Oil level safety shutoff?

[mh60sardog]

I recently bought a "new" 2001 X5 3.0 with 65000 miles on it. As I was driving home today, out of nowhere the car just shut off! I was able to coast into a parking light and popped the hood. I checked the oil dipstick and noticed that the oil was a little low. Over the lower "bulb" but at the very bottom of the middle section. I was just a block away from my local Pep Boys so I decided to walk over and get some more oil. I was talking to the guy behind the counter and he said that some European cars have safety feature that will shut the car off to avoid engine damage. Has anyone ever heard of this before? I got back to my car and added 1 quart of oil, which put it back at a good level and started the car. It started fine, but the Service Engine Soon light came on. It drove fine to my house (about 10 miles) and I parked it to wait until the service department opened. I bought the car from a very reputable BMW dealership three weeks ago, and so I hope that they would have done any services that would have been due. Has anybody ever heard of something like this before?

[Michelle]

when you go to the dealer!

:xoutpost:

And once you get everything straightened out at the dealer, post some pics!

[motordavid]

Your oil was a touch low, but still in the usable zip code, imo.

I have never heard of an engine shut off switch, connected
to oil level, on the X...

SES light could be one of many things: some minor, some not
so easy to diagnose.

Hope you have a good Indie, as your selling Stlr is standing
around the cash register, rubbing his hands and cackling,
awaiting your first return visit.
Welcome to the Board and Good Luck,
BR,mD

[xnsf]

:xoutpost:

never heard of that safety feature...but of course, it's plausible. with all the safety features the X has, i wouldn't be surprised this is included. but if the oil was too low, an indicator light would come on.

[mh60sardog]

I never had any lights come on until after the car shut off. That is the part that I am more worried about. Could the transmission have caused the car to shut off? I've heard about a transmission fail mode or something to that effect. Any other ideas on what could have made it shut off?

[X5HogTown]

I've got a 01 3.0 and I've seen no-oil on the dipstick on several occasions. I even got the dreaded red light once. It has never shut down on me.

These engines are chronic oil consumers. Get used to religiously checking the oil level on every second fill-up.

[mh60sardog]

Just got back from the dealership, not a horrible visit. They hooked the car up and checked the faults. The intake cam sensor failed 17 times! They replaced the sensor and I was only charged $50. Apparently the previous owner had purchased the extended CPO which had a $50 deductible. The service manager said that BMW's do have an oil level engine shutoff switch, but it would have to be several quarts low, not just 1. All in all, I'm glad that it got fixed and it was relatively simple.

[asawadude]

Just as an FYI, there are quite a few folks here who change their oil well before the scheduled BMW maintenance. I usually run about 6K miles between changes. I also check the oil level weekly and keep it topped. These are recommended steps that would help extend your engine's service life.