Got the oil changed today on the 35d

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by Destination: Moon

I am guessing (another guess!) that it is set up like this to lessen the effects of freezing since the stuff does freeze and needs room to expand so as not to damage the tanks and if it does, get quickly melted by engine heat.

I believe the "regular" tank is electrically heated, but the reserve tank is not. The stuff freezes at 12 degrees F I believe,.

This is from the BMW Press Release:

AdBlue technology by BMW:

Optimized emissions without requiring additional maintenance.

To introduce AdBlue technology into the car, BMW has developed a two-tank system ensuring convenient use of this new technology with all the benefits and ease required by the customer. The amount of AdBlue required in each case is injected from the active tank (approximately 1.6 gallons in volume) by means of a dosage pump. And since the urea solution would freeze at a temperature of 12.2oF, this active tank, as well as the dosage pipes, are heated.

The active tank is connected to a second reservoir, referred to as the passive tank. With its additional capacity of approximately 4.5 gallons, this passive tank offers a plentiful supply of the urea solution. The average range provided with this supply capacity is indeed sufficient to have the tank system replenished only when the driver needs to change the engine oil. Hence, the large amount of AdBlue stored in the reservoir enables the customer to enjoy continuous driving, without having to change his/her service intervals. The driver therefore benefits from the advantages of this environmentally friendly emission technology throughout the entire running life of the car, without any additional service or visits to the workshop. Since all BMWs sold in the US benefit from The BMW Maintenance Program, the refilling of the AdBlue tanks will be a no-charge service for 4 years or 50,000 miles.

AdBlue from the active tank is delivered to the dosing valve and atomize into the exhaust system. Consistent distribution of AdBlue within the flow of exhaust is ensured by the SCR mixer. The ammonia generated in the hot exhaust flow subsequently acts as a reduction agent in the SCR catalyst and converts environmentally harmful nitric oxides into nitrogen and water vapor in a process referred to as a selective catalytic reaction (SCR). This process gives the special SCR catalyst its name.

The control of the SCR system is masterminded by BMW's powerful engine management computer. A nitric oxide sensor downstream of the SCR catalyst provides feedback on the concentration of NOX in the exhaust emissions.

Due to packaging limitations in certain vehicles, the position and location of the AdBlue tank may be varied from one vehicle model to the other. In the BMW 335d, the active and passive tank are at the rear end of the car, while in the BMW X5 xDrive35d, the active tank is housed in the front right section of the engine compartment, and the passive tank is under-floor next to the transmission.

[FunfDreisig]

Originally Posted by Penguin

..
Maybe I'm a bit obsessed with using a torque wrench, etc,, but then I've never had a stripped oil drain plug ever either....

Yes, you are obsessed with using a torque wrench

FWIW I've been changing the oil in all my vehicles for 4 decades and have never stripped an oil pan drain either. And I can't remember ever using a torque wrench (on a drain plug). I simply use a Craftsman 3/8 breaker bar and pull till it's 'snug' OBTW they don't leak either.

In any case, torque wrenches are passe'. Any real mechanic uses an angle gauge these days

Funf Dreisig

[FunfDreisig]

Originally Posted by Penguin

....while in the BMW X5 xDrive35d, the active tank is housed in the front right section of the engine compartment, and the passive tank is under-floor next to the transmission.

Hmmm. I wonder what the filler on the left side (driver's side in the US) that looks exactly like the one on the right side (passenger's side in the US) is for?

Funf Dreisig

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by FunfDreisig

Hmmm. I wonder what the filler on the left side (driver's side in the US) that looks exactly like the one on the right side (passenger's side in the US) is for?

Funf Dreisig

Check the presentation links I put in another thread. It has a nice 3D picture showing it goes to the reserve tank under the driver's seat area.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by FunfDreisig

In any case, torque wrenches are passe'. Any real mechanic uses an angle gauge these days Funf Dreisig

Yeah, I made one of those to do a head gasket job on a Taurus, using a half-inch breaker bar, a protractor, a 3X5 index card, a spray tube from a WD40 can (as the indicator needle), and a bunch of tape.

Not sure I'd have enough room for that set-up under the engine!

[Destination: Moon]

Originally Posted by Penguin

Check the presentation links I put in another thread. It has a nice 3D picture showing it goes to the reserve tank under the driver's seat area.

So I filled the Active tank? The one on the passenger side (USA). It took the whole 1/2 gal. with no hesitation.

The other filler is blocked by the air intake tube on the driver side. That goes to the reserve?

[rh71]

sorry slightly off topic but a quick general question about oil changes (gas engine). I've only done 8k miles in almost 2 years. After the 4 years are up, I'm on my own with the oil change costs, but can I still follow the recommended mileage (say it's every 12k mi.)... so once every 2 years or so change my oil or is that stretching it even if the car isn't being used much? I didn't have to think about this when I only owned 1 car and did regular mileage.. now I split the mileage so it's few and far between.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by rh71

sorry slightly off topic but a quick general question about oil changes. I've only done 8k miles in almost 2 years. After the 4 years are up, I'm on my own with the oil change costs, but can I follow the recommended mileage (say it's every 12k mi.)... so once every 2 years or so change my oil or is that stretching it even if the car isn't being used much?

BMW will give you a free oil change every 12 months, regardless of miles, during the 4 year free maintenance period.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by Destination: Moon

So I filled the Active tank? The one on the passenger side (USA). It took the whole 1/2 gal. with no hesitation.

The other filler is blocked by the air intake tube on the driver side. That goes to the reserve?

Looks that way from the diagram in the presentation, but if I had mine, I'd take a look and see where it goes...

[rh71]

Originally Posted by Penguin

BMW will give you a free oil change every 12 months, regardless of miles, during the 4 year free maintenance period.

yes aware of that, but I was asking for when I'm on my own.