BMW S85 V10 oil useage and level indicator.
Discussion
This engine has got me scratching my head at times.
Last week on the M1 I was driving back home and small warning triangle came on. Not knowing what it was I flicked through the BC button on the stalk and oil level read minus 0.1L. I went home and added 0.5 litres not wanting to over fill it. The triangle went out but it told me to add another full litre so again not wanting to over fill I added the remaining 0.5l and have driven 100 miles as normal.
Problem is that the 'add one litre' still hasn't gone away. So....I added 0.25l again just for peace of mind.
Have I over filled it or does it take these sensors that long to re-calibrate? Also....what is wrong with having a dip stick???? If it ain't broke, don't try and fix it and all that....!
Other than that.....what an epic engine. It sounds like an F1 car through the tunnel in Leeds. Mental!!!1
Last week on the M1 I was driving back home and small warning triangle came on. Not knowing what it was I flicked through the BC button on the stalk and oil level read minus 0.1L. I went home and added 0.5 litres not wanting to over fill it. The triangle went out but it told me to add another full litre so again not wanting to over fill I added the remaining 0.5l and have driven 100 miles as normal.
Problem is that the 'add one litre' still hasn't gone away. So....I added 0.25l again just for peace of mind.
Have I over filled it or does it take these sensors that long to re-calibrate? Also....what is wrong with having a dip stick???? If it ain't broke, don't try and fix it and all that....!
Other than that.....what an epic engine. It sounds like an F1 car through the tunnel in Leeds. Mental!!!1
I don't think it likes it if you add less than a litre. The sensor level is a bit jumpy but I've always added exactly a litre whenever it asks for it and hasn't been a problem.
As you've added 1.25 litres already I definitely wouldn't add any more... You need to reset the oil level indicator after you add the oil, it takes a while to recalibrate but not 100 miles!
As you've added 1.25 litres already I definitely wouldn't add any more... You need to reset the oil level indicator after you add the oil, it takes a while to recalibrate but not 100 miles!
skeeterm5 said:
If the car says add 1 litre why would you only add 0.25?
As said, if you have put more than a litre in don't put any more.
S
I'd already added 1litre in total and the computer still had not moved and my paranoia got the better of me. I have reset it on the BC button last night but have yet to drive it again. Hopefully it is settled now.As said, if you have put more than a litre in don't put any more.
S
It's very well explained in the manual. Leave the oil alone until it tells you to add one litre, then add one litre (only). You can do a quick level check at idle, but a more accurate reading through the iDrive takes a few miles. Personally I would like the additional peace of mind of a manual dipstick.
I'm guessing that the car's slight thirst for oil motivated BMW to install an electronic level measuring system otherwise wealthy buyers would need to get their fingers dirty checking the oil and/or risk running low. And nothing worse than having a dipstick and an electronic measurement system given the potential for slight mismatches and the resulting confusion. Witness how modern BMWs have dampened water temp gauges that read the same across a fairly wide range of normal/acceptable temps.
AW10, I think you could be right. I think those sorts of 'hands off' cars should be left to Rolls Royce, Bentley etc owners. Cars like BMW M cars should have a level of 'DIY' built into them. Especially for the enthusiast.
I took the car out this evening, waited for the oil reader to display and this is what I got
It's over full by 0.3 litres (which will take about 200 or so miles to burn off to normal levels). Luckily it it is not massively over full otherwise I'd have it on axle stands and be doing a fresh oil change tomorrow morning.
I'm sort of happy - the engine isn't throwing any more warning symbols and reads "Engine oil level OK" rather than "Armageddon is coming".
Bottom line is that these cars DO require a hands on approach and the more you can read up the better. It will save you time, money and effort in both the short and long runs. It also certainly helps you enjoy the cars far more and I've also found this evening reading up on the S85 quite educational and therapeutic. There really is a tonne of information out there
I took the car out this evening, waited for the oil reader to display and this is what I got
It's over full by 0.3 litres (which will take about 200 or so miles to burn off to normal levels). Luckily it it is not massively over full otherwise I'd have it on axle stands and be doing a fresh oil change tomorrow morning.
I'm sort of happy - the engine isn't throwing any more warning symbols and reads "Engine oil level OK" rather than "Armageddon is coming".
Bottom line is that these cars DO require a hands on approach and the more you can read up the better. It will save you time, money and effort in both the short and long runs. It also certainly helps you enjoy the cars far more and I've also found this evening reading up on the S85 quite educational and therapeutic. There really is a tonne of information out there
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