[Hydro]

Hi, today I changed my oil. I accidentally put in 5w-20 oil in instead of my usual 5w-30. I have no idea how I overlooked that. I've changed my oil countless times, but I guess I wasn't paying attention and bought the wrong oil. :'(

Is it so terrible for my engine that I can't wait until wednesday to change my oil again? I have to get to work and back monday and tuesday and I'm afraid it might harm my engine.

[E92-N54]

You should be fine. I wouldnt worry too much.

[ryanakata]

Originally Posted by Hydro

Hi, today I changed my oil. I accidentally put in 5w-20 oil in instead of my usual 5w-30. I have no idea how I overlooked that. I've changed my oil countless times, but I guess I wasn't paying attention and bought the wrong oil. :'(

Is it so terrible for my engine that I can't wait until wednesday to change my oil again? I have to get to work and back monday and tuesday and I'm afraid it might harm my engine.

I am not speaking these as the gospel and truth, but...

You will 99.9% likely be fine. There are many people who don't even change the oil and drive 30,000 miles on one change.

You put in new syn 5w20? As long as it is syn, it should be able to handle the high heat of these engines just fine. As long it as a syn, I wouldn't worry too much, drive it easy until you can get the right stuff in there. The odds of causing excessive wear are slim to none.

Good luck

[Eat.Sleep.Race]

You'll be fine

[Supra2k6]

You will be fine no big deal really if you wanna run 5w-20 it wont harm the engine. No oil will harm the engine and thick oil will maybe give a vanos code if i'ts really thick. You should be fine.

[Hydro]

Originally Posted by ryanakata

I am not speaking these as the gospel and truth, but...

You will 99.9% likely be fine. There are many people who don't even change the oil and drive 30,000 miles on one change.

You put in new syn 5w20? As long as it is syn, it should be able to handle the high heat of these engines just fine. As long it as a syn, I wouldn't worry too much, drive it easy until you can get the right stuff in there. The odds of causing excessive wear are slim to none.

Good luck

Ya, it is full synthetic Castrol Edge.

[ryanakata]

Originally Posted by Hydro

Ya, it is full synthetic Castrol Edge.

I'd hate to waste all of that oil. It would be tough for me to run a full OCI on it even though it would likely be fine.

If possible, drain into a clean pan and use in something else, someone with a Honda or something could get 2 changes out of it, lol.

I'd keep your same filter in there, a little 5w20 mixed with it will not hurt a thing.

[kautiongsr]

don't waste you money.. keep same filter and just drain and add oil.. 7 quarts and done..

honestly even if you left if alone nothing would happen.. especially for a daily driver...

[gray boy]

lifters might leak down a bit but if no noise from that you have nothing to worrrrrry about

[rick100]

engine will be fine. I've gone from synthetic to regular oil in my old car and the car still runs strong after 100 000 miles.

If you want to be extra care full, I would just drive the car easy the next 3 days but again you are fine

Most people would just leave it but I m the same as you

[GB-335xiCoupe]

You're fine, just put in your normal stuff the next time you do a change.

By the way, a HUGE mistake, would be something like filling your tank with diesel. Or using your sock to plug the oil fill hole.

[Dark_Knight_335]

Or putting oil in your coolant reservoir. Didn't someone make a thread about that awhile back?

[e90Cam]

Don't worry about it, just like everyone on here said. You'll be fine!

If you want to be safe have an oil change after 5000km, although every oil change should be around 5000km.. Stop worrying!

[parabola]

Turbo or non- turbo engine?
Correct oil viscosity is little less critical on naturally aspirated engines...either way you're OK until next oil change.

One of my previous cars had 2.0L 4-cyl engine with 8 valves (outdated by all means) and I put all kinds of oil in, cheap, conventional, synthetic, wrong viscosity etc...never seen anything go wrong related to oil use for 130k+ miles.

[evoix]

not a big deal. DOnt sweat it if your gonna change it this week

[anti1ne]

If you're pushing the vehicle to it's most absolute limits, then it would matter. Normal DD, you'll be ok.

[007_e350]

Id drain and put in 5w 40 if ure a high mileage engine

[Meeni]

If it was winter I would just leave it there until spring, but since you are in TX in july, I'd change it as soon as practical. It won't cause issues right away, you can run on it for some time.

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by e90Cam

Don't worry about it, just like everyone on here said. You'll be fine!

If you want to be safe have an oil change after 5000km, although every oil change should be around 5000km.. Stop worrying!

Please keep doing this - my stock in Mobil Oil thanks you! Changing the oil every 5K KILOMETERS is hilarious in a car that has an oil life algorithm, an actual oil quality sensor, AND holds well over 7 liters for the express purpose of extending the OCI.

Where I the OP, I would not sweat a few 1000 miles on too-thin oil, but I would not beat on the car either, especially in TX in the summer. If you still have warranty, I would suggest changing it ASAP, but I agree with those who say don't bother to change the filter again.

[BashShah]

OP, according to your profile, you have a 335i.
So you have been using 5w30.... Great.... But oEM is 0w30 castrol SYNTECH.

What made you change it from OEM to 5w30?

DN

[fazman]

Originally Posted by Hydro

Hi, today I changed my oil. I accidentally put in 5w-20 oil in instead of my usual 5w-30. I have no idea how I overlooked that. I've changed my oil countless times, but I guess I wasn't paying attention and bought the wrong oil. :'(

Is it so terrible for my engine that I can't wait until wednesday to change my oil again? I have to get to work and back monday and tuesday and I'm afraid it might harm my engine.

Time to junk the car, u broke it!

j/k... honestly you will be fine with that oil... but I wouldn't push the car more than normal daily driving. If you really want to put in good oil, go to WalMart and pick up two 5 qt jugs of Mobil1 0w-40 Euro formula oil (LL-01) for $22.50/jug and toss in 7 qts of that oil. Your car will run smoother and run at least 10*F cooler oil temps.

It's best to change the oil on these cars at the 7500 mile mark or the 10k mile mark. You can actually hear a difference in the way the motor sounds.

- Faz

[Hydro]

Originally Posted by DarkNemesis

OP, according to your profile, you have a 335i.
So you have been using 5w30.... Great.... But oEM is 0w30 castrol SYNTECH.

What made you change it from OEM to 5w30?

DN

OEM is actually Castrol 5w-30. I work at a BMW dealership and that's all we use.