Why BMW shouldn't have removed the dipstick from engines...


I changed the oil in the diesel today after 1300 miles (Many thanks for the DIY). Forgot to check the dipstick before changing the oil.

Measured what drained-out, and it was seven quarts. Put seven quarts in, ran the engine a bit, and the dipstick says it is down a little less than one quart.

Electronic oil level display says it is at MAX. Since it doesn't hurt to run the engine a bit one quart low, I drove around a little, maybe 10 miles total, with a coupe of stops. Electronic level gauge still says MAX, dipstick still says almost a quart low.

I suspect the electronic oil level uses some sort of averaging strategy so as to not give false readings when not on the level, but I wonder how long it would take for the oil level indicator to realize the oil level is not at MAX, but almost at MIN. I also wonder if that nice oil level bar is really a "bar," which shows oil level, or just a graphic and the actual oil level readings are either "MAX" or "MIN."

Anyone ever seen an electronic oil level reading in the display between MIN and MAX?