Check the Oil Level (No Dipstick)

Last updated: June 5, 2026

The BMW 3 Series Mk7 (G20, 2019–present) has no dipstick — you check the engine oil level electronically through iDrive. It catches owners out, so here’s how to get an accurate reading and what it means.

Why There’s No Dipstick

A sensor in the sump measures the oil and the car reports it on the screen. The reading is only accurate with the engine warm, the car on level ground, and after idling a moment so the oil settles.

How to Check the Oil Level on the G20

1. Warm the engine to operating temperature, park on level ground, and leave the engine idling (or follow the on-screen prompt).
2. In iDrive, open the ‘CAR’ / Vehicle menu and select ‘Vehicle status’ → ‘Engine oil’ (oil level).
3. The system runs a measurement and shows the level: within range (OK), add oil (often with the amount, e.g. up to ~1 litre to the 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 says it can’t measure, the engine isn’t warm/level or hasn’t idled long enough — sort that and retry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the dipstick on the G20?

There isn’t one — the oil level is read electronically via iDrive (Vehicle status → Engine oil).

Engine warm or cold?

Warm and on level ground, with the engine idling for the measurement — a cold or sloping reading isn’t accurate.

It won’t give a reading — why?

The engine isn’t warm enough, the car isn’t level, or it needs to idle longer. Fix those and re-measure.

How much is “add oil”?

The display tells you the amount to add (up to about a litre between min and max). Add a little, re-check, and stop at the top of the range.

If a warning light appeared, look up the code on autodtcs.com. To clear a service reminder after an oil change, see our 3 Series G20 service reset guide.