Oil Change

[odu28]

I have a 2001 530i. I was told that the car only needs an oil change every 15,000 miles. I bought the car last summer with 46,000 miles and last week the oil light came on. I had to add a quart of oil. The bmw service center where I bought the car said that is normal for the car to eat oil and told me to add the oil. Is it normal for the car to eat oil and should I have the service center look into the reasonwhy I had to add oil? The car is not due for service for 5,000 more miles. What should I do?

[Teh Prof]

If you use pure synthetic oil--NOT a blend--then it is possible to go 15,000 miles without an oil change. You should, however, replace the oil filter every 5,000 miles, or you're asking for trouble.

Do you notice any oil dripping from the bottom of your car? If you have a regular parking place at home, one good way to check for drip might be to put a sheet of cardboard under the engine/oil pan area, checking to see in the morning before you leave for work whether oil's dripping. If it is, it wouldn't hurt to have the dealer track down the source--especially while it's still under warranty!!!

Burning a quart of oil in 10,000 miles isn't too bad for ANY four year old car.

[ozarkmark]

I just read some interesting opinions on oil changes and sludge build up here:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94785

It is a long thread, but I think there is some valuable advice in it.

I would change every 7,500 based on what I have read on the above link. JMHO!

[bad man working]

The service interval for a 2001 car is 15000K miles as long as it’s filled with a recommended long life oil i.e. Castrol SLX you’ll have no worries but you should check your oil level once a week oil’s cheap engines aren’t the service lights will tell you when it’s due

[Eric S.]

Originally posted by 528iUOND@Jul 7 2005, 12:38 AM
Burning a quart of oil in 10,000 miles isn't too bad for ANY four year old car.

[snapback]360248[/snapback]

My 6-year-old 115K-mile '99 540 burns much less than a quart of synthetic every 10K, FWIW. I think there's trouble with what odu28 described, but really need more information to be sure.