[vqdiablo]

Hello I have a 2014, M235i. Whenever I try to check my oil level in the Idrive menu it stops at 17/18% and goes back to initial screen to start oil check. Has anyone expirenced this or have a idea how to fix it?

[omera60]

There can be two causes;

1) Software; easy fix, more likely to cause the issue, just get the Cars Software updated from the dealer. You cannot update it yourself FYI.

2) Level Sensor faulty; I’ve seen this happen in 2 cars, the sensor is faulty and sometimes it reads max even the pan is almost empty or couldn’t complete the iDrive oil level test function.

[3rdcoast228i]

The oil level really is that low?

Can't recall all the details, but I do know than once mine is done measuring it only displays the level for a few seconds, then returns to the measurement screen.

[omera60]

Originally Posted by 3rdcoast228i

The oil level really is that low?

Can't recall all the details, but I do know than once mine is done measuring it only displays the level for a few seconds, then returns to the measurement screen.

No, what he meant was the progress not the level it self, at about 17-18% completion it stops measuring that’s his problem, other wise you are correct

[Lew Carrum]

Why the hell did they go down this route, a sensor and a measuring system is obviously far more expensive than a hole in the sump and a metal rod inserted into it!!!!

[3rdcoast228i]

Both would have been nice.

[omera60]

Originally Posted by Lew Carrum

Why the hell did they go down this route, a sensor and a measuring system is obviously far more expensive than a hole in the sump and a metal rod inserted into it!!!!

Couldn’t agree more, in fact the metal rod has a satisfaction feeling to it, just yesterday I was working on my E30 and seeing how different both cars are, the way they designed the engines is much more improved nowadays in terms of how suck squeeze bang processes components work.

This new way also has a lot of risk, as I said, I’m very close with my BMW dealer to the extend that I can walk freely around the workshop and they even consult me on electronic issues that they counter such as IDrive or Connected drive. I saw just this week 2 F30’s with problems with this sensor. It measures and shows the oil is max when there is only 1l of oil in the whole engine! The amount of damage was so much that they are replacing the engines of both cars.

I think BMW went this way so the car is more user “friendly” and extends the portfolio of customers to a larger group who want to be served and expect their cars to not need maintenance because its a “premium German brand”. I’ve seen a lot of these types, hell just last week there was a guy who bought a F30 and was trying to negotiate the price of maintenance with the dealer, yes I know it is expensive but common, as my father says it doesn’t end with buying it, the expensive part is maintaining it and he is a yatch dealer! These people only buy these cars because they see it as a status symbol, just to brag about their new expensive BMW to their social circle.

[aerobod]

One thing I noticed in the E46 and E85 that we owned and had dipsticks is that the measured value varied by between 0.5 and 1.0 litres, depending on when the oil was measured, meaning that the oil level could go from close to minimum to maximum due to oil expansion or migration to various parts of the engine. Measuring the oil cold versus right after switching off a hot engine versus 5 minutes after switching off the engine would give this variability.

The electronic measurement is much more consistent in the E90, E82 and F22 that we have owned due to the parameters that are applied before a valid measurement appears.

[Ron Jeffries]

I believe the main issue is that people mostly don't check their oil. regularly. I include myself in that assessment.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Ron Jeffries

I believe the main issue is that people mostly don't check their oil. regularly. I include myself in that assessment.

To me the odd thing about these modern cars is that you're not expected to check your oil. Instead, the car will tell you when it needs more oil - except when it doesn't.

While I will generally continue to follow Roundel Tech Talk columnist Mike Miller's recommendations for fluid replacement intervals, it would be nice to know how much oil is in the damm engine!

[Unicorn123]

Originally Posted by dradernh

To me the odd thing about these modern cars is that you're not expected to check your oil. Instead, the car will tell you when it needs more oil - except when it doesn't.

While I will generally continue to follow Roundel Tech Talk columnist Mike Miller's recommendations for fluid replacement intervals, it would be nice to know how much oil is in the damm engine!

drader, this is a bit of a can of worms...on top of your comment, with which I concur, is the irritating fact that we do not have temperature data. I guess I can hook my Carly up to the OBD port and use my phone to monitor things but I like to make sure everything is at temperature before I push the car. Perhaps this is "old school" thinking...

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Unicorn123

drader, this is a bit of a can of worms...on top of your comment, with which I concur, is the irritating fact that we do not have temperature data. I guess I can hook my Carly up to the OBD port and use my phone to monitor things but I like to make sure everything is at temperature before I push the car. Perhaps this is "old school" thinking...

I don't think it's old school thinking if you plan on keeping your car indefinitely.

I still make sure my oil temperature reaches 160° before leaning on the car. If you're not familiar with how to get that data up on your instrument cluster, this thread details a procedure for doing so: https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1498969

[Unicorn123]

Originally Posted by dradernh

I don't think it's old school thinking if you plan on keeping your car indefinitely.

I still make sure my oil temperature reaches 160° before leaning on the car. If you're not familiar with how to get that data up on your instrument cluster, this thread details a procedure for doing so: https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1498969

Thank you! I'll be playing with this today...

[omera60]

Originally Posted by vqdiablo

Hello I have a 2014, M235i. Whenever I try to check my oil level in the Idrive menu it stops at 17/18% and goes back to initial screen to start oil check. Has anyone expirenced this or have a idea how to fix it?

So, while I was looking through the PuMA measures today this pooped up, I thought you might want to kıow...

Measure no.
64598045-01
Subject
N55 - Oil-level check via detailed measurement terminates
Release date (mm/dd/yy)
12/12/18
Status
Approved
Organization
CAR
Vehicles affected
E series
F01 F02 F06 F07 F10
F11 F12 F13 F15 F16
F18 F20 F21 F22 F23
F25 F26 F30 F31 F32
F33 F34 F35 F36 F87
Engine
N55
Body

Production period (from/to) (mm/dd/yy)
/
Comment on production period

Feedback (all cases relating to measure up to) (mm/dd/yy)

Complaint
The "Oil-level check via detailed measurement", which is carried out in neutral and last approx. one minute, aborts prematurely (at approx. 20%
progress).

There is no apparent reason for aborting.

The prerequisites which are also described in the Owner's Handbook, are fulfilled:
- The vehicle is standing on a flat road and the engine is running at operating temperature.
- Manual gearbox: Gearshift lever in idle position, clutch and accelerator pedal not depressed.
- Automatic transmission: Selector lever in transmission position N or P and accelerator pedal not depressed.

Motor vehicles affected:
Vehicles with N55, only engine equipment specification with high pressure pump.
F01, F02, F06, F15, F16, F20, F21, F22, F23, F26, F30, F31, F32, F33, F34, F35, F36, F87 from series productionF07, F10, F11, F12, F13, F18 produced from March 2012
F25 produced from April 2012
Cause
In addition to the above-stated prerequisites for the "oil-level check via detailed measuring process", the is one further condition that must be observed during measurement.
The engine oil pressure must regulated in the range from 2800 mbar to 3200 mbar throughout the entire measurement period.

As the service life of the pump increases, the axial play of the slider to the oil pump housing increases a little. The increased axial play produces a slightly higher engine oil pressure that marginally overshoots the upper limit of 3200 mbar. This causes the measurement to be terminated.

Apart from the termination of the "Engine-oil check with detailed measurement", this increased axial play for the oil supply of the engine, that is still within the tolerance, is completely harmless.

The automatic oil level measurement that runs in the background works without restriction.
The Check Control messages (ID 27 and ID 28) "Engine oil level! Top up engine oil" are displayed correctly.
Measure
Important note:
Also see PuMA measure 53612360.

1) Procedure if the complaint was established by the workshop employee (without the existence of a customer complaint); e.g. for “Engine oil service".

Measure: Measurement of the engine oil level via the "Engine oil level quantity” service function.
As of ISTA 4.16.1x (expected to be available from 22. February 2019), there will be a service function for measuring the engine oil level.
Path to “Engine oil quantity” service function:
- Service functions
- Drive
- Engine electronics MEVD
- Engine oil
- Engine oil quantity

2) Procedure for a customer complaint case.

Procedure until end of February 2019:
Perform diagnosis with ISTA.

If the termination of the “Engine-oil check via detailed measurement” occurs for no apparent reason:
Replace oil pump.
Observe repair instructions "11 41 000 - Removing/replacing oil pump (N55)".

Procedure from end of February 2019:
Perform diagnosis with ISTA.

As of ISTA 4.16.1x (expected to be available from 22. February 2019), the revised test module will be available from the oil-level sensor. This test module has a menu item for monitoring the “Engine-oil check
via detailed measurement” performed in the vehicle at the tester. The
"Engine oil check via detailed measurement” is started in the vehicle and the tester shows the
reason why the measurement was terminated (engine oil pressure, accelerator pedal pressed, etc.).
Path to test module:
- Drive
- Engine electronics MEVD
- Engine oil
- Oil-level sensor
- Test module name: Oil level and oil-level sensor
Menu items in test module:
- Display measured values
- Status of oil level

If the termination of the “Engine-oil check via detailed measurement is due to failure to maintain the engine oil pressure:
Replace oil pump.
Observe repair instructions "11 41 000 - Removing/replacing oil pump (N55)".

Invoicing:
Processing and reimbursement must be conducted according to current warranty conditions.

Recommended invoicing notes are displayed via AIR.

Operating fluids required as part of the repair can be billed at the net price under outside service code 04.