My car is a little over 4 month old and has 6,065 miles on the odometer. Today I accidentally ran into the oil level screen and there was an "engine oil at the minimum level, add 1 qt" message in yellow. I stopped at a nearby TARGET and got a quarter of Mobil 1. The only synthetic they had. Was about to add it but noticed a warning on the oil cup. Something like "use SG 11 only". So I decided not to take a risk with Mobil 1 but at the same time I do not want to go to my dealer just to add 1 qt of oil. What would be you advice? Will Mobil1 harm the engine or it is just a bad idea to mix different oils. I believe BMW uses Castrol. Thanks for any info.

 

I have had this as well. Go by the dealer and they will top you off. Shouldn't require an appointment, just pull up and talk to the service advisor or manager. Took all of five minutes when I stopped by. Now if you are located a long way from the dealer and don't want to make the trip, try the manual. It should give you the exact grade required, or do a search here on the forum.

 

that happened to me before. i was all thinking why because its a new car and all and the 1st oil change was due at 15k miles. well i just called up the dealer and asked what oil to use and they said castrol synthetic.. i remember it was in a black container. so i stopped at pep boys and bought a quart and filled up the oil. recently i just had the 15k miles change oil and havent had to add oil ever since it happened.

 

Mine told me I was down a quart at 4k, but by the time I got home it was saying I was fine. I went to check and was amazed to learn there is no dipstck- I guess I'm a dipstick for not knowing that... But the dealer supplied a quart of oil in a nice black zippered bag velcroed in the trunk on top of the battery. Wife's car came like this too.

At 5k I took it in and begged for an oil change which they did do. I offered to pay and expected to but it was comped when I picked up the car- continued awesome service from my dealer!

 

these car drink oil and they need to top up every so offten.
Mobil1 is OK for these car but use the gold 1.
Never mix oil in the engine. Phone up your dealer if you live far away and ask them what oil did they put in and get the same bottle of oil and top it up.

I use racing oil and I change the oil and oil filter every 7000km to 8000km.

 

Not mine. I have 21000 miles and run 12 months between changes wo adding. I credit that to the following the break in instructions in the manual to the letter -- especially not driving at constant speed.

 

Agreed. My warning occured once at around 12,000 miles. Has not happened since and am now at around 26,000 miles...

 

Man, I have got to be the luckiest guy around here - my car is about to turn 13,000 miles and it is barely down 1 notch on the oil gauge. The car was delivered to me on 4/18/05.

I also followed the break-in to the letter.

 

Most of what I hear is that the oil consumption issue occurs primarily at the break-in stage. I do not think that the cars eat oil. Most here report that they get warnings between 2-5k miles. We do not see much of people reporting warnings at 25k.

I am trying to remember the type and grade of Casteroil that is recommended (if you do not use BMW brand). It is a specific type of Synthetic. I remember seeing it in a SIB. Any ideas?

 

I've bought 2 cases of synthetic in the last 2 years and keep an extra bottle in my trunk at all times. Mine has been drinking oil...must be the way I drive, plus I just hit 87,000 miles.