Several people have spent a great deal of time to show why the 2011+ dipsticks cannot be used in the normal manner as suggested by MINI. I see so many problems that could have been prevented by knowing the importance of checking the oil level and knowing how to get a good reading with the 2011+ oil dipsticks. The following link explains the problem in great detail and gives methods for getting good readings. It only takes a few minutes to read this information and it is well worthwhile.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...00-post13.html

 

But...but... they never said we had to CHECK the oil, did they?? As in, pop the hood and get our hands dirty???

Just kidding.

You are so right, it needs to be watched. That is a fantastic link, and thank you for keeping it in the front of everyone's minds, because new people coming in need to know this, and know how important it is.

Byron H <<<<< MINI dipstick whisperer...

 

It would be great if the moderators made the original post into a sticky.

 

Joanie,

When I looked at my post, the link to OceanMini2 was not done correctly,
so I edited my post by copying and pasting his information. OceanMini2 did a great post and I wanted to share it. If there is a way to link to just the post in a thread, I need to find out how to do it.

Morris, 2011 MC, PW/B

 

To isolate one post in a thread, click on the post number that you see up in the right hand corner. That will bring up just that post. Then, copy the URL up in your browser window (it will start like this: www. northamericanmotoring.com/forums.newreply.php etc etc) You can then paste that URL into your reply or start a new thread with it, and it will become a link. :-) If you want to get REALLY tricky, click the post number, then copy the URL in your browser window, then when you write your post that you want to put it into, type something like "the post is here". Highlight the word "here", and then click the little icon above that looks like a world with a link in front of it, and it will give you a popup window. Paste that URL address into the popup window and click okay. It will then make the word "here" into the link... cool!

Here is your first post on this thread, done like that.

I used to moderate a big forum...so I know a few tricks.

 

It also helps if you can tab your windows, so that you have two open at once. So you can see that my post above is #5. You will see the number in the bar above the post, on the right, next to the red triangle. (the red triangle lets you report a post directly to the administration, in case it is something that needs removal)

Hope that helps!

 

an even easier method is to purchase a cravenspeed dipstick

it works just like every other dipstick in the world, remove, wipe, reinsert, remove, read oil level

scott

 

I'm thinking about going for a cravenspeed dipstick myself.

 

Craven dipstick works great for me too! Does not negate the need for the car to be level, as OceanMini2 shows so clearly, but it does take care of the smeared oil issue. On a long trip through a lot of desert, I was able to check my oil when stopping for gas (every 500 miles) and it didn't take a lot of work to do it. The modification that BlackIce came up with would be a less expensive alternative.

 

Does it work on the N18? I could've sworn I saw a post on NAM somewhere that said it did not.

 

yes it does, i have one for my cms all4 and liked it so much i bought one for my dad's cms all4 too

scott

 

Sweet. Thanks, Scott. Will be ordering one soon.

 

An aside, and not meaning to hijack this informative post:

WOW. All this, for what ought to be two of the simplest auto maintenance items: checking your oil, and changing it.

I hadn't noticed the owner's manual language advising to have your MINI's oil changed only by a dealer or by a shop with specially trained personnel. Hmmm. I've read every forum post on R56 oil changes...and managed a couple of oil changes my very own self, so far. I'll be a little more reverent the next time I'm under there.

 

BlackIce's modification to the stock dipstick as shown by the following links allows you to use it like a normal dipstick.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...50-post11.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...68-post17.html
Morris, 2011 MC, PW/B

 

when i want to check the oil, i drive it enough to get the oil warm and then park it on a level surface. turn off car pop open hood, take out the disptick, wipe it clean, place it on a table, wait five minutes or however long it takes for me to remember that i left my hood and dipstick out and place it back in to check. works very well for me, found out mini dealerships love to overfill, and that the n18 engine or at least mine (30k miles) doesnt suffer from oil consumption.

 

Amazed at dip stick issue. Seemed like I could read the level per manual instructions, but post made me paranoid so, bought way over priced Craven stick. While it works, the construction scares me. Tip seems minimally attached to spring. And a spring? Come on, at least have a flexible stainless cable also to prevent stretch. I am afraid tip will fall into crankcase. I'm carrying craven stick in Baggie in boot and taking it out to check. I get the paranoia award, no?

 

It only takes one extra trip to the car to use the most positive method for checking the oil with the MINI dipstick. I run the car long enough to get up to full operating temperature and know that I am not going to drive again for at least 2 hours. You can probably wait less time, but I know the 2 hours works. I take the dipstick out, wipe it off and set it aside. I cover the dipstick tube with a small piece of tin foil. I wait at least 2 hours and then insert the dipstick all the way in, pull it out, and take a reading. If the oil is not overfilled or over a quart low, the oil level on the dipstick is easy to see. Because I pick a time when I don't plan to use the car again for at least 2 hours, all this method takes is one extra trip to the car. I leave the hood up until I finish to remind me that the dipstick is out. It is a shame, that we can't use the MINI dipstick like any other dipstick, but this method works for me.

Morris, 2011 MC, PW/B

 

Thanks JoanieB for this post on making a link to one post in a thread.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...596-post5.html

This is a big help for all of us trying to share information.

 

I just lick it and taste the oil

Dab the dipstick precisely on a paper towel and it will show you the length; essentially, how high the level is on it.

 

That helps if seeing the oil on the stick is your problem (and it is a problem) but you still need to make sure the oil level is correctly presented to you on the dipstick.