Very Low Oil Quantity on '08 M35

[FB3]

For some reason I decided to check the oil on my '08 M35 even though I have less than 300 miles on it - yes three hundred.

There was no oil on the dip stick, and I had to put three quarts in it to bring it up to the full mark. The engine was warm and I let it sit for about ten minutes prior to checking the oil.

There is no evidence of leakage anywhere.

This is the first time that I checked the oil since I brought it home from the dealer. I don't know it it was properly serviced on delivery or not, but unfortunately I don't know now.

I guess that I will have to check it again in about 100 miles and see if there has been any consumption. I have owned many new cars since the middle sixties, and this is the first time that I have ever had an experience like this.

I don't know which is worse - the engine did not have the proper amount of oil from the factory, the dealer delivering it low on oil, or a very bad consumption problem.

The good news is that I have been very careful to observe the break in protocol, so hopefully there has not been any excessive wear or damage.

Anyone else have this problem or know of someone who has?

[szh]

That is unusually low and not what I would expect. Please do check it out and make sure that this was a one-time situation that does not recur. Give the dealer a hard time about it too.

The best time to check the oil (for a consistent reading that you can correlate over time) is in the morning after the car has been sitting all night and the oil is cold. Ideally on level ground (inside your garage perhaps). Then, if you keep the oil level above the mid-point between the marks, you will be fine.

I try to check my oil every 1000 miles or so to make sure that all is well. But, there is a definite planned check (with a 1 qt bottle on hand) at the half-way mark (at about 1800 miles) between my normal oil changes (those are at 3750 miles) and I add about 1/3 to 1/2 qt at that time typically.

Z

[FB3]

Thanks for the reply. I just wish that I had checked the oil as soon as I got the car home. I will definitely keep a close watch on the oil level for a while. I probably should have just called the dealer and had them pick up the car and check it over, but too late now.

My feeling is that it was just never properly serviced as there is no sign of leaks or high consumption like smoke, dirty exhaust tips, etc.