Oil Mistake

[Gibscreen]

Recently the oil light on my 2004 330i ZHP came on. I was on my way home from a long trip, and the only oil available from a gas station was conventional (not synthetic) 5W30. I added 1 quart because the last thing I wanted to do was run on low oil.

So which is worse? Running on low oil or using conventional instead of synthetic?

And more importantly, will my car get messed up because of this? I've got 8k miles on it, so it's going to be a while until my service.

 

[aNoodle]

You're fine...bmw even sells conventional motor oil in higher grades. The oil just doesn't have extended life....and sythentic oils are all compatible with standard oils. So no biggie at all.

All you'll want to do is make sure not to use that 1 quart for more than the standard 3-5,000 miles. I'd plan on an early change.

 

[Kirby]

Yup, no problem at all. Also, you would have been OK running a quart low for a few hundred miles, as long as you were't driving aggressively or cornering hard.

 

[wood_e]

So long as you use the same viscosity oil you're fine

 

[xmas63]

Agree with all above posts, but I have one thing to add: at 8K miles, I'd be changing my oil anyway! Despite the 15K factory-recommended interval, many people change it in 5K or 7.5K intervals. Personally, I just don't feel comfortable waiting 15K miles between oil changes!