X5 Diesel Oil level Help!

Hi Everyone!

I have a 2009 X5 Diesel and it has about 9000 miles, this morning when I came back from work the Idrive message says to add 1 quart of oil.

I turned off the car, let it sit and checked the oil level w/ the dipstick and indeed it was nearing the low level mark.

I am completely new to German cars, I have had a Subaru, Mitsu Eclipse, MDX, and I have never added oil between oil changes. Is this something to worry about? Or is this because it's a diesel engine?

I just thought that unless there was an oil leak, or the car was old and burning excessive oil, the oil level didn't go down.

I hope some of you more mechanically inclined can shed some light on the subject. So for, I am really happy w/ the diesel X5, and I hope this is not the beginning of some real problems.

Thanks in advance!!

are you sure you are looking at the motor oil dipstick? i understood that the x5d did not have a dipstick.
if the computer tells you to add oil, then you should do so. if you don't have any bmw LL04 on hand, then you can find Mobil 1 5W30 ESP forumla at Pepboys.

Add a quart of the right oil and don't worry about it.

i forgot to add: i don't think 1 liter of oil consumption on a new engine is anything to worry about

Originally Posted by d geek

are you sure you are looking at the motor oil dipstick? i understood that the x5d did not have a dipstick.
if the computer tells you to add oil, then you should do so. if you don't have any bmw LL04 on hand, then you can find Mobil 1 5W30 ESP forumla at Pepboys.

Thanks for the reply.

I think I am, right near the air intake tube thing ( on the right side if you are facing the car) there is a black knob underneath the tube that is a dipstick, which I think is for oil.

The knob is in the weirdest place, it is almost placed in way that is somewhat inaccesible, and not marked.

But more importantly, do you think this is normal for a brand new car, that is having low oil w/ only 9K miles?

I just got back from work, night shift, I will check the replies later on. Thanks for everyones help!

Originally Posted by d geek

i forgot to add: i don't think 1 liter of oil consumption on a new engine is anything to worry about

Nope. Same thing happened with my 530d. Now, 80,000km later, no oil consumption issues.

Originally Posted by clymer76

But more importantly, do you think this is normal for a brand new car, that is having low oil w/ only 9K miles?

Yes.

And BTW, congrats on the E70 and welcome the Fest!

for some reason, the 3L twin turbo diesel engine they put in the x5d is different than the one in the 335d. the former does not have a dipstick, the latter does. Is there mention of a dipstick in your owner's manual?

Our 2009 X5 35d (Aug 2009 build) DOES have an oil dipstick. It is on the right hand side of the engine as you face it. Access is partially obscured by the plastic air intake tube.

Funf Dreisig

Originally Posted by d geek

are you sure you are looking at the motor oil dipstick? i understood that the x5d did not have a dipstick.
if the computer tells you to add oil, then you should do so. if you don't have any bmw LL04 on hand, then you can find Mobil 1 5W30 ESP forumla at Pepboys.

Yes, the X5 35d does have a dip stick. I wouldn't worry about a quart of oil at 9,000 miles. The dealer should top it off for free. Make sure you use the correct oil...

Craig

Thanks everyone for your replies! I will go to Pep Boys around here and buy some oil, I am relieved that this is not a major issue. Since I am under warranty should i bother to go to the dealer or should i just go buy some oil myself? Once again thanks for the welcome and assistance


And regarding the oil dipstick, I don't remember seeing it mentioned in the owners manual, they only reference the IDrive oil level function. But it is there, just hidden and kind of hard to pull out.

Go to the dealer. I don't think you will find the correct oil at the auto parts store. Dealers should have it in stock and should top it off at no charge...

Craig

Sounds like a great idea Craig, I will go to the dealer on Monday. Have a great weekend, and thanks once again.

Originally Posted by Craig B

Go to the dealer. I don't think you will find the correct oil at the auto parts store. Dealers should have it in stock and should top it off at no charge...

Craig

Originally Posted by Craig B

Go to the dealer. I don't think you will find the correct oil at the auto parts store. Dealers should have it in stock and should top it off at no charge...

I agree. FWIW Castrol SLX Professional OE SAE 5W-30 from the dealer is over $11/ qt. with the BMW CCA discount.

Funf Dreisig

the Mobil 1 LL04 is around $7/liter at Pepboys

Originally Posted by clymer76

I have a 2009 X5 Diesel and it has about 9000 miles, this morning when I came back from work the Idrive message says to add 1 quart of oil.

FWIW, the industry standard is that anything less than 1 quart every 1,000 miles is normal and within spec.


Now, I know it is ridiculous, but it is the industry standard.


But seriously, one quart in 9,000 miles is most assuredly not a problem. Most vehicles have their oil changed at around 7,500 or less, so oil consumption similar to yours is never noticed.

thanks for the correction on the dipstick info, guys. so evidently they used different engine configurations on some x5d.

Originally Posted by d geek

thanks for the correction on the dipstick info, guys. so evidently they used different engine configurations on some x5d.

You're welcome... All X5 35d's have a dip stick. Someone said the 335d does not have a dip stick. I don't know about the 335d/s.

Craig

Craig-
my understanding is that all 335d have the dipstick. the on-line owners manual for the 335d shows a dipstick and describes how to check oil level, and the x5d manual does not show one, and only describes the use of the computer to check oil level. what does your x5d manual say?

HI Guys,

So went to the dealer so they could top off the oil, which they did w/ no hassle.

I also mentioned to them that I keep getting a seat recalibration message on the IDrive. I followed the steps in the manual to reset, but that was unsuccesfull.

So they set up an appointment so they can check it out. I verified the appointment date via the e-mail they sent and noticed that their was a proposed charge of $125 for Vehicle check and another $125 for electrical Diagnosis/repair for a $250 charge.

I have a 2009 X5 Diesel, purchased in June, shouldn't all this be covered under the warranty? Granted they never said anything about the charges when I scheduled the appointment.

This is my first BMW, and new to their maintenace program, any feedback would be appreciated!

Thanks!

There should be no charge at all.

Wow. I read this thread a few days ago, and sure enough, at 7300 mi, my 35d notified me that it was low on oil.....Since it is Sunday, I just went to store and bought a quart....No biggie.

Originally Posted by spyderdoc

Wow. I read this thread a few days ago, and sure enough, at 7300 mi, my 35d notified me that it was low on oil.....Since it is Sunday, I just went to store and bought a quart....No biggie.

what store and what oil did you buy?

Long Life 04 synthetic is what's called for in the manual. Castrol is what comes from the factory. Someone said they used Mobil 1.

Craig

1. 2010 X5 35d has a dipstick. It **IS** mentioned in the "Service and Warranty Information" booklet.

2. I picked up two quarts of oil from the dealer to top off. Mixing oils is not a great idea, apparently BMW doesnt care...

A