|
|
|
|
|
|
BMW Garage | BMW Meets | Register | Today's Posts | Search |
|
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum
>
1 year, 19,000 mile oil change interval analysis
|
|
08-13-2013, 05:26 PM | #1 |
Private
42
Rep 69
Posts |
1 year, 19,000 mile oil change interval analysis
See attachment. This is from my '11 X3 28i.
This is the 3rd oil change. 36,000 miles on the odometer at time of change. BMW 5W30 oil, used for 19,000 miles for a year. Service meter had 1200 miles remaining before I needed a change, but I hit the 1 year mark and my dealer changes at 1 year under the "1 year low mileage" deal with BMW before the service meter says so. All my driving typically gets the oil to operating temp and stays there for a while; 45 minute commute 1-way. Some long trips here and there, and my "short" trips are still about 30 minutes of driving, so no "Aunt Millie" cycles here. 1/2 quart top off on a 700 mile trip was the only make up oil. Most of my miles are highway miles up to 80 MPH. Some full throttle red lines a few times a week. The oil did go out of grade to a 5W40, but BMW 5W30 is almost a 5W40 fresh. Not to bad considering, but a shorter oil change would be better for staying in grade and a slight improvement in fuel economy. Otherwise, this oil was still protecting the engine, TBN was over 1.0, and the air and oil filters still working well. For my driving habits, the BMW oil change interval is ok, not perfect, but ok. For short trips driving, I would not wait this long...curious if the meter would of told me to change it sooner.
__________________
'11 X3 xdrive28i
'07 X3 3.0si '08 328xi (sold) '04 325xi (sold) '97 328iS (sold) Last edited by ///MPower_2014; 08-14-2013 at 05:15 AM.. Reason: clarification |
08-13-2013, 06:15 PM | #2 |
First Lieutenant
48
Rep 376
Posts |
Thanks for info. My last oil change was at 15k and this time its showing 20k.
I was going to change my oil at 7k but your post changed my mind. Going to wait until 10-12k. |
Appreciate
0
|
08-13-2013, 07:17 PM | #3 |
Too much is never enough
655
Rep 3,079
Posts |
Good quality oil in a well tuned motor that gets up to temp during every trip can tolerate very long intervals. Cars/trucks are the only "machines" that don't reference runtime for the maintenance intervals. Mileage is really meaningless frankly, but it's something everyone can relate to. I'm glad you posted this and I hope everyone sees and understands it. The whole concept of the 3,000 mile change interval was fabricated by Jiffy Lube back in the day. It was totally and completely arbitrary, but it's engrained in a generation's brain.
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-13-2013, 10:33 PM | #5 |
Paint Polishing Perfection
16
Rep 145
Posts
Drives: '11 335is '12 535i GT
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Atlanta
iTrader: (0)
Garage List 1993 740il [0.00]
1994 BMW 540i [0.00] 2012 GMC 2500 HD Di ... [0.00] 2012 BMW 535i GT [0.00] 2011 BMW 335is [0.00] |
I just purchased a 11 335is w 48k. I took it in after driving it for 700 miles. Oil had 15k so I took a sample out prior to dealer low mile change. Computer showed 4400 miles left. Will post when I send it in.
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-13-2013, 10:36 PM | #6 | |
Lieutenant
58
Rep 494
Posts |
Quote:
Forgot to add if you love experimenting and you do not own it, then why not experiment |
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-14-2013, 03:09 AM | #7 | ||
Paint Polishing Perfection
16
Rep 145
Posts
Drives: '11 335is '12 535i GT
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Atlanta
iTrader: (0)
Garage List 1993 740il [0.00]
1994 BMW 540i [0.00] 2012 GMC 2500 HD Di ... [0.00] 2012 BMW 535i GT [0.00] 2011 BMW 335is [0.00] |
Quote:
|
||
Appreciate
0
|
08-14-2013, 05:23 AM | #8 | |
Private
42
Rep 69
Posts |
Quote:
I also posted this on Bob is the oil guy forum...might get some more details there. Here's a link I found of generic wear metal origins...look towards the end. http://www.cre-lab.com/download/How_...sis_report.pdf
__________________
'11 X3 xdrive28i
'07 X3 3.0si '08 328xi (sold) '04 325xi (sold) '97 328iS (sold) Last edited by ///MPower_2014; 08-14-2013 at 06:10 AM.. Reason: additions |
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-14-2013, 06:47 AM | #9 |
General
17317
Rep 18,740
Posts |
[QUOTE=2008_BMW_328xi;14491585]See attachment. This is from my '11 X3 28i.
This is the 3rd oil change. 36,000 miles on the odometer at time of change. BMW 5W30 oil, used for 19,000 miles for a year. Service meter had 1200 miles remaining before I needed a change, but I hit the 1 year mark and my dealer changes at 1 year under the "1 year low mileage" deal with BMW before the service meter says so. All my driving typically gets the oil to operating temp and stays there for a while; 45 minute commute 1-way. Some long trips here and there, and my "short" trips are still about 30 minutes of driving, so no "Aunt Millie" cycles here. 1/2 quart top off on a 700 mile trip was the only make up oil. Most of my miles are highway miles up to 80 MPH. Some full throttle red lines a few times a week. The oil did go out of grade to a 5W40, but BMW 5W30 is almost a 5W40 fresh. Not to bad considering, but a shorter oil change would be better for staying in grade and a slight improvement in fuel economy. Otherwise, this oil was still protecting the engine, TBN was over 1.0, and the air and oil filters still working well. For my driving habits, the BMW oil change interval is ok, not perfect, but ok. For short trips driving, I would not wait this long...curious if the meter would of told me to change it sooner.[/QUOTE] It will. The system uses an oil quality sensor built into the oil level sensor and BMW's oil use algorithm to determine change interval. But short trip cars usually fall into the 12-month oil change interval anyway, which negates a long change interval. My car has 224K on it @ 17,500 mile OCIs. My 80 mile one-way commute is a mix of back country roads (20 miles - driven in classic BMW style ), some dual lane highway (40 miles), and some stop-and-go traffic (20 miles). My average MPH per tank ranges from 45 to 55. |
Appreciate
0
|
08-14-2013, 08:15 AM | #10 |
Second Lieutenant
14
Rep 261
Posts |
I don't think its a oil quality sensor, but measures the anti wear additive zinc (I think). In US cars the computer determines the change interval, but many foreign cars actually measure the additive. I may not me 100% correct on what it is measuring but you get the idea.
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-14-2013, 09:16 AM | #11 |
Colonel
103
Rep 2,783
Posts |
Why strive for the longest oil change record? I don't see the problem with changing oil once or twice a year.
__________________
If no codes are being thrown use Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner (concentrate). It solves rpm fluctuating upon cold start-up. Also, for most BMW problems start off by scanning your car with the Peake Research Tool. It contains the actual BMW codes. If you want to register a newly installed battery for free (just buy a $10 cable) and google/download BMWLogger
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-14-2013, 09:50 AM | #12 |
Second Lieutenant
32
Rep 290
Posts
Drives: E92 335i
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Los Angeles, CA
|
OP, did you add any ZDDP containing additives? Your Phosphorous/Zinc levels are higher than what I would expect to see from BMW 5W-30 oil.
Also, are you saying the oil got -thicker- with time? I know the report suggests this. But I thought that shear and heat caused motor oils to get thinner over time. I wouldn't suggest anyone try 20k mile OCI's in a N54/N55 powered car. But on my 335i, the OCI resets to 14k just after an oil change. So it seems that would be the max.
__________________
For Sale: 2009 335i 6MT (E92/N54), Sport / M-Technic / no iDrive / Black Sapphire / Black Dakota Leather, ZCW, 6FL, PDC, 19" VMR VB3, Pilot Super Sport, M3 control arms + tension links (fr) S. California |
Appreciate
0
|
08-14-2013, 01:28 PM | #13 | |
General
17317
Rep 18,740
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-14-2013, 01:40 PM | #14 |
Private First Class
7
Rep 154
Posts |
On my 07 335 my last oil change OCI reset to 18k miles. I'm 70miles/day on 95% highway though.
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-14-2013, 05:42 PM | #15 | |
Captain
222
Rep 660
Posts |
Quote:
Two separate events where I drained the oil and added new. The "condition" of the new oil had ZERO impact on the Oil service indicator. The first was @ 2K miles and OIC did not budge up or down. It was still on track for a 15K mile Oil service. The second was a low mileage/annual oil change @ ~7,500 even though the car was happily reporting it's first oil service at 15k miles. BMW did not reset the OCI which they state is normal for the in-between services. Again, zero adjustment or off-set with the addition the new oil - the car remained stuck that an oil service was due @ 15K miles. If the sensor were as magical as they would like for us to believe, then a logical brain would expect new oil to increase in the number of miles before the next service. Whomp Whomp Whaaaaaaa..... |
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-14-2013, 07:54 PM | #16 | |
Private
42
Rep 69
Posts |
Quote:
The oil got thicker as it's now a 5W40. Evaporation caused the thickening??? My OCI resets to 20k miles...yes, miles, not km.
__________________
'11 X3 xdrive28i
'07 X3 3.0si '08 328xi (sold) '04 325xi (sold) '97 328iS (sold) |
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-14-2013, 09:25 PM | #17 | |
General
17317
Rep 18,740
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-15-2013, 07:23 AM | #18 |
Captain
222
Rep 660
Posts |
Has nothing to do with me. Magic is for kids.
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-15-2013, 12:30 PM | #19 |
Captain
106
Rep 728
Posts |
Nice, I also did one a few years ago, and am sticking to 10K change intervals now.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=475228
__________________
PROcede | AMS FMIC | AR Catless DPs | AR Oil Cooler | BMS DCI Wavetrac LSD | KW V3 w/ Swift Springs | M3 Front Suspension |
Appreciate
0
|
08-15-2013, 07:37 PM | #21 |
Captain
222
Rep 660
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-15-2013, 08:53 PM | #22 |
General
17317
Rep 18,740
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
Bookmarks |
|
|