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BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > Mechanical Maintenance and TSBs: Break-in / Oil & Fluids / Servicing / TSBs and Service Bulletin > Engine oil at minimum!
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      08-19-2012, 02:12 PM   #1
Raspartan
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Exclamation Engine oil at minimum!

I was startled by a warning gong driving home yesterday evening, indicating that the engine was at the minimum oil level. Very strange considering I've only had the car four months and have only driven about 3100 km (1900 miles).

After consulting the manual I added 1L synthetic 5w30 this morning and rechecked the oil level a few minutes later. Much to my surprise it read maximum level, so it would seem the difference between minimum acceptable and maximum capacity is only 1L.

I don't seem to be leaking any oil. I checked last night and this morning and the only dripping is the AC condensation drip (rubbed my fingers in it to make sure).

Could this be an indication of some kind of issue? It happened Saturday night so I couldn't take the car in to the dealership today, but I intend to on Monday afternoon.
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      08-19-2012, 02:15 PM   #2
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Next time just take it to the dealer, let them put the oil in and save you from paying for it.
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      08-19-2012, 02:17 PM   #3
Raspartan
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Quote:
Originally Posted by justinnum1 View Post
Next time just take it to the dealer, let them put the oil in and save you from paying for it.
Normally I would without a doubt, but I was worried that there might be an issue and I wouldn't make it until Monday.
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      08-19-2012, 02:30 PM   #4
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Oil consumption during break-in is not unusual, and I expect the dealer will tell you it is normal. When I have had this happen, it happened only once, and after that there was no loss of lubricant.
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      08-19-2012, 03:00 PM   #5
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As you have noticed, the difference between MAX and (acceptable) MIN level is one litre. One should not fill up the oil unless the car says so.
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      08-19-2012, 03:14 PM   #6
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Strange. 5300mls in, my 328i has used zero oil!
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      08-19-2012, 03:31 PM   #7
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probably was a false read by your engine, unless your floor it a lot.
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      08-19-2012, 03:57 PM   #8
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Completely normal. Is this your first BMW? I would say you should have gotten the message around the 4000 KMs mark, but 3100 isn't too far behind. Expect to keep adding 1 liter between changes for the first 30K KMs
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      08-19-2012, 05:59 PM   #9
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It is neither strange nor completely normal. Many new BMW engines use no oil. But some do in the first few thousand miles or km's. So it is not unusual.
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      08-19-2012, 06:25 PM   #10
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Yet they recommend no oil change for 15k in the states and even more in Europe. OK, yeah sure.
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      08-19-2012, 07:31 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by raleedy View Post
Oil consumption during break-in is not unusual, and I expect the dealer will tell you it is normal. When I have had this happen, it happened only once, and after that there was no loss of lubricant.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tmehanna View Post
Completely normal. Is this your first BMW? I would say you should have gotten the message around the 4000 KMs mark, but 3100 isn't too far behind. Expect to keep adding 1 liter between changes for the first 30K KMs
Not only is this my first BMW, but it's my first new car so I was quite surprised at the oil loss in such a short space of time. It makes sense that this would only occur during the break-in period, so here's hoping that it becomes less pronounced soon.
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      08-19-2012, 08:09 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Raspartan
Quote:
Originally Posted by raleedy View Post
Oil consumption during break-in is not unusual, and I expect the dealer will tell you it is normal. When I have had this happen, it happened only once, and after that there was no loss of lubricant.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tmehanna View Post
Completely normal. Is this your first BMW? I would say you should have gotten the message around the 4000 KMs mark, but 3100 isn't too far behind. Expect to keep adding 1 liter between changes for the first 30K KMs
Not only is this my first BMW, but it's my first new car so I was quite surprised at the oil loss in such a short space of time. It makes sense that this would only occur during the break-in period, so here's hoping that it becomes less pronounced soon.
Did you follow the breaking in rules as states in the manual?

I am at 5400miles and my oil still at max.

For an idea of my driving style is I get around 280miles per tank and I hit over a 100mph everyday and my highest being 153mph so far.
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      08-19-2012, 08:12 PM   #13
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It happened to me on my 5 series.. Added a quart of oil and it was fine until the service interval..
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      08-19-2012, 08:21 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ric124 View Post
Did you follow the breaking in rules as states in the manual?

I am at 5400miles and my oil still at max.

For an idea of my driving style is I get around 280miles per tank and I hit over a 100mph everyday and my highest being 153mph so far.
I tried to follow the rules, although unintentionally exceed the RPM recommendation one or two times. I'm getting about the same mileage or slightly less maybe, but I rarely exceed 120 km/h (75 mph).

I think this may just be some random event due to a combination of driving factors. I'll see what the dealership has to say tomorrow.

I'm just glad it's sounding like nothing serious.
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      08-19-2012, 08:23 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmontic71 View Post
It happened to me on my 5 series.. Added a quart of oil and it was fine until the service interval..
Ok well hopefully that will be the case in my situation too. Just in case I bought an extra bottle of oil for the garage.
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      08-19-2012, 08:37 PM   #16
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A $2 dipstick is replaced by complicated gizmos, sensors, and many wires. God I love modern technology.
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      08-19-2012, 09:19 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeyO View Post
A $2 dipstick is replaced by complicated gizmos, sensors, and many wires. God I love modern technology.
To be fair, I would never have thought to check the oil level after only 3000 km. I miss being able to easily check oil via a dipstick too, but in this case the gizmo warned me of a potential issue before I would ever have realized it.
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      08-19-2012, 09:36 PM   #18
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I remember my sales dude pointing out that there was a quart of synthetic oil in the trunk in case the car needed oil before the first service.
So maybe this is no biggie
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      08-19-2012, 09:36 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Raspartan View Post

After consulting the manual I added 1L synthetic 5w30 this morning and rechecked the oil level a few minutes later. Much to my surprise it read maximum level, so it would seem the difference between minimum acceptable and maximum capacity is only 1L.

.
Just a FYI, on almost ALL cars the difference between the MIN mark and MAX mark is ALWAYS 1L (or quart).

So you know if you are exactly on the MIN mark add 1 more quart and you will be perfect. Make sure you are on a flat even surface of course.
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      08-19-2012, 10:43 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ric124 View Post
For an idea of my driving style is I get around 280miles per tank and I hit over a 100mph everyday and my highest being 153mph so far.
You have gone 153mph in your car? Where is there space, and no cops to get up to that speed?

I just touched over 105mph for a short second when someone thought they were going to blast by me on the highway. I totally want to find a place to let the car stretch its legs, cruising at 80-85mph and it just wants to keep going.

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      08-20-2012, 09:34 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AZ330FZL View Post
You have gone 153mph in your car? Where is there space, and no cops to get up to that speed?

I just touched over 105mph for a short second when someone thought they were going to blast by me on the highway. I totally want to find a place to let the car stretch its legs, cruising at 80-85mph and it just wants to keep going.

it gets up there pretty quick, this morning at 9am I hit about 130/140 to make up time from areas with heavy traffic.

Was just using it as example of how hard I drive and my oil is still full. I followed the breaking in instructions in the manual.
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      08-20-2012, 09:41 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Raspartan View Post
I tried to follow the rules, although unintentionally exceed the RPM recommendation one or two times. I'm getting about the same mileage or slightly less maybe, but I rarely exceed 120 km/h (75 mph).

I think this may just be some random event due to a combination of driving factors. I'll see what the dealership has to say tomorrow.

I'm just glad it's sounding like nothing serious.
you should be able to get more mileage as well. Do you have 6MT or 8AT? Last week I wanted to see whats the most miles I could get per tank and it was boring as hell eco pro mode and I did not exceed 85mph. I got 380miles and I could have probably stretched it further.
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