Valvoline MaxLife Synthetic /ACEA A3 /API SM

[Wayne's World]

Anyone have any experience using this oil in their M54?

M54's as a general rule seem to use a bit more oil than others. I've tried German Castrol, which is pretty thick to begin with and Total/Elf Quartz 9000 5w-40 but neither have relieved my oil burning issues. It's about oil change time again and i've ordered a case of the MaxLife Synthetic 5w-30.

Not looking to startup an oil-flaming thread but looking for anyone with positive or negative experiences with this particular oil.

[Wayne's World]

13 days with this oil in and i received an unexpected bump in my MPG. On the on-board computer which hasnt been reset for a few months now, it suddenly went from 17.1 to 17.4 over a 55mi highway trip. All else has remained the same. Driving style, pattern, gas, grade, etc, no reduction in weight, same tires, ...

Cant explain it. But I like it. My MPG is 18.16 between fill ups. The OBC shows 18.2 on CONS2. CONS1 remains at 17.4 since I still havent reset it.

[JCL]

I have never used it. However, it is rated API SM, so as long as it is a 5W-30 it would be fine.

I don't think any oil you use is going to change your oil consumption, that is the sort of claim that the snake oil salespeople make.

I don't believe your indicated fuel consumption change is related to the oil (unless it isn't 5W-30). More than likely related to fuel variation, alcohol content, summer/winter blends, etc.

[diyanich]

Originally Posted by JCL

I have never used it. However, it is rated API SM, so as long as it is a 5W-30 it would be fine.

I don't think any oil you use is going to change your oil consumption, that is the sort of claim that the snake oil salespeople make.

I don't believe your indicated fuel consumption change is related to the oil (unless it isn't 5W-30). More than likely related to fuel variation, alcohol content, summer/winter blends, etc.

[Wayne's World]

JCL - you bring up some good points. One thing I forgot is that this is a 5w30 when I was previously using 5w40's. But I didn't think the fuel consumption would spike so suddenly. If any change at all I would've expected to see it straight away.

As for the fuel, it is odd because it spiked at quarter tank when I had already gotten about 310 miles out of that tank of gas. And the Shell station I use unfortunately uses Ethanol all year round which seems to be a common practice now and we're using winter blends all year.

[Wayne's World]

After a week, CONS2 is now up to 18.6. This is with 60% suburban driving and 40% highway. The average should be going down as it gets more data, not up. So I'm wondering if the gas mileage has really gotten that much better. But just by oil?? Never heard of that but I can't wait to see how high it gets on a long highway trip (110mi RT) this weekend and ultimately, how many miles I get to this tank.

[JCL]

Your on-board computer indication of mileage isn't as precise as filling the tank, driving it, and then figuring out actual mpg, and preferably doing that over several tanks.

I could see 50% variation on my X5 between good and bad tanks (highway vs city, heavy foot vs feathering it). Biggest variable is the driver.

[c4racer]

Originally Posted by JCL

I don't believe your indicated fuel consumption change is related to the oil (unless it isn't 5W-30). More than likely related to fuel variation, alcohol content, summer/winter blends, etc.

I have found that I tend to consume more fuel when I drink, not less because it causes me to put the hammer down more.

[Wayne's World]

Originally Posted by JCL

Your on-board computer indication of mileage isn't as precise as filling the tank, driving it, and then figuring out actual mpg, and preferably doing that over several tanks.

I could see 50% variation on my X5 between good and bad tanks (highway vs city, heavy foot vs feathering it). Biggest variable is the driver.

Very true. I have a gas mileage app on my phone that I log each fill up in. So its been giving me the averages. Those are actually higher that the on board computer so definitely looking forward to seeing what it amounts to on this tank. Highest average so far was 19.32 but that was quite a few highway trips. Last tank it was 18.16.

[Wayne's World]

Originally Posted by c4racer

I have found that I tend to consume more fuel when I drink, not less because it causes me to put the hammer down more.

Oh that's comforting....

For me its usually music. Depending what the song is when I'm getting onto the highway.