts Drives: 2009M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Modesto iTrader: (0)	Thanks. Does this look like the right one to get? (5w30 weight) http://www.castrol.com/castrol/secti...tentId=7067038 __________________
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08-26-2012, 12:45 PM	#6
torquedemon Lieutenant 21 Rep 404 Posts Drives: BSM 1M Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Earth iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 Honda Civic [0.00] 2011 BMW 1 Series M ... [0.00]	you can use either one...castrol or mobil 1....as long as its 5w30. As for the amount you should add...my 1M actually said "engile oil low, please add 1 quart"
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08-26-2012, 01:57 PM	#7
Dee Pee Captain 176 Rep 795 Posts Drives: '11 AW 1M, ‘24 718 GTS Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	Take it to the dealer and it will be taken care of for free.
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08-26-2012, 10:37 PM	#11
fun2k New Member 4 Rep 29 Posts Drives: Bmw 1M Join Date: May 2009 Location: Dubai iTrader: (0)	Becarefull not to add too much.Mine was showing as add 1L but i only put 300ml and it was at max again.That was at 1200km now at 3600km the oil level is at midpoint between the max and min.
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08-26-2012, 11:01 PM	#12
mikewills Captain 66 Rep 971 Posts Drives: Ducati Hypermotard Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: DMV iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 Duc 848 [0.00]	Mine said to add a quart, so I added 1 quart. __________________ BMWCCA #454364
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08-27-2012, 10:03 AM	#13
b33g33 Give '///M' Hell! 125 Rep 1,325 Posts Drives: Einser Rex Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	Mine asked for a quart of oil and a 'something fun to do'. So, I took it to the dealer for oil and then gave it a flogging. I'm writing up the details (poorly) and will call it Fifty shades of BS&M. __________________ The 1 series M is the most badass, coolest, sickest BMW to debut since the 1988 M3. The E30 M3 finally has a successor. Please welcome the stupidly fast, wickedly tempered, awkwardly named, possibly perfect little son of a benchmark - Automobile Magazine, August 2011
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08-27-2012, 10:26 AM	#14
///M1 Brigadier General 273 Rep 3,164 Posts Drives: Many Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: North of 7K RPM iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 BMW M2 CS [0.00] 1994 Audi RS2 Avant [0.00] 2021 Audi RS6 Avant [0.00] 1988 BMW E30 M3 [0.00] 2011 BMW 1///M [0.00] 2017 BMW F80 M3 30 ... [0.00] 2018 Porsche 991.2 GT3 [0.00] 2015 Porsche Macan ... [0.00] 1998 Porsche 993 C4S [0.00] 1994 Lancia Delta I ... [0.00] 2008 Audi RS4 [0.00]	Man, I still can't get used to not having a dipstick. Every time I look at the digital display is shows me 'max'. I wonder what the tolerance level is, how much of fluid it actually takes to go from Max to Mid level, and in fact one can be above the Max by a bit but it will still show Max... __________________ *2011 BMW E82 1///M: AW, all options; Renntech, Akrapovic, Forge, P3, RevoZ CF bits, many mods 1988 BMW E30 M3: Hennarot, S14, stock 2018 Porsche 991.2 GT3: PtS, CXX, LWBS, PCCB 1998 Porsche 993 C4S: Zenith Blue, last aircooled widebody, Bilstein PSS10, Fister II + Fabspeed exhaust 2008 Audi B7 RS 4*: Sprint Blue, Audi Exclusive Euro Bucket Interior, Premium+Titanium, many mods
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08-27-2012, 11:28 AM	#15
1978.530i First Lieutenant 13 Rep 335 Posts Drives: BSM 1M Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Tybee Island, Georgia iTrader: (0)	Very timely post. My low oil indicator just came on for the first time. 1 quart low. Since October I have put just under 5,000 miles on the car. I did the 1,200 mile maintenance on schedule. Normal or cause for concern? Thanks!
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08-27-2012, 03:00 PM	#18
MDORPHN Colonel 291 Rep 2,898 Posts Drives: AW 1M Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Wash, DC iTrader: (0)	Motul 8100 XMax 5W40 is also BMW LL-01 approved. Neil
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08-28-2012, 05:58 AM	#22
1978.530i First Lieutenant 13 Rep 335 Posts Drives: BSM 1M Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Tybee Island, Georgia iTrader: (0)	Awesome, thanks guys!
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