Oil change question - United Bimmer Community

**zeaq328i** · 09-22-2005, 10:05 PM

Well guys, change of plan. I’ll be using my BMW this October. I did mention that I will be using the Diamante for college but the Diamante has problems. So I’m asking about the BMW oil change, there are 5 green indicators light before all goes off for an inspection or oil change. But now there are two green lights left. Approximately how many miles left? Before I go for an oil change

Thanks in advance
ZEAQ

**voca** · 09-22-2005, 10:25 PM

low miles. I don't know the answer but you use miles in Brunei?

edit: if synthetic oil is supposed to be changed on 15k mile intervals than 5 bars is 15k and two would be 6k, but that seems like a long time to me. I'd just change the oil at my own itnervals.

Storamin · 09-22-2005, 10:32 PM

if it was me, i would change it the next time i get a chance. it really isn't a pressing issue, just something in the future.

**brien4787** · 09-22-2005, 10:46 PM

just change is ASAP.....

**Rooz** · 09-22-2005, 10:53 PM

I never look at those lights, i always go by mileage

**zeaq328i** · 09-22-2005, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voca

low miles. I don't know the answer but you use miles in Brunei?

edit: if synthetic oil is supposed to be changed on 15k mile intervals than 5 bars is 15k and two would be 6k, but that seems like a long time to me. I'd just change the oil at my own itnervals.

Actually No, All cars here are using KM .In my case, the car was a UK specs car. The former owner (Prince OF Brunei) shipped it into Brunei in 1996 from the UK. It was garaged since 1997 until I bought in 2004. That is why my car is in Miles.

**voca** · 09-22-2005, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeaq328i

Actually No, All cars here are using KM .In my case, the car was a UK specs car. The former owner (Prince OF Brunei) shipped it into Brunei in 1996 from the UK. It was garaged since 1997 until I bought in 2004. That is why my car is in Miles.

wow, that's pretty interesting.

I guess that explains why it still has less than 20,000 miles on it too. you must have some relatives pretty high up in the government to get a princes former-car?

**zeaq328i** · 09-22-2005, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voca

wow, that's pretty interesting.

I guess that explains why it still has less than 20,000 miles on it too. you must have some relatives pretty high up in the government to get a princes former-car?

It was auctioned with some other Mercedes, Jaguars and other BMW models etc. All those cars have low mileage even as low as 20km. Like mine, I bought the car at 7000 miles on the clock. Too bad many of those cars needed major repair since its being garage at least since 1989. Luckily, mine only needed only tyre change and service.

**RealBmw 02** · 09-22-2005, 11:48 PM

I would suggest just keeping track of the miles yourself, and then decide what intervals you need to change it at. I wouldn't rely on the computer to tell you when

**Numark318i** · 09-23-2005, 12:48 AM

3000miles.

**Dudesky** · 09-23-2005, 07:17 AM

Okay, here's the deal . . . For oil service, each green LED represents 1500mi, beginning at 15,000mi. Zeaq, you can see by your odometer that this is correct. You're due for an oil change at around 22,500mi.

The service lights always alternate between inspections and oil service, beginning with Inspection I at 15k. On top of that, Inspection II occurs at every other inspection- 30k, 60k, 90k, etc, which includes everything in Inspection I. The oil is changed at each and every inspection, whether it's I or II, and also in between them, which equates to every 7500mi. The only exception is before 15k on later model years, which for some reason BMW decided that it is not necessary- ha ha! Anyway, for those confused, here's how it breaks down:

15k- Inspection I (includes oil change)
22.5k-Oil change
30k- Inspection II (includes Inspection I & oil change)
37.5k- Oil change
45k- Inspection I (includes oil change)
52.5k- Oil change
60k- Inspection II (includes Inspection I & oil change)
and so on . . .
The service lights also compensate somewhat for time, in the event that you drive the car well below the average miles per year, so the intervals are not completely set in stone.

BUT, and this is a big but, you're a fool if you follow this schedule, especially if your car has higher mileage. The inspections are fine, but the general concensus for oil changes is 3-5k, and most definitely starting before the 15k mark.

**zeaq328i** · 09-23-2005, 08:57 AM

Dudesky_E36,

Thanks for the detailed write up. I appreciate it very much. The reason I ask this because I will be using my BMW frequently and I’ll be very busy within October and November time frame. So during that time frame I won’t have time to send it for an oil change at the dealer. In the whole month of December, the car will be in the garage since I’ll be on a vacation. Probably around February or March I’ll bring it for service. Now that you said it, I’m pretty confident driving it without bringing it for service for at least 3- 4 months.

**94bmw325i** · 09-23-2005, 11:22 AM

Zeag just change the oil yourself man, or is it covered under warranty?

**komodo** · 09-23-2005, 11:58 AM

I usually change the oil as soon as the last green light goes out and the first yellow comes on. Haha, I'm not sure if that's right or not, but it's worked for me without any issues.

drz · 09-23-2005, 02:23 PM

What are you studying Zeaq?