oil problem
 

OK, so I get a 'check engine oil level' message, and run to my hood and check the dip stick - it's completely dry! No oil on it what so ever. Then, I break out half a quart of oil (I had just added some about two weeks ago, and this seemed like a normal dose) and dump it in. I let it sit for a little while, start the engine, shut it off, and recheck the dip stick - still dry. I know for a fact that I have oil in my car, but I lack knowledge of its location. I've been driving with it, and everything is normal, what could be the cause of the dry dip stick? :dunno:

STOP DRIVING NOW!!!

Your dipstick doesn't lie, you are low on oil. Generally, there is 1 quart difference between the two lines on the dipstick. If you are not registering on the stick it is because you are at least two quarts low. Start adding one quart at a time and recheck each time you add a quart.

The oil is only going be in your oil pan when the engine is cold. If it's not there on the dipstick, you're low on oil. Simple as that. Cary is right, per the manual, 1 quart is the difference between the two lines. When the check engine light comes on, you are low on oil by at least a quart. Add one quart, then check the level. Add little by little after that if necessary and keep checking the dipstick as you go. Remember that when you add oil, check the dipstick after a few minutes as the oil has to make its way down to the oil pan.

Don't drive your car without adding oil to bring it up to the required level. Doing so would just be neglegent.

Alright, it doesn't move until I get more oil. Does it seem right to run out of that much oil so quickly though? Is there something else that's wrong? I know that I was just below the full line on the dipstick two weeks ago, and I think for it to burn through a quart or more of oil in the course of two weeks and only about 1000 miles just seems wrong, doesn't it?

JW: Imo, a "qt in a thou" is well within BMW's "specs", though not fun or welcome. You must have looked at an "undrained" stick if it really went from "full" to oil light on, or you have a real leak or, a serious consumption prob. I thought I recalled that you got an oil change a short while ago?
Many Stlrs do a 7 qt change and you get it back already a qt shy.
GL, md

I had that message on my '01, turned out to be a bad oil level sending switch in the oil pan.

Do you have any signs of oil leakage?
Strange for your car to be consuming so much oil!If its consuming it at this rate you should be able to smell it on your exhaust tips!When your car is warmed up .do you see white/greyish smoke coming out from your exhausts?Sincerely hope not??????

I really hope that its something as simple as maybe someone just didnt fill it up properly on you last oil change!

Yea, but if there's no oil on the dipstick, there's no oil.

I went out, checked the dip stick (it was completely dry), added half a quart, waited, checked the dip stick (still dry). Then I added the rest of the quart and waited some more. I checked the dip stick and it was just below the minimum line. I added another 1/2 quart and waited and checked the dip stick. I plan on changing the oil this weekend, so I wasn't too worried about getting it completely full, just in the middle. As of right now, there doesn't seem to be an oil leak, or consumption problem. No signs of oil leaks where I parked it last night, and no sign of excessive oil consumption in the exhaust. I do, however, get a wierd sound as the car is warming up. I know these engines aren't supposed to sound beautiful as they are warming up, but this sound makes the worst music you ever heard sound like Mozart. It's a puffing sound, starts quiet and gets louder and stays until it gets completely warmed up. The exhaust even pulses with the sound. Any guesses you guys?

There must be a leak somewhere. Did you have the oil changed recently? Perhaps it's leaking at the plug or around the filter gasket.

If it was actually burning over a quart in such a short time frame, you'd see a pretty big cloud behind your truck and the police would have probably pulled you over by now.