I was driving spiritedly yesterday and in the apex of a turn my oil light flashed on and then off for a split second. But i noticed it out of the corner of my eye. When i got home i checked the oil leval but im not sure how to read the dipstick. Does this happen to mini when cornered hard and wheer should the oil come up to on the dipstick?

Any help would be great.
Dan

 

It is hard to read the MCS' dipstick. My method is to use a rag or paper towel. After removing the dipstick, quickly dab it (once) onto the rag so oil is transferred. Compare the length of the oil mark to the dipstick and you'll have your oil level. There is a chance that if you are really low on oil, it won't be on the dipstick at all. In which case, fill up immediately as the oil pressure switch is set at a very low value. I haven't heard of any problems with the MINI in terms of oil starvation through constant high-G cornering but it is a possibility.

 

Please tell us how low the oil level was? And other fun details.

YD

 

well after checking the oil last night and then checking it this morning the oil is on the stick but only the lower part of the orange measuring part.

 

I had driven almost 13000 miles from the last change. I expected that a light would come on if I needed as much as a quart or so (since the tire pressure light comes on if you are barely below recommended, right?)

Well, about two weeks ago, I noticed a familiar "clicking" sound when I was in a parking stall between two SUVs with my window down (so that the engine noises were exagerrated). This sound of course, means "you had better check your oil!!" My '04 MCS has not had ONE single -- even small -- leak ever.

So, first thing I did when I got home was check the stick. Not even wet with fresh oil. So, I bought three quarts, and put them in one at a time, waiting for about three to five minutes between each quart to re-check the level with each quart. The car took three quarts, and I never saw a light or a leak.

I'm going to mention it to the SA when I go in this Friday for an "Inspection 2" job. I now have 53,000+ miles on the car.

Frankly, I don't see the point of having a light if it is going to not tell you anything until the level is that low. I'm hoping that it was a malfunction of the light or sensor and not set up that way by design!!

 

I check my oil every 5 fills on my gas tank. my car seems to use a lot of oil, which is why I installed a OCC. Now i can watch how much oil WAS going through my intercooler and I add accordingly. as for going the full 13000 before a oil change, I am sure everyone will have different ideas on this, but I have mine changed every 6 or so.

p.s. I bet i add a quart in that 6000 miles also.

 

I dont get much oil in my OCC, but I do seem to use a fair bit, butthen the car is ragged a lot.

I didnt know there was an oil light. I check mine weekly when I check all the cars fluids and clean her. Good job too, as she does tend to use a lot of oil. I put in a Litre every couple of months.

 

This is my first experience with synthetic oil. I know it's not magic, but I DID expect it to last 15000 -- like BMW claims it should -- between changes. I'm going in Friday for a change, and I think I'll go no more than 7,500 until the next time.

Also, going forward, I won't depend on any lights or warnings from the car to check the level any more. It seems to me that it wouldn't be too difficult to engineer a way to let drivers know when the level is ONE quart (or ONE liter?) low, but apparently that is asking too much.

At least the car doesn't leak (onto the driveway) like others that have traditionally come out of the British makers. Are the Brits still designing in at least one oil leak with every new model? (I don't count the MINI's IC problem, though perhaps I should?)

 

Nope. Oil lights are traditionally "stop before your car blows up" lights.
There may be a car or two out there with 'add oil' lights, but I don't know. This is because the oil level changes - i.e. you can't check the level with the engine running as oil is being pumped up into the drivetrain. Page 98 of your manual shows the proper procedure. It calls for waiting 5 minutes to let the oil drain into the pan for an accurate measurement (though I never wait that long.)

Some cars are 'tight', some burn oil. (IIRC, in an Autoweek review, Porsche said that burning a quart every few thousand miles was 'normal'.) You don't have to have a visible leak to lose oil. You know now, but you should check your oil monthly. It is the one item that isn't 'set and forget'.

 

This Isn't Right!

Took the mini in with a knocking sound. Blown rod. Reason - lack of oil. No oil light, or pressure indicator ever went off - I'm told it does not have one! Until I looked here, ignorant me, thought that there was something "special" here as the oil change interval was 15K+ (most cars I've ever owned were 3-5K max). So am happily driving assuming this magic meant no checking required. Have been in for 2 services on the car, never advised that the oil was low - never heard that it in fact BURNS quite a bit of oil. Now they are presenting me with a $7,610 bill for a new engine block!! This isn't right!! Somebody in marketing needs to get the right message out! Put a pressure light in or some indicator AND advise like @#$% that even though the interval is 15K miles you MUST check your oil FREQUENTLY as it BURNS it!!!

 

That Cool Aid doesn't taste quiet as good anymore, does it?

Sure am sorry about your problems.

YD