2009 BMW M3: Engine Oil Low, Add Engine Oil

Why don't you just swing by the BMW dealership and have them top it off. it's covered under the warranty. I have taken my mothers 335xi over countless times for this issue! the warranty is the best on the BMW's, they even replaced the clutch on it after a weekend of fun!

I prefer to watch the odometer and stick to a schedule, but then again I've never owned a car with any oil consumption issues whatsoever. To blame that on the BMW's high strung motor is one thing, honestly, I think you guys are just terrible about breaking in your engines and running them.

I really like the computer-style oil checker. A lot of people don't check their oil often enough, and this system tells you exactly when to add oil and how much to add.

I like the low oil level notification, but I would still prefer to have a dipstick to verify it.

How can you have enough spare time in your day to waste it driving to a dealership to have them add a quart of oil?

Even if they don't charge you for the oil, it's not worth the time and effort when you can do it yourself in less then a minute.

In my Prius get a reminder light every 5,000 miles. My Tribeca has no maintenence reminder. The schedule is simple though: 3,000 then 7,500 then 15,000 and then 7,500 mile intervals until the engine dies. Shouldn't be for a couple hundred thousand miles though

"Your take: Maintence Reminders: Are they making us lazy, or are they keeping our cars better cared for?"

I think it makes us less lazy and more informed. I like the idea actually as most people don't follow the manufacturers recommendations or simply take their car in for service whenever they feel its necessary. Given the Maintenance Reminder system gives the driver critical information, I think the driver/owner will be more willing to follow the systems recommendations which in turn leads to better overall performance, higher fuel economy, lower costs of ownership and higher level of reliability. I think it's an awesome idea. I like Honda's system.

Hondacura4 does have a point but I still want a redundant manual stick to check the oil when in 10+ years the sensors in this car die and the dealership wants $1000+ for the part.

@audikrazy1-

Technically unscheduled oil additions like this are not covered under the BMW Full Maintenance Program. However, some dealerships will do the first one as a courtesy. New clutches from owner abuse are also not covered either, so I'd say you got lucky there.

"Your take: Maintenance Reminders: Are they making us lazy, or are they keeping our cars better cared for?"

BMW didn't do this on a whim. They researched it and discovered that something like 9/10 BMW owners never checked their oil. Unlike the chicken and the egg, we already know which came first in the idiot/idiot light conundrum.

"Hondacura4 does have a point but I still want a redundant manual stick to check the oil when in 10+ years the sensors in this car die and the dealership wants $1000+ for the part."

I do agree with the having an oil dipstick as I of course use them to check oil levels and oil condition on all my cars, and I prefer that method. However, the maintenance minder system (even one as informative as BMW's) would make me even more anal and aware about service intervals which is a good thing given the investment people make in automobiles. I think its logical and useful technology.

"Your take: Maintence Reminders: Are they making us lazy, or are they keeping our cars better cared for?"

Given how vehicles are becoming more and more complex, I can see why there are so many safeguards built in to help with vehicle ownership. That said; I can't see why it would be so hard to pop the hood and check the oil level (and the rest of the fluids) manually on a Saturday/Sunday morning or afternoon. It just takes a few minutes.....

firstwagon says: "How can you have enough spare time in your day to waste it driving to a dealership to have them add a quart of oil?

Even if they don't charge you for the oil, it's not worth the time and effort when you can do it yourself in less then a minute."

Do you live next to Autozone or something? Drive to BMW for oil, drive to Autozone for oil. At one they wouldn't have to pay.

I have taken advantage of this free service at around 7500 miles. BMW gave me 2 extra quarts of that liquid gold of oil in case I need to use them on a road trip and the low oil indicator came on. Btw, you will probably never get taken by surprise on this because the oil consumption is indicated by 4 notches on the MID. For each notch gone, that's a 1/4 of qt gone.

In my case, I felt that i would rather have them do it and let me hang on to the stock I still have which is only for emergencies. And the entire process was so painless, I just drove in and told them i need a top off and not even 2 minutes the guy comes out with a qt of the stuff. He pops the hood, refills the oil, wipes the excess if any, and sends me on my way.

It is very convenient and I am glad it is part of the free maintenance program. The oil is $12 per qt discounted and you can have this done at any dealership.

@ compliance,

buying a case of oil from a retailer and keeping it in the garage -- knowing you own a car that needs oil routinely -- would be the most efficient method, which is what i assumed firstwagon was talking about.

as more and more of us treat cars like our bodies -- abuse them until something goes wrong, then send it to someone to fix it and make it all better, after which we continue to have as much fun as we want without taking any responsibility or doing any maintenance -- idiot lights are generally essential.

+1 compliance

I live within 2 miles of a BMW dealer, and within 5 miles of 3. I've taken mine in for two free top offs, including the free windshield wiper blades, and wiper fluid refill. Why drive to the autozone when you can get all of the above for FREE? For some of us who live in large metros it is actually convenient for a dealer trip. Now if you live in Booneville, I'd go to the autozone.