[WDE46]

The level line should create a nice straight, defined line on the dipstick indicator. It's possible that those cracks are wicking oil up onto the stick, but in that case, just use the other side. I'd add oil until it appears on the stick with that uniform line. Worst case is you have to drain the oil out to go back down.

 

[WDE46]

It's probably burning it.

Anyway, it sounds like you checked the dipstick without wiping it off first and then redipping it. Push it all the way into the holder and pull it out. Never use the initial pull for anything.

 

[WDE46]

What's the rate it's burning per 1000 miles? It may be a fairly normal number.


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[WDE46]

You need to check the oil in the morning, before it's been started, to get an accurate reading on the dipstick.

Incorrect. BMW specifies to check oil 5 minutes after shutting down a fully warm engine. Coolant is to be checked cold in the morning, not oil.


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[WDE46]

Checking oil in a cold engine is the best check. If the engine has been running, then you want to wait 5 minutes for it to drain down to the oil pan.

Verbatim from the 3 Series Bentley Bible, the Book of Maintenance, Chapter 020-11, Verses 1-4:

Engine oil level is checked with a dipstick (arrow ((pointing to picture of E46 dipstick)) ) in engine block.

-Check oil level with car on a level surface, after engine has been stopped for at least a few minutes.

-Check level by pulling out dipstick and wiping it clean. Reinsert it all way and withdraw it again.

-Oil level is correct if it is between two marks near end of stick.

Tomato, tomahto, potato, potahto... :hmm:

BMW Manual:

Read it and weep.

 

[WDE46]

I like how this turned from a thread where was genuinely worried about my car and asked what might be a problem, to one where I'm being instructed to do something I learned how to do in 5th grade. I have a decent level of mechanical experience people. I'm not an idiot.

Sorry, but the way your phrased something made me think you were doing it wrong. I wasn't sure. Not trying to insult you. Then, others come in an suggest things differently than what's in the manual, so I had to post that. :dunno:

 

[WDE46]

Just buy some of the newer model cars that have no engine oil dipstick at all!

You have to rely on the oil level sensor 100%.

I really think that is going too far. I am already annoyed by the lack of a transmission dipstick on this car. Lack of an oil one would kill me.

 

[WDE46]

Do not forget, 7 quarts of oil will expand quite a bit once up to operating temperature.

As long as YOU know where the cold level should be from checking there should be no issue checking the engine oil cold.

Good point, but the manual suggests the dipstick is designed for hot oil with some quantity still in the OFH and coating the surfaces of the engine.

 

[WDE46]

BMW specifies the level measurement how they designed it to be read. This isn't one of those "BMW is wrong" things. This is a "BMW knows what level it's supposed to read 5 minutes after shutting of a warm engine so here we marked it on this stick for you" kind of thing. This has nothing to do with the perfectly valid arguments against things like the 15,000 mile OCI.

Oil level is a function of its density, not viscosity.

 

[WDE46]

WDE46, time for oil expansion science!

lol. I'm sure the height change is insignificant given the wide surface area of the fluid in the oil pan.

WolframAlpha doesn't have density information.

 

[WDE46]

It's fine to check it cold and all that, I'm just posting what BMW says to do. It doesn't say wait at least 5 minutes either. It says wait approximately 5 minutes. That'll let most of the oil in the passages clear out.

I don have a problem with this because I check it after work anyway.


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