Oil change?

[smidley]

Hey guys. I was just wondering how often you guys change your oil? I was going off of the little service engine thing in the dash, but it seems like thats a hell of a lot of miles to go in between service. Any thoughts?

[Bob D]

I went 12 months

[smidley]

How many miles in between?

[Pontio]

Personally I change it every 5k miles which is usually every 6-7 months for me.

[Roland]

I'm change mine every 5k miles (plus the initial 1200 mile break-in change). Given that I plan on owning this car for a long time (and don't believe in machine abuse) - there is no way I'm going 14k miles as suggested by the on-board computer which is clearly programmed with one basic rule: "mandate the fewest number of oil changes possible under the 'free maintenance' program in order to ensure that a new engine won't be required until the car is out of warranty"

[Dammmittt]

I've got nowhere to change my oil at so I just go by the dealer schedule, once a year or when the computer tells you to

[mister_roger]

Changed mine last November, about 12k miles ago. I'm due for another pretty soon.

[Roland]

Originally Posted by Dammmittt

I've got nowhere to change my oil at so I just go by the dealer schedule, once a year or when the computer tells you to

I take mine to a local shop that specializes in BMWs and have them do the oil changes between the free anual ones. Well worth the piece of mind to me.

[Dammmittt]

I know what you mean but I've moved 2 times in 8 months so the poor thing has been neglected, even more so since I got to the city, and its just kinda sitting there...I gave it the first regular oil change last month...I might not even get 5000 on it by the time a year passes by...No need to change the oil if it doesn't move.

How much does your place charge to change the oil? I'm assuming you buy the oil yourself right?

[Roland]

Originally Posted by Dammmittt

I know what you mean but I've moved 2 times in 8 months so the poor thing has been neglected, even more so since I got to the city, and its just kinda sitting there...I gave it the first regular oil change last month...I might not even get 5000 on it by the time a year passes by...No need to change the oil if it doesn't move.

How much does your place charge to change the oil? I'm assuming you buy the oil yourself right?

I just had the oil changed 3 weeks ago and it cost me:
$35 for the labor
$80 for the oil (6 qts of 10w60 Castrol TWS)
$13 for the filter

So - a bit over $125.00. They supplied everything (just like a dealer) - plus they threw in a complete inspection (same as a track day inspection).

[Rick Hunter]

Wow... for some reason I thought you changed your own oil, Roland.

I aim for every 7500miles or 6 months, whichever is sooner. I'm still trying to figure out if q5k is maybe borderline excessive?

[em2b96p]

just for future reference... how many quarts and what weight oil would i need for my 04 3.0i?

any great online places to order the oil filter as well?

ETA: can someone tell/show/link me to the plate cover part that you remove to access the drain plug... mine is missing.

thanks

[Dammmittt]

Originally Posted by em2b96p

just for future reference... how many quarts and what weight oil would i need for my 04 3.0i?

any great online places to order the oil filter as well?

ETA: can someone tell/show/link me to the plate cover part that you remove to access the drain plug... mine is missing.

thanks

Not sure about the 3.0. Your owner or service manual should tell you. There are a few different places to get OEM parts online, I used tischer once it they shipped fast and the service was good. I'm not sure about the plate cover part, but if you know where it is, you can check realoem.com it's a great place to find part numbers for anything on your car.

[561design]

I change my oil every 5k miles. I'll change it myself inbetween the service intervals. Oil (Synthetic) and OEM filter usually run me about $65. Next time I do an oil change I'll do a very detailed walk-through. Hopefully some of you guys will be more inclined to change your own oil then.

[Dammmittt]

Originally Posted by Rick Hunter

Wow... for some reason I thought you changed your own oil, Roland.

I aim for every 7500miles or 6 months, whichever is sooner. I'm still trying to figure out if q5k is maybe borderline excessive?

I'd say if you track it often or drive it hard 5000 is probably the way to go. Especially if the oil filter is getting clogged.

[PDo91203]

Originally Posted by Rick Hunter

I aim for every 7500miles or 6 months, whichever is sooner.

Yeap - I do the same...

[Roland]

Originally Posted by Rick Hunter

Wow... for some reason I thought you changed your own oil, Roland.

Nah - I prefer to let others deal with the messy stuff these days

[Roland]

Originally Posted by Dammmittt

I'd say if you track it often or drive it hard 5000 is probably the way to go. ...

That's my thinking too!

[wasupdu]

Originally Posted by Dammmittt

No need to change the oil if it doesn't move.

Funny you should say this....I just had this conversation with my mom the other day regarding her Acura. With synthetic oil I'd change it at least once per year at minimum, and probably not exceed 10k miles between changes.

My mom was under the same impression from the dealer when she bought her Acura CL new back in '99 (requires standard oil, not synthetic). The dealer told her to have the oil changed every 3,000 miles. She religiously changes the oil at 3,000 miles every time, but I just found out that she rarely drives the car and puts roughly 2,200 miles on her car every year (yes, 2,200 miles/year). I told her with standard oil she really needs to have it changed more than once per year. She has about 17,000 miles on her '99 Acura right now. Unbelievable!! When she tries to sell it people will think someone rolled back the odometer!

[pbdm4k]

Originally Posted by em2b96p

just for future reference... how many quarts and what weight oil would i need for my 04 3.0i?

any great online places to order the oil filter as well?

ETA: can someone tell/show/link me to the plate cover part that you remove to access the drain plug... mine is missing.

thanks

3.0i will need 5w30 Synthetic minimum. I use Castrol Syntec 5w30 for daily drives and switch over to Amsoil 20w50 for track days. Afterwards I'd switch back to the 5w30. Oil changes I do about every 7000km if just daily driving. (So halfway inbetween the free oil changes).

The drain plug is a bit far back, kinda just before the firewall (think back of the engine), there's a black plastic cover that comes off with 1 screw about 12"x6" and the drain plug is hidden behind the cover.

[angelsz4]

Whats the oil for a 2.5 2004. I don't have the manual and whats the best of the best oil we should be putting. Last question do you all take it to bmw deal to get it don't or do you take it to places were
all they do is change oil like at lube in go

[Dammmittt]

Originally Posted by wasupdu

Funny you should say this....I just had this conversation with my mom the other day regarding her Acura. With synthetic oil I'd change it at least once per year at minimum, and probably not exceed 10k miles between changes.

My mom was under the same impression from the dealer when she bought her Acura CL new back in '99 (requires standard oil, not synthetic). The dealer told her to have the oil changed every 3,000 miles. She religiously changes the oil at 3,000 miles every time, but I just found out that she rarely drives the car and puts roughly 2,200 miles on her car every year (yes, 2,200 miles/year). I told her with standard oil she really needs to have it changed more than once per year. She has about 17,000 miles on her '99 Acura right now. Unbelievable!! When she tries to sell it people will think someone rolled back the odometer!

I'll definately still change it once a year especially since it's free. But unless anyone has any documentation on synthetic oil breaking down over time...I'm not sure why it HAS to be done.