Low on oil. That's exactly how i know to add oil. Watch the oil pressure light also it will usually accompany the lifter tick. It will disappear right when the sound does.

Six seconds is about exactly a quart low for my car.

I have gas 3.0 M54. Full oil dead center warm engine 5 min. after shut down.

My wife's X5 has a bad oil leak and it's been down low enough to trip the yellow low oil light while driving. It will be about two quarts low of that happens.

I like going the litter tick at start. If it's more than 4 seconds I know I need to add half a quart or so then it goes away.

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2011 E70 • N55 (me)
2012 E70 • N63 (wife)