E63 2006 no oil level in iDrive

[oldaudi]

Good morning
As some of you may know from my other threads I recently purchased an e63 2006. I’ve seen that I should be able to check the oil level in the idrive but the option is not there in my unit. I have the Status and a list of next service items and the word “OK” next to the oil but no oil level.
I’ve tried with engine off, on, after driving, during driving and it will just not appear.
I read on a USA forum that it could be possible that a new battery could cause this problem. Looking in the boot it does look like a new battery but this seems like an odd suggestion. Or perhaps the whole idrive was replaced at some point....
I know they are not always accurate but I have an old high’ish mileage engine with no way of checking the oil level. I’d like to check before I get a red oil warning !
Any ideas please?
Thank you.

[thatdude]

If it is a new battery, as you suspect, it might be worth checking it was properly registered in the software, if you think that might be the issue behind you not seeing an oil level (I cant think why that would be, but then I couldnt use the one-touch function of my electric windows in my old honda civic if the radio didnt have the security code put in after a battery disconnection! software programmers clearly have some odd ideas...)

Following that, you might need to visit a good independant with high-level diagnostic software or even BMW and ask them to check if somweting has been changed.

Just to be certain - are you sure there is no dipstick?

[oldaudi]

Thank you. It’s a very valid point about the dipstick. I’m not sure. I’ve looked all over and I can’t find one and I can find no reference to there being one on this model. If there is I would need someone to point it out to me.

I do need to find a good Indy in Bristol if anybody knows of one. Thanks you

[d_a_n1979]

oldaudi said:

Thank you. It’s a very valid point about the dipstick. I’m not sure. I’ve looked all over and I can’t find one and I can find no reference to there being one on this model. If there is I would need someone to point it out to me.

I do need to find a good Indy in Bristol if anybody knows of one. Thanks you

I'm sure there is one on these; right at the back of the engine maybe?

Which engine does your E63 have?

[oldaudi]

Thank you I believe it’s the n52..this is my actual engine the one with the silver plastic cover

[d_a_n1979]

oldaudi said:

Thank you I believe it’s the n52..this is my actual engine the one with the silver plastic cover

Ah; nope, no dipstick unfortunately. Electronic measurement only...

[parabolica]

If my memory serves correctly the oil level wasn't in the iDrive, but rather one of the status checks you can bring up on the little display in the instrument cluster when you first start the car. Had to press one of the stalk buttons to get it IIRC.

They moved it to the the iDrive for later generations.

[Prinny]

parabolica said:

If my memory serves correctly the oil level wasn't in the iDrive, but rather one of the status checks you can bring up on the little display in the instrument cluster when you first start the car. Had to press one of the stalk buttons to get it IIRC.

They moved it to the the iDrive for later generations.

Yep - this from my 2006 M6 (I imagine it’s the same for all engine types on the 2nd Gen I drive - single button type)

[oldaudi]

Thanks for the upload.... mine just toggles between blank...miles Until empty...average speed and mpg

Weird isn’t it.

[parabolica]

I think you have to search for it immediately after turning the ignition on - you can't access it say a minute after the car is running. Pretty sure it was something like turn the car on and hold down the trip computer button until it showed the gauge.

[Prinny]

This: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHcqSaW_aRY

Suggests you need to get to the service screen in the i-drive, but then hold down/back at the status point until the check oil level appears. Might be you’re not doing the ‘hold’ down bit?

(My google-fu failed me on trying to find a 630 specific manual - it tends to be US places that store them and maybe they only got the v8’s /M?)

[Collectingbrass]

d_a_n1979 said:

oldaudi said:

Thank you I believe it’s the n52..this is my actual engine the one with the silver plastic cover

Ah; nope, no dipstick unfortunately. Electronic measurement only...

There is a manual dispstick at the back right hand side of the block. It's a PITA to get to and the pull handle isn't highlighted like on most cars but it's there, you'll need to shuffle a few pipes a little bit. See here https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t...

[Waynester]

Collectingbrass said:

d_a_n1979 said:

oldaudi said:

Thank you I believe it’s the n52..this is my actual engine the one with the silver plastic cover

Ah; nope, no dipstick unfortunately. Electronic measurement only...

There is a manual dispstick at the back right hand side of the block. It's a PITA to get to and the pull handle isn't highlighted like on most cars but it's there, you'll need to shuffle a few pipes a little bit. See here https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t...

Thread revival time..

Can anyone answer if there is or isn’t on an 2006 E63 630i? As I cannot find a manual dipstick anywhere?

[naturalaspiration]

Your question has already been answered.

[Lee630i]

Doesn't sound like your looking at the right area on the idrive,

To confirm, press info, service items. Don't drop down to the list of items with the list of 'ok' symbols instead toggle again to the right and engine oil level is on its own. Has to be driving for a while for it to register a reading although you will still see the picture.

Although I have a later n53 630i the idrive is still ccc. If you have no luck I will take some pictures of mine

[Lee630i]

https://youtu.be/PHcqSaW_aRY

[Waynester]

Lee630i said:

Doesn't sound like your looking at the right area on the idrive,

To confirm, press info, service items. Don't drop down to the list of items with the list of 'ok' symbols instead toggle again to the right and engine oil level is on its own. Has to be driving for a while for it to register a reading although you will still see the picture.

Although I have a later n53 630i the idrive is still ccc. If you have no luck I will take some pictures of mine

Thanks, yes I have that information all ready. It was on max, but now only reads with 2 green blocks. I have topped up a litre at a time, 4 litres now in total.. and it’s still showing as 2 green lights, so something isn’t right? I’m reluctant to add anymore incase there’s a sender issue and I’m over filling.. It’s a pain there isn’t a manual dipstick.

[Lee630i]

I would lose all confidence myself in that situation, I'm forever Poking the float up and down in the coolant reservoir as well as i worry it might be stuck!.

Can beat a dip stick and a clear coolant reservoir!

First worry is engine preservation, I would be taking it for an early oil change so you can guarantee what's gone in it to give you a clean slate

[Waynester]

Lee630i said:

I would lose all confidence myself in that situation, I'm forever Poking the float up and down in the coolant reservoir as well as i worry it might be stuck!.

Can beat a dip stick and a clear coolant reservoir!

First worry is engine preservation, I would be taking it for an early oil change so you can guarantee what's gone in it to give you a clean slate

Agree, it’s frustrating not being able to manually check oil levels.. Plan is to take the car to BM Specialists in Letchworth tomorrow. It’s only done 1900 miles since the last service, but I need to get this issue sorted. Hoping it’s just a faulty sender, and due to constant short journeys, the PCV valve may be at fault too. Will find out tomorrow.

[Lee630i]

Good luck, let me know how you get on
Something that will happen to mine no doubt at some point