I had to add a quart and I'm worried.
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Joined: May 2008
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From: 32 miles North of Dallas, TX
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They say most cars will tend to burn off a little oil, higher performance engines perhaps more. When oil changes are done every 3-5000 miles it is never noticed.
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: North Carolina, USA
My Ride: 2008 BMW 550i
2006 BMW X3
Originally Posted by C's Bimmer' post='663909' date='Sep 7 2008, 12:45 PM
I had the oil light come up on my 07 530 a few times, even after a recent service visit. I too, drove that car hard. Just keep a quart in your trunk, just in case, for future needs and you should be all set. i wouldn't worry too much.
Originally Posted by HotLap' post='663904' date='Sep 7 2008, 11:36 AM
I too had to add a quart in my '08 535 at about 5K miles...everyone thinks is normal, but I don't really believe it's normal for that amount of oil consumption... (I had an old 351C V8 Mustang many years ago with 300K miles on it and it would burn 1qt per 5K miles due to worn valve seals - that's what I would consider normal oil useage).
I take solace in the fact that so many others seem be in the same boat with their BMW engines and I change mine with the BMW oil at half the intervals - so every other oil change is on me - but the peace of mind is definitley worth it. None of my other new cars over the past several years have burned any oil...my Shelby GT500 (5.4L V8 S/C) doesn't and I drive that car agressively...go figure
I take solace in the fact that so many others seem be in the same boat with their BMW engines and I change mine with the BMW oil at half the intervals - so every other oil change is on me - but the peace of mind is definitley worth it. None of my other new cars over the past several years have burned any oil...my Shelby GT500 (5.4L V8 S/C) doesn't and I drive that car agressively...go figure

But I do agree with you that on a brand new car adding a quart every 5K just doesn't seem right no matter how normal it is.
Originally Posted by hibberd' post='663835' date='Sep 7 2008, 06:52 AM
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..
That was my first reaction exactly, although it wasn't about the place shortchanging the customer -- just ignorance, which I find much more likely based on other BMW service stories I have read all over the place ...
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Toronto
My Ride: 2006 550, Sports Package, Premium Package, Navigation, Winter Package
Model Year: 2006
Changed my oil 7000/miles ago and had the same warning indicator pop up on saturday. Went to the dealership and the mechanic said its normal on the 550. They were closing for the day so he said it bring it in on monday and they will top it up.
He also mentioned that the car can be driven safely with this warning indicator on and coming back on monday should not be a problem. However after I cleared the message, I checked the maintenance level screen and it said that my oil levels were ok?
He also mentioned that the car can be driven safely with this warning indicator on and coming back on monday should not be a problem. However after I cleared the message, I checked the maintenance level screen and it said that my oil levels were ok?
I'm in the same boat. The 550 hit 6500 this past saturday and the oil level warning came up so I just added a quart of syntec. Problem solved. I'm not very concerned at all, especially since I drive the car relatively hard and I was expecting the oil level warning to come up around 5k. In any case, I'll just have the oil changed at 7500.
Here is a new theory for everyone.
What if the service person who was supposed to put in 7 qts only put in 6.5 qts at the last change (they do not put in 1 qt at a time like you or I may do)?
You probably would not see a big difference on your computer, but perhaps some of us are not losing as much oil as we think.
What if the service person who was supposed to put in 7 qts only put in 6.5 qts at the last change (they do not put in 1 qt at a time like you or I may do)?
You probably would not see a big difference on your computer, but perhaps some of us are not losing as much oil as we think.
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From: Lake Jackson
My Ride: 2005 BMW 545i, Titanium Silver. Bridgestone 760s on Weds Bavaria II 18" wheels, standard sport pack size. Sport, AT. Latest job - NGK Iridium IX plugs installed.
By saying you put in a quart of synthetic motor oil, what exactly did you put in? I could be wrong but typical stop n go type of gas station does not carry the 'euro blend' - I hope you have a window sticker showing the exact brand and grade of oil used and found one that matches.
5700 miles on my 550, and the low oil indicator came on today. I would say I drive harder than most, so I wasn't too surprised after reading fellow forum member's experiences. Nonetheless, I went by the dealership who topped it off, no questions asked. The SA did mention this was a common occurrence, particularly for BMW's larger engines. Whether that is true or not, I don't know, but I'll live easier knowing it's a lease.
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