my2007

Hi! any advice on putting engine oil additives in the engine? Thinking of using STP oil treatment but am not sure whether it is beneficial or will it casue damage to the engine and also whether these additives are compatible with the synthetic oil used nowadays. Thanks!

Mr 5er

I think since the norm of BMW is to use Synthenic oil, I don't believe any oil additives are necessary. I have 2 BMW's and never have found the need to use them.

fjwagner

I am sure STP would love you to spend your money, but probably a waste. I have a 95 318 that is still going strong with 154k miles now. nothing but synthetic oil the last few years, but no reason to suspect a problem.

my2007

Thanks for the advice guys! I have had good experiences with the STP oil treatment product many years ago when I was using mineral oils. Now with synthetics I guess I will not need to add any additives. I am also worried about the compatibility of these additives with the synthetics which may give rise to engine damage.

E60BEEMER

Can this STP work in Diesil engines?

vern

Being in the oil additive, ( treatment ), business many years ago when oil additives were needed, not necessary to use them with syntyhic oil, its a waste of money.
cheers
vern

Ricracing

Use only the oil your E60 requires, nothing else.

The additives are only market jippos.

fjwagner

can you clarify a good experience. Did you do oil analysis to indicate better performance; one change with and one change without for example to establish a difference? Most people do not keep a car long enough to know whether they got a a really long engine life nor do they have the control points to know whether they were on the average, high side or low side. Given that, do changes at the recommended intervals and find something else fun to do!!!!

my2007

Sorry, I do not have any scientific data to back this up and I guess you are right that most of us don't really keep the car long enough to really verify if it is indeed beneficial. When I was using mineral oil many years ago I found that by adding the stp oil additive to the engine gave me better mileage and makes the engine quieter (could be subjective).

As for whether it can be used in diesel engines, I am not sure. There could be other brands of additives designed for diesel engines but I think I agree with most members here and after doing some reading I think it is not necessary to use additives with our modern day synthetics.

My SA advised strongly not to use additives in the engine.

fjwagner

The only time I really noted a difference is in my 1995 318 ic with 154 k miles. When I used dino oil, I had much more valve clatter at start up in the winter versus when I switched to synthetic. My cold starts were much quieter; hence nothing but synthetic from that point onward. To be honest, I would like to think I got better gas mileage, but I truly dont know. That would have taken too much data collection that would not have changed my decision to go with synthetic. Interesting yes. My son started driving the car at that point also, and his driving was less highway which would have skewed the data.

I agree, additives are not really necessary per you SA. Have fun! Drive hard.