Check Oil Level?
 

I'm at 59k miles and I just got the Check Oil Level message on the OBC. What should a novice about cars do right now? I'm getting quotes on the 60k inspection 2 from different places.

Have you tried something as exotic as checking the oil and maybe
adding a qt or so?

What oil should I add?

I've tried the home page and the search but it seems like the site is experiencing some server issues.

Any name brand full synthetic oil; 5W-30, 0W-30,
0W-40, etc.

Brands such as Mobil 1, Castrol Syntec, et al.

All can be found at WalMart, AutoZone, even some
grocery stores and gas and go's.

Add a qt, let it settle for a few mins, check stick,
repeat if necessary. An Insp ll is not really needed
just because the oil is low...:rolleyes:

Yeah the 60k is coming up that's what I was referring too on getting an appointment for that. I wanted to make sure I put the correct oil in and the none of the links on the home page work.

Thanks for your help!

I'd skip any Insp ll "service" at the stlr, imo...
if you really feel you need "it", find a good
indie. Stlr's Insp ll tend to be an oil change,
20 mins on the lift looking for out of warranty
work they can pitch you on, etc. and not much
else.
GL,mD

:rofl: I think there is a part # on the fan cover near the front of the engine if you wanted to get "the exact" oil from your stealer. Otherwise, MD is absoultely right on the other oil suggestions. Any good quality synthetic oil will work. I use 5W30 in my 02 4.4.

If you have an extended warranty I would get the inspection II done somewhere so your warranty holder can't say you didn't perform all necessary maintenance if something goes wrong.

If the display says Check Engine Oil level, that's typically a good place to start. If the dealer normally does your oil changes the oil in there now is 5W-30, so buy any synthetic oil of that viscsity. The warning you got normally comes on when the engine is 1qt low, but check the dipstick as you add the oil anyway.

Thanks for all the help everyone.

I tried the search and didn't want to post another thread but couldn't find anything do to the server errors.

listen! pull the dipstick out with the red little handle and wipe it off. Reinsert into the engine and pull out again. check the level between the gauge inscripted with high and low measurements. Does not get any easier than that. Screw the inspection and always keep a monthly eye on fluids and brakes.

Oh and add oil immediately!

I too have this CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL on my 2003 4.4i. I checked the dipstick and the level is near the top of the brown plastic and just below the metal dipstick. Does this mean I need to add a quart? Or is this just a nuissance warning. I seem to recall that while trying to remove the dipstick, I broke a small portion of this plastic (brown) part. I don't know if I need to replace this dipstick or not. Also, what warning should I get on the display should my transmission (ATF) fluid level is low? Thanks in advance for any help. My odometer is currently around 62K.

there is no warning for transmission level

Thanks X5devon.
Getting back to the CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL, where should the oil level be on the dipstick to satisfy this warning?

if (and I hope it is) your oil level is OK then you are getting an false error message. There is a SW fix for this problem....it has something to do with the Xenon lights and the control module for it

If you wanna know what kind of oil, and how to check it..Look in your manual..Or per instructions from other members on this thread...Its probably the easiest thing you can do on your X is check the oil...If its a little low, top it off...Also check the color of the oil...If its a healthy brown..no worries..if its dark or black...then you need an oil change for sure...

Amazing thread, imo, in terms of "topic", posts and ad nauseum...

:thud: ...to the OP: Did you ever figure out that inventory/burden
absorption/FIC/gross margin question from Biz 101?! :rolleyes:

:iagree:

The quality of synthetic oil does vary, Castroil European is better than the US spec, when your just adding a quart it probably does not matter, but on an oil change it does.


Also if I own the car and it was close to a quart low I would just change the oil.

Ok. This check engine oil level warning will not go away. I checked and there is plenty of oil. I am told by one of the local shop that there is an orifice in the oil pan that is blocked and needs to be replaced. Has anyone know or heard of this orifice. It seems that this nuissance check engine oil level comes on when the car is climbing a hill or an incline. Not sure why that is... Any help is greatly appreciated. On a positive note, I did FINALLY clear my SES light. Yeepee.... It took me and my 3 year son one morning to replace the two vent hoses after getting the parts from Autozone. Totally cost of 6 dollars and some grease elbow for me and my son. Both dad and son are estatic.