Low Oil Level Light

Your BMW is equipped with an electronic engine oil level monitoring sensor that will illuminate the image seen above. This light does NOT mean you are due for an oil change that is a common misconception amongst new BMW owners; this light indicates you are AT LEAST 1 quart/liter low on engine oil. Of course there are 3 potential causes, oil leaks, and oil consumption that cause oil loss, and faulty oil level sensors (most common on older models). With BMW’s factory over extended oil change interval there is even more time for the oil level to drop between changes as well. Oil consumption is normal for any engine in varying amounts; BMW usually holds a 1 quart/liter per 1,000miles maximum for “normal” oil consumption, which is still on the high end of consumption. With BMW’s newer turbo charged engine variants oil consumption has increased further due to higher cylinder pressures. To the point a service bulletin was released from BMW for the F01, F02, F06, F10, F12, F13, E70, and E71 fitted with the N63 & N63T, increasing the oil fill/top off amount to extend the amount of time before to low oil level light comes on. When a BMW driver sees the low oil warning light, they should come by Ultimate Bimmer Service for a top off of Original BMW Full Synthetic 5W30 Engine Oil if close enough, or use readily available Mobil 1 Extended 5W30 Full Synthetic oil for topping off. If the low oil light comes on and your BMW does NOT have a dipstick as most don’t since 2006 then add 1 quart/liter of oil and recheck oil level indicator via instrument cluster/iDrive. If your BMW has a dipstick you are lucky and can verify proper fill level visually and add oil accordingly. See our Oil Change Interval Blog for info pertaining to how often you should change your BMW’s oil.