bimmerluuvr

How do you guy's gage how low your engine oil level has fallen when it has not fallen enough for the i-drive sensors to detect? If for example, I loose a half quart or less, will the i-drive detect that, and if not, how would I know? I only have 12k on the o.d. but without a dipstick, how the hell do you know if there is any oil consumption, and when to top off, when the I drive just continues to say "O.K."?

My535i

This is my first bmw so I'm not sure if there is anything special you have to do for them regarding oil. BUT...Unless you are worried that the idrive/gauge is not reading the level properly you should not have to worry at all about your oil level. I know I don't. Now, if I have to add oil in between oil changes because the low oil light comes on...I would investigate...other than that I don't touch the dipstick ever (except right after an oil change).

mehall2

On my 550, I just use the electronic monitor in I-Drive. I believe that BMW would be pretty accurate in their measurements. In the 550, the V8 holds 8 quarts, so if you are down 1/2 quart, the chances of you hurting something are pretty slim. I change my own oil between BMW recommended oil changes (Screw the every 12K) and put in exactly 8 quarts with the filter. It reads full, after I change it, and continues to read full, during the driving of the car.

On the I-6, I don't know how much it holds, but I think the BMW's hold quite a bit more than what you would think. On my 2004, 545i, I had the dipstick and checked it regularly and it didn't use a drop, that I could tell. I sold it a 42,000 miles. Have faith in der Fatherland, lol...

Regards, Michael