01-09-2014, 05:46 PM | #1 |
Captain
617
Rep 918
Posts |
No dipstick
OK, so the 328i doesn't have a dipstick but there's a way to check your oil level without opening the hood. So, let's say you take your vehicle in for an oil change and the guy doing the job inadvertently puts in less oil than he should. Is there an "automatic" notification displayed on your instrument panel telling you the oil is low or do you have to continually monitor this on your own?
If there is an automatic display, how is the warrantee handled if the "trigger" device fails to notify you and you blow the engine due to lack of oil? No problems at my end, just curious. Full disclosure: I spent quite a few years as a mechanical designer and a design "checker" so I'm also looking at what could be the worst case scenario. |
01-09-2014, 05:49 PM | #2 |
Lieutenant Colonel
51
Rep 1,831
Posts
Drives: 335i MSport + MPS/MPPK
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Irvine, CA
|
You can moniter via iDrive.
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-09-2014, 05:57 PM | #3 | |
Private First Class
7
Rep 100
Posts |
Not only is the oil level monitored constantly, the functionality of the sensor itself is too...So if there is a fault with the measuring sensor, you will see a warning telling you to have it checked. The car will let you know to add a quart of oil before it gets to the absolute minimum, but you can check it periodically if you're the type who likes to keep it topped off. In addition to the convenience of checking the oil from the driver's seat more precisely than a dipstick, the oil level sensor will even warn you if it is overfilled.
Quote:
Even still, the warranty would cover a replacement engine if it seized due to lack of oil caused by failure of the sensor AND the failure of the diagnostics of the sensor AND the fact that you would only be around a quart low by your next service visit anyway...point is: Don't worry about it. Last edited by olinjohnston; 01-09-2014 at 06:09 PM.. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-09-2014, 06:14 PM | #5 | |
Colonel
155
Rep 2,266
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
F30 Sapphire Black M-Sport 335i 6MT
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-09-2014, 06:18 PM | #6 |
Private First Class
7
Rep 100
Posts |
Now you'll have to get familiar with the underside every once in awhile....Not a bad thing since you can check the condition of things down there, discover leaks early, etc.
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-09-2014, 06:24 PM | #7 |
Major
51
Rep 1,061
Posts |
It does take awhile after starting the car up for the oil sensor to register. Now, whether it might alert if it detected things low before it shows the actual level, I do not know. Mine has never seemed to go off of the full mark. I know some with V8's wished theirs did the same!
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-09-2014, 06:38 PM | #8 | |
Captain
617
Rep 918
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-09-2014, 06:39 PM | #9 |
Private First Class
7
Rep 100
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-09-2014, 07:56 PM | #10 |
Private
2
Rep 50
Posts |
You guys are saying the oil level is monitored constantly.
A few days ago I "manually" checked the oil level on my 2012 335i using iDrive and it showed oil at "min". However, the car never notified me of anything automatically, today it shows all system as "OK". Does the car only notify the driver if the oil level drops below "min"? That doesn't make sense to me. I scheduled an oil change (it was time anyway) for next week but am hesitant about driving it in the meantime. |
Appreciate
0
|
01-09-2014, 08:02 PM | #11 | |
Private First Class
7
Rep 100
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-09-2014, 08:10 PM | #12 | ||
Private
2
Rep 50
Posts |
Quote:
Cheers. |
||
Appreciate
0
|
01-09-2014, 09:30 PM | #13 |
Colonel
155
Rep 2,266
Posts |
That will take me back to old school days that started with my '69 VW Bug. The M-Sport looks like it needs ramps to get under there though.
__________________
F30 Sapphire Black M-Sport 335i 6MT
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-09-2014, 11:42 PM | #15 |
Colonel
155
Rep 2,266
Posts |
Thanks for the tip!
__________________
F30 Sapphire Black M-Sport 335i 6MT
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-10-2014, 08:46 AM | #17 |
First Lieutenant
77
Rep 345
Posts |
My sensor had to be replaced. It constantly said I was low when in fact the car was full. The dealer knew something was wrong when 200 miles after a top off the sensor again said it was low. They drained the car to measure it and it was full. The part that troubles me the most is that before this episode the dealer topped me off twice in 5000 miles based on the sensor. I'm concerned that it was overfilled those two times.
Would rather have a dip stick. Sometimes the manual way is better. |
Appreciate
0
|
01-10-2014, 10:03 AM | #18 | |
Private First Class
23
Rep 169
Posts |
Quote:
Electric-only systems will have limitations, even with certain good redundancies and checks that they have put in. That being said I do enjoy being able to check the oil level from inside the car. I have it take a measurement 1-2 times a month, and it takes me two comfortable minutes after arriving at home or at work, very convenient. Along these same lines, to me the TPMS is good and bad. It only alerts you with drastic pressure change, and you can only tell the actual pressure with a manual check. Maybe at some point they will add pressure readings, or even the ability to adjust and regulate the pressure internal to the car. Certain high-cost military and off-road vehicles have that kind of system, but it would be very useful on sports and luxury cars too. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-10-2014, 10:17 AM | #19 | ||
BMW Addict
50
Rep 289
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
2010 335i MSport / 2011 535i / 2014 435i M Sport
|
||
Appreciate
0
|
01-10-2014, 11:03 AM | #20 |
Colonel
155
Rep 2,266
Posts |
Yes it's very cool.
__________________
F30 Sapphire Black M-Sport 335i 6MT
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-10-2014, 12:17 PM | #22 |
Lieutenant Colonel
288
Rep 1,892
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|