Changed oil, now it won't measure itself
 

Hubby changed the break-in oil--we didn't want to wait for the "free" change this first time--and now I can't get it to measure itself. I've tried several times, including in the garage where I've gotten a reading before. It's level, the car was warmed up, but the "begin measurement" words never highlighted so that I could get a reading.


Any ideas? Is there a sensor that needs to be plugged back in? The engine check portion says the engine oil level is normal, but I'd like to also get a reading for the number of quarts.

Well did you unplug any?

Hah! Don't know. I wasn't there. Hubby doesn't remember anything, but something could have been knocked off without him noticing.

I dont think there is a plug by the drain plug that could get accidentaly unplugged.
But i know u have to be in neutral and not moving in order to do the measurement.....

Thats all i know lol

Yup, not moving, in neutral, and warmed up. Check, check, and check.

Email your MA, he'll get in touch with an SA (service advisor) and tell you if you have/had to do anything. It may just be a reset.

I already did. My SA doesn't know either. New model at a brand new dealer translates to "I'll have to ask so-and-so." I think he's getting in touch with regional people.

Down at Parker? They came up and visited us to learn about being a stand alone dealer. Just texted one of my techs. *waiting*

In Neutral> Vehicle Status > Look for the Check oil > Begin Measurement

The tech says if its cold outside it will probably take about 5-10 minutes to warm up to the temperature required for the measurement (should be in the owner's manual somewhere). He says it really will only say "ok" or "Empty" for the level and not a specific number of quarts. We had an F56 come in earlier this week with 7k+ on the clock., so its only a matter of time before dealers start to get acquainted with the vehicle. Good idea to be proactive on the oil changes, never hurts.

Interesting, and yes, it is Parker. I do know about warming up the car. I've checked it before in the same spot in the garage, which is level, and there's a point at which the "begin measurement" line (or whatever it says) lights up and waits for the driver to click it. So, I drive it around, running errands (it's 9 miles just to the beginning of my subdivision, plus the distance to whatever store I'm going to), so I know it's thoroughly warmed up. I've done it before, but now that line doesn't light up.

I could have sworn that I did get a number of quarts. This is not the same line on the computer screen where it just verifies that the level is okay--that's the line just above the one I'm talking about. If you have an F56, go ahead and scroll through so you know what I'm talking about. The book doesn't really say much, other than it should get to a point where the measurement begins.

Frankly, I hate that BMW and some of the other manufacturers are killing the dipstick. There's a lot of information in that oil, beyond just the level. I bought an '07 Porsche earlier in the year as well, and it can be as long as 5 minutes before you can get a measurement! Seriously--there's a digital countdown on the instrument panel. All because some engineer thought we're no longer capable of grabbing a paper towel and wiping off a metal rod?

Ok, checked a loaner this morning. To get it warm, it took about half an hour of driving and idling. But it comes up with a Measuring percentage and then proceeds to a digital "dipstick", but it doesn't say how many quarts.

I didn't remember exactly what it said--I can't get to that point at all. I could before the oil change, hence my original question.

Follow up--I ran into Hot Springs today for errands, probably about 50 miles total within a short period, including 22 in one stretch on the way home. Back in the garage, I was able to measure the oil with no problem. My typical errands profile is about 20 miles, so I guess it just wasn't enough to make the computer happy, even though the car was plenty warmed up.

That means there have been NO complaints or problems with my F56 in about 4200 miles, other than a broken windshield from a rock, which isn't the car's fault. Very happy!

oil issue
 

Slightly off topic, but what is the oil capacity with oil and filter change? Mine's due real soon.

By the way, if that silver mini with the flag on the side was at Mini in the Ozarks, I remember it. No kidding, I took pictures of it because I thought it was the best looking car at the event.

Edit: Sorry, i figured it out. It takes 5.3 quarts.

The book will have it, but as I recall it's 5.3 quarts. Definitely 5 plus a little more.

And yes, I was there! Thanks so much for the compliment! I'm a member of AMOK, the host club, and this was my 5th MITO. Actually, 4th MITO--the 2010 event was called Merry MINIs On The Mountain, but we outgrew that venue (Mt. Magazine) and moved to Eureka Springs and changed the name to avoid confusion with the Colorado event.

Oh, and if you noticed the lone Porsche 356, that's ours, too. The day the MINIs left a group of classic Porsches came in from Dallas for a few days of Arkansas twisties, so we brought both up and stayed over in Eureka and then went down to Mt. Magazine.