No Dipstick?

Just took delivery of a 2010 328i Xdrive with a manual transmission.

I was surpirised when upon delivery, I was told there was no dipstick...only the electronic oil measurement system. The owner's manual suggests there should be a dipstick and show's where it should be - but there's nothing there!

Any comments about whether this is a good idea or not? Should this worry me?

Have you even bothered to research about the new BMW's? None of them have dipsticks...

Originally Posted by Solidjake

Have you even bothered to research about the new BMW's? None of them have dipsticks...

Liar! My BMWs will ALWAYS have a dipstick. Unfortunately, it's behind the wheel...

Originally Posted by thumper_330

Liar! My BMWs will ALWAYS have a dipstick. Unfortunately, it's behind the wheel...

Here's why there isn't one:
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/22/t...n-dilatory-dr/
Jeff

Originally Posted by CheapBastard

Here's why there isn't one:
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/22/t...n-dilatory-dr/
Jeff

A driver's checked the oil level the last time the Vikings won the Super Bowl? Meaning never?

Or was that a joke? If so, I didn't get it.

Originally Posted by GarySL

A driver's checked the oil level the last time the Vikings won the Super Bowl? Meaning never?

Or was that a joke? If so, I didn't get it.

It is a rather obscure joke -- the Vikings have been to more Super Bowls than all but three teams, but have never won.

Jeff

Originally Posted by kipwrite

Just took delivery of a 2010 328i Xdrive with a manual transmission.

I was surpirised when upon delivery, I was told there was no dipstick...only the electronic oil measurement system. The owner's manual suggests there should be a dipstick and show's where it should be - but there's nothing there!

Any comments about whether this is a good idea or not? Should this worry me?

My "d" has a dipstick but my understanding is that no other Bimmer does.

Originally Posted by listerone

My "d" has a dipstick but my understanding is that no other Bimmer does.

Well, I know for a fact that the E60 550i has a dipstick. And if memory serves, the E60 M5 also has a dipstick. The X5d should have a dipstick, since it is equipped with the same engine as the 335d cars.

I have to say I kinda miss having a dipstick. Checking the oil on the navi screen is very cool though.

I'm new to BMW, just bought a CPO 2010 328i .. I came to realize the car had no dip stick last night when upon starting the engine, the system issued a stern low oil message. I was skeptical because I looked at the oil status earlier in the day (still learning the car) and it indicated oil level was ok - about 1/3 above minimum. We were out at the time, so I drove to a nearby gas station to check the oil level manually - only to be mystified when I couldn't find the dipstick in the location where the owners manual said it was!!! Even more mystifying, the low oil message went away, and once again, the system indicated oil level 1/3 above minimum.

A trip to the dealer this morning, where I expected to have them replace the missing dipstick, and I was told the car has no dipstick! Got no good explanation about the apparently false low oil message. I will add oil today to bring closer to full, but am still baffled about the message. Usually the system won't even report oil level until the engine is run up to operating temperature ... It had been sitting for about an hour when I got the false message..

Anyone seen this? I think I need to press the issue with BMW, but I suspect I'll have to wait till it happens again....

Originally Posted by Robcromar

I'm new to BMW, just bought a CPO 2010 328i .. I came to realize the car had no dip stick last night when upon starting the engine, the system issued a stern low oil message. I was skeptical because I looked at the oil status earlier in the day (still learning the car) and it indicated oil level was ok - about 1/3 above minimum. We were out at the time, so I drove to a nearby gas station to check the oil level manually - only to be mystified when I couldn't find the dipstick in the location where the owners manual said it was!!! Even more mystifying, the low oil message went away, and once again, the system indicated oil level 1/3 above minimum.

A trip to the dealer this morning, where I expected to have them replace the missing dipstick, and I was told the car has no dipstick! Got no good explanation about the apparently false low oil message. I will add oil today to bring closer to full, but am still baffled about the message. Usually the system won't even report oil level until the engine is run up to operating temperature ... It had been sitting for about an hour when I got the false message..

Anyone seen this? I think I need to press the issue with BMW, but I suspect I'll have to wait till it happens again....

You'll find, as AI progresses to consumer electronics, that your vehicle will develop a sense of humor.

With an impish German twist, your BMW may from time to time report seemingly alarming conditions that simply disappear!

You'll learn caution, and forbearance. Welcome, Robbie, to the new social paradigm, where social conditioning is part of everything.

Calwaterboy -
Thanks for the quick reply! I kinda suspect the systems will "test" me -- all part of learning!

Lots of great stuff on this forum - I saw one guy has a zipper pouch in which he carries a quart of oil -- I think I will do that too! I'm also spending probably too much time obsessing about tire pressure - getting the perfect 32psi in front and 36 in rear is probably too fine a point to press.

Thanks again for your reply! Funnest car I've ever had!

Originally Posted by Robcromar

Calwaterboy -
Thanks for the quick reply! I kinda suspect the systems will "test" me -- all part of learning!

Lots of great stuff on this forum - I saw one guy has a zipper pouch in which he carries a quart of oil -- I think I will do that too! I'm also spending probably too much time obsessing about tire pressure - getting the perfect 32psi in front and 36 in rear is probably too fine a point to press.

Thanks again for your reply! Funnest car I've ever had!

You missed the previous generation E46. It had a cubby under the hood that was perfect to hold an extra quart of oil, and even a gallon jug of coolant!

Congrats on your new car. Welcome to the 'fest and to the dark side. Someone quoted his uncle recently, "you have acquired a lifelong addiction for which there is no cure."

Originally Posted by Robcromar

I'm new to BMW, just bought a CPO 2010 328i .. I came to realize the car had no dip stick last night when upon starting the engine, the system issued a stern low oil message. I was skeptical because I looked at the oil status earlier in the day (still learning the car) and it indicated oil level was ok - about 1/3 above minimum. We were out at the time, so I drove to a nearby gas station to check the oil level manually - only to be mystified when I couldn't find the dipstick in the location where the owners manual said it was!!! Even more mystifying, the low oil message went away, and once again, the system indicated oil level 1/3 above minimum.

A trip to the dealer this morning, where I expected to have them replace the missing dipstick, and I was told the car has no dipstick! Got no good explanation about the apparently false low oil message. I will add oil today to bring closer to full, but am still baffled about the message. Usually the system won't even report oil level until the engine is run up to operating temperature ... It had been sitting for about an hour when I got the false message..

Anyone seen this? I think I need to press the issue with BMW, but I suspect I'll have to wait till it happens again....

The skinny on the no dipstick issue.

Mine has always worked fine. Though I must admit I measured the oil that came out the first couple of oil changes.

Plenty or rant threads about this do a search.
Also I thought the diesel still has a dipstick.
I would check your oil from the stock (to get the graph reading) and keep it topped off .
The electronic dipstick is pretty strange it can indicate different results
based on I don't know what but it seems to be temperature sensitive.
Also it doesn't always update when you add oil so you need to take
about three reading on three different drives and average it out.
So just add a little and wait till you get consistent readings.

You have to BELIEVE in progress! Between my E92 and E90, I've saved at least $2.95 in paper towels by NOT checking my oil the "old fashioned" way...not to mention dirty hands. Landfills appreciate this!

Have faith! With my E92, I could "fiddle" with iDrive at 75 mph in heavy traffic WHILE CHECKING MY OIL LEVEL...Munich KNEW what it was doing: "on the go oil checks," no need to have "messy" oil drip all over your engine in your garage!!... REGARDLESS of the driver attention factor.

I even tried "multi-tasking," checking the oil, surfing through iDrive, while talking to the nice lady on BMW Assist, while finally focusing on the Nav screen. That I made an inadvertent one lane change while doing this was frightening, but BMW took this into account, DIDN'T THEY?

Not to worry, I hear that BMW will install "side" radar warnings for we "multi-taskers" in the future. The perfect solution! (?)

When will I be able to send/receuve e-mail and watch Youtube on my display screen while driving? BMW: "The Ultimate Driving Distraction Machine."

I wonder if the guys back in the 30's complained when they put fuel gauges on cars instead of using the more reliable wooden stick to put into the tank and measure it?

I too like the electronic dip stick but can't understand why we can't check our tranny fluid level the same way.

Originally Posted by QAfred

I wonder if the guys back in the 30's complained when they put fuel gauges on cars instead of using the more reliable wooden stick to put into the tank and measure it?

If you run out of gas your car stops running temporarily. If you run out of oil, and your electronic gauge fails you, your car STOPS running PERMANENTLY.

Originally Posted by kmorgan_260

I too like the electronic dip stick but can't understand why we can't check our tranny fluid level the same way.

I like the virtual dipstick okay, but I want a real one in the motor and the tranny!!

[QUOTE=tturedraider;7292739]If you run out of gas your car stops running temporarily. If you run out of oil, and your electronic gauge fails you, your car STOPS running PERMANENTLY.


Paranoid, I say. I have not heard of this happening....yet.
Nobody on these forums or all the whining in Roundel have yet to show any bad experience.

[QUOTE=QAfred;7292814]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

If you run out of gas your car stops running temporarily. If you run out of oil, and your electronic gauge fails you, your car STOPS running PERMANENTLY.


Paranoid, I say. I have not heard of this happening....yet.
Nobody on these forums or all the whining in Roundel have yet to show any bad experience.

No engine failures that I am aware of. At least one sensor failure I can recall off the top of my head. They had to drain the oil to determine how much was there. It's just dumb not to have an absolutely failsafe check on such a vital component.

Originally Posted by Robcromar

- only to be mystified when I couldn't find the dipstick in the location where the owners manual said it was!!!

What page said there was a dipstick?

From page 215 of the 2007 online manual:

"Checking oil level

Your car is equipped with an electronic oil-level
monitor.

For a precise measurement and display of the
oil level, it is necessary that the engine be at
operating temperature, i.e. after uninterrupted
driving for at least approx. 6.5 miles/10 km. You
can have the oil level displayed while you are
driving, or while the vehicle is at a standstill on a
level surface and the engine is running."

Tom

I'm looking at replacing my 06 with a newer model right now. Availability of a dipstick is important to me not just to confirm the level but to do my oil changes. I like to do frequent oil changes and do it by running a plastic hose through the dipstick tube down to to the oil pan then vacuuming the oil out. No dipstick means I have to get underneath again and risk stripping the aluminum threads with the steel plug. It's less safe and more time consuming. I've always admired how BMW puts their oil filter on top in the engine compartment. If I still have to climb under to drain the oil, the importance of this location is no longer a necessary feature to me. Too bad, I think it's a good engineering design from a maintenance standpoint.

Originally Posted by bimmernut1

I'm looking at replacing my 06 with a newer model right now. Availability of a dipstick is important to me not just to confirm the level but to do my oil changes. I like to do frequent oil changes and do it by running a plastic hose through the dipstick tube down to to the oil pan then vacuuming the oil out. No dipstick means I have to get underneath again and risk stripping the aluminum threads with the steel plug. It's less safe and more time consuming. I've always admired how BMW puts their oil filter on top in the engine compartment. If I still have to climb under to drain the oil, the importance of this location is no longer a necessary feature to me. Too bad, I think it's a good engineering design from a maintenance standpoint.

You may find your automotive choices limited if lack of a dipstick is a deal breaker.