Oil low. Can I add a quart of Mobil 1?

Juicer · 04-20-2009, 11:31 AM

So my oil is low and I need to add a quart. Can I add a quart of the Mobil 1 0W 30 synthetic (green bottle)? Is there a problem with mixing the OEM oil with the Mobil 1?

AtomiK · 04-20-2009, 02:01 PM

You can take it to the dealership and they will top it off for free.

napoletani99 · 05-03-2009, 02:31 AM

i'm in italy and did just that. added a quart of mobile 1 cuz that was all that was available at the gas station. now that i read about different oils, i see that mobile 1 and castrol have different compounds, so i'm going to change it as soon as i get home. been running it like this for about 1000 miles and have 9500 miles on the original oil. btw... who else has burned a liter of oil in under 10k miles?

shodanusmc · 05-03-2009, 08:30 AM

a QT of Mobil 1 will not do anything bad ......you can do your entire oil change with it, or just add a quart. You do not need to change all of your oil because you topped it off.!

Lester · 05-03-2009, 09:39 AM

Message to all: CHECK YOUR OIL

It is way too easy, 3 thumb clicks is all it takes. Simply click button one up twice, then button two once. The car has to be warmed up - driven 5 - 6 miles or so. Expect to add a quart any time after 5,000 miles.

Eazy-e · 05-03-2009, 03:16 PM

Lester. I think people on here know how to check their own oil...

AchtungF80 · 05-03-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eazy-e

Lester. I think people on here know how to check their own oil...

Funny you say that...because I told another member on here to do exactly what Lester just demonstrated just this morning.

NJ135 · 05-03-2009, 05:51 PM

just add a quart of castrol synthetic or go to dealership and get it for free wich is even easyer

Juicer · 05-04-2009, 01:16 PM

I ended up just changing the oil and filter with the OEM stuff (got the kit from Dan). It had been 6k since my last oil change, and it is another 6k until my free oil change with BMW. So I'm burning about 1 qt per 6k miles. Seems like a lot to me.

BTW- The oil that I drained out was much darker than the new oil I put in.

JHZR2 · 05-04-2009, 03:02 PM

NOOOO!!!!!!!

I ne3ed to write something up that can be used as a sticky or something. Green cap M1 0w-30 does not meet any of the ACEA or BMW specs for service. You need an ACEA A3 rated oil, with a BMW-LL certification.

Please, anyone, do NOT use M1 5w-30, 0w-30, etc. The only oil actually certified for use in these engines is M1 0w-40.

Juicer · 05-04-2009, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHZR2

NOOOO!!!!!!!

I ne3ed to write something up that can be used as a sticky or something. Green cap M1 0w-30 does not meet any of the ACEA or BMW specs for service. You need an ACEA A3 rated oil, with a BMW-LL certification.

Please, anyone, do NOT use M1 5w-30, 0w-30, etc. The only oil actually certified for use in these engines is M1 0w-40.

Good thing I didn't add that quart of M1 5w-30. I'm just sticking with the OEM BMW castrol stuff. No worries with OEM, and it's about the same $.

Mad Dragon · 05-04-2009, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtomiK

You can take it to the dealership and they will top it off for free.

That depends on the dealership.

shodanusmc · 05-05-2009, 11:10 AM

Yep,. my service personnel said M1 5-30 is just fine ....

JHZR2 · 05-05-2009, 01:31 PM

Want real technical data? Extreme oxidation and fuel dilution is rampant in the N54. Used oil analysis will show this in an instant - has anyone done a UOA???

Mobil 1 5w-30 is neither BMW LL-04, BMW LL-01 or BMW LL-98 approved. It is not ACEA A3 approved either, which is critical for high power density engines.

Direct injection is EXTREMELY hard on oil. Turbocharging also adds a lot of heat into the oil. This is above and beyond what any normal engine or most normal specs (besides ACEA A3 and C3 perhaps) reflect in their certifications.

You should also value the data provided by BMW. As I stated, Mobil 1 0w-40 is the only oil that BMW approves. Check their website:
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...ngineOils.aspx

And the M1 PDS for 0w-40, note A3 and BMW LL-01 amongst other specs:
http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lub...il_1_0W-40.asp

And the M1 PDS for 5w-30, note no mention of any european specs, etc:
http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lub...bil1_5W-30.asp

The 5w-30 Mobil1 formualtions that are acceptable are the ESP formulas which are NOT available here other than potentially at Mercedes-Benz dealerships.

Overall, I recommend an ACEA A3 rated oil over something less, though it is not explicit in BMW's literature on the website(though it is explicit in obtaining the LL-01 and LL-04 ratings, as shown below).

And FYI, for the BMW information where it talks of using API SM, the biggest thing in SM is the reduction of antiwear adds made of Zinc and Phosphorous, as they kill catalytic converters... API SM was implemented first and foremost to enable longer warranties on cat converters.

If you really want to see some decent releases of what is entailed in the specs, you can get a feel for the robustness of ACEA A3, and why I, as well as any/all euro engine manufacturers recommend it:
http://www.acea.be/images/uploads/fi...nces_Final.pdf

To make a long story a bit longer, some basic info on the BMW test sequences are as follows:

LL-98 - Must be ACEA A3 and API SJ and meet test requirements after a 370 hour run in a M44 engine with reduced oil volume.

BMW LL-01 - Like the LL-98, also required to be ACEA A3 and run a 370 hour test, but the test engine is now an M54 with compatibility with the valvetronic system being a specific test requirement.

BMW LL-04 - Basically seems to be LL-01 spec with additional test requirements for compatibility with particulate filters on diesel engines.

Note ACEA A3 as a main requirement. If it doesnt meet A3, its not suitable for the engine, end of story. And this goes beyond warranty, legal or anything else, it is a robustness and wear control issue set.

I could go on about this all day. Don't want to believe me? It's your engine. I am an advanced degree chemical engineer that does some of this stuff as a hobby and some of this stuff as a day job... Want to believe me or a service manager that doesnt understand chemistry, tribology or care if you maintain your warranty? Make your choice, Ill put my peace down anyway. Have questions? Im glad to help.

bimmerboy · 05-05-2009, 04:07 PM

so which oil would you recommend for the 135, Mobil 0w-40 or BMW High Performance 5w-30?

JHZR2 · 05-05-2009, 04:53 PM

Time will have to tell with regards to which is best. If lots of folks started doing used oil analysis, we could get some good data and optimize.

I assume youve used BMW service, and so have BMW oil in there. While nothing bad will happen chemistry/additive-wise by mixing different brands of oil, since you likely have the BMW high-performance oil in there, I'd suggest you add more of that. IIRC, the price is about the same as M1 0w-40 at an auto parts store...

JHZR2 · 05-05-2009, 06:37 PM

That is one I cannot answer because I do not know... Wish I did.

Tom K. · 05-05-2009, 07:24 PM

I was told by a dealer that the BMW branded 5w30 is made by Castrol, but they are not sure which formulation - apparently there are two in that viscosity.

I did see an on line price of $7.89 per quart of Castrol Syntec 5w30 but I paid $5.88 for the BMW branded stuff last summer from the dealer.
Tom

JHZR2 · 05-05-2009, 07:56 PM

I am not sure that the US parts store sntec 5w-30 is correct for BMW. The syntec BMW specs is the German Castrol (says made in Germany on the back of the bottle) 0w-30 "european formula".

If any oil is going to stand up to the oxidation and fuel dilution issues, besides some bio-based chemistries, it probably will be that one...

04-20-2009, 11:31 AM	#1
Juicer First Lieutenant 17 Rep 310 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Parking lot iTrader: (1)	Oil low. Can I add a quart of Mobil 1? So my oil is low and I need to add a quart. Can I add a quart of the Mobil 1 0W 30 synthetic (green bottle)? Is there a problem with mixing the OEM oil with the Mobil 1?
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04-20-2009, 02:01 PM	#2
AtomiK Second Lieutenant 32 Rep 279 Posts Drives: Around Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	You can take it to the dealership and they will top it off for free.
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05-03-2009, 02:31 AM	#3
napoletani99 Enlisted Member 1 Rep 49 Posts Drives: 335i Sedan, Space Grey, Sport Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Naples (Napoli) iTrader: (1)	i'm in italy and did just that. added a quart of mobile 1 cuz that was all that was available at the gas station. now that i read about different oils, i see that mobile 1 and castrol have different compounds, so i'm going to change it as soon as i get home. been running it like this for about 1000 miles and have 9500 miles on the original oil. btw... who else has burned a liter of oil in under 10k miles?
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05-03-2009, 08:30 AM	#4
shodanusmc Captain 21 Rep 774 Posts Drives: 09 135 Vert Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago burb iTrader: (0)	a QT of Mobil 1 will not do anything bad ......you can do your entire oil change with it, or just add a quart. You do not need to change all of your oil because you topped it off.!
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05-03-2009, 09:39 AM	#5
Lester Brigadier General 295 Rep 3,350 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	Message to all: CHECK YOUR OIL It is way too easy, 3 thumb clicks is all it takes. Simply click button one up twice, then button two once. The car has to be warmed up - driven 5 - 6 miles or so. Expect to add a quart any time after 5,000 miles. Attached Images
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05-03-2009, 03:16 PM	#6
Eazy-e Dope-like a pound or a key 10 Rep 238 Posts Drives: 09 e82 135i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Diego of the San iTrader: (0)	Lester. I think people on here know how to check their own oil...
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05-03-2009, 05:51 PM	#8
NJ135 First Lieutenant 27 Rep 308 Posts Drives: 08 BMW 135i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Union NJ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00]	just add a quart of castrol synthetic or go to dealership and get it for free wich is even easyer
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05-04-2009, 01:16 PM	#9
Juicer First Lieutenant 17 Rep 310 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Parking lot iTrader: (1)	I ended up just changing the oil and filter with the OEM stuff (got the kit from Dan). It had been 6k since my last oil change, and it is another 6k until my free oil change with BMW. So I'm burning about 1 qt per 6k miles. Seems like a lot to me. BTW- The oil that I drained out was much darker than the new oil I put in.
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05-04-2009, 03:02 PM	#10
JHZR2 Major 74 Rep 1,001 Posts Drives: 91 E30, 11 135i cv Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	NOOOO!!!!!!! I ne3ed to write something up that can be used as a sticky or something. Green cap M1 0w-30 does not meet any of the ACEA or BMW specs for service. You need an ACEA A3 rated oil, with a BMW-LL certification. Please, anyone, do NOT use M1 5w-30, 0w-30, etc. The only oil actually certified for use in these engines is M1 0w-40.
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05-05-2009, 11:10 AM	#13
shodanusmc Captain 21 Rep 774 Posts Drives: 09 135 Vert Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago burb iTrader: (0)	Yep,. my service personnel said M1 5-30 is just fine ....
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05-05-2009, 01:31 PM	#14
JHZR2 Major 74 Rep 1,001 Posts Drives: 91 E30, 11 135i cv Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Want real technical data? Extreme oxidation and fuel dilution is rampant in the N54. Used oil analysis will show this in an instant - has anyone done a UOA??? Mobil 1 5w-30 is neither BMW LL-04, BMW LL-01 or BMW LL-98 approved. It is not ACEA A3 approved either, which is critical for high power density engines. Direct injection is EXTREMELY hard on oil. Turbocharging also adds a lot of heat into the oil. This is above and beyond what any normal engine or most normal specs (besides ACEA A3 and C3 perhaps) reflect in their certifications. You should also value the data provided by BMW. As I stated, Mobil 1 0w-40 is the only oil that BMW approves. Check their website: http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...ngineOils.aspx And the M1 PDS for 0w-40, note A3 and BMW LL-01 amongst other specs: http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lub...il_1_0W-40.asp And the M1 PDS for 5w-30, note no mention of any european specs, etc: http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lub...bil1_5W-30.asp The 5w-30 Mobil1 formualtions that are acceptable are the ESP formulas which are NOT available here other than potentially at Mercedes-Benz dealerships. Overall, I recommend an ACEA A3 rated oil over something less, though it is not explicit in BMW's literature on the website(though it is explicit in obtaining the LL-01 and LL-04 ratings, as shown below). And FYI, for the BMW information where it talks of using API SM, the biggest thing in SM is the reduction of antiwear adds made of Zinc and Phosphorous, as they kill catalytic converters... API SM was implemented first and foremost to enable longer warranties on cat converters. If you really want to see some decent releases of what is entailed in the specs, you can get a feel for the robustness of ACEA A3, and why I, as well as any/all euro engine manufacturers recommend it: http://www.acea.be/images/uploads/fi...nces_Final.pdf To make a long story a bit longer, some basic info on the BMW test sequences are as follows: LL-98 - Must be ACEA A3 and API SJ and meet test requirements after a 370 hour run in a M44 engine with reduced oil volume. BMW LL-01 - Like the LL-98, also required to be ACEA A3 and run a 370 hour test, but the test engine is now an M54 with compatibility with the valvetronic system being a specific test requirement. BMW LL-04 - Basically seems to be LL-01 spec with additional test requirements for compatibility with particulate filters on diesel engines. Note ACEA A3 as a main requirement. If it doesnt meet A3, its not suitable for the engine, end of story. And this goes beyond warranty, legal or anything else, it is a robustness and wear control issue set. I could go on about this all day. Don't want to believe me? It's your engine. I am an advanced degree chemical engineer that does some of this stuff as a hobby and some of this stuff as a day job... Want to believe me or a service manager that doesnt understand chemistry, tribology or care if you maintain your warranty? Make your choice, Ill put my peace down anyway. Have questions? Im glad to help.
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05-05-2009, 04:07 PM	#15
bimmerboy Captain 23 Rep 601 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	so which oil would you recommend for the 135, Mobil 0w-40 or BMW High Performance 5w-30? __________________ *--2009 BSM 135i--* -Manual, Sport Package, BMW Assist
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05-05-2009, 04:53 PM	#16
JHZR2 Major 74 Rep 1,001 Posts Drives: 91 E30, 11 135i cv Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Time will have to tell with regards to which is best. If lots of folks started doing used oil analysis, we could get some good data and optimize. I assume youve used BMW service, and so have BMW oil in there. While nothing bad will happen chemistry/additive-wise by mixing different brands of oil, since you likely have the BMW high-performance oil in there, I'd suggest you add more of that. IIRC, the price is about the same as M1 0w-40 at an auto parts store...
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05-05-2009, 06:37 PM	#17
JHZR2 Major 74 Rep 1,001 Posts Drives: 91 E30, 11 135i cv Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	That is one I cannot answer because I do not know... Wish I did.
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05-05-2009, 07:24 PM	#18
Tom K. Major General 124 Rep 5,627 Posts Drives: '07 328iT, '13 Boxster Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	I was told by a dealer that the BMW branded 5w30 is made by Castrol, but they are not sure which formulation - apparently there are two in that viscosity. I did see an on line price of $7.89 per quart of Castrol Syntec 5w30 but I paid $5.88 for the BMW branded stuff last summer from the dealer. Tom
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05-05-2009, 07:56 PM	#19
JHZR2 Major 74 Rep 1,001 Posts Drives: 91 E30, 11 135i cv Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	I am not sure that the US parts store sntec 5w-30 is correct for BMW. The syntec BMW specs is the German Castrol (says made in Germany on the back of the bottle) 0w-30 "european formula". If any oil is going to stand up to the oxidation and fuel dilution issues, besides some bio-based chemistries, it probably will be that one...
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