American oil company Mobil 1 bought a brand new BMW 325i back in 1990 for testing lubricants. They set up an experiment to see if the vehicle could drive a million miles so they put the vehicle on what they call a “rolling road,” which is basically a treadmill for cars. Even though the car never left the garage, that BMW hit a million miles and after taking apart the engine, the wear and tear was so minimal that its engine was still within factory specs for a new car. Though not the most comprehensive million-mile test, it plays a role in understanding your engine’s internal health.
When Should I be Changing My Oil?
Depending on the make, model, year and mileage of the vehicle, 5,000 mile intervals used to be the standard. According to research by Edmunds, there are now auto makers that recommend oil changes between 7,500 and 10,000 miles. However, a car with high miles might benefit more from a 5,000 interval change compared to the 7,500 to 10,000 mile range, but it shows how rapidly technology is changing and helping our vehicles become more efficient. An important source to check first is your vehicle’s owner manual. The manual can help with many service and maintenance items for your vehicle and will contain the optimum oil change intervals along with the type of oil you should be using.
Synthetic Oil vs. Conventional Oil
Most BMWs and Mini Coopers use synthetic oil. According to Mobil Oil, benefits of synthetic oils include:
- Offering greater engine wear protection
- Keeps your engine cleaner
- Flows better in low temperatures
- Protects better at high temperatures
- Protects critical turbocharger parts
There are full synthetic oils and synthetic blends which are a mix of synthetic and conventional oil. If you want to reap all the benefits of synthetic oil it is recommended to use a full synthetic oil. Synthetics use higher quality base oils and overall provide better engine protection and performance.
Changing the Oil in a BMW. Changing the Oil in a Mini Cooper
At North Bay Bavarian, we understand the factory standards of a BMW and Mini Cooper oil change and perform them daily. Changing the oil on your vehicle is an important maintenance service to keep your vehicle running and performing at its best. With more summer left to go, come into North Bay Bavarian Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and we can get your oil changed so you are ready to hit the road by the weekend!