Noob-ish question on 5BW Oil Consumption

NorCal Blackwing · Sunday at 9:31 PM

I've got a 5BW with about 20,000 miles on it. All 20,000 miles were put on by me (well except for the delivery mileage). No problems to-date with the engine (knock on wood). No sign of excessive oil consumption until now.

Yesterday, I went a long, spirited backroad drive, came home and parked up without issue.

This afternoon, when starting up the car, I got the low oil warning on the DIC.

Checked the dipstick at first and there appeared to be sufficient oil on it, though one side of the dipstick had a higher level than the other.

Since it wasn't at the top of the crosshatch I added a half quart and started the car again, but got the same warning.

After leaving the car for 30 minutes, checked the dipstick again and it's bone dry. Added another half quart, measured again, nothing on the dipstick.

There is no puddle of oil under the car...

Booked an appointment at a nearby dealer on Friday - but not sure whether I should be driving it there. Also a bit worried that If I keep adding oil will I overfill if I'm measuring it wrong... a dipstick should be pretty idiot proof but it doesn't compute that the engine would be bone dry of oil even after adding a quart, without a big puddle of oil under the car.

What do you folks think?

CT5VBW · Sunday at 10:30 PM

The first time the DIC reported low oil and i tried to use the dipstick, i had the same issue. was bone dry. I added a quart, still dry, then another, blah. Eventually it overfilled, so YES, you will overfill it...

I dont even check it anymore with the dipstick. Whenever mine says its low, I just add 1 quart and its been fine doing that until I get to an oil change.

5VBW Nick · 2025-04-14T06:21:31-0400

When checking, ensure you are on a very level surface, and wait about 5-10 mins after shutting the engine off. Pull out stick, wipe dry, insert and check.

CaddyTrack · 2025-04-14T18:15:37-0400

I'm at 33k, she burns quite a bit of oil... approx 3 quarts between 5k mile oil changes.

I will take it in for 1) oil consumption concern, 2) a creeking when backing up when the wheel is cranked all the way (angling into driveway - creeeeeek), 3) lumbar, and therefore massager, not working on driver side, and 4) in 3rd gear vmode I dont see the shift lights come up (this one im not so sure about dealer testing to confirm - may take a video ). Sigh.

NorCal Blackwing · 2025-04-14T19:12:08-0400

5VBW Nick said:
When checking, ensure you are on a very level surface, and wait about 5-10 mins after shutting the engine off. Pull out stick, wipe dry, insert and check.

It's weird, my garage surface is quite level and I've taken oil measurements there before. This morning I took another measurement and it looks like there's a very small amount of oil about midway up the crosshatch now (i.e. it's thin, like there's not much there). Go figure.

My V2 Wagon had oil consumption issues and I'd have to add a quart before each oil change, but it manifest itself fairly early on. I was hoping I dodged that bullet with this one.

5VBW Nick · 2025-04-14T19:24:55-0400

Yes, with new oil it's very hard to see on the dipstick as it's nearly clear when it is such a thin film. Dry it completely, dip slowly at the last bit of it that goes into the tube. Take out and check front and back of the stick with it angled to the light, and look for the start of the shiny part. That's about the best you can do.

TruckeeTaurus · 2025-04-14T19:51:35-0400

Damn… this is something I have to look forward to? I’d hope that a new car wouldn’t burn through oil after the break in period unless running hard on a track.

CT5VBW · 2025-04-14T22:13:18-0400

yup, gonna go through some oil... just be thankful you aren't driving a BMW M5 with a V-10... it could be a lot worse.

TruckeeTaurus · 2025-04-14T22:17:21-0400

CT5VBW said:
yup, gonna go through some oil... just be thankful you aren't driving a BMW M5 with a V-10... it could be a lot worse.

Well shit… I guess I better pick some up before I pick my baby up from from getting the Kavaca wrap. That gives me a few days. Everyone going with the Mobil 1 as directed by the manual or what?

CT5VBW · 2025-04-14T22:20:25-0400

i have a 2022 which has the previous dexos2 in the manual I think, not supercar. but now i guess that's what the dealer puts it in for the prepaid maintenance so i do too.. assuming they use supercar for all BW's now.

NorCal Blackwing · 2025-04-14T22:20:32-0400

CT5VBW said:
yup, gonna go through some oil... just be thankful you aren't driving a BMW M5 with a V-10... it could be a lot worse.

Ugh, the S85 is not a promising bar to clear

Thank goodness this car is just so much fun to drive

rubberduck · 2025-04-14T22:49:03-0400

TruckeeTaurus said:
Well shit… I guess I better pick some up before I pick my baby up from from getting the Kavaca wrap. That gives me a few days. Everyone going with the Mobil 1 as directed by the manual or what?

You’ll be fine. Just drive it 1,000 to 1,500 miles and change the oil. Pick up an extra quart at that time. I haven’t had any need to add oil between changes. Actually. since I do a lot of city driving my oil life indicator only nets me about 2,500 miles.

I changed the diff out at the same time I did my first oil change, but based on what I saw (or more accurately what I didn’t see), it was unnecessary.

TruckeeTaurus · 2025-04-14T22:56:41-0400

Was planning the first oil change at around 700 and another at 1500… I thought that’s what I read in the manual, but I’ll have to double check. Good to know not everyone is having the oil consumption issue.

jbawden · 2025-04-15T00:17:40-0400

When do we get to start the break-in procedure debate?

CT5VBW · 2025-04-15T01:04:58-0400

rubberduck said:
You’ll be fine. Just drive it 1,000 to 1,500 miles and change the oil. Pick up an extra quart at that time. I haven’t had any need to add oil between changes. Actually. since I do a lot of city driving my oil life indicator only nets me about 2,500 miles.

I changed the diff out at the same time I did my first oil change, but based on what I saw (or more accurately what I didn’t see), it was unnecessary.

are you saying you don't need to add oil because you change your oil every 2500-3000 miles? or you just havent had to change oil in between for higher intervals? I see you are in AZ. I am in Vegas and go through alot in the summer, but I dont change my oil until i get low on oil life per the DIC

rubberduck · 2025-04-15T07:26:41-0400

CT5VBW said:
are you saying you don't need to add oil because you change your oil every 2500-3000 miles? or you just havent had to change oil in between for higher intervals? I see you are in AZ. I am in Vegas and go through alot in the summer, but I dont change my oil until i get low on oil life per the DIC

I’m saying two things, the DIC oil life is at 5 to 10% by 2.5K to 3K miles when I change my oil and I don’t need to add oil in between oil changes. I’m also a little heavy on the right foot and shift at higher RPMs as much as I can get away with.

Finally-a-V · 2025-04-15T10:38:25-0400

Now I'm paranoid. Have to go check my oil level. I'd have to say, mine doesn't use any oil either. I change it when the DIC says too, once a year, maybe 3-4000 miles.