how often should I change oil?
- Thread starter PuShAkOv
- Start date
General thoughts:
1. Synth oil's major claim is resistance to breakdown = longer, better lubrication. But consider other things that happen to oil:
- Blow by gasses contain carbon (that's why your oil turns black) = dirt. Dirt gets clean things dirty.
- Blow by gasses contain SOX and NOX (oxides). Oxides turn to acids in the oil.
- Raw fuel on cold start gets into the oil, thinning it out (reduced viscosity).
2. I think BMW DOES care about the oil change frequency. Case in point: BMW certified pre-owned. I think that the service records are scrutinized by BMW when they determine if a particular car gets the Certified status. Yes, it is a way for them to make more money by reselling a used car they know is in good shape.
To me, changing the oil every 7500 miles is like washing the car frequently. I wash the car more frequently than I need to, but it keeps it looking nice. Since I keep it waxed, it doesn't hurt the car. And changing the oil more frequently doesn't hurt the car.
1. Synth oil's major claim is resistance to breakdown = longer, better lubrication. But consider other things that happen to oil:
- Blow by gasses contain carbon (that's why your oil turns black) = dirt. Dirt gets clean things dirty.
- Blow by gasses contain SOX and NOX (oxides). Oxides turn to acids in the oil.
- Raw fuel on cold start gets into the oil, thinning it out (reduced viscosity).
2. I think BMW DOES care about the oil change frequency. Case in point: BMW certified pre-owned. I think that the service records are scrutinized by BMW when they determine if a particular car gets the Certified status. Yes, it is a way for them to make more money by reselling a used car they know is in good shape.
To me, changing the oil every 7500 miles is like washing the car frequently. I wash the car more frequently than I need to, but it keeps it looking nice. Since I keep it waxed, it doesn't hurt the car. And changing the oil more frequently doesn't hurt the car.
So am I. I have been using synthetic for ever with every car I have ever owned. When I started the only synthetic out there was AMS OIL and I still use it today along with others. Back when you could get oil very very cheap a quart of AMS OIL would run me $4.00 quart. Man that was/is an exspensive oil change ![[:0]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_shock.gif "Shocked [:0]")
. My BMW states "synthetic only" and even if it didn't , that is what I would put in it. Today there are many brands of very good synthetic oils on the market. Once you use synthetic you wont go back.
. My BMW states "synthetic only" and even if it didn't , that is what I would put in it. Today there are many brands of very good synthetic oils on the market. Once you use synthetic you wont go back.
i dun remember when the official switch took place, but if your car's made before the big synthetic oil push, you shouldn't put it in from what i hear. the synthetic oil may wear out your seals in the engine, which you prob wouldn't want. but again that's in the older engines.
as for the bmw maint deal, they say either 15000 or whatever the computer says when you start up, or once a year. the new cars have 4 year 50000 mile warranty, and free oil change that goes w/ it so take advantage of it.
as for lexus telling you to get your oil changed every 5000miles, how's aroudn $100 per 5k serice, and $350+ for a 15k maint? there's a good reason for it.
and for the skepitcs of 15k oil change. check out porsche's maint schedule, they too have a 15k oil change schedule. they like bmw attrib it to their use of the full synthetic oil. and on their new cayenne? it's every 20k miles. wonders of tech in my eyes. sure they cost more, but you go in much less. sounds better for me. aren't both companies pretty renown for their engines along with prestige of their branding? i dun know of too many bmw or porsche engines that died due to their long duration in oil change schedule.
but you gotta do what is sensible for you. you gotta baby your car and that's understandable, but i'd also like to assume the makers of the ultimate driving machine knows a thing or two about cars and engines.. esp the ones they make, so for my bimmer, i'll do as they say, as long as it's sensible w/ me too.
as for the bmw maint deal, they say either 15000 or whatever the computer says when you start up, or once a year. the new cars have 4 year 50000 mile warranty, and free oil change that goes w/ it so take advantage of it.
as for lexus telling you to get your oil changed every 5000miles, how's aroudn $100 per 5k serice, and $350+ for a 15k maint? there's a good reason for it.
and for the skepitcs of 15k oil change. check out porsche's maint schedule, they too have a 15k oil change schedule. they like bmw attrib it to their use of the full synthetic oil. and on their new cayenne? it's every 20k miles. wonders of tech in my eyes. sure they cost more, but you go in much less. sounds better for me. aren't both companies pretty renown for their engines along with prestige of their branding? i dun know of too many bmw or porsche engines that died due to their long duration in oil change schedule.
but you gotta do what is sensible for you. you gotta baby your car and that's understandable, but i'd also like to assume the makers of the ultimate driving machine knows a thing or two about cars and engines.. esp the ones they make, so for my bimmer, i'll do as they say, as long as it's sensible w/ me too.
WOW!!!!!!
On Friday I bought a filter and oil from my dealer. I was only going to buy the filter, it was around $7 and it is BMW. He asked if I wanted oil. I was planning on buying it elsewhere because I assumed it would be $$$, but I asked the price. $3.90 a quart for BMW synthetic, and it says packaged by Castrol on the back! That's as cheap as Auto Zone!
The whole bill was around $37 with tax. At that price I'm happy to give them the business.
Our RX300 uses synthetic oil and needs an oil change every 7,000 miles.
Does anybody have any proof that changing your oil every 7,500 rather than BMW's recommended 15,000 miles. I mean, if I had a BMW, I would definitely get my oil changed every 7,500 miles but is there any proof that changing the oil twice as often as BMW's recommendations actually helps the car run better over time or increase reliability or increase engine life??
Does anybody have any proof that changing your oil every 7,500 rather than BMW's recommended 15,000 miles. I mean, if I had a BMW, I would definitely get my oil changed every 7,500 miles but is there any proof that changing the oil twice as often as BMW's recommendations actually helps the car run better over time or increase reliability or increase engine life??
I have no "proof" that changing oil every 3000 vs 7000 vs 15000 makes any difference. I can say that I use Mobil 1 and change oil in all three of my BMW's every 3-7000 miles (and that depends on if I am paying attention to the odometer!), usually 3000. I did this as well with my 84 733i and before giving her away she had 256000 miles with no problems!
Also are you aware that Castrol (and to my understanding BMW synthetic as it is reported to be Castrol) is no longer 100% synthetic? Check the link for more information:
Castrol No Longer 100% Synthetic?
Also are you aware that Castrol (and to my understanding BMW synthetic as it is reported to be Castrol) is no longer 100% synthetic? Check the link for more information:
Castrol No Longer 100% Synthetic?
![[;)]](/images/smilies/wink.png "Wink [;)]")
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