[Biz92]

Hey all. I took my 335i to an indy shop for an oil change. I gave them the proper oil (7qts) and filter. I told them "6.5 Liters or 6.86 qts." I got the car back and the level guage indicator was right at the "MAX" so I took it back (yes I usually do this myself but I'm in an apartment now). I told the to drain about half a quart out and I'll top it off as needed. They did so and the level stayed exactly the same, so they purged another .5qts. They did not measure the amount they purged; just estimated it. Gauge still read "MAX" so I took the car, drove around town and on the freeway for over 20 miles and the gauge dropped and finally settled at exactly half the range between min-max".

How many qts do these cars typically take? And what is the min to max range supposed to be? I have no idea how much oil is in my car now; all I can do is trust the gauge.

Let me just say to BMW... no dipstick... LAME!

[walmark]

I normally put 6.5 qts and that puts me right at the to with OK still displayed. The range of the gauge is 1 qt (ie when it shows low and asks for +1 qt add that and it will read full)

[jeffro535]

I usually dump all 7 in, but don't let the bottles drip out the last little bit, which seems to get me right at 6.8. My indicator goes to max and "OK". As a corollary, my M52 motor in my E36, has the same fill and this nails the full line on the dipstick.

[cdgatti]

Related but different question... my gauge isn't showing any level, even if I let it time out. I only have about 3K miles since the last change, but nervous that the level isn't right. Car doesn't have any history of burning oil. Is there any way I can be sure it is OK?

[Biz92]

Thanks for the info guys!

[Biz92]

check your owners manual. I think I remember seeing that if it does not show any level that the sensor may need to be replaced.Other than that, you'd prob have to drain it to see how much comes out, and re-fill. Or just take it to the dealer...

[ctuna]

My Indy use to put in 7.5.
I could go about a year before the measurement was down any.
They got a new mechanic and he put in 6.5 .
Well after I drove away and checked it was about 2 segments
low . So I went back an got 400ml of oil put in .
About 2 weeks later I had to add another 200ml .
To me that suggest the real fill level is closer to 7.

[Efthreeoh]

WTF

This is about the dumbest thing I have read here in a while. The car takes 6.9 quarts of oil. 10% of a quart of oil is 3 ounces, which is not over filling the engine. I'm not sure why if the e-dipstick showed a full compliment of oil (i.e. "MAX") why in ever would you drain half a quart out?

You do realize the e-dipstick shows just the ESTIMATED quantity of just the 7th quart of oil, right? The bar graph is not representing the entire load of oil, just the top quart of it. Oil service on these cars is just so simple: drain the oil, remove the filter and suck out the few ounces of oil in the housing, close the drain plug, and add 7 quarts of oil. When the car gets 1 quart low, it will indicate so, then just add in 1 quart of oil. Simple.

[Biz92]

I guess my thinking was just off. I don't know what made me think that the target was the middle of the range. While I don't like being called dumb, I have to agree with you; I was being dumb, LOL.

Thanks

[Eddien123]

I buy a 5qt at Walmart and then two quarts and just put it all in

[ctuna]

To Biz92 yeah it doesn't update right away
That is a big issue you have to factor that in when
you add. Which means add a little drive it a few times
then check again. It such a PIA.

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by cdgatti

Related but different question... my gauge isn't showing any level, even if I let it time out. I only have about 3K miles since the last change, but nervous that the level isn't right. Car doesn't have any history of burning oil. Is there any way I can be sure it is OK?

There is no oil level reading available until the oil warms up - generally takes 5 to 10 miles of moderate driving on my E91, depending on ambient temps.

Tom

[m@rco]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

WTF

This is about the dumbest thing I have read here in a while. The car takes 6.9 quarts of oil. 10% of a quart of oil is 3 ounces, which is not over filling the engine. I'm not sure why if the e-dipstick showed a full compliment of oil (i.e. "MAX") why in ever would you drain half a quart out?

You do realize the e-dipstick shows just the ESTIMATED quantity of just the 7th quart of oil, right? The bar graph is not representing the entire load of oil, just the top quart of it. Oil service on these cars is just so simple: drain the oil, remove the filter and suck out the few ounces of oil in the housing, close the drain plug, and add 7 quarts of oil. When the car gets 1 quart low, it will indicate so, then just add in 1 quart of oil. Simple.

+1

The MAX level does not harm your engine. In fact, it is offers the best lubrication and cooling. A few ounces (or milliliters) more on 6.5 liters is NOT going to hurt your engine... As per Efthreeoh's comment, the e-dipstick estimates: It is my experience that when driving fast (say over 90mph) the oil level appears to drop one quart... The car performed just perfect over a 3200km Christmas trip... At MAX at low and normal speeds, at 3/4 of MAX at higher speeds. Nothing to worry about.

[Malibu1]

7 is fine. I think my car shows MIN about 1.5 quarts low FWTW. But that being said, 6.860 is probably the best