How to Check the Engine Oil in a BMW 318i?
4 Answers
To check the engine oil in a BMW 318i: Locate the lever in the gap at the front of the car to open the hood, lift the hood, find and secure the support rod in the engine compartment, wait for 3 to 4 minutes to allow the oil to flow back into the oil pan, then pull out the dipstick. Wipe the oil off the dipstick with a tissue or a clean cloth, reinsert the dipstick all the way, and pull it out again. The normal oil level should be within the mesh area between Min and Max. The BMW 318i has a body length of 4643mm, width of 1811mm, height of 1454mm, and a wheelbase of 2810mm. The BMW 318i is equipped with an N46B20 low-power engine with a maximum horsepower of 134.
Checking the oil level in a BMW 318i is actually quite simple. Let me walk you through the steps. First, park the car on level ground and turn off the engine—preferably when the engine is cold. Most newer BMW models no longer have a traditional dipstick. Instead, start the central control screen, navigate to the vehicle information menu, and find the engine oil level check option. Follow the on-screen instructions, and an animated progress bar will appear, eventually displaying the number of small bars between MAX and MIN. If the level is below the midpoint, you should take note. I recommend checking the oil level every two tanks of fuel, especially after a long highway drive. Remember to use genuine 0W30 or 5W30 grade oil, and wipe clean around the oil filler cap before adding oil to prevent contaminants from entering.
Last time a friend brought their 318i over for me to check the oil, I realized many owners don't know how to properly read the electronic oil level indicator. After starting the vehicle, enter the iDrive system, select Vehicle Status, then go to Service Requirements, and follow the prompts to initiate measurement. The key point isn't just whether the level is within range, but observing its trend compared to previous measurements. If three consecutive tests show a one-bar drop each time, it may indicate potential leakage or oil consumption issues. Don't wait until the warning light comes on - by then you might already be over 1 liter low. After an oil change, remember to reset the service reminder, otherwise the system will keep displaying the need for top-up.
The BMW electronic oil level check isn't that complicated. With the ignition on but engine off, press the BC button on the steering wheel to switch to the oil level icon, then hold the button on top of the left stalk for 5 seconds. Observe the oil level bars displayed in the instrument cluster - 4 bars means full, while 1 bar indicates immediate topping up is needed. When I drove my E90 318i, I made it a habit to check monthly, with the most accurate reading obtained 15 minutes after engine shutdown. If 'service due' appears, it means oil quality degradation rather than low level has been detected, signaling it's time for maintenance.
