Oil Change
07-02-2013, 10:08 AM
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Location: Chittenango NY
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My Ride: 2008 535xi
Oil Change
I own a 2008 535XI with 88000 miles. Would like to start doing my own oil changes. Where would be the best to get instructions? Also, I know BMW recommends oil change every 15,000 miles. Any thoughts on changing oil more frequently?
07-02-2013, 10:22 AM
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Welcome to this forum (where you'll learn so much you'll become your own SA).
Link
This is what I followed... There are plenty of topics that covered the oil change subject, make a quick search and you'll be surprised. I did my first BMW oil change last month and it was a great feeling, the more I can avoid the $tealers the better I feel.
Good luck and never be afraid to ask a question.
Cheers mate.
Link
This is what I followed... There are plenty of topics that covered the oil change subject, make a quick search and you'll be surprised. I did my first BMW oil change last month and it was a great feeling, the more I can avoid the $tealers the better I feel.
Good luck and never be afraid to ask a question.
Cheers mate.
07-02-2013, 12:55 PM
#4
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Engine oil does not age based upon miles but rather hours of engine operation.
Your miles may not relate to the same engine hours as mine. If you do mainly highway commuting you may average 50mph and 10,000 miles relates to 200 hours of engine operation. I may commute across city and average 10mph, and that same 10,000 miles relates to 1000 hours of engine operation, far too long to run oil.
Other factors can be short trips where the engine doesn't fully warm up and condensed water vapor tends to collect in the oil. Higher temperatures due to factors like towing can also stress the oil as each 10 degree increase in oil temperature tends to double the rate of oil oxidation.
An oil is considered used up when the additives, which are the magic of modern multi-viscosity synthetic oils are exhausted (most are sacrificial).
A good rule of thumb is change your oil once per year, every 300 hours of operation or every 6,000 miles, which ever comes first.
Fresh oil maintains gaskets and seals (fresh oil has an alkaline pH and as it grows older turns acidic) and greatly lessens the chance of excessive engine wear and the formation of sludge.
If you do it yourself you can buy one of the best oils - Mobil 1 0W-40, which is BMW approved, for less than $4.50 per quart when you purchase the 5 quart jugs at Walmart. With oil at this price changing your oil every 5-6K miles is a no-brainer. Very very cheap insurance.
Your miles may not relate to the same engine hours as mine. If you do mainly highway commuting you may average 50mph and 10,000 miles relates to 200 hours of engine operation. I may commute across city and average 10mph, and that same 10,000 miles relates to 1000 hours of engine operation, far too long to run oil.
Other factors can be short trips where the engine doesn't fully warm up and condensed water vapor tends to collect in the oil. Higher temperatures due to factors like towing can also stress the oil as each 10 degree increase in oil temperature tends to double the rate of oil oxidation.
An oil is considered used up when the additives, which are the magic of modern multi-viscosity synthetic oils are exhausted (most are sacrificial).
A good rule of thumb is change your oil once per year, every 300 hours of operation or every 6,000 miles, which ever comes first.
Fresh oil maintains gaskets and seals (fresh oil has an alkaline pH and as it grows older turns acidic) and greatly lessens the chance of excessive engine wear and the formation of sludge.
If you do it yourself you can buy one of the best oils - Mobil 1 0W-40, which is BMW approved, for less than $4.50 per quart when you purchase the 5 quart jugs at Walmart. With oil at this price changing your oil every 5-6K miles is a no-brainer. Very very cheap insurance.
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