M6 GC Oil Message

[Introextro]

Hi,

I bought my 2014 M6 GCP Competition last year from a BMW dealer with 9K miles on it. I don't drive it hard at all, maybe a couple of times I'll increase the revs for acceleration, but that happens say for a few seconds and then I am back to my normal and very relaxed drive.

Just got a message today with 12.8K miles (3.8k over what I bought it from the dealer) saying oil level low and add one quart. Should I be worried? Wouldn't the dealer have changed the oil before selling me the vehicle and if that is the case why should it have used enough oil within 3.8K miles to show this message?

I've read here that it is normal, but assuming the BMW dealer did change it is it still normal for the car to ask for an oil top up at 3.8K miles? At what level does the warning came on? Wondering if i should take it to the dealer, it is still under warranty.

Appreciate any advice

Thank you!

[BMWM5NYC]

The warning comes on at 1qt low. Which is minimum operating level. Just add the 1 qt and you will be fine. Some M's burn oil more than others. 3800 miles is not bad at all. Just add the one bottle and enjoy your car.

[Introextro]

Thanks, so worst case, 8 quarts for 3.5K miles is still okay? Also, how much can I drive the car before top up. I'll have to buy the genuine BMW oil online and it will arrive in a few days, also should I mix old and new? Guess that's fine since the warning said i should

[BMWM5NYC]

Originally Posted by Introextro

Thanks, so worst case, 8 quarts for 3.5K miles is still okay? Also, how much can I drive the car before top up. I'll have to buy the genuine BMW oil online and it will arrive in a few days, also should I mix old and new? Guess that's fine since the warning said i should

You can drive to any dealership and get the oil. Just keep the RPMS down and don't hi rev until you get the oil. Topping up with new oil is normal. Everyone who tops up mixes New oil with old oil already in the car.

[Flying Ace]

Worried? No, all performance engines burn oil. When you get this warning message, always have a bottle handy. I also only suggest adding 1/4 to 1/2 bottle when you get the message. It's more of a hassle if you overfill

[BMWM5NYC]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

Worried? No, all performance engines burn oil. When you get this warning message, always have a bottle handy. I also only suggest adding 1/4 to 1/2 bottle when you get the message. It's more of a hassle if you overfill

Why complicate matters for him? When it asks for oil he just has to put in one bottle and it goes right to the fill line. It does not over fill. You only have to guess when level is in between the upper and lower level and you start adding. He can just add I bottle and be done whenever the car ASKS for it.

[Mr. M6]

thats normal for all bmw's cars, just add the oil and done

[mjposner]

BMW now recommends adding two quarts when the message is triggered.

First about oil burning: Technical Service SI B11 03 13:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...ight=oil+quart

SI B11 01 13
Subject:
N63 and N63T Engine: Engine Oil Consumption, Engine Oil Top-ups and Refill Capacity
MODEL
F01
F02
F06
F07
F10
F12
F13
E70
E71
Customers with one of the vehicles above may complain that the engine's oil consumption is "too high," resulting in engine oil top-ups and workshop visits to address the issue before the vehicle displays an engine oil service as being "due." When the vehicle's engine oil drops to the minimum level, a message will display in the vehicle advising the driver to "add 1 quart of engine oil." After topping up and continued operation, the "add engine oil" message may display again before an engine oil service is required and performed.

Cause:
Engines that are fitted with a turbocharger, as part of their normal operation, will consume engine oil at a higher rate than a naturally aspirated engine (non-turbocharged engine). In this case, a "turbocharged" engine could require topping up of the engine oil more frequently.

Procedure:

Engine oil - Topping up

When one of the above vehicles displays a message to add 1 quart of engine oil, BMW recommends adding 2 quarts of engine oil instead. The engine's oil sump design allows the additional quart; the result is a total capacity of 9.5 quarts (9.0 liters) of engine oil.

Engine oil:

Maintenance services and engine repairs
When performing all future engine oil maintenance services and repairs that require draining and refilling the engine oil, the new recommended refill specification is 9.5 quarts (9.0liters) of engine oil.

-The current version of the oil capacities chart, in Group 11 of the Operating Fluids Manual in TIS, has been updated as of 3/2013.

-The current version of ISTA/D is not correct. The updated filling specification will be corrected in ISTA/D 2.38.

Hope this helps

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by BMWM5NYC

Why complicate matters for him? When it asks for oil he just has to put in one bottle and it goes right to the fill line. It does not over fill. You only have to guess when level is in between the upper and lower level and you start adding. He can just add I bottle and be done whenever the car ASKS for it.

Whatever floats your boat... I'll just wait for the following thread on how to address an overfill

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by mjposner

BMW now recommends adding two quarts when the message is triggered.

First about oil burning: Technical Service SI B11 03 13:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...ight=oil+quart

SI B11 01 13
Subject:
N63 and N63T Engine: Engine Oil Consumption, Engine Oil Top-ups and Refill Capacity
MODEL
F01
F02
F06
F07
F10
F12
F13
E70
E71
Customers with one of the vehicles above may complain that the engine's oil consumption is "too high," resulting in engine oil top-ups and workshop visits to address the issue before the vehicle displays an engine oil service as being "due." When the vehicle's engine oil drops to the minimum level, a message will display in the vehicle advising the driver to "add 1 quart of engine oil." After topping up and continued operation, the "add engine oil" message may display again before an engine oil service is required and performed.

Cause:
Engines that are fitted with a turbocharger, as part of their normal operation, will consume engine oil at a higher rate than a naturally aspirated engine (non-turbocharged engine). In this case, a "turbocharged" engine could require topping up of the engine oil more frequently.

Procedure:

Engine oil - Topping up

When one of the above vehicles displays a message to add 1 quart of engine oil, BMW recommends adding 2 quarts of engine oil instead. The engine's oil sump design allows the additional quart; the result is a total capacity of 9.5 quarts (9.0 liters) of engine oil.

Engine oil:

Maintenance services and engine repairs
When performing all future engine oil maintenance services and repairs that require draining and refilling the engine oil, the new recommended refill specification is 9.5 quarts (9.0liters) of engine oil.

-The current version of the oil capacities chart, in Group 11 of the Operating Fluids Manual in TIS, has been updated as of 3/2013.

-The current version of ISTA/D is not correct. The updated filling specification will be corrected in ISTA/D 2.38.

Hope this helps

Ha, that's funny. I heard on certain cars , they also adjusted the sensitivity of the e-dipstick so they can account for an allotment like this. On the S65, an overfill still is a major concern.

[Dazza993]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

Whatever floats your boat... I'll just wait for the following thread on an overfill

I agree with Flying Ace - overfilling just isn't worth the hassle. It's easy to add a little more but to drain is probably going to require a trip to the dealer.

[Dazza993]

Originally Posted by Introextro

Hi,
Wouldn't the dealer have changed the oil before selling me the vehicle and if that is the case why should it have used enough oil within 3.8K miles to show this message?

A dealer wouldn't go to the expense of changing the oil if the car didn't need it based on mileage or service interval.

For reference my 2014 M6 GC (Non-comp) was bought at 12,500 miles and I got the low oil light at around 15k miles. So I think you're doing okay to get 3800 miles before topping up.

I bought a litre (just over a quart) of 0W-30 oil and added half of it, which took the level to about halfway between min & max. I tend to perform an oil level check every 3-4 weeks and I'll add the balance of the oil when it's getting low.

Here in the UK dealers will top up for free if you have the service inclusive package.

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by Dazza993

I agree with Flying Ace - overfilling just isn't worth the hassle. It's easy to add a little more but to drain is probably going to require a trip to the dealer.

Well, it's easy right? Here's the sequence of events that'll likely happen.

If you have ramps, you can drive the car up and drain the oil, but pray that your drain bolt isn't overtightened by the dealer. Wait, do I have the perfect tool that has a handle just long enough and slim enough to get the bolt off? Are BMW bolts hex or Torx these days? Hope I don't strip it!

It's finally off now, great, now to drain just the right amount while you're on your back with a drain bucket underneath. Oops, too much came out... all over hands and arms, hmm looks like about a bottle came out I think... Let me clean up and level car, go for a drive and remeasure. Still low? Hmm let's do some math.. if I added 1 qt and it's too much, and about 1 qt and then some came out, then I need to add about...hmm...

[BMWM5NYC]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

Ha, that's funny. I heard on certain cars , they also adjusted the sensitivity of the e-dipstick so they can account for an allotment like this. On the S65, an overfill still is a major concern.

Exactly. That is why I said, why guess? Until the car ASKS for oil there is NO NEED to add any oil for the simple reason that the Minimum level on the electronic dipstick is the Minimum OPERATING oil level for the car. The car still has around 8 liters of oil in it. It is NOT empty of oil. Went through the same scenarios with the E60(S85) And I had the 2007 with the meter that actually had a numeric value that counted down the liter of oil.

I always subscribe to the K.I.S.S. method when it comes to mechanical/technical things ( Keep It Simple Stupid) Wait until the car says " Hey dummy I am thirsty, give me a Bottle of oil, Give it the bottle, the car says "ahhhhh, thanks" shows you that it's tummy is full on the oil meter and then you are done. No guessing, no measuring no fuss. Been through it on the E60 and the F10 and never had an overfill or any issue. Honestly it really isn't brain surgery or rocket science here.

[Introextro]

Thanks guys. Well I went to BMW NYC today, they offered a free top up, nice! But can things ever get resolved?? The person there filled up with what I thought was 10W40 ( but it doesn't look like BMW makes 10W40 so maybe it was 0W40?). Now the manual says 5W30, but he said ?W40 was the standard and they were using it for all M cars, so no worries. So got the one quart filled, got the worries as well after that. Not sure what to do, wife says trust the dealer they know what they are doing? Do they?

Thanks!

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by Introextro

Thanks guys. Well I went to BMW NYC today, they offered a free top up, nice! But can things ever get resolved?? The person there filled up with what I thought was 10W40 ( but it doesn't look like BMW makes 10W40 so maybe it was 0W40?). Now the manual says 5W30, but he said ?W40 was the standard and they were using it for all M cars, so no worries. So got the one quart filled, got the worries as well after that. Not sure what to do, wife says trust the dealer they know what they are doing? Do they?

Thanks!

1. You should have asked to keep the bottle. It's your oil anyways, and it's part of the active maintenance plan.

2. They likely gave you 0-30, which is the correct oil.

3. They could have given you 5-30 LL-01, which is also a correct oil.

4. They could have given you the older 5-30 LL-04, which is the incorrect oil.

5. No dealers should be stocking 0-40 oil anymore. 0-40 is also a correct oil. And if indeed they gave you 0-40, it's probably the world's last stock of 0-40 dealer oil. You should buy it out, and resell it to E9x M3 and E6x MT/6 owners for $1000/ bottle. That stuff is as rare as the amur tiger and Yangtze river dolphin

Without you taking the bottle it's hard to say what was given but it's safe to assume it's the correct oil. You can always ask you service advisor what was given. They should have logged it for inventory tracking purposes.

[Introextro]

Thanks, it was a W40 for sure. I thought it was a 10W40, but if BMW does not make that (doesn't come up in any online search) then it may have been 0W40, which should be okay as you say..

[mjposner]

Since I went to two quarts per instructions I have lost a valve cover gasket and a failed air mass meter (covered in oil residue). Hmmmm.

That said I am back on oil consumption watch with BMW.

[BMWM5NYC]

Originally Posted by mjposner

Since I went to two quarts per instructions I have lost a valve cover gasket and a failed air mass meter (covered in oil residue). Hmmmm.

That said I am back on oil consumption watch with BMW.

Like I said to you in the other oil thread. They are having people overfill their cars so they don't get the Minimum oil light every 5 mins instead of fixing the problem. 750 miles to a Quart is INSANE. That is NOT normal consumption , I don't car what BMW says. Don't be surprised if you Catalytic convertors start going bad too. SMH

[mjposner]

Well the cats have an 8 year 80k mile warranty on the cats, I am at 5.5 years and 55k miles so no worries if they fail.

750 miles may be insane, try 421 miles which us the BMW threshold.

Not sure what they can do to "fix" except replace engine.

[Evil Derboy]

I'm more curious about why you bought an M6 in the first place if that's how you drive it...

[AWF10M5]

Originally Posted by Derboy

I'm more curious about why you bought an M6 in the first place if that's how you drive it...

Do we have to sign some sort of contract that you must drive like a douche because you have a powerful car?

I am only 23 and drive like the OP. Its nice to know you have all the power. 99% of the time I am in comfort mode in all settings. I might have used sports plus two times since owning the car.