Stupid question: How do I read the oil dipstick?

alvocado · 01-31-2006, 04:10 PM

OK, I admit this is a newbie question - I've searched the forums, checked the manual (which has the worst representation of the oil dipstick), and still can't figure out what represents min and max level on the oil dipstick. I'm used to old school american made dipsticks with easy to read hash marks. After changing the oil today and adding 6.5 quarts, I can't verify I'm at the right level. Any help with a description or photo would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hobbes330i · 01-31-2006, 04:20 PM

There's a rectangular piece after the point. The oil should be in the middle of that.

byunts · 01-31-2006, 04:24 PM

Here' a picture from Madrussian.net:

byunts · 01-31-2006, 04:27 PM

another picture. this one is an actual non-m dipstick (from my330i.com):

Speeder · 01-31-2006, 04:31 PM

Same picture as above but with min/max

alvocado · 01-31-2006, 07:34 PM

Thanks for the help!

Nuori · 01-31-2006, 07:41 PM

Make sure you wipe it off with a sock once read.

ELDawson · 01-31-2006, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad323i

Make sure you wipe it off with a sock once read.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Don't forget to then take the oil cap off and replace it with said sock...and alvocado, I'm not making fun of you...do a search for sock...you'll then understand!!!

alvocado · 01-31-2006, 08:23 PM

I hadn't seen that post - thanks for sharing. It's a classic. Good thing the guy didn't lose lug nuts while changing a flat. I'd like to see a sock hold the tire on for 5 mins of driving!

kpeng · 01-31-2006, 08:26 PM

yeah, use a sock, lol.

but in all seriousness, you should wipe the dipstick down with a towel when you lift it out the first time. Put it back in, and then pull it back out to read the correct oil level. The car should also be at operating temperature (but not on!).

-Ken

saul24 · 01-15-2008, 12:59 PM

Don't mean to revive such an old thread, but my oil level is at about the same level as in the picture above. How much should I top off? Half a quart?

sergio · 01-15-2008, 10:34 PM

Usually between min and max is ok, so don;t worry, be happy

If you are missing oil (below min marker), then you can you can try 1/4 quart at a time, start car and let run for 60 seconds. Stop car, and check oil level, repeat if necessary till you are satisified..

Ciao...
Sergio

nitro3421 · 01-16-2008, 08:51 AM

isnt the oil capacity for your 330 6.9 quarts?

Dunbar · 03-09-2008, 09:19 PM

Does anyone know what the range is from min to max (ie., 1/2 quart)? My oil light came on for the second time since buying the car yesterday. First time I added exactly 1/2 quart and it registered in the middle. Yesterday it came on for the second time, added exactly 1/2 quart and now it's at the maximum. So I'm wondering if I'm even burning oil.

GRIDLOCK · 03-09-2008, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunbar

Does anyone know what the range is from min to max (ie., 1/2 quart)?

Usually about 3/4 to 1 quart.

OrientBlau · 10-14-2011, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunbar

Does anyone know what the range is from min to max (ie., 1/2 quart)? My oil light came on for the second time since buying the car yesterday. First time I added exactly 1/2 quart and it registered in the middle. Yesterday it came on for the second time, added exactly 1/2 quart and now it's at the maximum. So I'm wondering if I'm even burning oil.

The distance between the MIN and MAX mark is 1 liter or 1.1 quarts.

katu · 10-14-2011, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrientBlau

The distance between the MIN and MAX mark is 1 liter or 1.1 quarts.

Back from the dead!

Stinger9 · 10-14-2011, 05:53 PM

Have you created a bot that wll be answering all the five year old questions on this board?

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrientBlau

The distance between the MIN and MAX mark is 1 liter or 1.1 quarts.

Stinger9 · 10-14-2011, 05:59 PM

dmax · 10-14-2011, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stinger9

Have you created a bot that wll be answering all the five year old questions on this board?

We answer questions from total morons, why not five year olds too?

Also, not one of the answers the OP got is what I would have said! I'm glad I don't have to say anything since it's so old.

01-31-2006, 04:10 PM	#1
alvocado Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 312 My Ride: 2002 330CIC Sport View My Garage	Stupid question: How do I read the oil dipstick? OK, I admit this is a newbie question - I've searched the forums, checked the manual (which has the worst representation of the oil dipstick), and still can't figure out what represents min and max level on the oil dipstick. I'm used to old school american made dipsticks with easy to read hash marks. After changing the oil today and adding 6.5 quarts, I can't verify I'm at the right level. Any help with a description or photo would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

01-31-2006, 04:20 PM	#2
Hobbes330i Addicted! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 480 My Ride: Jet Black 330i View My Garage	There's a rectangular piece after the point. The oil should be in the middle of that. __________________ Jet black 2005 330i Xenon - Step - Homelink - Sirius - DDE Enhanced v2 - ECIS Intake - OEM Clears - ACS replica Roof Spoiler - UUC Stage 4 - UUC SS Brake Lines - ///M3 Steering wheel - 35% Tint

01-31-2006, 04:31 PM	#5
Speeder Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 850 My Ride: '04 325i - '08 C300 View My Garage	Same picture as above but with min/max Attached Thumbnails

01-31-2006, 07:41 PM	#7
Nuori _ Join Date: May 2003 Location: Rocklin, CA Posts: 5,295 My Ride: A 323 mule pepe View My Garage	Make sure you wipe it off with a sock once read. __________________

01-16-2008, 08:51 AM	#13
nitro3421 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 185 My Ride: 01 M3 TIAG View My Garage	isnt the oil capacity for your 330 6.9 quarts? __________________ -2001 M3 - CB/6MT -2000 Ford F250 7.3 Powerstroke Diesel -1988 FJ62 Land Cruiser - sold -1972 Chevelle - sold -1996 328i - sold -2002 330i - sold -2001 M3 - sold -1995 M3 - sold

01-31-2006, 04:24 PM	#3
byunts Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 694 My Ride: '06 330i View My Garage	Here' a picture from Madrussian.net:

01-31-2006, 04:27 PM	#4
byunts Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 694 My Ride: '06 330i View My Garage	another picture. this one is an actual non-m dipstick (from my330i.com):

01-31-2006, 07:34 PM	#6
alvocado Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 312 My Ride: 2002 330CIC Sport View My Garage	Thanks for the help!

01-31-2006, 08:23 PM	#9
alvocado Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 312 My Ride: 2002 330CIC Sport View My Garage	I hadn't seen that post - thanks for sharing. It's a classic. Good thing the guy didn't lose lug nuts while changing a flat. I'd like to see a sock hold the tire on for 5 mins of driving!

01-31-2006, 08:26 PM	#10
kpeng Banned User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 25,711 My Ride: E46 330 and E30 325 View My Garage	yeah, use a sock, lol. but in all seriousness, you should wipe the dipstick down with a towel when you lift it out the first time. Put it back in, and then pull it back out to read the correct oil level. The car should also be at operating temperature (but not on!). -Ken

01-15-2008, 12:59 PM	#11
saul24 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 51 My Ride: 2005 BMW 325ci View My Garage	Don't mean to revive such an old thread, but my oil level is at about the same level as in the picture above. How much should I top off? Half a quart?

01-15-2008, 10:34 PM	#12
sergio Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Montreal, QC, Canada Posts: 277 My Ride: E46/323i E46/330xi View My Garage	Usually between min and max is ok, so don;t worry, be happy If you are missing oil (below min marker), then you can you can try 1/4 quart at a time, start car and let run for 60 seconds. Stop car, and check oil level, repeat if necessary till you are satisified.. Ciao... Sergio

03-09-2008, 09:19 PM	#14
Dunbar Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: SoCal Posts: 814 My Ride: '04 330i ZHP 6MT View My Garage	Does anyone know what the range is from min to max (ie., 1/2 quart)? My oil light came on for the second time since buying the car yesterday. First time I added exactly 1/2 quart and it registered in the middle. Yesterday it came on for the second time, added exactly 1/2 quart and now it's at the maximum. So I'm wondering if I'm even burning oil.

10-14-2011, 05:59 PM	#19
Stinger9 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New York Posts: 5,578 My Ride: '04 330Ci View My Garage

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