Oil Change Suggestions

[reo5001]

Hey all! I got the low oil warning this morning and was wondering what I can do without going to the dealer. I currently have close to 10k miles on a 135i and the oil has not been touched. I have a pep boys and a auto zone nearby my work, are there any specfic recomended oil that I can buy today? The warning light said I am at the minimum oil level. Thanks for any help!

[Hairy]

I would recommend that you take the car to the dealer and have an oil change.

It's true that BMW will give a free oil change at 15000 miles, but most folks agree that that is too long even for synthetic oil. Somewhere between 5000 and 7000 is probably the appropriate oil change intervals.

Go ahead and spring for the oil change on your own dime. You'll be happier in the long run.

Enjoy

[Lester]

Originally Posted by reo5001

Hey all! I got the low oil warning this morning and was wondering what I can do without going to the dealer. I currently have close to 10k miles on a 135i and the oil has not been touched. I have a pep boys and a auto zone nearby my work, are there any specfic recomended oil that I can buy today? The warning light said I am at the minimum oil level. Thanks for any help!

I agree - plan an oil change - but if you can't do that for some reason or another, just add a quart of Castrol Synthetic 5W - 30. Check the users manual pp. 116-118.

[ARES45]

I would recomend calling the dealer and ask why you would have a level low at 10k miles. I would think they may cover the oil change under the service warranty since you got a low oil level light.

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by ARES45

I would recomend calling the dealer and ask why you would have a level low at 10k miles. I would think they may cover the oil change under the service warranty since you got a low oil level light.

A quart in 10k miles is not excessive consumption by any standard and the dealer will will probably say that BMW considers any oil consumption under 1 qt./1,000 miles to be normal. As a result, the OP will most likely not get a free change - but will possibly get a free topoff. This will also be an opportunity to pick up a couple of liters of BMW branded oil to save future trips to the dealer.
Tom

[ARES45]

Did you mean 1qt/1,000mi or 1qt/10,000mi? I could accept 1qt/10,000 but not the 1k. At any rate, is the minimum oil level 6qts? or 5qts? The Op said it was at the min. oil level which I would think would be less than 5qts. I am led to believe this because when I changed my oil and put 6qts in it read full when it calls for 7qts.

I will be a little dissapointed in my $40k car that can't make it between scheduled oil changes without having to add oil.

[Mad Dragon]

The spec is 1qt/750 miles.

[ARES45]

Why then are the oil change intervals at 15k? I believe you, I am just surprised Mad Dragon, is that an industry wide standard? Because that is a qt/ every other fill up on gas. I would be trading that car and would suspect some engine problems. Thats just me though.

[xbook]

Do the oil change yourself...EASY PEASY...

Total cost $80-90, including cost of new rhino ramps to get the car lifted up.

PM me and I can provide more info if you want it.

[riguy]

Originally Posted by Hairy

I would recommend that you take the car to the dealer and have an oil change.

It's true that BMW will give a free oil change at 15000 miles, but most folks agree that that is too long even for synthetic oil. Somewhere between 5000 and 7000 is probably the appropriate oil change intervals.

Go ahead and spring for the oil change on your own dime. You'll be happier in the long run.

Enjoy

I don't want to jack this thread, but if you pay to have your own oil change (at BMW) doesn't that just reset the counter for the next oil change? In other words, you'll just have to wait another 15K?

To OP, Had same issue with our 530i. Dealer just added oil (at 11K) wouldn't change the oil until the internal car counter thingie requested it.

[Guildenstern]

Originally Posted by ARES45

Why then are the oil change intervals at 15k? I believe you, I am just surprised Mad Dragon, is that an industry wide standard? Because that is a qt/ every other fill up on gas. I would be trading that car and would suspect some engine problems. Thats just me though.

Volkswagon was also 1QT/1,000 Mi. I think so was Ford back when I had a T-bird. That's the maximum before its concidered a problem, your mielage may vary. 1 QT/10,000 Miles isn't terrable, especialy in a 300hp turbo.

[135i racer]

I changed my own oil and the car took 7qts I had to go back to buy another quart

[ARES45]

Originally Posted by Guildenstern

Volkswagon was also 1QT/1,000 Mi. I think so was Ford back when I had a T-bird. That's the maximum before its concidered a problem, your mielage may vary. 1 QT/10,000 Miles isn't terrable, especialy in a 300hp turbo.

Like I said, i could handle 1 qt/ 10k miles but I would be concerned if it were 1qt/1k miles. As usual the manufacturer and I differ on what would be 'acceptable.' Would you buy a $40k car from me if I told you it used 1qt of oil every 3 tanks of gas?

[singular]

Originally Posted by reo5001

Hey all! I got the low oil warning this morning and was wondering what I can do without going to the dealer. I currently have close to 10k miles on a 135i and the oil has not been touched. I have a pep boys and a auto zone nearby my work, are there any specfic recomended oil that I can buy today? The warning light said I am at the minimum oil level. Thanks for any help!

No change in the first 10K miles? Others are suggesting changing oil after the first 1200 miles for longer life of your car. See the sticky.

[reo5001]

I talked to my local BMW service department and they said to add
1 quart of full synthetic till 15k service. I went out and bought Castol SAE 5w-30 full synthetic and the oil level is back at acceptable lvl.

[Tom K.]

[quote=riguy;308543]I don't want to jack this thread, but if you pay to have your own oil change (at BMW) doesn't that just reset the counter for the next oil change? In other words, you'll just have to wait another 15K?
[quote]
For these "interim" changes, the dealer will not normally reset the dash countdown, so your next scheduled change will be covered. Of course, it's always a good idea to remind them not to do the reset.
Tom

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by ARES45

Like I said, i could handle 1 qt/ 10k miles but I would be concerned if it were 1qt/1k miles. As usual the manufacturer and I differ on what would be 'acceptable.' Would you buy a $40k car from me if I told you it used 1qt of oil every 3 tanks of gas?

As others have said, the manufacturers are really covering their collective rear quarters with the 1 qt./1,000 (or 750) mile spec. However, after break-in, I've never had to add oil in between my customary 8,000 miles changes in any of the 4 BMW cars I've owned.
My current BMW motorcycle is another story, consuming about a quart every 6,000 miles - and letting you know with a warning light when it is only 1/3 of a quart low!
Tom