[MadBullogna]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

….I send samples to Blackstone to analyze and it always comes back that, even at 1 year, there's tons of life left in it. Additives are still present, no fuel or water dilution, etc…..

This, IMO, is the important part. Anything other than an actual OA is pure speculation, whether for increased or decreased OCIs. At the end of the day, the owner of the car has to decide what’s appropriate for their vehicle & their driving habits.

Our non-bmw, (‘21 Acura RDX, with its trusty K20C), gets an oil change every ~5.5k-6k miles, despite the MM claiming ~60% oil life remaining. Why? Because our OA consistently shows high amounts of fuel dilution (which jives, as we have a lot of short trips) as well as reduced TBN. I’d rather make the minuscule investment in ‘earlier’ OCI based on data, hopefully helping to ensure longevity, than blindly follow any manufacturer guidance or computer which at the end of the day has zero responsibility to me post-warranty period.

I’ll be doing the exact same thing when we take delivery of the Z4 - plan to follow manufacturer guidance, but conduct an OA at each oil change to gauge the sweet spot for that particular car and use pattern, which may or may not result in more frequent OCIs.

[murderspice]

OT, but has anyone read the ‘oil changes 101’ on blackstone’s website? Hilarious. https://www.blackstone-labs.com/info...l-changes-101/

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by M2siast

Well, then you should be thankful they removed the dipstick, because running the oil through your fingers only accomplishes the goal of getting your fingers dirty with oil. Nothing more.

You cannot assess oil by looking at or touching it. Untold benefit of no dipstick.

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

Incorrect.

In the case of low mileage, and if you should change your oil, it's beneficial to feel and smell the oil to see if it should be changed. The higher the milage, the less it matters.

Originally Posted by M2siast

You can say I’m incorrect, but that doesn’t make you correct.

Enjoy your oily fingers, but it’s meaningless. You do you though, I prefer butter.

Cheers!

In the same way you can say you’re correct and it doesn’t mean you are. I’m not sure about the feel, but the smell of the oil can definitely give indications of its condition. Eliminating the dipstick is far and away one of the most STUPID things automakers have ever done!!!

[cooolone2]

Originally Posted by SpaceSilver.X1

I really hate it when car manufacturers stop putting dipsticks for engine oil. Beside the ability to check the oil level with my own eyes, not having a dipstick also makes it difficult to get a few drops of oil to see its condition.(with my eyes or running it between my fingers)

^^^THIS^^^

In addition to having to start the engine and get it up to operating temperature in order to electronically check oil level. I'm confused as well, who or what engineers thought this was a good idea!? I always checked color, feel and smell of the oil! Sometimes, 1000 hard miles is the same as 5000 easy driving Mrs Daisy miles!

I'm old school, even with synthetics, 5k miles, 6 months and keep the engine interior as clean as possible!

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by M2siast

But I didn’t say he was incorrect. He did.

huh??

[prostcfc]

I drive under 5k a year and change oil around 10-12 months. I have a 2020 M340 with 15,000 miles. I WFH, so daily it's daycare drop-offs and pickups, not even 1/2 mile from my house. Twice a week or so I get the oil up to 212F and drive around a bit. I'm sure it's not ideal, but I'm not going to turn a 5 minute roundtrip into 15 every time I go out.

[prostcfc]

Originally Posted by M2siast

You could turn a 5 minute roundtrip into a 15 minute walk, though. No downsides, only upsides.

Yeah, for sure. The roads are pretty busy though and no sidewalks, so not conducive to shepherding three kids to daycare. I feel lazy regardless.

[Rafichicago]

The whole debate here will not convince unconvinced. There’s a reason why some ze transmissions wouldn’t make it past 70K miles without valve body rebuild because of lifetime fluid. Many problems that those engines have after more or less 100k miles could be avoided with 5k-6k oil changes intervals. Haters trying to save a buck going to hate.