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Sedans BMW 5-Series BMW 5-Series Oil Questions
32 messages, Last post on Apr 03, 2009 at 8:52 PM
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Replying to: shipo (Nov 15, 2008 9:56 pm) I'm sure lots of things are posted in this Town Hall. The FACT is that BMW's service manual still states a requirement to change the oil once per year. I cut and pasted that requirement from the 2008 5 series service manual in my previous post. Those are BMW's words. I have used that statement to request a free oil change several times. The service indicator is the primary measurement, but the 12 month option has always worked for me upon request. BMW NA ultimately pays for the oil service costs, not the dealership, so they don't care if they can bill it back to BMW NA. As for "how" the service indicator operates, if that's relevant, it takes into account more than just fuel consumption. It also measures conditions like engine operating temperature.
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Replying to: anon3 (Nov 16, 2008 5:56 am) Best regards, Shipo |
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Replying to: anon3 (Nov 16, 2008 5:56 am) Sorry, Shipo is correct. The first generation SI system did take several factors into account, such as rpm, engine temperature, number of starts, etc. However, BMW's engineers discovered that simply measuring fuel usage is just as accurate as calculating oil life by measuring multiple parameters. |
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I have a 2008 5 series I've had for 13 months with 16,000 miles on it. The mileage for an oil change just keeps extending out. It started out showing I needed one at 15,000 miles but now it's up to 18,500. When does this stop. Yesterday I got a message that it needs a quart of oil. I don't want to take it to BMW just to add a quart of oil. I've read so many posts showing different types of oil to use and I'm confused on what I need to put in the car. Can some one shed some light on the situation?
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Replying to: qsam (Dec 03, 2008 3:11 pm) As far as specific oils, the three most easily obtainable oils that meet that spec here in the States are as follows: 1) BMW Synthetic Oil (typically 5W-30) 2) Mobil 1 0W-40 3) Castrol Syntec 0W-30 I've heard rumors that Valvoline has an oil that is certified to meet LL-01, however, I've yet to confirm that. A word of caution, some oil companies play fast and loose with the language on the side of their bottle and say stuff like "Formulated to meet BMW LL-01", however, just because it was "formulated" to meet the specification does not in any way indicate that it actually meets said spec. Best regards, Shipo |
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Replying to: vokey1 (Nov 15, 2008 8:55 am) Also, when my add coolant indicator came on a month or so ago I called the dealer and was told to bring it right in so they could top it off. They added the coolant, checked it out and washed it for me, N/C  .
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I just got my 2002 530i and have no clue about the car. when i try to start my car i see oil service inspection yellow and red light for about 5-10 seconds and goes away. i can tell that oil has been changed becouse its not dark in color on my dip stick. how can i monitor my oil life and how do i reset my oil monitoring after cahnge. what oil should i use and how often i should change my oil. tx joe
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Replying to: galama (Apr 02, 2009 11:52 am) Ignition key in OFF position Press and hold the trip odometer reset button and turn the key to the accessory position Keep the reset button pressed for 5 more seconds until 'Oil Service', 'Inspection', or 'Reset' appears. Release and press the button again for 5 more seconds until the message flashes, then release. While the message is flashing, press the button again briefly to reset the SI. Successful reset of the SI will display 'End SIA' for about 2 seconds. The SI system doesnt monitor the oil directly, it actually measures how much fuel is used over a given distance. It's actually pretty accurate. If you change the oil when the SI system signals a change you will probably be changing it at  15,000 mile intervals. I'm not quite comfortable with that interval so I change it every 7,500-8,000 miles. It's a really easy DIY job; it takes me less than 30 minutes. I don't reset the SI system until it signals an Oil Service- otherwise it screws up the intervals for the other SI based services. You must sue an oil that meets BMW's LL-01 standard. The easiest oils to find that meet the standard are: BMW 5W-30 synthetic- available at any BMW dealer Mobil 1 0W-40- available at Advance Auto and Autozone Castrol Syntec 0W-30-also available at Advance Auto and Autozone Two other notes, you MUST change the brake fluid every two years using a DOT4 fluid, and you should also change the coolant every four years using BMW Coolant ONLY.
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Replying to: roadburner (Apr 02, 2009 7:14 pm) Looks like i have a Hands Free link button and i cant get it to work. Is that bluetooth feature or in car TEL hook up? does anyone know i would love to set it up. I don't have book on it. And by the way i love my BMW. tx Joe
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Replying to: galama (Apr 03, 2009 5:20 am) |
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