03-28-2023, 10:04 AM | #1 |
New Member
0
Rep 9
Posts |
Oil level always shows full
Hoping someone has heard of this and can help.
I’ve got a 2015 2.8i. X3. Of course there’s no dipstick to check the oil so when I got it I checked using IDrive. From the day I got it (and the oil had been recently changed) until 7000 miles later when I was about to do an oil change, the IDrive measurement showed full. Never budged. I’ve owned a bmw previously and knew this was not possible. It had to use something. I changed the oil and measured what came out. Going by a fill being 4.8 liters, it was about 1.2 liters short. So I drove 5000 more miles and kept checking IDrive, still always showed full. Just did an oil change again and this time I installed a new oil level sensor. The oil that came out was .75 liters short this time. I’ve driven about 1000 miles since the last oil change and IDrive still shows full. No idiot lights on the dash and I scanned the computer. No codes. I’m begining to think this is a firmware issue. Has anyone experienced this? |
03-28-2023, 11:02 AM | #3 |
Major General
1910
Rep 5,105
Posts |
Similar issue with a. Older 2015 X3 I owned...turned out to be a sensor
__________________
'11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-28-2023, 12:58 PM | #4 | |
Colonel
1195
Rep 2,908
Posts |
Quote:
Anyway, OP I think that full on an N20 engine is 5.1 quarts with filter. My 2014 never really goes down either, and I thought that was just low oil usage at 60k miles. Changed annually at only 5,000 or so miles. The V8 on my 650 holds 10 quarts, and in the same period the level in iDrive drops one notch, which is about 1/4 quart. So despite their general reputation I don't think all BMWs use a lot of oil. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
03-28-2023, 12:59 PM | #5 | |
Major General
1910
Rep 5,105
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
'11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-08-2023, 06:09 PM | #7 |
Second Lieutenant
23
Rep 253
Posts |
I have nearly 120k miles on my 2015 X3 28d, and it has never shown anything but full.
I've never been told that it is using oil when I've had the oil changed. So if it is using some, it is within the limits that the dealership never felt needed reporting. |
Appreciate
0
|
04-10-2023, 06:15 PM | #8 |
Major General
4446
Rep 7,487
Posts |
Is there something wrong…or are we looking to fix something not broken?
BMW did change the amount of oil from 1 to 2 liters when the minimum level is reached on some models. Make sure you check your owners manual or the check control instructions you get when the minimum level is met.
__________________
2015 F06 650ix Gran Coupe`(Moonstone/Cohiba Brown)| 2014 F15 X5 50i MSport (Space Gray/Mocha)
Become a BMW CCA member! Click HERE to join and feel free to use my BMW CCA member #191509 as a referral. |
Appreciate
0
|
04-11-2023, 02:25 PM | #10 |
Colonel
1195
Rep 2,908
Posts |
You have so far tested it by measuring what comes out. Next time, try the test by measuring what goes in. That will give you more certainty. Next time you change your oil, put in only 3 or 3.5 quarts exactly. It won't hurt your engine to run it that way for long enough to take a measurement. If it still shows full, then you know for certain you have an issue.
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-13-2023, 07:10 PM | #11 |
Major
626
Rep 1,044
Posts
Drives: 2018 X3 M40i, 2012 X3 Xdrive35
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Moraga, California
|
When you drain the oil after an oil change, you will always get less oil out than you put in. The filter seems to soak up close to a half quart.
__________________
2016 Z06 Vette, 10.53@132
1984 Vette, 406, 10.23@131 2021 SQ5 |
Appreciate
1
Houranimd49252.00 |
04-15-2023, 05:40 PM | #12 |
New Member
0
Rep 9
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-19-2023, 09:10 PM | #13 | |
Captain
233
Rep 395
Posts
Drives: 2022 X4MC - Marina Bay Blue
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Orange County, California
|
Quote:
Keep in mind that the oil level indicator will show oil level as it was LAST TIME THE OIL WAS AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE. So you have to run it for a while to get a fresh level reading. Wish I u'stood the raw data for oil level that I can read with Protool.
__________________
'22 ///X4M Competition - fully loaded Marina Bay Blue.
Lowered on MSS springs. 20" x 10 ET20 Vertini RFS1.2 wheels wrapped in Firestone Indy 500 Firehawk 275/40 tires (square setup). Hers: '15 X4 2.8i - Glacier Silver - loaded M-Sport |
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-06-2023, 03:24 PM | #15 |
Lieutenant Colonel
806
Rep 1,906
Posts |
I believe with the BimmerLink phone app it will display numeric value for oil level- I.e. the level sensors data. You might check into that. Screen shot is from my BimmerLink app in offline mode, note category for oil level.
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-06-2023, 03:56 PM | #16 |
First Lieutenant
252
Rep 332
Posts
Drives: F10 535i xDrive, F25 xDrive35i
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: MI
|
I’ve experienced this in several BMWs (all n55) I’ve owned and never thought anything of it.
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-12-2023, 01:00 PM | #17 |
Private First Class
35
Rep 119
Posts |
My n55 2017 X3 works fine. I will every now and then short it one litter and start it up during oil change, It indicates 1/2 from low to high.
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-21-2023, 11:08 PM | #18 |
New Member
0
Rep 9
Posts |
Well I haven’t been able to find a solution. What I HAVE figured out is that my car uses about 1 liter of oil every 6000 miles so I’ve started adding half a liter every 3000. At least I know I won’t run out of oil.
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|