Conventional Oil for one change cycle

[stevekat]

I had planned to have the oil changed in my 2003 e53 3.0L. I had ordered some Rotella T6, but it did not arrive on time.

Because I had the time reserved I decided to let Jiffy Lube do this one, and brought along my factory filter. I figured I'd put in some conventional for a cycle and had forgotten that BMW specifies synthetic although I usually use it.

When I got there they recommended synthetic, and when they gave me the cost and I declined, they said I could go synthetic blend. I was actually thinking about doing the blend (with my coupon!) until I found out it was 0-20w. Wasn't going to do that. If I was going to get synthetic, it would be the Rotella T6. I pulled out the manual and the spec was 5-40w or 5-30w. So I said just put the conventional Pennzoil in after confirming it was 5-40w or 10-40w. It was over 100 degrees outside. Now I see from the receipt he may have put in 5-30w.

Part of my rationale for the conventional is the oil was more contaminated before the change than I prefer, so I figured I'd keep it in for a shorter duration, treat it as a flush and get the Rotella T6 on the next go round.

What I did not notice when I looked in the manual for the oil grade is that it calls for synthetic. I did not remember that, or perhaps never knew it, but fortunately was using the synthetic T6 as a matter of course. I really don't like that BMW doesn't have set of a specifications pages at the back of the manual that has everything listed in a table (unless I missed it.) I overlooked this synthetic oil disclosure in the long text of the page about oil, near page 142.

In any case, the Pennzoil 5-30w conventional is in there. Thoughts about running it for 2000 - 3000 miles? Or do the change out sooner?

Is the 5-30w OK here in SoCal?

Also, is there a way to drain the oil cooler when the synthetic goes back in, or is it not really an issue? The vehicle has about 105,000 miles.

Thanks.