Engine Oil Level Message Question
 

Yesterday, when driving to work, I noticed that the small exclamation mark was on in the center display. So I went to "Info Source" --> "Check Control Message" to check. It showed "Engine Oil at minimum level". My 2004 530i never has this message until now (after 14 years). Is this normal to our E60 ? I followed the instruction from the message to add 1 Qt back to engine. I have not driven the car yet. My co-worker's E90 always need to put in 1 quarter once a while and dealer could not find any oil leak under the engine. Another co-worker of mine has E60, 2006, same issue. He needs to put in 1 quart of oil once a while. He said that is typical ?

Any comment is appreciated.

Thanks,

Ching-Ho Cheng

Whether or not you will need to add oil between changes is a function of your driving habits, the condition of your engine and how well it has been maintained as well as what you consider "normal". Remember, your 2004 E60 is now a 15-year-old car, so as it ages, you will see a need to add oil due to deterioration of engine parts, gaskets, etc., even if you never had to do this before. How long has it been and how many miles since your last oil change?

Hi,

I change oil every 5k miles. This car has not been driving too much; so far only have about 130k miles. If this is norm then I will keep one qt. of oil in trunk, just in case the exclamation mark comes up again.

Thanks,

Ching-Ho Cheng

Okay, I will check oil level with dip stick first. If that is at correct level and still get the mini. level warning then I will replace the oil level sensor.

Thanks,

Ching-Ho Cheng

2009 5285xi, 101k miles. I used to use Mobil-1 0w30 and found that I used to burn a quart every 5k miles. Switched to Castrol Edge European Formula 0w40 about 20k miles ago, and have not burned a drop. Lifters are also quieter.

Bottom line, your oil burning issue may be the result of the oil that you are using.

I use Mobil 1 0W-40 since day 1 per BMW approved engine oil list posted in this forum. Never loose a drop of oil for 14 years until this Sunday. So per member recommendation in this forum, I will have to check the oil level to see whether it is really losing oil or a bad oil level sensor.

Thanks,

Ching-Ho Cheng

That has to be the first time I've heard that. You're doing a good job on preventive maintenance how bad there seals are on the BMW.

Maybe, I should not reuse other members' phrase :). I would rephrase and say that in these 14 years, I have not seen this exclamation mark (warning) about engine oil at minimum level. Sunday was the first day I saw it.

Thanks,

Ching-Ho Cheng

If you do a lot of short trip driving in cold weather, you don't burn off condensation that gets in the oil. If you then take a longer drive and have the engine up to operating temperature for longer, say an hour or more, that condensation will burn off and your oil level will drop by that amount. I've had it happen on more than one car - normal.

BTW, all cars consume some oil. My X5s (M54) get about 1000km/litre and my 535 (N54) gets over 4000km/litre.