Howitzer

My 04 530i had a warning light come on yesterday that said "engine oil level low" so I pulled over at the nearest gas station and bought a quart of synthetic and added it in. The issue is the damn oil was changed 4,000 miles ago. I drive aggressive, very aggressively, and I'd like to know if this is a normal thing or should I seriously be worried? I did a forum search but I really didn't come up with concrete answers.

mrfva

I've never had to add oil in both my current and previous BMWs. The 2007 Audi A4 however is another story. I don't drive my car aggressive, at least not too much. So I wonder if driving style has any effect.

Howitzer

70+ views and 1 reply. I'm guessing you guys don't know much about engines? =\

C5driver

I add a quart every 1-1.5K on my Vette and don't lose any sleep at night. It lives at 3.5-4.5K revs and I run it pretty hard. Oil and filter is changed every 3K miles. Amsoil in the diff and tranny. Never been a problem.

My advice is unless you see blue smoke coming out your tailpipe, don't sweat it. Be dilligent about the changes and it'll be fine.

Howitzer

What I don't understand is the manual and others at BMW saying the car with fully synthetic shouldn't have its oil changed unless its at least 11k to 15k miles. That seems like total bullcrap to me. Does this E60 only take fully synthetic oil and is what they are saying even true?

C5driver

I ignore the oil change recs in the manual the same as the PSI recs on the side of a tire. My take on fluids is that if it's lubricating rapidly moving parts, I want it as clean and viscous as possible. That's me and how I drive. If you granny the car, then yeah, run it till 11K miles. I just can't see the logic of skimping on an oil change or two in a car that's driven hard. The E60 will take any motor oil.

kscarrol

On my 545, I had to add a quart every 5-7k, never had any issues. That car I had bought, did the first oil change at 1,500 miles and the again at 5k. Every 5-7K until I sold the car at 35k I had to have a quart added. My 550, had the low oil warning at 6k and the dealer added a quart. This car is leased so I am simply going by the idiot box onboard computer for oil changes. In my limited experience with BMW engines, it is normal.

DRANGED

My 550 was going through a quart every 5-7K as well. Oil consumption decreased dramatically when I hit 30K miles. I wouldn't worry about it, it is completely normal for our cars to burn a bit of oil.

I think most members change their oil themselves halfway between the recommended interval, myself included.

BTW, M5's go through oil almost as fast as they go through gasoline.

TwistTie

Or more likely don't care about this issue.

hibberd

Its easy to make the assumption that the garage actually put the correct amount in the car at the last change....they dont always do that..they do charge for it though..