Dipstick says

Krockit1 · 11-15-2013, 12:27 PM

Had oil change yesterday under warranty. When the dipstick finally came up on the drive home, it showed the oil level low by not quite 1/8 the total distance between the arrows. Called them out and he said they had filled with a measured 9 quarts of Castrol 10w-60 but that the tech had noted the dipstick was showing it low as well. He was certain crankcase was correctly filled.

So WTF, where do you take this one? Is the dipstick inaccurate? Or is my dealer the dipstick

kawasaki00 · 11-15-2013, 12:37 PM

If the dealer is telling the truth 9qts is perfect, puts me 7/8 up the meter every time. If they didnt measure it who knows.
You wouldnt be the first guy whos meter went bad. Sorry to not be of more help. This is why I do my own, it takes 20 minutes and I know it is done right.

Krockit1 · 11-15-2013, 05:46 PM

Yeah I need to start that. Do you need a lift or wheel ramps?

Cool Steel · 11-15-2013, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krockit1

Had oil change yesterday under warranty. When the dipstick finally came up on the drive home, it showed the oil level low by not quite 1/8 the total distance between the arrows. Called them out and he said they had filled with a measured 9 quarts of Castrol 10w-60 but that the tech had noted the dipstick was showing it low as well. He was certain crankcase was correctly filled.

So WTF, where do you take this one? Is the dipstick inaccurate? Or is my dealer the dipstick

Were the dipsticks for buying a car without a dipstick...

Krockit1 · 11-15-2013, 07:19 PM

there's some truth to that. And get this, BMW service centers HAVE a mechanical dipstick. They use it to check completeness of fill when the oil indicator sensor is suspected as faulty!

dparm · 11-15-2013, 08:51 PM

Go back and tell them you need your oil topped off. Just drive up -- they're used to this. Usually free.

My local dealer has a cart they wheel around to the cars in the service driveway with coolant, washer fluid, various oils, etc for top-off.

White 13 · 11-17-2013, 12:01 AM

I wouldn't worry about 1/8 of a quart low but it would be interesting to me if yours came up after a few days without adding. If you go this route let us know what happens.

marksae · 11-17-2013, 10:49 AM

That dipstick indicator is so deceptive. I got the "add one quart" notification, so I added half a quart. It took a few days and ~30 miles of driving, before the dipstick indicator finally registered the added oil. So adding half a quart brought me from the "L" to 7/8 "F".

Good thing I was patient this time, based on past experience. I almost added more oil.

Sapper_M3 · 11-20-2013, 02:03 AM

I'd say give it 100-150 miles more driving to see if it changes any.

If it's still low, I'd fill it myself 1/8 (1/4 at most) of a liter at a time. The electronic dipstick is so finicky that adding a 1/2 liter when it says "+1 liter" can cause you to overfill.

Honestly, I'd just be happy that the dealership didn't overfill me, which had been known to happen (and which is a much bigger problem).

11-15-2013, 12:27 PM	#1
Krockit1 First Lieutenant 51 Rep 333 Posts Drives: 2010 M3 Coupe Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Dousman, WI iTrader: (0)	Dipstick says Had oil change yesterday under warranty. When the dipstick finally came up on the drive home, it showed the oil level low by not quite 1/8 the total distance between the arrows. Called them out and he said they had filled with a measured 9 quarts of Castrol 10w-60 but that the tech had noted the dipstick was showing it low as well. He was certain crankcase was correctly filled. So WTF, where do you take this one? Is the dipstick inaccurate? Or is my dealer the dipstick __________________ As a matter of fact, I did steal it
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

11-15-2013, 12:37 PM	#2
kawasaki00 Lieutenant Colonel 233 Rep 1,673 Posts Drives: SG-E92 ESS-650 BPM Tune Join Date: May 2012 Location: Charlotte NC iTrader: (11)	If the dealer is telling the truth 9qts is perfect, puts me 7/8 up the meter every time. If they didnt measure it who knows. You wouldnt be the first guy whos meter went bad. Sorry to not be of more help. This is why I do my own, it takes 20 minutes and I know it is done right. __________________ Electronics Junkie, Engine Builder.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-15-2013, 05:46 PM	#3
Krockit1 First Lieutenant 51 Rep 333 Posts Drives: 2010 M3 Coupe Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Dousman, WI iTrader: (0)	Yeah I need to start that. Do you need a lift or wheel ramps? __________________ As a matter of fact, I did steal it
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-15-2013, 07:19 PM	#5
Krockit1 First Lieutenant 51 Rep 333 Posts Drives: 2010 M3 Coupe Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Dousman, WI iTrader: (0)	there's some truth to that. And get this, BMW service centers HAVE a mechanical dipstick. They use it to check completeness of fill when the oil indicator sensor is suspected as faulty! __________________ As a matter of fact, I did steal it
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-15-2013, 08:51 PM	#6
dparm Stop the hate, get a V8 3850 Rep 8,625 Posts Drives: C7 Corvette GS, AMG C63 S Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Frisco, TX iTrader: (1)	Go back and tell them you need your oil topped off. Just drive up -- they're used to this. Usually free. My local dealer has a cart they wheel around to the cars in the service driveway with coolant, washer fluid, various oils, etc for top-off. __________________ Now: 2017 Corvette Grand Sport, 2021 AMG C63 S sedan Past: 2011.5 M3 sedan ZCP
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-17-2013, 12:01 AM	#7
White 13 Second Lieutenant 42 Rep 266 Posts Drives: A 2013 Alpine White E92 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: N Cal iTrader: (0)	I wouldn't worry about 1/8 of a quart low but it would be interesting to me if yours came up after a few days without adding. If you go this route let us know what happens.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-17-2013, 10:49 AM	#8
marksae First Lieutenant 36 Rep 368 Posts Drives: ///M Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (6)	That dipstick indicator is so deceptive. I got the "add one quart" notification, so I added half a quart. It took a few days and ~30 miles of driving, before the dipstick indicator finally registered the added oil. So adding half a quart brought me from the "L" to 7/8 "F". Good thing I was patient this time, based on past experience. I almost added more oil. __________________ 04 E46 M3 6MT - AW / Cinn 93 FD RX-7 Base Manual - BB / Blk IG: @gearheadtwins
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-20-2013, 02:03 AM	#9
Sapper_M3 Captain 48 Rep 611 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 M3, ZCP Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Missouri iTrader: (0)	I'd say give it 100-150 miles more driving to see if it changes any. If it's still low, I'd fill it myself 1/8 (1/4 at most) of a liter at a time. The electronic dipstick is so finicky that adding a 1/2 liter when it says "+1 liter" can cause you to overfill. Honestly, I'd just be happy that the dealership didn't overfill me, which had been known to happen (and which is a much bigger problem).
	Appreciate 0 Quote