Check the Oil Level (No Dipstick)

The BMW 1 Series Mk3 (F40, 2019–present) has no dipstick — you check the engine oil level electronically through iDrive. If you’ve just moved into an F40 and gone hunting under the bonnet for a dipstick loop, that’s why you can’t find one. Checking the oil is still a normal part of looking after the car between services, so here’s how to get an accurate reading on the F40 and what each result is telling you.

Why There’s No Dipstick

Rather than a physical dipstick, a level sensor in the sump measures the oil and the car reports it on the central screen when you ask for it. There’s nothing missing or broken — this is simply how the F40 was designed to check oil. The measurement is done with the engine running instead of by pulling a stick out of a hot engine, which is why the result depends on the conditions being right: warm oil, a level car, and a settled sump.

The electronic reading also takes a little time to complete. The system wants the oil at operating temperature and a moment of steady idling so the level stabilises before it commits to a figure. That’s the main thing owners trip over — checking cold, on a slope, or immediately after hard driving gives an inaccurate result or none at all.

Before You Start

• Bring the engine up to normal operating temperature first — a short drive does it; a cold engine won’t read correctly.
• Park on level ground, not on a camber or slope, so the oil sits evenly in the sump.
• Let the engine idle for the measurement, or follow the on-screen prompt if it tells you to wait.
• Have the correct BMW Longlife oil for your engine ready in case it asks you to add some.
• Keep a funnel and a cloth handy, and locate the oil filler cap before you begin.

How to Check the Oil Level on the F40

1. Warm the engine to operating temperature, park on level ground, and leave it idling (or follow the on-screen prompt).
2. In iDrive, open the ‘CAR’ / Vehicle menu and select ‘Vehicle status’ → ‘Engine oil’.
3. The system measures and shows the level: within range (OK), add oil (often with the amount, up to ~1 litre to max), or overfilled.

Topping Up

• Add the correct BMW Longlife oil for your engine a little at a time, then re-measure — don’t overfill.
• If it reads overfilled, oil must be drained off — an overfilled engine can be damaged.
• If it can’t measure, the engine isn’t warm/level or hasn’t idled long enough.

If It Won’t Give a Reading

By far the usual cause is that the engine hasn’t reached operating temperature — drive it a little longer and retry. Then confirm the car really is level and not sitting on a slope. If you’ve just been driving hard, let it idle a bit longer so the oil drains back and settles before the system reads it. When topping up, expect the figure to move slowly: add a small amount, let it drain into the sump, and re-measure rather than adding a whole litre at once. If it persistently returns “can’t measure” despite warm oil and a level car, the level sensor is worth having checked.

After the Check

When the display shows the level within range, the job’s finished — nothing to wipe or refit. If you added oil, re-check once it has settled to make sure you’re at the top of the range rather than over it. Doing this quick check every few weeks and before a long trip keeps you ahead of any slow oil consumption, and the on-screen gauge makes it easy to do from the driver’s seat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the dipstick on the F40?

There isn’t one — the oil level is read electronically via iDrive (Vehicle status → Engine oil). A sensor in the sump does the measuring on this generation, and the car shows the result on the central screen instead of you pulling a stick.

Engine warm or cold?

Warm and on level ground, idling for the measurement. Take a short drive first so the oil reaches operating temperature, then check on flat ground — a cold or sloping reading won’t be accurate.

It won’t give a reading — why?

Normally the engine isn’t warm enough, the car isn’t level, or it needs to idle longer. Correct those and re-measure. If it still won’t return a figure after several proper tries, have the level sensor checked.

How much is “add oil”?

The display tells you the amount (up to about a litre between min and max). Add a little, re-check, stop at the top of the range. Small top-ups with a re-measure between them are the safe way to avoid going over.

Can I overfill it with no dipstick?

Yes, and the car flags it with an overfilled result. An overfilled engine can be damaged, so if you see that, the excess should be drained off rather than left in.

How often should I check the oil?

Every few weeks and before long journeys is sensible. The electronic gauge makes it a quick job, so there’s no need to wait for a service, and regular checks catch any oil use early.

If a warning light appeared, look up the code on autodtcs.com. To clear a service reminder after an oil change, see our 1 Series F40 service reset guide.