R56 Reading the oil dipstick
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 999
Likes: 10
From: Nunavut
Oil level should be between the two metal ferrels - preferably near the top one. The cone shaped ferrel on the bottom is not what I’m talking about.
Put out the dipstick and wipe it clean.
Wait - let any oil in the dipstick tube drain out - maybe even have a cup of coffee. Or maybe clean all the windows.
While you are waiting go get a clean paper towel. White is fine - brown is better.
Lay the paper towel on a flat surface.
Insert the dipstick and pull it back out.
Lay the dipstick on the paper towel.
The oil on the dipstick will bleed across onto the paper towel - showing you the oil level.
Put out the dipstick and wipe it clean.
Wait - let any oil in the dipstick tube drain out - maybe even have a cup of coffee. Or maybe clean all the windows.
While you are waiting go get a clean paper towel. White is fine - brown is better.
Lay the paper towel on a flat surface.
Insert the dipstick and pull it back out.
Lay the dipstick on the paper towel.
The oil on the dipstick will bleed across onto the paper towel - showing you the oil level.
Perfect description of how to check the oil. Easy & free, no Craven dipstick needed.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 37
From: Mission Viejo, CA
The Craven Speed dip stick basically ends where you would grind off the tip on the OEM dip stick. I wouldn't take it to the dealer with the tip ground off.
I'm in the "some oil is better than no oil" camp.
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2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
The most important thing to understand when using an OEM Mini dipstick is that the bottom bulb, if re-inserted into the oil pan will draw oil up into the tube when withdrawn.
The trick is after first removing the dipstick, re-insert it into the tube but not far enough to get oil on the bottom bulb.
You do this several times, cleaning the oil off each time, until the tube is clean of excessive oil.
After cleaning the tube of excess oil you can then re-insert the dipstick fully into the oil pan, withdraw it and read the level.
If you keep the OEM dipstick, the best thing you can do is remove that bottom bulb so it will not draw oil up into the tube in the first place.
The trick is after first removing the dipstick, re-insert it into the tube but not far enough to get oil on the bottom bulb.
You do this several times, cleaning the oil off each time, until the tube is clean of excessive oil.
After cleaning the tube of excess oil you can then re-insert the dipstick fully into the oil pan, withdraw it and read the level.
If you keep the OEM dipstick, the best thing you can do is remove that bottom bulb so it will not draw oil up into the tube in the first place.
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5,391
Likes: 576
From: earth PNW
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 37
From: Mission Viejo, CA
The bottom bulb is still submerged in oil when cold, oil is thickest when cold.
What I normally do is pop the hood at night (usually friday or Saturday), pull out the dipstick, wipe it, and leave it out. Having the hood open reminds me not to forget what needs to be done. In the morning, I put the dipstick in and the first reading will be accurate (no oil in tube, no oil pulled up by the bottom bulb).
On my car, I add 1/2 quart when the level is at the bottom bulb. I check every weekend, and have enough history with the car to be confident that I will not run low on oil with this plan.
Mike
On my car, I add 1/2 quart when the level is at the bottom bulb. I check every weekend, and have enough history with the car to be confident that I will not run low on oil with this plan.
Mike
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 727
Likes: 2
What I normally do is pop the hood at night (usually friday or Saturday), pull out the dipstick, wipe it, and leave it out. Having the hood open reminds me not to forget what needs to be done. In the morning, I put the dipstick in and the first reading will be accurate (no oil in tube, no oil pulled up by the bottom bulb).
On my car, I add 1/2 quart when the level is at the bottom bulb. I check every weekend, and have enough history with the car to be confident that I will not run low on oil with this plan.
Mike
On my car, I add 1/2 quart when the level is at the bottom bulb. I check every weekend, and have enough history with the car to be confident that I will not run low on oil with this plan.
Mike
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
What I normally do is pop the hood at night (usually friday or Saturday), pull out the dipstick, wipe it, and leave it out. Having the hood open reminds me not to forget what needs to be done. In the morning, I put the dipstick in and the first reading will be accurate (no oil in tube, no oil pulled up by the bottom bulb).
On my car, I add 1/2 quart when the level is at the bottom bulb. I check every weekend, and have enough history with the car to be confident that I will not run low on oil with this plan.
Mike
On my car, I add 1/2 quart when the level is at the bottom bulb. I check every weekend, and have enough history with the car to be confident that I will not run low on oil with this plan.
Mike
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2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Good thing these cars are so fun to drive with all the hassle they are. Dip stick hard to read, use oil, water pumps, thermostat housing,brake sensors, ect.
If I had never driven one and knew what I now know, after a month of owning the car, I probably wouldn't of bought it.
If I had never driven one and knew what I now know, after a month of owning the car, I probably wouldn't of bought it.
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 55
From: Western PA
Thank you for this thread . . . I've never seen an oil dip stick this hard to read.
It begs the question, are the MINI techs as frustrated with it or do they just know something we don't as to why it was designed this way?...
Anyway I much prefer trying the few suggestion offered here first then rushing to get a new dip stick just yet.
Thanks for the tips! I like the overnight suggestion.
We've had our MCS for a little over a year now, with just 13,000miles on it, and I have not noticed any oil consumption. But with all the concerns on this forum I want to stay on top of it. Which means I'd like to be able to read properly the oil level dam it . . .
It begs the question, are the MINI techs as frustrated with it or do they just know something we don't as to why it was designed this way?...
Anyway I much prefer trying the few suggestion offered here first then rushing to get a new dip stick just yet.
Thanks for the tips! I like the overnight suggestion.
We've had our MCS for a little over a year now, with just 13,000miles on it, and I have not noticed any oil consumption. But with all the concerns on this forum I want to stay on top of it. Which means I'd like to be able to read properly the oil level dam it . . .
4th Gear
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 448
Likes: 3
I realize that the new F56's are so new that a data base on oil consumption has not been established for them yet but, given the past history of Mini Cooper oil consumption and the relation of that to serious engine problems, I for one would not like the idea of not being able to physically check my oil levels (no matter how difficult).
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,602
Likes: 107
From: Arizona
I realize that the new F56's are so new that a data base on oil consumption has not been established for them yet but, given the past history of Mini Cooper oil consumption and the relation of that to serious engine problems, I for one would not like the idea of not being able to physically check my oil levels (no matter how difficult).
6th Gear
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,260
Likes: 87
From: Pacific NW
The OEM dipstick works just fine. Check your oil cold, I mean sitting all night cold, with the car on a level surface. Pull the dipstick out and check the level, do not reinsert the dip stick, that will drag oil up the dip stick tube and ruin your reading. The oil level will be obvious.
Dave
Dave
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 37
From: Mission Viejo, CA
Yeah a lot of people feel the same way. You can see how much oil is in there from the new app/screen. And I think it will warn you if you are low on oil (the R56 does not which is weird). Evidently BMW cars have not had a dipstick for several years. BTW my 2007 R56 didn't burn any oil until around 50k miles.
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 727
Likes: 2
Yeah a lot of people feel the same way. You can see how much oil is in there from the new app/screen. And I think it will warn you if you are low on oil (the R56 does not which is weird). Evidently BMW cars have not had a dipstick for several years. BTW my 2007 R56 didn't burn any oil until around 50k miles.
On my 2008 MINI Cooper S, a car which I bought new, I first noticed the oil consumption problem at around 45,000 miles.
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 69
Likes: 1
From: On the Pacific Plate, CA
What was Mini thinking?!
Neutral
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Hey guys I had a question about the Cravenspeed dipstick. Mine just arrived and to be honest I was a bit surprised, every dipstick in every car I have ever owned has been a stiff metal stick but this one is like a limp noodle. Can someone reassure me that this is indeed correct and will work correctly without fault.
5th Gear
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 870
Likes: 14
From: Austin, TX
Hey guys I had a question about the Cravenspeed dipstick. Mine just arrived and to be honest I was a bit surprised, every dipstick in every car I have ever owned has been a stiff metal stick but this one is like a limp noodle. Can someone reassure me that this is indeed correct and will work correctly without fault.