Elementary QUESTIONS that I need some good answers for... :)

I have searched and read through most of the oil related thread...I have decided that I will most likely use Mobil 1 0W-40...but here is the real question.

I am mostly new to the entire mechanical side of BMW...I am about to ask some very elementary questions that I'd rather have answered instead of finding out the hard way on my own...

Anyway...here it is:

A little bit of back ground info: I just got my 2001 330ci a week ago. I got it from a dealership in Deleware and it has 47,000 miles on it. I drove it down to Florida and it was an awesome drive. No problems at all. A few small things regarding the car. I have been coming home for the last two nights and after the I shut the car off, I will get a small yellow symbol (oil symbol). Tonight I checked the oil level and it was on the low side. I know that I need to fill it (obviously, being that it is low

), and this is where my questiosn start...

1. Is it ok to just fill the car with a different brand of oil?

2. I don't know what the last brand or rating of the oil that was put in. Is it ok for me to put in new oil with old oil even if I haven't changed out the oil filter or drained out the old oil? Also, can I mix old oil with new oil?

3. I read through the manual a few times and I couldn't find any info on this or on the forum: how do I know when there is enough oil in the engine? I don't want to just sit there and watch it over flow. Is there some way to gauge it and measure it so that I know it is at the proper level? I was thinking that I could just use the dipstick but that might not be the proper way.

4. I am planning on changing the oil every 5,000 miles. I know that oil usually out lasts oil filters. What filter do you guys suggest? I have heard that Fram is a good company. If I need too, I will happily go with OEM oil filters just because I know this is a vital part of the workings of the engine and its life.

5. If I have been driving the car somewhat hard, is it possible that I did any damage to it if the oil level is just low. It's not extremely low, it is just on low.

6. (Extremely noobish) If the oil level is low right now, I am just adding onto the existing low level of oil when I put new oil in, right?

7. Like I said earlier, I am planning on changing the oil every 5000 miles. Is it ok if I add oil now and change it in 3200 miles (I plan on changing the oil and filter in 3200 miles).

Anyway, thanks in advance for the help guys...as you can see, I am still learning everyday and I just want to make sure to do things right the first time so I don't have to pay money for something that could have been avoided to begin with.

Thanks...

-David

Reply » Elementary QUESTIONS that I need some good answers for... :)

Quote:

1. Is it ok to just fill the car with a different brand of oil?

Yes.

Quote:

2. I don't know what the last brand or rating of the oil that was put in. Is it ok for me to put in new oil with old oil even if I haven't changed out the oil filter or drained out the old oil? Also, can I mix old oil with new oil?

Yes.

Quote:

3. I read through the manual a few times and I couldn't find any info on this or on the forum: how do I know when there is enough oil in the engine? I don't want to just sit there and watch it over flow. Is there some way to gauge it and measure it so that I know it is at the proper level? I was thinking that I could just use the dipstick but that might not be the proper way.

Dipstick is the proper way, and, in the absense of an automated electronic system (such as that found in late model MB cars, or the E90 for instance), the only reliable way.

Quote:

4. I am planning on changing the oil every 5,000 miles. I know that oil usually out lasts oil filters. What filter do you guys suggest? I have heard that Fram is a good company. If I need too, I will happily go with OEM oil filters just because I know this is a vital part of the workings of the engine and its life.

Mann and Mahle make the paper filters used in factory installations. Stick with those. You can buy them at places like Pelican Parts. They're relatively inexpensive and generally tend to hold together long enough to get your money's worth with the oil. I personally think that 5,000 mile intervals are a bit excessive when using a true synthetic. A true group IV synthetic oil (be wary of hybrid oils) meeting the recommended ACEA A3/BMW LL01 specifications should actually last 10,000+ miles with little to no trouble, but as you say, the filters don't last nearly as long. For most people, changing the oil twice per year (say, every 7 to 9,000 miles) is more than enough.

Some swear by the 3k intervals. Some swear by 15k. I've seen enough scientific, objective evidence to suggest that somewhere in the middle is probably best.

If you really want to know a good interval for your particular car, run a certain type of oil for a certain number of miles (say 7,500) and then send it in for an oil analysis to a specialized lab. They'll give you a break down of the metal contents and whatnot found within the oil, and will tell you how good the oil still is and whether or not you should adjust your oil change interval.

Quote:

5. If I have been driving the car somewhat hard, is it possible that I did any damage to it if the oil level is just low. It's not extremely low, it is just on low.

Depends on how low. Heated motor oil tends to have lower viscosity (resistance to flow) and thus gets through the engine more efficiently (this is why the engines running at a fairly high, constant speed - such as highway driving - tend to experience minimal wear, as opposed to engines which spend a lot of time idling). Of course, low oil levels can also mean that not enough oil is reaching the appropriate places in the engine. Needless to say, if you've been doing this for a short period of time, I seriously doubt you'll have caused any significant wear or damage to your engine.

Quote:

6. (Extremely noobish) If the oil level is low right now, I am just adding onto the existing low level of oil when I put new oil in, right?

Yes.

Quote:

7. Like I said earlier, I am planning on changing the oil every 5000 miles. Is it ok if I add oil now and change it in 3200 miles (I plan on changing the oil and filter in 3200 miles).

Yes.

Mobil 1 0W-40 is a good choice. It's easy to find and buy (Walmart used to sell it, but now you might have to buy it in an auto parts store) and meets all the necessary specifications.

Reply » Elementary QUESTIONS that I need some good answers for... :)

Jon, thanks man...you want to let me use your torque wrench when you get back in town?

Reply » Elementary QUESTIONS that I need some good answers for... :)

Quote:

Jon, thanks man...you want to let me use your torque wrench when you get back in town?

Who owns the gorgeous black sedan parked next that miserable blue coupe?

Reply » Elementary QUESTIONS that I need some good answers for... :)

BTW you check the oil level with the dipstick. The difference betweent eh low mark and the full mark is about 1 quart. So you can guage how much you need by how low it is. If it isn't showing on the dipstick, add a qart, then check again. Keep doing so until you get a reading, then top off.

Also check the manual for how to check th eoil. On the M3 there is a specific procedure that must be followed to get an accurate reading.

I personally think 5K intervals with any full synthetic (not blend) is excessive) There are a few references out there that point to too frequent oil changes actually INCREASING wear.

Reply » Elementary QUESTIONS that I need some good answers for... :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by David A. 3. I read through the manual a few times and I couldn't find any info on this or on the forum: how do I know when there is enough oil in the engine? I don't want to just sit there and watch it over flow. Is there some way to gauge it and measure it so that I know it is at the proper level? I was thinking that I could just use the dipstick but that might not be the proper way.

Make sure you car is on a level surface to ensure you are getting an accurate reading when checking the oil. I check the oil in my car first thing in the morning, before starting her up. Most of the oil would have drained to the pan overnight; again, this will ensure you are getting an accurate reading. I check my tire pressure at the same time. Good habits to get into (I check the oil and tire pressure every two weeks).

-Mark

Page 1 of 2