Can't Check my Oil Level

Shanenm · 01-12-2023, 06:54 AM

Hey, so my 2013 X3 isn't able to check the oil level or give a warning when the oil is low. My mechanic assumed it was a faulty sensor, so he replaced it but it's still not working. I was able to check the oil 1 time (out of 20 tries) since I got it back from the mechanic but it said the oil was full, which is not good because I got them to leave the oil 1L low, so I could make sure it was working properly. It will let me start the oil check but then it stops before 100%. Is it possible that it wasn't the sensor.....maybe a computer issue? Should I trade the car immediately? I can't drive it if I don't know how much oil is in it. It's so stupid that they don't have dipsticks! Thanks

neilvan · 01-12-2023, 07:19 AM

The car has to be up to temperature and drive a certain distance to get an oil reading; It will also read to the closest 1/4 of a liter

Shanenm · 01-12-2023, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilvan

The car has to be up to temperature and drive a certain distance to get an oil reading; It will also read to the closest 1/4 of a liter

I have tried at various different oil temps and after 5 minutes, 10 minutes and 20 minutes of driving.......do you need to drive more than that? I should clarify that it car will let me check the oil but it stops before it's done running the check.

brianhinton77 · 01-14-2023, 07:59 AM

I would make sure the the little O-Ring is intact on the oil filter housing, and also make sure the the oil filter housing is properly torqued down, 25nm i believe. There are several posts about this across the forums, and this seems to be an easy check and possibly will solve your problem.

Shanenm · 01-17-2023, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianhinton77

I would make sure the the little O-Ring is intact on the oil filter housing, and also make sure the the oil filter housing is properly torqued down, 25nm i believe. There are several posts about this across the forums, and this seems to be an easy check and possibly will solve your problem.

Thanks, I'll try that,

Shanenm · 01-27-2023, 11:02 AM

Update, I figured out that I can check my oil but only for a short window. I can only check my oil when my engine temp is between 70 and 75 celcius......regular temp is around 100C, so I have a small amount of time when I can check it. I also don't know if it's going to warn me if I'm low.

bmwPower99 · 01-28-2023, 02:48 AM

Just use the dip stick every time you fill the tank.

pungo · 01-28-2023, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwPower99

Just use the dip stick every time you fill the tank.

Except that, AFAIK, gasoline engines don't have a dipstick

brianhinton77 · 01-29-2023, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shanenm

Update, I figured out that I can check my oil but only for a short window. I can only check my oil when my engine temp is between 70 and 75 celcius......regular temp is around 100C, so I have a small amount of time when I can check it. I also don't know if it's going to warn me if I'm low.

Do you have a scanner? I would be curious if the car is throwing a sensor code?

Shanenm · 01-31-2023, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianhinton77

Do you have a scanner? I would be curious if the car is throwing a sensor code?

No codes are coming up. I saw some videos about the oil pressure valve causing this, so I might replace that.

Shanenm · 01-31-2023, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pungo

Except that, AFAIK, gasoline engines don't have a dipstick

Correct, there is no dipstick.......I wish there was.

01-12-2023, 06:54 AM	#1
Shanenm New Member 0 Rep 12 Posts Drives: X3 Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Can't Check my Oil Level Hey, so my 2013 X3 isn't able to check the oil level or give a warning when the oil is low. My mechanic assumed it was a faulty sensor, so he replaced it but it's still not working. I was able to check the oil 1 time (out of 20 tries) since I got it back from the mechanic but it said the oil was full, which is not good because I got them to leave the oil 1L low, so I could make sure it was working properly. It will let me start the oil check but then it stops before 100%. Is it possible that it wasn't the sensor.....maybe a computer issue? Should I trade the car immediately? I can't drive it if I don't know how much oil is in it. It's so stupid that they don't have dipsticks! Thanks Last edited by Shanenm; 01-12-2023 at 11:56 AM..
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01-12-2023, 07:19 AM	#2
neilvan Major 858 Rep 1,363 Posts Drives: 09 E90 335i M-Sport 6MT RWD Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW E61 530xi [0.00] 1993 Mazda Miata [0.00] 2009 BMW E90 335i [0.00]	The car has to be up to temperature and drive a certain distance to get an oil reading; It will also read to the closest 1/4 of a liter
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01-14-2023, 07:59 AM	#4
brianhinton77 Private First Class 90 Rep 176 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 28i, 2016 X5 M-Sport Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Alabama iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW R1200GS [0.00] 2007 BMW R1200R [0.00] 2016 BMW X5 S35i [0.00] 2011 BMW X3 x28i [0.00]	I would make sure the the little O-Ring is intact on the oil filter housing, and also make sure the the oil filter housing is properly torqued down, 25nm i believe. There are several posts about this across the forums, and this seems to be an easy check and possibly will solve your problem.
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01-27-2023, 11:02 AM	#6
Shanenm New Member 0 Rep 12 Posts Drives: X3 Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Update, I figured out that I can check my oil but only for a short window. I can only check my oil when my engine temp is between 70 and 75 celcius......regular temp is around 100C, so I have a small amount of time when I can check it. I also don't know if it's going to warn me if I'm low.
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01-28-2023, 02:48 AM	#7
bmwPower99 Private First Class 19 Rep 148 Posts Drives: bmw f25 X3 35d Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: uk iTrader: (0)	Just use the dip stick every time you fill the tank.
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