How the measurement works
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 45 other vehicles, including the 2016 BMW M5, 2016 BMW 550i xDrive, 2016 BMW 550i, 2016 BMW 535i xDrive, and 2016 BMW 535i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The measurement functions according to the following principle:
- If less than 0.4 litres of oil is added, it is not immediately detected.
- If 0.4 to 0.8 litres of oil is added, the system detects that oil has been added after approx. 2 minutes.
If this quantity of added oil is detected, the display is as follows: Oil level OK, 3/4 above minimum
- If more than 0.8 litres of oil is added, the system detects that oil has been added after approx. 2 minutes.
If this quantity of added oil is detected, the display is as follows: Oil level OK, at maximum
- Only after a longer period (at least 10 minutes) with the engine running at over 1000 rpm and the engine oil at operating temperature is the exact oil level determined, e. g. Oil level OK, 3/4 above minimum
Example:
- The oil level is 2 litres short of maximum
- Measurement returns Oil level below minimum
- 1 liter is added as per instructions
- Repeat measurement returns Oil level OK, at maximum
- After the vehicle has been running for a longer period, the precise reading is shown Oil level OK, 1/2 above minimum
This is not an indication of a faulty sensor, exact measurement simply takes that long.