low oil warning

[jrloyd]

So I had a low oil warning come on a couple days ago in my 335xi...I have about 12000 miles so I figured I would stop by the dealer and ask about it. They said that ALL the BMWs do this. They said BMW allows for the cars to burn up to one quart every 800 miles! I said you mean every 8000 miles and they said no...800 miles! Ridiculous. So asked for them to put in a quart of oil and they politely charged me $9.14. Isn't this included in the 4 year service?? Guess not. They wouldn't even put it in for me for me unless I waited like 30mins. Did it myself but I will have to say I am a little disappointed in this finding. Just a little FYI!

[E92!Dreier]

1. The oil should have been given to you for free.
2. While their 30 minute wait is not really unreasonable it seems that it is a bit rude to ask you to wait for something so ridiculously simple.
3. You should have your oil changed now, not when the "service interval" is expired
4. A Service Advisor with more than half of a brain should have this staken care of for you with no bill at all.
5. BMW dealerships rip off customers at every chance they get.
6. The newer BMW's carry more oil than is necessary for their operation. The larger amount of fluid means there is more oil to burn, more oil to absorb impurities, more miles to be driven without changing it. This is good engineering. However, the idea that the car is going to burn a quart of oil every 800 miles seems like a bit of a lie.
7. You should contact BMW NA, and the BMW CCA, especially if you are a member.

[GatorM]

I put in one quart per the warning light at around 10k. 800 miles is ridiculous; whoever told you that is an idiot.

The oil change interval has been beaten to death. Either you're in the Old School Camp, which changes it religiously at 7500 mile intervals regardless of what the car tells them or you're in the I Believe In New Technology Camp, which believes that oil technology has changed since 1970 and the factory intervals are fine. Pick your poison.

[thekurgan]

I put in one quart per the warning light at around 10k. 800 miles is ridiculous; whoever told you that is an idiot.


+1, makes no mathematical sense even if it was on a track every day.

[mryakan]

+1 on the ignorance of whoever said a quart every 800. I'd say a quart is normal between oil change intervals (the regular one, i.e. ~15k miles) and 2 is possible too. More than that and I'd have it checked out. Also +1000 on doing it yourself next time instead of waiting for 30 min, and +1Gazillion on they should have supplied the oil for free. Get yourself one of these and keep a quart handy, my dealer supplies these with all new cars:

[Takashi]

I have 20,000 km (12,427.42384 miles) on my car and I haven't have any low oil warning.

[aftp302]

I had to add oil 2 times before I had my first service performed (at 14500). Each time it took about 1 qt to get back to full. I never bothered taking it to the dealer for the oil, just bought it and added it though. If my BMW center was close, or on my way to anything I might have tried to have them do it.

Regarding the 1 qt per 800 miles, I would agree it is ridiculous, HOWEVER, I had a similar response from many SA's and their local field engineers at Mercedes when I had oil consumption issues with my 2002 C230. They claimed that a similar oil usage statistic was normal as well. I forget the actual number (it was in liters of course) but it worked out to somewhere around 1 qt every 1k miles. They eventually rebuilt (at 23k miles) and then replaced (at 30k miles) the engine in that car, but humorously enough the car had similar (but not quite as extreme) behavior even after all that work. The oil consumption calculations must be a German thing.

[mryakan]

Regarding the 1 qt per 800 miles, I would agree it is ridiculous, HOWEVER, I had a similar response from many SA's and their local field engineers at Mercedes when I had oil consumption issues with my 2002 C230. They claimed that a similar oil usage statistic was normal as well. I forget the actual number (it was in liters of course) but it worked out to somewhere around 1 qt every 1k miles.
1 Liter is pretty much the same as 1 Qt (1.05668821 US quarts to be exact). That is a funny story with your MB though. I am amazed at the ignorance or indifference of some SAs at these high end dealerships. Everyone should try to find a good dealership and stick to them, mine always seems to attract good, knowledgeable and helpful SAs and thus I have been a loyal satisfied customer for over 10 years.

[GOZ 2 11]

My light came on at around 4k. Dealer put in more for free.

[atc1949]

I'm taking mine in for the 24,000km service next week and have never had the low oil light come on. I have had it in a couple of times for other issues so I'm wondering if this would be something they would routinely check and top up? I had the car for 8 months before I had to fill the windshield washer reservoir and only then realized that they must have topped it up when they had it in before.

[Blue330i2006]

My light came on at around 4k. Dealer put in more for free.

What did he put in??? gigitty

[robmpulse]

1. The oil should have been given to you for free.
2. While their 30 minute wait is not really unreasonable it seems that it is a bit rude to ask you to wait for something so ridiculously simple.
3. You should have your oil changed now, not when the "service interval" is expired
4. A Service Advisor with more than half of a brain should have this staken care of for you with no bill at all.
5. BMW dealerships rip off customers at every chance they get.
6. The newer BMW's carry more oil than is necessary for their operation. The larger amount of fluid means there is more oil to burn, more oil to absorb impurities, more miles to be driven without changing it. This is good engineering. However, the idea that the car is going to burn a quart of oil every 800 miles seems like a bit of a lie.
7. You should contact BMW NA, and the BMW CCA, especially if you are a member.

1. TRUE

2. IF YOU JUST SHOW UP, IT'S NOT UNREASONABLE TO WAIT 30 MINS.

3. THERE IS NO REASON HE SHOULD CHANGE THE OIL UNLESS IT'S BEEN 12 MONTHS SINCE LAST TIME IT WAS DONE.

4. SEE #1

5. NO, THEY DON'T. WHAT HAPPENED HERE WAS A MISTAKE, AND I WILL BET MONEY IF YOU GO BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SPEAK TO A SERVICE MANAGER YOU WILL HAVE YOUR MONEY REFUNDED.

6. YOU ARE HALF RIGHT. THE OIL IS NOT BURNED. LOL IT EVAPORATES. OIL HAS ALWAYS DONE THIS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME. WE JUST NEVER NOTICED IT BECAUSE IT DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO EVAPORATE AS MUCH WHEN YOU CHANGE YOUR OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES OR 3 MONTHS.

7. THERE IS NO REASON TO ESCALATE THIS TO THAT LEVEL. A SIMPLE CALL TO A SERVICE MANAGER WILL GET THE RESULTS HE NEEDS AND QUICKER. THIS IS NOT A CASE OF THE DEALER TRYING TO SCREW HIM.

IT'S OBVIOUS WHO EVER HE TALKED TO HAD NO IDEA WHAT THEY WERE DOING. 800 MILES IS RIDICULOUS. IT IS COMMON TO HAVE TO ADD ABOUT ONE QUART BETWEEN OIL CHANGES, THAT'S IT. NOT 800 MILES. MOST LIKELY HE WAS TALKING TO A PORTER, WHO DOESN'T KNOW WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT.

WHERE DO YOU PEOPLE GET ALL THESE IDEAS FROM? LOL

[mistercindy]

My 2000 Mercedes E320 used a quart of oil every few thousand miles, and oil changes were called for every 10,000 miles. I never did get used to it, but the dealership said it was normal.

If the E9x cars use a quart before the service time I think I'll just buy a case of oil and fill it myself rather than waste time taking it to the dealer. Whatever a quart of oil costs, it'll sure as heck be less than the 30 minutes to the dealer, the 30 minute wait, and the 30 minutes to return.



Either you're in the Old School Camp, which changes it religiously at 7500 mile intervals regardless of what the car tells them....
I don't know about your "Old School," but mine was nowhere near 7,500 miles! I changed mine at 3,000 mile intervals for years, and I ain't that old.:D






6. YOU ARE HALF RIGHT. THE OIL IS NOT BURNED. LOL IT EVAPORATES. OIL HAS ALWAYS DONE THIS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME. WE JUST NEVER NOTICED IT BECAUSE IT DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO EVAPORATE AS MUCH WHEN YOU CHANGE YOUR OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES OR 3 MONTHS.
Interesting. I never thought of that.

[x986]

I have had the low oil, "Your car will die" light come on twice erroniously. It comes on about 5 minutes after parking on a downslope with engine running a minute +/-. It will stay on about 5 minutes before it will go out. "Rebooting the computer" by shutting down the car didn't put it out for me.

[Mad Dragon]

I put in one quart per the warning light at around 10k. 800 miles is ridiculous; whoever told you that is an idiot.
They are, because it's 1qt per 750 miles. ;)

[E92!Dreier]

1. TRUE

2. IF YOU JUST SHOW UP, IT'S NOT UNREASONABLE TO WAIT 30 MINS. Exactly what I said, except that I mentioned it is ridiculous to have to wait so long for something so simple...I'd rather have, like, a dipstick to use on my own.

3. THERE IS NO REASON HE SHOULD CHANGE THE OIL UNLESS IT'S BEEN 12 MONTHS SINCE LAST TIME IT WAS DONE. He might like to because he feels the 15,000 mile/1 year service interval is bogus, or if he tracks his car or has an aftermarket HP mod or for any other reason. It's his car.

4. SEE #1

5. NO, THEY DON'T. WHAT HAPPENED HERE WAS A MISTAKE, AND I WILL BET MONEY IF YOU GO BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SPEAK TO A SERVICE MANAGER YOU WILL HAVE YOUR MONEY REFUNDED. My dealership definetely rips people off. This guy's does too. You shouldn't have to bring anything to the dealer manager's attention -- they should provide their advertised service the first time, without having to ask for a refund after you get ripped off. They are just hoping you won't realize you were conned, and 9.95 to them.

6. YOU ARE HALF RIGHT. THE OIL IS NOT BURNED. LOL IT EVAPORATES. OIL HAS ALWAYS DONE THIS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME. WE JUST NEVER NOTICED IT BECAUSE IT DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO EVAPORATE AS MUCH WHEN YOU CHANGE YOUR OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES OR 3 MONTHS. Yes, some oil experts prefer to use the term "evaporate"...most of us in the real world use the term "burning" to refer to the consumpiton of oil by their internal combustion engine. LOL?

7. THERE IS NO REASON TO ESCALATE THIS TO THAT LEVEL. A SIMPLE CALL TO A SERVICE MANAGER WILL GET THE RESULTS HE NEEDS AND QUICKER. THIS IS NOT A CASE OF THE DEALER TRYING TO SCREW HIM. I would call BMW NA if one of their employess told me their cars were designed to burn (or evaporate)a quart of oil every 800 miles. I would also call and explain that the dealership ripped you off for the cost of the oil.

IT'S OBVIOUS WHO EVER HE TALKED TO HAD NO IDEA WHAT THEY WERE DOING. 800 MILES IS RIDICULOUS. IT IS COMMON TO HAVE TO ADD ABOUT ONE QUART BETWEEN OIL CHANGES, THAT'S IT. NOT 800 MILES. MOST LIKELY HE WAS TALKING TO A PORTER, WHO DOESN'T KNOW WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT. No comment

WHERE DO YOU PEOPLE GET ALL THESE IDEAS FROM? LOL
You people? All these ideas? That is a nice little tirade you had up there. I hope you enjoyed yourself!




I feel dumber having read your commentary which was not only condescending, but unnecessarily rude. Thank you for your vitriol.
I There are also plenty of people who feel that 15,000 miles and/or 1 year service intervals for oil are ridiculous. In that case there is a reason to change the oil --

[mryakan]

They are, because it's 1qt per 750 miles. ;)
Wow interesting. Have you seen cars burn that much. I would like to think this is an extreme exception even if it is considered within limits. Even my 10 year old e36 still burned less than that. My dad's 730 though was a different story, needed a quart or two with every gas fillup :eek:.

[ukthunderace]

My car has 7000 miles on it and I have had to add oil twice. Keep in mind that I drive at aggressive speeds and average one or two speed limiter hits a day. I just thought it was normal...my Volvo has to have a quart added every few thousand miles and we don't drive that nearly as hard.
Also, I know a lot of you expect BMW to pay for the oil you burn (or lose to evaporation), but I just see it the same as gas...I use it, I pay for it. I mean, BMW replaces the fluids during a service and that is free right? Does that mean I should stop in to BMW and have them fill up my windshield washer fluid because it is low and expect them to pay for it?

[car62]

So I had a low oil warning come on a couple days ago in my 335xi...I have about 12000 miles so I figured I would stop by the dealer and ask about it. They said that ALL the BMWs do this. They said BMW allows for the cars to burn up to one quart every 800 miles! I said you mean every 8000 miles and they said no...800 miles! Ridiculous. So asked for them to put in a quart of oil and they politely charged me $9.14. Isn't this included in the 4 year service?? Guess not. They wouldn't even put it in for me for me unless I waited like 30mins. Did it myself but I will have to say I am a little disappointed in this finding. Just a little FYI!
You are talking to morons at that dealership and you should try to find a different one.
I changed my oil at 8000 miles and didn't need to add any up to that point. Keeping the same oil in a turbocharged 300HP car for 12000 or more miles is unrealistic, even though that's what BMW is offering for their "free service". Screw that, it's my car not theirs and it's not going to go 15000 miles on the same oil.
The easiest thing to do is to keep a quart of Mobil 1 in the trunk and, when your low oil light comes on, you pop the hood, dump it in, and you're on your way without having to talk to any idiots at the dealership.

[psucelticXI]

Does that mean I should stop in to BMW and have them fill up my windshield washer fluid because it is low and expect them to pay for it?

That was mentioned as one of the free maintenance items, so... Sure. :stickoutt

[SSK]

I have had the light come on and go off by itself over a few hundred miles. this was after the level check showed that 1 quart was required and the necessary amount was filled in by the dealer. Feels like a sensor issue which intermittently acts up.

[Ty Vil]

1. TRUE

2. IF YOU JUST SHOW UP, IT'S NOT UNREASONABLE TO WAIT 30 MINS.

3. THERE IS NO REASON HE SHOULD CHANGE THE OIL UNLESS IT'S BEEN 12 MONTHS SINCE LAST TIME IT WAS DONE.

4. SEE #1

5. NO, THEY DON'T. WHAT HAPPENED HERE WAS A MISTAKE, AND I WILL BET MONEY IF YOU GO BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SPEAK TO A SERVICE MANAGER YOU WILL HAVE YOUR MONEY REFUNDED.

6. YOU ARE HALF RIGHT. THE OIL IS NOT BURNED. LOL IT EVAPORATES. OIL HAS ALWAYS DONE THIS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME. WE JUST NEVER NOTICED IT BECAUSE IT DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO EVAPORATE AS MUCH WHEN YOU CHANGE YOUR OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES OR 3 MONTHS.

7. THERE IS NO REASON TO ESCALATE THIS TO THAT LEVEL. A SIMPLE CALL TO A SERVICE MANAGER WILL GET THE RESULTS HE NEEDS AND QUICKER. THIS IS NOT A CASE OF THE DEALER TRYING TO SCREW HIM.

IT'S OBVIOUS WHO EVER HE TALKED TO HAD NO IDEA WHAT THEY WERE DOING. 800 MILES IS RIDICULOUS. IT IS COMMON TO HAVE TO ADD ABOUT ONE QUART BETWEEN OIL CHANGES, THAT'S IT. NOT 800 MILES. MOST LIKELY HE WAS TALKING TO A PORTER, WHO DOESN'T KNOW WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT.

WHERE DO YOU PEOPLE GET ALL THESE IDEAS FROM? LOL
Pretty much spot on here with all your comments although not how I would have phrased it.

Thanks for saving me having to type all that out.

[robmpulse]

I feel dumber having read your commentary which was not only condescending, but unnecessarily rude. Thank you for your vitriol.
I There are also plenty of people who feel that 15,000 miles and/or 1 year service intervals for oil are ridiculous. In that case there is a reason to change the oil --

everyone has a right to their opinion. Changing your oil before recommended intervals to me is just stupid.

And calling BMW NA is just stupid for something like this. There is no reason to. If it can not be resolved on the local level, then by all means the poster should call BMW NA. However, calling them at this point is kinda like calling the owner of the Burger King Corp because someone forgot your extra cheese on your last burger. :rolleyes

[GatorM]

everyone has a right to their opinion. Changing your oil before recommended intervals to me is just stupid.

And calling BMW NA is just stupid for something like this. There is no reason to. If it can not be resolved on the local level, then by all means the poster should call BMW NA. However, calling them at this point is kinda like calling the owner of the Burger King Corp because someone forgot your extra cheese on your last burger. :rolleyes

+1 on both counts. Technology changes; intervals change. There's no reason to do it the same way it was done in the 1950s. And bitching about it to NA is idiotic...anyone who buys the car can plainly see what the intervals they call for and will pay for are. If you don't like the intervals, don't buy the car.

[E92!Dreier]

Is this a forum for enthusiasts or for trash talkers??

Somebody has little man complex or something and should step back from the keyboard and enter the real world. Not buy the car because you don't like hte intervals? how about just change your oil whenever you feel like it in your garage? LOL

I think that Mr. Y needs to come in here and lock this pointless and retarded thread.

If Burger King was charging me for fries that should be free, and then telling me that their milkshakes had no dairy, I would probably call Mr. King at home. And if my dealership is ripping me off by the quart, and then telling me that I should expect to pay for 15 + quarts over the projected interval (every 800 miles) I would write BMW NA, and copy the service manager of my dealership. I would also copy Satch over at Roundel.

The 15,000 mile oil change interval has been the subject of much debate -- and calling anyone who participates in that debate "stupid" is not only rude, but stupid themself. Want to call BMW NA and bitch? Go ahead, just don't give your dealership all 1's when they mess up -- otherwise they won't want to service your car anymore. Wah wah wah

I am going to suggest that if you think your opinion is the only opinion, and you are a rude or egotistical person, that you wake up. You trash talk on an internet forum about E90's. I am not here for commentary on your latest set of cheap knock off wheels or to hear how you bought the loudest intake you could find. Rather, I am here to share information and opinions in a polite and thoughtful manner. This forum has been an asset as I made the transition from my E36 to my E92, and continues to provide a wealth of knowledge.

Unfortunately, it also provides me the opportunity to interact with the dregs of BMW society.

[mryakan]

This thread has gone far off tack. I reiterate, oil change discussions should be argued on the mechanical or general BMW forum, there is nothing 3-series specific about them.
Also guys, can't we have a civil discussion anymore without attacking each others!