Q: No oil but light didn't come on or stay on

asked by on October 05, 2016

Took my car to a garage who said it had no oil in it the oil light came on when I started the car but went bk off its had 10 litres of oil in it since 1st July 2016 and now is saying it's burning oil because I let it run low
My car has a manual transmission.

Oil level is low Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hello there, oil lights can be slow to respond to for a lack of oil in your 2004 BMW 320i. 10 liters of oil is excessive oil consumption. Excessive oil consumption is a problem and can damage your engine if left unattended. The most common caused of oil consumption is an oil leak, piston rings, valve seals, low oil pressure, or PCV system failure. In the current condition of the vehicle, it should not be driven until repairs have been made. A qualified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, will be able to diagnose the oil consumption fault and make any repairs required.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Transmission range sensor bad
Hi. The transmission range sensor (TR) receives a reference voltage from the transmission control module (TCM). The sensor then varies that voltage according to the position the gear selector (P, R, N, D, 2, 1). In this way, the sensor...
Loud rattling coming from underneath the vehicle
This could be caused by a loose lower cover plate. Trucks have a metal plate that protects the underside of the engine from debris. This plate is often removed for repairs and sometimes not all the bolts will be present...
The air conditioner doesn't work only when idle, works great when moving.
Hello. The most common cause for this is a low refrigerant charge (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ac-recharge). There could be a problem with a sensor or even a wiring issue, but it is most common for there to be a minor leak in the...
Why does my E46 BMW M54 not start properly?
Hello there, many faults will cause your 2003 BMW 320i to run poorly on cold start and have a cylinder 4 misfire. You have done great in replacing the coil packs (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ignition-coil-replacement), plugs (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/spark-plugs-replacement), and vacuum pipe. Common faults would...
Replaced battery got another jump from AAA won't start, service b1 shows on dash which I know I need oil change but is that why?
Hello There, The B1 service in your Honda Accord indicates the need for the oil change service and tire rotation as you know. This service does not have anything to do with the battery or the vehicle not starting. If...
My car squeals when in reverse & in first gear. It stops when the car is warmed up. Any idea what's wrong?
This is a common sign of a loose or worn belt. Over time, your car's engine belts (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/loud-squealing-or-squeaking-is-coming-from-timing-belt-inspection) may become worn causing them to stretch. When this happens as you press the gas pedal and the belt goes from a...
I have a Dodge Journey 2009, my key is stuck on the ignition the shift is on park but on the screen it says that is on reverse my
Hi Jessica. Thanks for contacting us today. It's quite possible that your brake switch is stuck or damaged or a shift sensor is damaged and causing this problem. One thing you can try is to press on the brake pedal...

Related articles

Do Cars Need Oil Changes More or Less Often As They Age?
Car engines wear out as miles add up. Older engines and engines with high mileage have lower tolerances, making more frequent oil changes necessary.
What Causes a Car to Overheat?
Several problems can make your car overheat. A leaky cooling system, blocked radiator, bad thermostat, or failed water pump are common causes.
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Oil Pan
Common signs include puddles of oil under the car, leaks around the oil drain plug, and visible damage to the oil pan.