At how many quarts does CHECK OIL LEVEL come on? M54 consumption Q's...

[Ricky Bobby]

So my CHECK OIL LEVEL came on today at lunch, I'm wondering about how many quarts does that mean I have left in the engine? I will top up and do an oil change this weekend, as I'm due for my yearly change.

I changed my oil in beginning of November last year, and if I put on 5k miles this year I'd be surprised, with all the maintenance I did. My M54 currently sits at 70k miles, I filled up with 8 even quarts last year of Shell Rotella T6 5w-40. No smoking from my engine, no CCV issues to speak of, I looked under the dipstick and oil filler cap and no paste or sludge.

My X5 does not drop any oil, that I can tell, unless it drops on the reinforcement plate and never makes it to the ground, but I don't think it leaks.

Valve cover looks good visually, I will run my fingers underneath it and see if I get oily fingers or feel any leaks, but I don't see any dripping problems or major leaks to speak of. OFH is going to be visually checked, thanks to the E46 forums I know where to look in relation to seeing if the OFH is leaking. I don't do short trips much at all, my commute has a solid 20 miles of highway speeds which I am usually at 4k rpm's to keep the CCV happy.


Other than that, I guess with the 4-5k miles I put on this year, my oil consumption I guess is normal as can be?? This is the first car where I've found that engines consuming oil in between oil changes is "normal", with my past VW's if they consumed half a quart every 5k miles I'd be amazed.


Fire away with thoughts.

[luvmy03E53]

Jay, you might do some research into the oil level sensor. In my research on oil leaks in my M54 and my son's M52Tu, I seem to recall reading something about a sensor going bad. Just a thought...

[X5SND]

Check the oil filter housing gasket. The Check oil light means you're pretty low....if that much was leaking somewhere you'd definitely see it puddle out somewhere.

Edit: you did remember to top off AFTER the first run with the new filter right? That can sap up nearly half a quart.

[luvmy03E53]

A quick googling found this...

Yellow Or Red Oil Level Warning On Start Up Or While Driving On Your BMW


BT-dubs... I'll replace your oil level sensor if you replace my front wheel bearings...

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by X5SND

Check the oil filter housing gasket. The Check oil light means you're pretty low....if that much was leaking somewhere you'd definitely see it puddle out somewhere.

Edit: you did remember to top off AFTER the first run with the new filter right? That can sap up nearly half a quart.

I didn't change the oil yet man! I'm telling you that since my last oil change (November 2012, with 8 quarts of Shell Rotella T6 5w-40 and OEM filter) the CHECK OIL LEVEL light just came on today for the first time! I in no way shape or form think I have a huge leak, I just wanted to know how many quarts I have consumed over the past year and 4-5k miles, as I'm not used to oil consumption being "normal" on my cars.

I'll take a look at the area where the OFHG is supposed to leak from, if its dry then I guess I'm just consuming oil "within spec" lol.

And Gary, I appreciate the advice on the sensor but I don't think the sensor is my problem here, sorry if my post got misconstrued. I'm more interested into "what makes M54's consume oil" and "how much consumption is normal with my interval"

If you lived locally I'd definitely lend you a hand and teach you how to replace those bearings as long as you provided beer, tools, and cigars!

[Doru]

Ricky Bobby, check the dipstick and see where the oil level is. Between the min/Max level is roughly 1 qt. Below the min level using the dipstick, you probably have another qt to the bottom. Anything below is a guessing game. Top up the oil before you take her for a spin.

[racingbmwm3]

The light is 'supposed' to come on when you are 1 qt low, which is also at the Min mark on the dipstick.
1 qt every 5000 miles is fine. And typically, the harder you drive it (higher rpms) the more it will consume. And every engine is different. Some will burn 1 qt every few thousand, some will go the 15k interval consuming less than 1qt. It's when your car starts deviating from its normal behavior that you should start suspecting an issue.

The issue with the sensor going bad is when your light turns on randomly and your oil level is fine.

[X5SND]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

I didn't change the oil yet man! I'm telling you that since my last oil change (November 2012, with 8 quarts of Shell Rotella T6 5w-40 and OEM filter) the CHECK OIL LEVEL light just came on today for the first time! I in no way shape or form think I have a huge leak, I just wanted to know how many quarts I have consumed over the past year and 4-5k miles, as I'm not used to oil consumption being "normal" on my cars.

I'll take a look at the area where the OFHG is supposed to leak from, if its dry then I guess I'm just consuming oil "within spec" lol.

LOL my brain decided to take a vacation yesterday cause it was NOT working for most of the day! (It's the cold weather & snow)

Re-read your post; I wouldn't be worried about you're consumption...I'd say it's within normal for your highway driving!

[Ricky Bobby]

Will check the dipstick later on tonight and post up a pic! I guess I'm heading to Wal-Mart as well for a few quarts of Rotella oil (might as well get a "top off" quart in addition to the 8 quarts for my upcoming oil change).

[Doru]

Check the oil level before you buy the oil. Just to make sure the sensor is not BS-ing you.