Shouldn't this be illegal ?
 

I know we've covered this before, but I was wondering if this might actually be illegal at this point... Seriously, I know you need to satisfy like 20 conditions (while also rubbing your tummy and tapping on your head simultaneously) for the oil level to finally redisplay... But in real life that means the car will not tell me for 3 days whether or not I've refilled it correctly... There's no dipstick, this is the only way, and you will not get a measurement immediately *unless you use the dealer*. Seems a little coercive to me. Use us, or else take your chances (measuring outflow with simply apple bottles, messy)... Isn't there a law in the US about car repairs where manufacturers aren't allowed to be the only option available ? Isn't that breaching that law ? I'd argue they're making this hard on purpose to prevent you from working on the car.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...32edd773a1.jpg

It's not that hard really, just have to be patient. Put in 8 qts. Warm up the car to 190°, wait a couple minutes. Will show you're at about half full. Add in small increments and repeat till you get to your desired level...got it right on my first try. Dont let them break you 💪

Not arguing that, I measure my output and refill accordingly. I am questioning the legality of essentially forcing you to use the dealer if you want a accurate measurement after an oil change - say within a few hours. Pretty sure there's a law that says manufacturers cannot go "cartel" on you and prevent you from using independant mechanics or do the work yourself... This is borderline IMO.

Say you mess up because you get distracted and damage the engine... A dipstick or an immediate measurement would inform you. Pretty sure older models could - the dipstick ones for sure... This current one will not... I just have a hard time believing that a car *this sophisticated* truly requires that long to deliver at least a ballpark oil level (like a dipstick could). I think they are doing it on purpose to dissuade you from doing the work.

I understand your frustration. Like how for some cars it's nearly impossible to change a simple headlight bulb without taking it in to the dealership. I don't think it's on purpose, I think it's more that they are over engineering everything, trying to get smaller, lighter, fancier, and that simple things like a dipstick is an afterthought. That or they think we can all afford paying $250 for an oil change....

You have a BMW too?

HAHAHA good call

you say 3 days - have you driven the car because you need to drive about 10 miles or so before it resets

PLEASE tell me where you are getting oil changes on a 911 that cheap :)

I drove it on the week end and then to work the following day and I got a level on the return trip of day 3 only... Way more than 10 miles, 60-80 probably. It's not just mileage, it's a bunch of obscure conditions - kind alike resetting an ECU to pass SMOG after you pull the battery... I'm really not arguing how to change oil safely, I got it under control, it's just a stupid restriction on their sensor/programming and I highly suspect they did it on purpose to deter us (or at the very least didn't even try to ballpark it for the same reason).

Lmaoooo

Apparently, the DME measures at idle from 194 degrees and needs to run for two minutes to get a good reading... you can force a measurement through PIWIS but the same conditions must be met, there is no immediate measurement that I could find. But if you're under or over filled past the thresholds it should tell you right away.

As far as legality concerns, they're probably fine since, in theory, the car will still tell you the oil level without special tools. I do agree it's a horrible experience compared to a dispstick.

That's good to know, if confirmed... (the immediate over/underfill). Legality - probably - but it flirts with the line IMO, it's definitely rigging the game towards forcing using the dealer '=_

I have never considered using the dealer over this. 8 quarts. Add a little more if needed. No biggie.

Buy the oil yourself (buy at Walmart 5 quart size on sale), buy the filter, o-ring and plug at Pelican and bring to your dealer. I average under $250 easily.

I just pour my old oil into Mobil 1 containers to get an idea of what I drained and usually get within 200 mL of where I need to be. Best to underfill either way.