OIL Change Interval,does this apply to BMWs

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Oil Change Intervals
With improved technology, does the old mantra of 'every 3,000 miles' still apply?

by Larry E. Hall
Most of us already know that regularly scheduled oil and filter changes are a vital part of routine car maintenance that is necessary for engine longevity.

During the miles between changes, the oil in your vehicle's engine gradually becomes contaminated with soot, metal particles, gasoline and other impurities. As mileage accumulates, so do the contaminants in the oil. Eventually, enough impurities accumulate that the filter cannot remove them and the oil cannot keep them in suspension.

When this happens, the resulting sludge can dramatically shorten engine life.

Even though modern technology has vastly improved engines and the oils that lubricate them, regularly scheduled oil and filter changes are still a vital part of regular, preventative auto maintenance. The question is: Just how often does the oil need to be changed?

At regular intervals
The old mantra of responsible motorists that said, "Change your oil every 3,000 miles!" is being replaced. Today car manufacturers' recommendations for oil changes range from 5,000 to 7,500, or even 10,000 miles for many cars when operated under "normal" driving conditions—more often if conditions are "severe."

Before you relax, let me point out that the way most of us drive is listed as severe by the automotive experts. According to the owner's manuals of many new cars and trucks, normal operation of a vehicle is at least 20 minutes, at a medium speed with a steady throttle, and in a clean environment.

According to one car maker's owner's manual, the oil change interval is seven months or 7,500 miles under normal driving conditions, three months or 3,000 miles under severe conditions. This is how severe is defined in the manual:

  • Repeated, short distance driving.
  • Extended periods of idling or low speed operation.
  • Extensive use of brakes.
  • More than 50 percent driving in heavy city traffic during hot weather above 90 degrees F.
  • Driving for a prolonged period of time in cold temperatures and/or extremely humid climates.
  • Driving in dusty conditions or sandy areas.
  • Driving in areas where salt or other corrosive materials are being used.
  • Driving on rough or muddy roads.
  • Driving in mountainous areas.

Well, it looks like the old mantra about oil changes isn't out of date after all. But what about synthetic oils, don't they extend oil change intervals?

Several car manufacturers do recommend synthetic oil for their high-performance models because of the superior protection from friction and extreme temperatures. The protection comes from the processing required to manufacture the base stock and the different additive packages they require.

Despite this better performance, synthetic additives wear out just as they do in conventional motor oils, and need to be changed. The key is driving conditions — normal or severe.

How about just changing the oil filter, can a car be driven farther between oil changes?

Changing the filter is great, but the oil must be changed along with it, given that the oil's additives wear out and contaminants get into the oil itself. The filter can only capture the bigger particles suspended in the oil, not replenish spent additives.

Pinching pennies
From an economic point of view, it would appear that waiting an extra few thousand miles between changes will save money. For example, based on $25 oil changes every 5,000 miles instead of 3,000 miles, more than $300 is saved per 100,000 miles. Sounds pretty good, but if you drive the average of 17,000 miles a year, it will take you almost six years to reach that mileage — or $50 per year savings.

Extending the oil change interval beyond what the manufacturer recommends can seriously shorten the useful life of your engine, and cost you several times that $300 savings. Just ask a professional service technician how often he or she changes the oil and filter on their personal vehicle. Chances are the answer will be 3,000 miles.

That's the answer given by Don Beyer, automotive services director for AAA's Washington/Inland chapter. Beyer, an ASE master technician and former repair-shop owner, says that it is imperative to change the engine oil and filter every three months or 3,000 miles. "I'm doubtful that anyone, regardless of where they live, drives under the normal conditions defined in owner's manuals."

Bottom line: Don't push the limits of motor oil and flirt with damaging your car's engine, especially when chump change is all it takes for an oil change. Larry Hall writes about cars and the automotive industry from his home in Olympia, Wash.
 

Big Daddy

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#2
I change mine every 3 - 5k using Mobil One. I do it myself and it mostly depends on how the car is driven. I do not favor "extended" like in 7500 - 15k mile oil changes. Oil is cheap insurance.
 

Bmw 325i 7803

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Well I drive 5-8k miles a year so the BMW yearly oil change schedule fits me fine, and I don't plan on keeping it for long after the warranty runs out if not earlier...

I really the don't see the purpose of purchasing a used CPO/or keeping an e46 3 series longer than 50k miles the quality isn't where it used to be and the repairs are just too expensive.

Doesn't the M3 use 10w 40 synthetic?? which is around $10 a qt, that should be about $100 with tax and the filter if you do it yourself. But that is definately too expensive to do every 3k...
 

Big Daddy

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Synthetic oil is $3.50 to $8.00 a quart. I use Mobil 1 (7qts) and with a Mahle filter I have $48.00 invested in an oil change...that's cheap. I have 45k on my 98 roadster and have not had to pay for a repair yet other than routine stuff like brake pads, oil, etc. If the quality of the car was so bad that at 50k you'd get rid of it, I would say it wasn't worth buying in the first place. I mean come on a Hyundi will last that long.....
 
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#6
That article doesn't go into enough depth. You have to test the oil afterwards to see if it's still good. Synthetic does last longer. I go with the half of what the manufacturer recommends. That means every 7500 miles.
 
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#7
[thumb] I am a lover of fine bimmers and the open road. I used to have my oil changed every 5,000 miles. Which was about every other month. I ran off 150,000 miles with that routine using sythetic bimmer oil and oil filters every 5,000. I've since re-thought this idea and currently began longer intervals between changes. My new interval with sythetic oil and filters is 7,500 miles. It seems to be more cost effective. I also never miss a schedule I or II. That's my two and a half cents worth, Happy Motoring...[driving2]
 
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Hey, its all good info. Both my vehicles are "seasoned" with in excess of 140km on them. They get oil changes every 5000k..(about 3000 miles or so). What my question id..My 325 is in heated winter storage. The oil was done right before it was put away...whats the experience out there? Should I be doing it as soon as it comes out, or wait for an interval,(say 3/5000 km?). I would really appreciate the feedback
 
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Tx Big Daddy..Relative to you, im new to the site, but you really seem to know your stuff..did your wife let you buy that Dinan special on E-bay last week?????
 

Bmw 325i 7803

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Big Daddy said:
Synthetic oil is $3.50 to $8.00 a quart. I use Mobil 1 (7qts) and with a Mahle filter I have $48.00 invested in an oil change...that's cheap. I have 45k on my 98 roadster and have not had to pay for a repair yet other than routine stuff like brake pads, oil, etc. If the quality of the car was so bad that at 50k you'd get rid of it, I would say it wasn't worth buying in the first place. I mean come on a Hyundi will last that long.....
Well if you take the quiet pin-drop silent ride and the soft/snug/bouncy suspension feel and that new car smell and material shine/newness along with the warranty in place you'd understand why I say the quality goes down around 40-50k. My main issue is the repair costs on those engines, take the 330xi cold idling guy and his issue on a cpo with 60k which cost $1000 thats a nightmare if you'd ask me. Another thing is if you take care of the car since mile 0 thats different as opposed to buying a used one with 10k or one with 30k or what have you thats been leased or traded early after God knows what the previous owner put it through I'd say that's a future expense waiting to happen. Take my 325i lease for example it gave me problems and I hated it so I made sure I floored it going everywhere, whoever buys that car and/or cars like it is in for hell when that warranty runs out as it's a hassle already. As for the car lasting, I'm sure it's up there if not better than Hyundai but it certainly isnt where the e30's are.

On the final note, I agree with you a $50 oil change is cheap insurance for the future...
 
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#12
I just did oil and filter change at 5,500K, cost me $40 using BMW oil. I do feel that even though BMW recommends changing at every 15000K, its to long for a change. Considering that almost everyone drives in severe conditions, BMW should reconsider the intervals. Im sure it plays with the free maintenance warranty the they have supper extended intervals.
 

Big Daddy

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newguy said:
Tx Big Daddy..Relative to you, im new to the site, but you really seem to know your stuff..did your wife let you buy that Dinan special on E-bay last week?????

No, I think she really wants a Mini Cooper S and with me having the roadster I had better be reasonable! [rolleyes]
 

Big Daddy

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#15
Bmw 325i 7803 said:
Well if you take the quiet pin-drop silent ride and the soft/snug/bouncy suspension feel and that new car smell and material shine/newness along with the warranty in place you'd understand why I say the quality goes down around 40-50k. My main issue is the repair costs on those engines, take the 330xi cold idling guy and his issue on a cpo with 60k which cost $1000 thats a nightmare if you'd ask me. Another thing is if you take care of the car since mile 0 thats different as opposed to buying a used one with 10k or one with 30k or what have you thats been leased or traded early after God knows what the previous owner put it through I'd say that's a future expense waiting to happen. Take my 325i lease for example it gave me problems and I hated it so I made sure I floored it going everywhere, whoever buys that car and/or cars like it is in for hell when that warranty runs out as it's a hassle already. As for the car lasting, I'm sure it's up there if not better than Hyundai but it certainly isnt where the e30's are.

On the final note, I agree with you a $50 oil change is cheap insurance for the future...

Everyone can tell a horror story, but I beleive that is the exception, not the rule. I also believe most BMW owners, or at least most that I know treat their cars well and maintain them. It also depends on who you use for service, as there are many reputable non-dealer service garages here in the Seattle area. Either way I usnderstand what you are saying!
 
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#16
Well, thought it would be interesting to tell you guys my oil change interval:

around 20000 miles.....(33000 km)

This was recommended by the on board computer of the car. When I first got the car the service interval said 30000 km, (around 18000 miles), but because of 'driving conditions' the computer kept adjusting this little by little. Except for this winter (the car's first winter in Europe) the car has always seen summer conditions, I always warm up the engine gently and hardly take the car for small rides. So if some of you guys say that hardly no car is used in 'normal conditions', why does my BMW-manufactured on-board-computer extend my mileage in between oil changes?

(oh reason why the regular interval of 18000 miles is so high is partly because I drive a 3.0 turbo diesel, with a redline of only 5000 rpm; and even for fast acceleration you only need to go up to say 4000-4500 rpm)

just my two cents
 
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#18
Well, you have a point. Should've asked a sample from the dealer after they did the oil service on my car. Would be a nice check to see if BMW's prescribed oil mileage is correct. Too bad I didn't. Have thought about extra oil changes though, but decided not to do so because it wasn't worth the cost since these engines run over 300000 miles with the oil change periods I use. Guess that's long enough.
 
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#19
My last oil change was about 5 months ago and I havent driven 3000 miles since.My question is:What causes the viscosity in the oil to break down?The way the car is driven or it just happens over time?
 


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