MINI2 - MINI Forum - View Single Post - Checking the oil

SalemMINIDriver · Apr 27th, 2006, 03:49 PM

I also would not rely on a warning light for this. To my knowledge, the warning light detects a drop in oil pressure rather than a low oil level (has this changed for '05+ cars?). Barring a mechanical failure, you should never get to the point of oil pressure loss if oil level is maintained above minimum.

I would regularly check oil level. We went through over a quart in between 1st and 2nd scheduled service visits. I'm told that this is not uncommon for a new MCS engine.

Yes, the dipstick is useless. Tough to get an accurate reading, especially when warm, due to the fact that the convoluted three dimensional shape of the plastic portion at the end makes clearing the end difficult. Especially difficult with synthetic oils, which do not seem to darken significantly until they are of great antiquity.

Apr 27th, 2006, 03:49 PM	#9
SalemMINIDriver MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Harpswell, ME Local Time: 06:48 PM Posts: 173 Offline	I also would not rely on a warning light for this. To my knowledge, the warning light detects a drop in oil pressure rather than a low oil level (has this changed for '05+ cars?). Barring a mechanical failure, you should never get to the point of oil pressure loss if oil level is maintained above minimum. I would regularly check oil level. We went through over a quart in between 1st and 2nd scheduled service visits. I'm told that this is not uncommon for a new MCS engine. Yes, the dipstick is useless. Tough to get an accurate reading, especially when warm, due to the fact that the convoluted three dimensional shape of the plastic portion at the end makes clearing the end difficult. Especially difficult with synthetic oils, which do not seem to darken significantly until they are of great antiquity.