streak

Here BMW uses Castrol TXT synthetic.

It is very common for a new engine to use some oil in the first few thousand miles and then settle down.
My E60 did this and I only had to top up once.

Streak

alohalc

low engine oil warning just went off couple hours ago and it was on the idrive screen. i can take a pic tomorrow if you want. i have my car for 7 months but only 2,900 miles. i really hope that's s/w problem instead of add a quart of oil. if s/w related, i can have them activate my bt at the same time (4/04 build date) .

joepoole

Nick, my 05 545i is running at about 1/2 quart low at 1900 miles. In these days of once a year service, and self service gas stations, it is wise to check the oil and other fluids visually every other fillup, if possible. As far as the oil to use, since the oil filler cap states that Castrol is used, it would seem logical to use Castrol, when the BMW factory oil is not available. But, there is a conflict. In my "Service and Warranty Information Booklet" , page 4 it states:

"All 2005 model year 5 Series are factory-filled with BMW High Performance Synthetic oils. At the time of the printing of this booklet, the following oils are strongly recommended and approved by BMW:

BMW High Performance 5W-30 Synthetic Oil (BMW part number 07 51 0 017 866)

Mobil 1 5W-30

Mobil 1 5W-40

It goes on to refer to the BMWUSA web site for a list of approved oils to be used in lieu of the BMW Oil. But, I have thusfar been unable to find it.

The BMW Oil is only $4.00 per quart at the dealer, and they have a nifty little pouch that holds one quart for about $5.50, and it has velcro strips that attach to the side of the trunk. One of my first accessory purchases.

Good Luck,

Joe

tab545

At 7,500 miles on my 04 545iM, my dipstick still shows full.

price9195

It's not unusual for an engine to use some oil. What lubricates the cylinder walls in the combustion chamber?--oil of course. Inevitably, some will be used over time especially with highway driving, high rpms etc. I can remember reading at one time that Ford Motor considers consumption of up to a quart of oil in 1000 miles normal. That blew me away as an excuse to sell oil burning cars but the fact remains that was the factory talking about normal oil consumption.

My previous 330i M54 engine used 2 quarts in the 36000 miles I had it. Both times I was alerted by the low oil light. I filled it with Castrol full synthetic because it was convenient to purchase. I don't think the engine is that picky about what brand of oil it has in it as long as you use a decent brand with recommended viscosity and API rating. The dealer can't give you a hard time about filling it with the wrong oil. They won't know you added any unless you tell them.

sj3

Just a quick question. If you take your '04 E60 to a bmw dealer and request a non-scheduled (not free) oil/filter change, you you correctly assume they will use bmw synthetic? Or does this need to be specified?

Thanks,

Sam

Rudy

I would assume that a dealer would use whatever is recommended for the car unless you specified otherwise...

alohalc

i'm going to my dealer this afternoon (low engine oil warning) with almost empty tank. hope they'll fill up my tank, too .

Iceman

If you ask them nicely they will... and then charge you...

alohalc

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