Under the hood, BMW has removed the oil level dipstick and replaced it with an oil pan sensor (the shaded part in the figure). If the oil level inside the oil pan falls below the safe level, the sensor should sound an alarm. Not accountants who determine how long you may drive without changing or checking the oil in your automobile, but engineers who created the engines who computed this number. Another thing to keep in mind is that these electronic level meters do occasionally malfunction.
BMW wants you to think that your car’s engine oil only needs to be changed every 15,000 miles and that the transmission oil never needs to be changed. Does that strike you as reasonable?
Did you know that BMW claims that a quart of oil is consumed by each of their vehicles every 800-900 miles? This equation’s irrational component is the 15,000-mile oil change interval with certain models’ oil pans holding up to 7.5 quarts of oil.
If you used this formula, your oil pan would entirely run dry after 8,000 miles of driving. That is around half of the suggested oil change interval of 15,000 miles. Not to mention that the oil pump will be unable to refuel well before the fifth quart runs out. The end consequence is a defective engine that needs a significant and pricey service. You would require an oil pan with a capacity of roughly 20 quarts to address this issue. There are only 8 quarts in the typical BMW. That is a tragedy waiting to happen!
Keeping with the lifespan fluids described earlier, how long is the “lifetime”? According to manufacturers, “lifetime” is often defined as 8 to 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. Be advised, nevertheless, that you shouldn’t adhere to the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule if you intend to retain your automobile for longer than five years. Autoscope advises having your oil changed every 7,500 miles with synthetic fluids and every 3,500 miles with petroleum-based fluids to prevent costly repairs.
In This Article...
Answer
Your BMW 1 Series no longer has the engine oil dipstick. You must access the car information menu while the motor is running and in neutral, then select check oil level. The oil level control software begins automatically at this moment (the car continues to accelerate somewhat), runs for about a minute, and then provides you with a response.
Has a new BMW got a dipstick?
A dipstick is used to check the oil level in older automobiles, and most modern BMW models also come with one. In either case, this task is simpler than changing your tires at home.
On a BMW, where is the transmission dipstick?
It is situated behind the engine oil dipstick in the back of a vehicle with rear-wheel drive. The transmission fluid dipstick is protruding from the transaxle toward the front of a front-wheel drive vehicle.
When did BMW abandon the dipstick?
The 4.4L V8 in the 2018 BMW M850 is the engine in dispute. This engine is a development of the BMW N63 engine, which was initially unveiled in 2008, two years after BMW stopped using oil dipsticks. When a reader wrote in to ask how he should check the oil in his 2006 330i, BMW created such a stir that even the Wall Street Journal ran a story on it. One of the earliest engines that BMW designed with a dip stick was the N52 engine beneath the hood.
I watched the video below, which illustrates how difficult it is to check your oil in a new BMW, while not owning one myself.
The car must apparently be turned on in order to use this improved technology, and doing so requires simple navigation through the cluster’s display. However, it may take the device 5 to 15 minutes to record your oil reading. Unacceptable and, in my opinion, not significantly better than the standard stick.
I’m fine with digital meters being used in addition to conventional dipsticks. But to completely remove the dipstick is just…fiddling.
It will be better for everyone if this report is true and BMW doesn’t surprise us by removing the dipstick from the production model.
Are there oil dipsticks in a BMW?
Oil dipsticks have long been a standard component of cars. They are simple to use, effective, and provide a quick response to whether your engine needs oil.
However, some BMW owners have been perplexed to discover that their car lacks a physical dipstick, which has led to uncertainty.
Since 2006, there have been no new BMW models with dipsticks. Owners used the traditional dipstick so little that it was replaced with an electronic oil level indicator installed in the oil pan.
Despite this, the physical dipstick has made a comeback alongside the electronic system in contemporary 7 and 8 Series BMWs powered by V8 and V12 engines.
But why did BMW decide to do away with dipsticks, and how can you change it in a BMW without one?
Why do modern vehicles lack dipsticks?
New Cars Don’t Have Dip Sticks: A Guide to Transmission Maintenance and Service (home>>maintenance service)
When you used to perform routine transmission maintenance, you would occasionally check the level of your transmission fluid by removing a metal dipstick from a tube next to your engine. Those times are quickly drawing to a conclusion. The transmission dipstick and easily accessible tubes for pouring fluid to your car’s transmission are becoming obsolete in many new automobiles.
The adjustment was made because a car owner could harm a transmission by overfilling or using the incorrect transmission fluid.
Transmission fluid is no longer a common commodity. To match the precise internal components of contemporary transmissions, many manufacturers are using fluids with particular formulas in their installations. If the improper fluid is used, the transmission could malfunction long before the new car warranty runs out.
Manufacturers dislike changing transmissions while still covered by warranty. It is pricey. Owners become irate. Additionally, it can be more difficult and expensive to prove that the owner damaged the transmission by using the incorrect fluid than it is to replace the transmission.
Sadly, a lot of these owners had their fast change oil and fluid store replace their transmission fluid. Try to get the quick lube shop to cover the cost of the damaged transmission. Good fortune
Manufacturers are making it challenging to service transmissions in order to protect themselves. The advised service intervals are being extended. Additionally, in some situations, the cost of a new car includes pre-paid maintenance services.
Transmission fluids continue to degrade. Even now, they are filthy. They still require changing. A transmission’s lifespan will be shortened if routine maintenance is neglected. However, a transmission that malfunctions after the warranty has expired is not the manufacturer’s responsibility. Additionally, since the majority of people who buy new cars do not keep them for more than five years or 100,000 miles, the initial buyer also does not give a damn.
So what do you need to do? Every 30,000 to 60,000 miles, seasoned mechanics replace the gearbox fluid in their own cars. Why? They want their cars to last a long time. They are aware of how crucial transmission services are. They possess the specialized instruments and apparatus required to remove and replace fluids. They also understand how to choose the right fluid for the car.
If you recently bought a used car or own a newer automobile that you wish to keep for at least 200,000 miles, take it to a qualified independent repair shop that sells premium lubricants like Amsoil. Allow them to check your fluids and abide by their maintenance and repair advice for your transmission.
What automobiles lack dipsticks?
The oil dipstick has been removed from some Ford, Cadillac, Lincoln, Chevrolet, Chrysler, and Mazda models, among others, and Mercedes, BMW, Audi, and other manufacturers are following suit.
Do certain vehicles lack dipsticks?
It’s possible that your vehicle lacks a dipstick for testing the gearbox fluid if it’s recent. This not only makes it challenging to check the fluid level and condition, but it also removes the dipstick tube or orifice, which is the typical method of adding fluid to an automatic transmission.
Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac (Catera), Chevrolet (Equinox), Chrysler (300), Ford, Mazda (Miata and MPV), Saturn, Toyota, and Volkswagen are among the automakers that offer certain of their models without dipstick automatic transmissions. The transmissions on these cars are all of European design at the moment, which serves as their commonality. The idea is growing, though, as the GM-built 6-speed automatic utilized in the newest BMW vehicles likewise does without a dipstick.
The transmission fluid must be checked at the transmission if the car lacks a dipstick. To check the fluid, the car must be lifted using four jack supports so that it is level. The side of the transmission case will have a fill plug. The drain plug that is found at the sump’s base is not this one. Cycle the transmission through the gears while keeping your foot on the brake to ensure that fluid is present in all of the internal channels. Next, take off the fill plug while the engine is still running. There should be a thin stream of liquid emerging. The liquid level is low if not.
There won’t be enough area for a funnel, so you’ll probably need a fluid transfer hand pump, like one made by Mityvac that costs approximately $25. Tighten the fill plug to the specified torque setting while the engine is still running after adding fluid until some starts to leak out.
When checking the fluid level or adding fluid, some manufacturers, like Audi and BMW, are even more strict about the recommended technique, mandating that the transmission fluid temperature be between 30 degrees C and 50 degrees C (86 degrees F to 122 degrees F). However, after draining, the Audi transmission needs to cool to room temperature before being replenished.
But things get much more complicated because some manufacturers, like Toyota and Volkswagen, demand that an unique scan equipment be used to permit accessing particular gearbox channels before testing fluid level on some models.
Make sure you are aware of the correct, factory-specified process before attempting to check the fluid level in a car without a dipstick. The manufacturer shop manual is still the greatest source of information, though you might be able to discover that technique online.
Where is the dipstick for the oil level?
The dipstick is typically found on the left side of the engine on most models. The dipstick often has a distinctly visible yellow or orange circular handle. A substantial piece of metal will slide out of the engine when you pull this handle.
How can I tell when the oil in my car is low?
Push the dipstick all the way down into the tube while carefully inserting it. Now take it out and attentively inspect the tip; it should be covered in oil. Your car has enough oil if the oil level is between the two lines. It’s time to add a quart if it is at or below the low mark.
How can I determine whether my BMW needs oil?
BMW advises that you have your oil changed at least once every 10,000 miles if you drive your car a lot. If your BMW has the most recent iDrive System, scroll to “Car Information” from the home screen, then “vehicle status,” and finally “service required.”
Is my BMW safe to drive with the oil light on?
If you see this light on, we strongly advise that you immediately halt driving and turn off your engine. When this light is on, driving, it can result in serious, permanent engine damage.