Burning Oil, and Oil service reading

[tnawab]

Hey guys,

Just woundering if anyone else noticed that the oil level in their car is dropping once they hit around 10K (Km's) about 6K miles?

I used the on board computer monitor and im about 1/4 way below max. Just woundering if this is normal.

Also, under the service screen on the computer, is the oil change reported in how many kms/mls you have left before one, or its the abosolute value?

T

[FreeBMW.net]

Yea, thats ok. Most of my BMW';s have used about 1 qt of oil between oil services. You can go to the dealer anytime and they will top it off for you for free.

BMW corp stance is ridiculous as to consumption but they say 1 qt every 1000 miles is ok

[tnawab]

Ya that is soo strange.

What about the service reading. Is that milage value how much you have left before oil change or the milage at which you should do the oil change?

[FreeBMW.net]

the service indicator is millage left UNTIL the service will be required.

[pit1]

I burned through a quart or so in the first 3K miles. Since then, after first oil service and another 5k miles, it hasn't moved a bit.

I saw a thread on here somewhere, a member spoke with a tech regarding the break-in oil and whether or not to change it at 1,200. The tech insisted NO, that the oil from the factory was designed to burn off and assist setting.

Not sure I buy it, but a remote possibility.

My E46 burned a quart every 900 miles, BMW said, "that's normal" haha yeah for a tractor.

[srcstc]

My E46 never needed topping off between oil changes. A quart ever 900 miles is insane.

[adc]

My 335 seems to burn about 1 qt. every 3-4000 miles. To be fair, it did include 2 track days.

[IDBMW]

My Z4 started to consume a quart of oil every 5K miles and when I ask the dealer they said something like 4 quarts between oil changes. It started about 5K miles and stopped about the 15K service. I park on a shinny garage floor so I know it was not leaking. After adding two quarts between 5K miles and 15K miles I never added oil between 7500 mile oil changes anymore.:iono:

[jbenington86]

Yeah Yeah I know this is an old topic but to go along with the OPs second question. I have put 10k miles on my 1 and my oil level monitor shows 100% full. That is not my concern. My real concern is my mileage indicator to my next service. The computer says that I have 16k miles until my next oil service....... with 10k miles on the car for some reason I dont think that is correct.... I have never changed the oil nor have I taken the car in for service at all... So it impossible for the oil monitor to have had the milage reset on accident...... : Is there a possibility that there is something wrong with the computer in the car? Im pretty sure I know what to do... Just consult BMW on this issue.... What does everyone else think?

I see the search function didnt work so well....

[singular]

Originally Posted by jbenington86

Yeah Yeah I know this is an old topic but to go along with the OPs second question. I have put 10k miles on my 1 and my oil level monitor shows 100% full. That is not my concern. My real concern is my mileage indicator to my next service. The computer says that I have 16k miles until my next oil service....... with 10k miles on the car for some reason I dont think that is correct.... I have never changed the oil nor have I taken the car in for service at all... So it impossible for the oil monitor to have had the milage reset on accident...... : Is there a possibility that there is something wrong with the computer in the car? Im pretty sure I know what to do... Just consult BMW on this issue.... What does everyone else think?

I see the search function didnt work so well....

With 10K on and the computer telling you 16K to go until service - I would take it in right away and have them take a look. There might be other serious problems with the computer (like incorrect oil level) that could eventually result in damage.

[Tom K.]

What kind of driving are you doing?

I had the oil changed at 3,000 (on my on dime) and didn't have the countdown reset. Now, after 13,000 miles of mostly highway & back road driving, my countdown reads 12,000 - for a total of 25,000 indicated for the first change! So it does seem like the countdown is a bit sluggish, but I don't share Singular's concern about a malfunction.

Of course, since BMW free maintenance allows an oil change after one year, I'll have mine changed at that time which will be at about 15,000 miles - or 12,000 since the previous change.

Tom

[jbenington86]

Originally Posted by Tom K.

What kind of driving are you doing?

I had the oil changed at 3,000 (on my on dime) and didn't have the countdown reset. Now, after 13,000 miles of mostly highway & back road driving, my countdown reads 12,000 - for a total of 25,000 indicated for the first change! So it does seem like the countdown is a bit sluggish, but I don't share Singular's concern about a malfunction.

Of course, since BMW free maintenance allows an oil change after one year, I'll have mine changed at that time which will be at about 15,000 miles - or 12,000 since the previous change.

Tom

oh yeah and also i picked up my car on may08 and the computer says may10 for the yearly change......

[jbenington86]

ok correction i just went out and checked and now my vehicle says 15k or may10.........

Called BMW service advisor said 13k-18k sounds about right depending on driving style but a total of 25k no good bring it in........never taken my car to the shop before

also what should i do IF the oil level was dangerously low to the point of damaging the engine? I need some advice nothing like this has every happened to me before because I had a dipstick to check my oil on my own and never had a computer tell me how far to drive my car before an oil change.

What are the chances of getting a totally screwed up comp?........

[Tom K.]

Since you got your car in May, 08, then should be able to get the free oil change in May of this year - in spite of the erroneous computer programming (check with your dealer).

If the oil sensor reports a low oil level before you have it changed, simply top it off - preferably with BMW branded 5w30 synthetic. If you are worried about a low level not showing up on the computer, there will be an "INACTIVE" message displayed, indicating a defective oil level sensor. (See p.177 of the owner's manual, p. 211 if you have iDrive).
Tom

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by jbenington86

also what should i do IF the oil level was dangerously low to the point of damaging the engine? I need some advice nothing like this has every happened to me before because I had a dipstick to check my oil on my own and never had a computer tell me how far to drive my car before an oil change.

One advantage to the electronic dipstick is that the car can check the oil level for you. It checks it very often, and if you get a quart low, you'll get an alarm telling you.

My car was at the 20k mile mark before it indicated the first oil change. When it was brand new it said the first one would come due at 18k miles, but it extended it from there. Do you do a lot of highway driving?

Once they had changed it the first time, the indicator started at 15k miles. I haven't added it up to see how far it's calling for now, because I haven't driven it much over the last few months.

[gtaday51]

Almost all cars when broken in properly will burn a bit of oil in the process.

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by gtaday51

Almost all cars when broken in properly will burn a bit of oil in the process.

That hasn't been the case with my last 4 cars - all BMW sixes (non-turbo). They were broken in by the book and never had to have oil added between changes, including my current daily driver E46 with 90,000 miles.
Tom

[jkp1187]

Originally Posted by jbenington86

ok correction i just went out and checked and now my vehicle says 15k or may10.........

Called BMW service advisor said 13k-18k sounds about right depending on driving style but a total of 25k no good bring it in........never taken my car to the shop before

also what should i do IF the oil level was dangerously low to the point of damaging the engine? I need some advice nothing like this has every happened to me before because I had a dipstick to check my oil on my own and never had a computer tell me how far to drive my car before an oil change.

What are the chances of getting a totally screwed up comp?........

Why don't you just change the oil and filter yourself - right now? It isn't that hard. That way, you can see for yourself just how much oil was left in there. You can always take the car in for the free BMW oil change later.

[gtaday51]

Originally Posted by Tom K.

That hasn't been the case with my last 4 cars - all BMW sixes (non-turbo). They were broken in by the book and never had to have oil added between changes, including my current daily driver E46 with 90,000 miles.
Tom

Interesting. My dad has owned dozens of cars over the past 35-40 years.
His C3 Corvette, his 69 E-type Jag Vert, his 72 Jensen Interceptor, his Mountaineers. This has always been the case with them.

[hbiscuit]

Originally Posted by jbenington86

Yeah Yeah I know this is an old topic but to go along with the OPs second question. I have put 10k miles on my 1 and my oil level monitor shows 100% full. That is not my concern. My real concern is my mileage indicator to my next service. The computer says that I have 16k miles until my next oil service....... with 10k miles on the car for some reason I dont think that is correct.... I have never changed the oil nor have I taken the car in for service at all... So it impossible for the oil monitor to have had the milage reset on accident...... : Is there a possibility that there is something wrong with the computer in the car? Im pretty sure I know what to do... Just consult BMW on this issue.... What does everyone else think?

I see the search function didnt work so well....

it means take your car in for oil service @ 16,000 miles, not 16,000 miles left

[hbiscuit]

that is unless the OBC is telling you 26,000 instead of 16,000

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by gtaday51

Interesting. My dad has owned dozens of cars over the past 35-40 years.
His C3 Corvette, his 69 E-type Jag Vert, his 72 Jensen Interceptor, his Mountaineers. This has always been the case with them.

Same with mine - until I started buying BMWs.

Tom