Oil capacity and change intervals

[DOrtiz]

I'm considering changing my oil every 5k miles because it's excruciatingly HOT in SW Florida.

I had a salesman from fcpeuro.com email me and stated the 5qt jug is all I need for my car. For some odd reason, I'm under the impression I need more than 5qt.

Any comments on this particular brand of oil and on the oil capacity? Also, how often do you recommend the oil be changed?

I commute 82 miles a day round-trip (x) 5 days (x) 3 weeks with 70% highway 30% city driving.

As an "old schooler" I just can't fathom a once-a-year or 10k mile oil change interval.

I welcome your thoughts/advice.

[m1256]

2014 X1 28i xDrive

Engine lubricant oil capacity: 5.75 liter / 6.1 U.S. qt / 5.1 imp. qt
Engine coolant capacity: 8.2 liter / 8.7 U.S. qt / 7.2 imp. qt
Fuel tank capacity: 63 liter / 16.7 U.S. gal / 13.8 imp. gal
Battery capacity (Ah): 80

[0w40X1]

Why don't you read oil change analysis on BITOG.com.

BMW advises many owners in Germany to change at 15k miles.

I like Mobil 1 0w40, and it's dirt cheap at Walmart. Last 2 jugs were only $13 after rebate.

In Germany same stuff is over $100.

Your use mostly on hwy is very easy on oil. You can easily do 10K miles which is what most US BMW dealers advise.

I drained factory oil on my S28i at 5k miles, sent in sample, and it looked like new oil without even the usual new ear in metals.

[0w40X1]

Much harder use would be someone in Northern US starting below zero f in mornings, and driving 5 miles to work.

BMW makes their cars run hotter when they can, like with A/C off or Eco-pro on, but my scanguage shows the 2.0 liter uses very little fuel idling, and doesn't get over 193 deg f idling.

I wouldn't use ASS either.

[kiloTHREE]

Originally Posted by 0w40X1

Much harder use would be someone in Northern US starting below zero f in mornings, and driving 5 miles to work.

MN here, I don't go over 6k, typically 5k but I go by seasons rather than mileage.
Change in the fall before it gets too cold, change in the dead butt cold of winter, and once later in the spring.
I worry about blowby in the winter on cold starts more than too hot.

[LevinBR]

You will need 5.8 quarts. I'd get an extra quart. For interval, I like 5 - 8 k

[Gamb1t]

Every 8000km. 5/0w40 covers a large range of climate conditions. I don't measure the quantity going in... just a 5L jug. Check it for a period of a few days and top as necessary.


Oil change with this car is quite easy.

[kringer2]

I've changed mine twice now. Both times I put 5 quarts in. It read full. I do carry a quart with me but I have never had to add one.

[0w40X1]

Most of us have heard lately that the X1 x28i with the metal plug holds approx 6 quarts while the s28i with the plastic plug holds 5.5 quarts.

It would have helped to have an oil level measurement that worked.

[Kevman]

I wish it had a dip stick. Entire time I have owned the car it has never shown anything other than 100% full. Do you guys trust the electronic oil level indicator?

[0w40X1]

NO! Mine never worked.

You pour oil and sacrifice a goat for luck.

What kind of witchery is this?

[DOrtiz]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Guess I better add another quart to the order. No comments on this brand of oil?

[mcdanielvzw]

You're going with FCP Euro where they refund your cost minus shipping for future changes. Why not just use the BMW brand?

But I mean, if I paid full price I normally do Castrol.... rare occasions Mobil1 depending on the car and how much I like the person :-D

[DOrtiz]

Originally Posted by mcdanielvzw

You're going with FCP Euro where they refund your cost minus shipping for future changes. Why not just use the BMW brand?

But I mean, if I paid full price I normally do Castrol.... rare occasions Mobil1 depending on the car and how much I like the person :-D

They have this one for $56 bucks. Of course I'll need to add another quart (6) and buy the special tool needed to remove the filter so my very first order will be slightly higher.

I'll also need to buy a torque wrench as I don't have one.

Thanks for the tip.

[kiloTHREE]

Originally Posted by DOrtiz

buy the special tool needed to remove the filter so my very first order will be slightly higher.

I'll also need to buy a torque wrench as I don't have one.

A plain old adjustable wrench will be fine for the oil filter cap. Torque wrench? srs? just make sure its tight, this aint head studs.

[mcdanielvzw]

Originally Posted by DOrtiz

They have this one for $56 bucks. Of course I'll need to add another quart (6) and buy the special tool needed to remove the filter so my very first order will be slightly higher.

I'll also need to buy a torque wrench as I don't have one.

Thanks for the tip.

FYI, return shipping from Jacksonville FL was about $22 returning 7 qts + filter on my 35i. I'm doing this on both my 328 and 35i for oil changes roughly every 7k miles.

When I need new plugs on the 35i, I'll get to do the same thing since I already bought them once. Going to change the 328i for the first time this month.

[Wilhelm G]

Originally Posted by DOrtiz

aOf course I'll need to add another quart (6) . . . .

You're talking about quarts and you show a picture of liter bottles. There is a difference. BMW also thinks there's a difference between specifying 5 liters for one model and 5.5 L for another. I have no idea why the difference but I have a feeling BMW gave it plenty of thought.

This works for me, but maybe something different works for others:

1. There are published oil capacity specs. BMW thinks they should be followed, so I tend to use them until I have a good reason not to.
2. The AWD E84 xDrive 28i (metal drain plug) spec is 5.5 liters, which is 5.81 quarts.
3. The RWD E84 sDrive 28i (plastic drain plug) spec is 5 liters, which is 5.28 quarts.
4. The oil I use has the LL-01 spec on the bottle and comes in quart and 5 quart bottles. I use 5 1/4 qts. when I change the oil on my sDrive. The oil cost is the least reason I dont round up to 6 quarts.

[DOrtiz]

Originally Posted by Wilhelm G

You're talking about quarts and you show a picture of liter bottles. There is a difference. BMW also thinks there's a difference between specifying 5 liters for one model and 5.5 L for another. I have no idea why the difference but I have a feeling BMW gave it plenty of thought.

This works for me, but maybe something different works for others:

1. There are published oil capacity specs. BMW thinks they should be followed, so I tend to use them until I have a good reason not to.
2. The AWD E84 xDrive 28i (metal drain plug) spec is 5.5 liters, which is 5.81 quarts.
3. The RWD E84 sDrive 28i (plastic drain plug) spec is 5 liters, which is 5.28 quarts.
4. The oil I use has the LL-01 spec on the bottle and comes in quart and 5 quart bottles. I use 5 1/4 qts. when I change the oil on my sDrive. The oil cost is the least reason I dont round up to 6 quarts.

Thank you for this detailed post.

I was curious which drain plug I have, and this clarified it (only because on some oil kits it show the plastic one while in others it was omitted).

So you put 5¼ in your sDrive? I wonder if putting an even 6qt on my xDrive i28 may damage it.

For what it's worth, my oil was changed by BMW (at least I hope) in February 2018. The car had 27k miles (based on a Davis report) and it's coming up on 31k. Says I have 4,500 until next oil change or February 2019. This is where I must decide if I want to change my oil every 5k (I do one and pay the BMW dealer to do one). I will take it to BMW in between my oil changes to satisfy the required maintenance stated in my extended warranty contract.

Anyone every try this product? What about wright? It appears "European Formula" (second image) is 0/40.

I live is SW Florida so it's never really cold.

[Wilhelm G]

Originally Posted by DOrtiz

I was curious which drain plug I have, and this clarified it (only because on some oil kits it show the plastic one while in others it was omitted).

When in doubt look it up. The most accurate way is the last 7 digits of your VIN number. After using RealOEM a few times you will have memorized those numbers.

So you put 5¼ in your sDrive? I wonder if putting an even 6qt on my xDrive i28 may damage it.

Yes, I put 5.25 qts. because it's easy to measure using the markings on the side of the oil container and it's close enough. In my opinion, rounding up to 6 quarts for your xDrive would not damage anything (except for maybe your conscience for wasting a fifth of a quart of oil) and that's probably what I would do and not even think twice about it.

Anyone ever try this product? What about weight? It appears "European Formula" (second image) is 0/40.

I don't know if the Edge 5/40 is on the recommended list but I do know the 0/40 is. Viscosity isn't everything. The back of the 0-40 bottle also conveniently tells you it is BMW LL-01 spec.

[DOrtiz]

Wow!! Excellent info my friend.

Where did you find that 5qt jug? I can't seem to find it anywhere. Only way I found 0/40 Euro Blend is in the 1qt size @ 9.99 each.

[interceptor428]

Originally Posted by DOrtiz

Wow!! Excellent info my friend.

Where did you find that 5qt jug? I can't seem to find it anywhere. Only way I found 0/40 Euro Blend is in the 1qt size @ 9.99 each.

Check Walmart.com...good prices and cheap fast shipping. You can also ship to a local Walmart and pick up. Also see if the local parts places like auto zone or advanced are having a special on the oil and the filter (local parts deals call for purolator filter or something like that but generally those filters have made in Germany stamped on them and look like Mann or Mahle)

[Wilhelm G]

Originally Posted by DOrtiz

Where did you find that 5qt jug? I can't seem to find it anywhere.

Interceptor428 has excellent suggestions. Last time I got a jug of Edge 0w40 was from Amazon. If I order parts online and the order approaches the free shipping threshold I try to buy my oil and filters from the well known BMW specialty stores to support the parts and supplies they provide at reasonable prices, and neither Walmart or Amazon will be able to answer questions like the online BMW purveyors can.