Oil Level Sensor - Wish I had a dipstick
03-26-2010, 10:20 AM
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My Ride: 2007 530i Sport Alpine White, winter package, comfort access, bluetooth, Satellite radio, tinted windows, Michelin Pilot Sports PS2s
I am receiving a message to add 1 quart of oil since oil is at minimum level. I-drive also shows 1 bar on the oil level.
I added 1/2 quart to be safe. Message and bar level still same. Wish I had a dip stick.
Now what should I do?
I added 1/2 quart to be safe. Message and bar level still same. Wish I had a dip stick.
Now what should I do?
03-26-2010, 10:28 AM
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My Ride: 2006 550i
Model Year: 2006
Not sure which engine you have but on my 550 the "stick" is to the right side of the engine bay towards the driver
Check it out... and when the message comes up it usually means add 1 full quart oil
03-26-2010, 11:43 AM
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My Ride: 2007 530i Sport Alpine White, winter package, comfort access, bluetooth, Satellite radio, tinted windows, Michelin Pilot Sports PS2s
I have a 2007 530i and it has engine N52B30 which does not have a stick believe it or not.
03-26-2010, 11:50 AM
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My Ride: 2006 Titanium Silver 550i, with all the bells and whistles!!
I have cross referenced the i-drive reading for oil level against the dipstick reading (there is a dipstick on 550's), it is actually very close. I would add the other half quart...to be even safer...
03-26-2010, 03:30 PM
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My Ride: 2007 530i Sport Alpine White, winter package, comfort access, bluetooth, Satellite radio, tinted windows, Michelin Pilot Sports PS2s
Problem solved. It appears the car needs to be driven more than 10 minutes after adding oil, despite having a oil level reading. I drove the car for 30 minutes and then it showed 3 bars. I stopped and added the remaining oil from the quart and then it showed it full to the max level after 15 minutes. I guess you just need to get used to this technology. I would still prefer a dipstick.
03-26-2010, 05:02 PM
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My Ride: 535xi Sport
Model Year: 2009
Problem solved. It appears the car needs to be driven more than 10 minutes after adding oil, despite having a oil level reading. I drove the car for 30 minutes and then it showed 3 bars. I stopped and added the remaining oil from the quart and then it showed it full to the max level after 15 minutes. I guess you just need to get used to this technology. I would still prefer a dipstick.
John Virnig
'07 550i SMG
Richfield, WI
03-26-2010, 06:59 PM
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My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
Ya drive it... I learned that the other time... my car was showing at minimum and I added 1 quart of oil but it did not move up... not even after 2 days of driving... then drove it for 20 miles straight THEN it finally registered...
03-28-2010, 01:26 AM
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03-28-2010, 04:17 AM
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LCI 550s do not have a dipstick. If iDrive says that you are at the minimim level and that you need to add oil, add one quart. And yes, it takes something like 10 minutes with the engine on before it will give you an oil level reading on the iDrive for the LCI 550. I have to add a quart about every 6k miles.