Whats up with the oil in my car? - Page 2

AzNMpower32 · #1 11-02-2007, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Technomage

what kind of oil should i put? I went and bought Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5W-20 15,000 miles fully synthetic, 5w-20 is this good? I haven't put it in yet so please let me know asap, thanks everyone for helping me out.

Too thin. Go back and buy 5W-30. That's the thinnest I'd ever go.

aus · #2 11-04-2007, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Technomage

what kind of oil should i put? I went and bought Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5W-20 15,000 miles fully synthetic, 5w-20 is this good? I haven't put it in yet so please let me know asap, thanks everyone for helping me out.

It's not the right oil, but it's better than running dry.
The dealer synthetic is good and reasonably priced. For Mobil, you need to find 0W-40 oil. It's ACEA 3 and LL-01 rated. It's a Euro made oil that Mobil imports because the US stuff doesn't meet any of the German car's requirments. Mobil also tends to run thin for the same rating compared to Castro (who makes the BMW oil), so a 5W20 is WAY thin. Also notice that Mobil 5W-30 does NOT meet the BMW (or any German car) requirments.

BMW engines do burn oil and it's a good idea to always check the oil level every month. If you still have some oil at the tip of the dip-stick, then you're probably down about a quart.

BimmerDude · #3 11-02-2007, 05:13 PM

Is it ACEA-3 or BMW-01 LL??? Check the back of the quart....

Technomage · #4 11-02-2007, 05:19 PM

ACEA A1,B1
API SM,SL,SJ,SH/CF

If this oil isn't good please tell me what to buy so I can go return it and buy that instead (sorry I am a car noob, if you ask me computer stuff im ur man)

BimmerDude · #5 11-02-2007, 05:36 PM

Check for Castrol 5-50 or mobil 0-40... Or anything that has the acea-3 or Bmw LL-01 on it. if you can't find anything, just get a 5-40 sythetic grade for now. Its better then not having oil...

vinuneuro · #6 11-02-2007, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerDude

Check for Castrol 5-50 or mobil 0-40... Or anything that has the acea-3 or Bmw LL-01 on it. if you can't find anything, just get a 5-40 sythetic grade for now. Its better then not having oil...

Dude, 5w-50 is waay to thick.

Technomage, just use the oem recommended viscosity. Just get the same Mobil 1 Extended Performance, but 5W-30 instead of the 5W-20. Btw, the dispstick only registers one quart. So if there's nothing on it, it means you are one quart down or more. When that message comes on your cluster, you are exactly one quart low. Add one quart and then recheck the dipstick. That should do it if your the message in the cluster appeared recently. Let us know if you need any other help.

BimmerDude · #7 11-02-2007, 05:54 PM

I know its too thick and your right, but the castrol 5-50 is bmwLL-01, and is ACEA-3 approved. But if he wants to get just the reg. syn. then 5-30 is fine. Just remember, all other grades are on the lighter side of the 30 weight. But to each his own I guess...

vinuneuro · #8 11-02-2007, 06:00 PM

Yes M1 is on the thinner side. But Castrol is on the thicker side, using a 50wt is doubly bad.

vinuneuro · #9 11-02-2007, 06:03 PM

Btw, the only Castrol oil sold in the US that is an LL-01 oil, is the 0W-30.

Tomaz · #10 11-02-2007, 06:04 PM

When you say "there is no oil at all" I'm guessing you mean, no level on the dipstick. That should mean you still have about 6 quarts in the pan. While low, your engine is probably OK. The service guy probably under filled it and you didn't notice until you got a low oil light. Next change, check the dipstick to confirm its full and keep you eye on the level. By the way, 5W 30 should be a good weight for your location. Good Luck