Oil Light @4500 miles?

karpman9

karpman9

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#1
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Scottsdale, Arizona
#1
Hello Friends,

I've gotten my 1st "quirk" with my still somewhat-new ride (4500 miles).

Sometimes my yellow oil light indicator (on top,between the tach. and speedometer) illuminates when I shut off my car. It stays lit even though the car is shut off. It goes away when I restart my car, and then turn it off. Weird-huh? My oil change indicator continues to countdown from 15K miles normally. I get no other warnings.

Has this happened to anyone else? Sound familier? Any thoughts as to what is causing this? I know I could call the dealer, but I hate to bring the car into the dealership. Any comments are appreciated!

Thanks!
 
M

Maxer

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#3
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Connecticut
#3
My 2004 325i does the same thing. I've got 7300 miles. I didn't pay it much attention since it isn't lit when the engine is running. If anyone has more info, please share.
 
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B767capt

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Newnan, GA
#4
According to the owners manual, if the oil light comes on after the car is shut off, then the oil level is too low. Says to check on level ground, 5 minutes after car has been shut off. Probably needs a topping off after 4500 miles, especially since it is breaking in.
 
E

epj3

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#7
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#7
Yea this is a new mod these crazy kids are doing now a days.

You take out all but 2 quarts of oil. It's dead weight and your pump can still circulate 2 quarts...
 
C

Corsa999

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#8
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Boston
#8
Hey, I had this exact same issue. After driving, not aggressively, upon shut off the orange oil light would come on. I checked and my level was at the minimum. I went to a local BMW dealership and got two quarts of synth. (they actually gave me two quarts and a nylon zip-up bag that fits one quart with velcro on the back and funnels and cloths inside. nice.) My car has about 7,000 miles on it and it took an entire quart to bring it up just above the midpoint on the dipstick. The car now runs and sounds like it did when it was new. How could I have neglected something so simple? [nono]
 
///M SPEED

///M SPEED

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#9
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Seattle Area
#9
Corsa999 said:
Hey, I had this exact same issue. After driving, not aggressively, upon shut off the orange oil light would come on. I checked and my level was at the minimum. I went to a local BMW dealership and got two quarts of synth. (they actually gave me two quarts and a nylon zip-up bag that fits one quart with velcro on the back and funnels and cloths inside. nice.) My car has about 7,000 miles on it and it took an entire quart to bring it up just above the midpoint on the dipstick. The car now runs and sounds like it did when it was new. How could I have neglected something so simple? [nono]
Click to expand...
It is actually pretty easy. According to BMW this is normal for some of the 3 series/M's to burn a little oil. When you have a new car it is easy to believe the car shouldn't burn oil, therefore causing one not to check at the same intervals as an older used one. I was talking to a service guy and he stated that the 3 series inline 6 could run on only 2 quarts of oil without causing much if any damage. I wouldn't try this or condone, but the motors are pretty strong.
 
L

lizattwu

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#11
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DALLAS
#11
Hey karpman,
I had this happen to me , and also my antifreeze yellow light came on.
Brought the car in the dealer and they just topped off with a quart of oil and some antifreeze .. it was good to go . I thought maybe they can go ahead and do the oil change , but they say they would have to charges for it even tho its over a yr .......(esti 10,700miles)... I agreed definitely do not ignore ..[:D]
 
T

TheBry

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#12
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San Francisco, California
#12
This happened to me as well. It was roughly at 7500 miles. I was concerned because my service interval indicator showed I had about 7000 more miles to go before my first oil change. I talked to my dealer (and read the manual) and felt better -- was given advice to top off the oil with Castrol synthetic. Took a whole quart to get the level back into the mid-range.

You've got to admit it's a pretty sweet thing that our B'mers tell us what they need. I just love this car.
 
M

Maxer

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#14
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Connecticut
#14
Right on the money! I took just about a full quart to get it back to where it should be. I was extra carefull to not overfill. The manual's real specific about that. This is my first bimmer and I'm being extra anal about taking care of it.
 
J

jnx

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#15
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St Louis
#15
Same thing happened to me, however my oil level is ok. The yellow light comes on sometimes, and stay's on, after I turn the car off, then upon restart it will go out. This only happens sometimes.
 
codex57

codex57

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Lincoln, CA
#16
lizattwu said:
I thought maybe they can go ahead and do the oil change , but they say they would have to charges for it even tho its over a yr .......(esti 10,700miles)...
Click to expand...
It's been a year since you haven't had an oil change? They're supposed to do it for free under the scheduled maintenance. Go complain or find another dealer that knows something about BMWs.
 
G

goodchip

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#17
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Edmonton, Alberta Canada
#17
After reading all the posts about using oil, I checked mine today. 2800 km (about 1700 miles), and I was down 1/2 a litre. Can someone explain why these cars go through oil? My last three new cars,(2 Nissans and an Acura) have never burned an ounce of oil between them. To the point where I would literally never check my oil between changes. Makes me wonder why bother ever changing the oil in my BMW. With all the top ups, I'll have prety much changed out the whole crankcase anyway!
What's up with BMW?? [8]
 
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bmwrebe

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#19
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CA
#19
Your Oil Light staying on after the car has been turned off is probably part of a bigger problem. I know this because I am currently experiencing the same problem. I bought my '03 325i 10/03 and have had one problem after the other with it.

The most recent problem happened 2 weeks ago. I went in for my scheduled 15k oil change. The next morning I turned on my car, drove less than .25 mile and the oil light went on. I drove for less than 2 miles and then the oil light went off. Checked the oil it was fine -- of course it would be I had an oil change less than 100 miles ago. Took the car in to get it "fixed" and they replaced the oil sensor light with another oil change. Humm, would you guess that I had the same problem the very next morning? Yeap, oil light is still on. My service advisor "for sure thought he had fixed it." He is currently "trying to figure it out"...

You probably have the same stored fault in your computer system that is causing you light to stay on after the car shuts off. The bad part is, BMW NA can not explain what this "stored fault" is...This all part of a bad electrical system that they don't want to take responsibility for...

My car has been back to service 7 times since I bought it a year ago...Also for the cold start problem there has been so many postings about & because it died 2 weeks after I got it for a drained battery...I wish I would have know about this message board sooner!!!

Is anyone else experiencing the same problems?
 
D

drfreeman

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#20
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San Marino
#20
I got the same problem on my 330i performance package. Just one month purchase from the bmw dealer in certified pre-owned. they should change and check the oil before certified it. I read the owner menu and add a quart of Castrol Synthec 5W-30 in it and the problem solved. Please do not ignore any warning light from your car. that is your bimmer want to tell you something that need your attention. Any one can tell me how to read the oil dipstick. it is a funny design. I just make the oil in between to gap.
 
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