Is my car using a lot of oil?

1chanc3 · 07-30-2014, 12:52 PM

Last night my car gave the "low oil" warning light on my dash.

The last time i topped off a quart was Feb 26 when it also gave the "low oil" warning.

Is that normal to top off the oil in 5 months period?
I am by no means an aggressive driver but I will go WOT on several occasions for fun.

My car has 46xxx miles on the clock.

07-30-2014, 01:27 PM

How many miles ago was that?

The amount of details in this thread are astounding.

deeLow · 07-30-2014, 01:32 PM

Can't believe people follow the cars computer for oil change intervals.

The1ontop · 07-30-2014, 03:36 PM

Every 3k bro simple..

Ingeniator · 07-30-2014, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The1ontop

Every 3k bro simple..

unless you buy budget brand that is excessive. 5-6K for high quality oil is plenty.

j1gilles · 07-30-2014, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ingeniator

unless you buy budget brand that is excessive. 5-6K for high quality oil is plenty.

+1

Pr335bob · 07-30-2014, 07:50 PM

I personally wait 5k. And my car has 68k had it since 13k. Mine has been very reliable so far. Full synthetic always!

SaviorXi · 07-30-2014, 10:27 PM

I never burn through oil. Never get a low oil light. I change my oil every 6,000 miles. Mobil One Full Synthetic European blend and BMW oil filters.

Miko226 · 07-30-2014, 10:45 PM

That is not alot of oil for that amount of time and it is very common for our cars to burn a little oil between changes. Just monitor your oil levels and if it appears to be burning more than usual it is likely you may have a leak somewhere.

Jeff@TopGearSolutions · 07-31-2014, 10:00 AM

How many miles before you had to add oil? 1 Quart every 1000 miles would be a lot of oil, as an example.

Changing oil every 3000 miles on synthetic oil is throwing money away.

Non synthetic oil can go 4000-5000 miles easily. If you are unsure get an oil analysis, you'd be surprised how many people change their oil too often sometimes with the 3000 miles rule.

Synthetics have no problem going 7,500 miles at a minimum to 12,000 miles. Most of the time the 12,000 mile rule is a bit much because you likely end up burning some oil by then.

I found 7500 miles to be happy medium for all synthetics but the oil itself could actually go a lot longer. I personally dont even put 10,000 miles a year on my car so I just end up changing it once a year.

Miller335 · 07-31-2014, 10:39 AM

Turbo car that begs to be flogged?

Nah I'll stick to 5K-6K changes.

Indo Rider · 07-31-2014, 10:53 AM

I burn at least a quart in 5k. Sometimes 2. I target about 5k oci, but will only add 1 quart max per interval so if I get to the point of needing to add a 2nd quart I go ahead and do the oil and filter change. My car has consumed oil like this since day 1... I do drive it like I style it everyday though.

Raman335i · 07-31-2014, 07:07 PM

Your oil gasket is probably leaking oil.

Ingeniator · 07-31-2014, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raman335i

Your oil gasket is probably leaking oil.

That damn oil gasket. Gets you every time....

Indo Rider · 07-31-2014, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raman335i

Your oil gasket is probably leaking oil.

Not sure if you're talking at me. My oil filter housing gasket was leaking a little bit a while back, but I changed both gaskets and cleaned up all the oil residue. Engine bay and undercarriage are clean. Like I said, been consuming about this much oil since the car had 6 miles on at. I was concerned at first and took it to dealer several times asking them to investigate. They never found anything and I eventually decided I don't care. Never any drops (undertray removed years ago) not much ever in catch can, occasional puff of smoke out the catless exhaust but not much... it is what it is...

Southjersey128 · 07-31-2014, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ingeniator

That damn oil gasket. Gets you every time....

Literally laughed out loud.

Raman335i · 08-01-2014, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ingeniator

That damn oil gasket. Gets you every time....

lol, you know what I meant.

Raman335i · 08-01-2014, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indo Rider

Not sure if you're talking at me. My oil filter housing gasket was leaking a little bit a while back, but I changed both gaskets and cleaned up all the oil residue. Engine bay and undercarriage are clean. Like I said, been consuming about this much oil since the car had 6 miles on at. I was concerned at first and took it to dealer several times asking them to investigate. They never found anything and I eventually decided I don't care. Never any drops (undertray removed years ago) not much ever in catch can, occasional puff of smoke out the catless exhaust but not much... it is what it is...

weird... yeah I wouldn't worry about it.

blacknbean · 08-01-2014, 05:20 PM

as a reference I would go thru a quart about every 4-5k when I have a vcg and ofhg leak. after the dealer fixed both I went 10k until I got my oil changed and the oil gauge went from max to half way, so my car doesn't use much oil between changes now.

wiskerbisskit · 08-02-2014, 02:50 AM

Per BMW standards its normal to have to add 1 quart every 1000 miles and on an M car its normal to add 1 quart every 750 miles.

BMW tech for 3 years.

1chanc3 · 08-02-2014, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiskerbisskit

Per BMW standards its normal to have to add 1 quart every 1000 miles and on an M car its normal to add 1 quart every 750 miles.

BMW tech for 3 years.

Thats good info. But that doesn't really make sense because I currently drive 54miles round trip to work every mon-fri; therefore I drive about 1080 miles every month. According to you, per the standards, I would have had to fill up every month? (but I'm not)

Based on what other people are saying it looks like my oil consumption is pretty standard. Adding a quarter every 5000+ miles.

THanks guys!

07-30-2014, 12:52 PM	#1
1chanc3 Major 150 Rep 1,100 Posts Drives: 2010 e92 335i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	Is my car using a lot of oil? Last night my car gave the "low oil" warning light on my dash. The last time i topped off a quart was Feb 26 when it also gave the "low oil" warning. Is that normal to top off the oil in 5 months period? I am by no means an aggressive driver but I will go WOT on several occasions for fun. My car has 46xxx miles on the clock. __________________ 2010 335i Coupe- Monaco Blue Metallic
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07-30-2014, 01:27 PM	#2
FCobra94 Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	How many miles ago was that? The amount of details in this thread are astounding.
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07-30-2014, 01:32 PM	#3
deeLow DOPE 148 Rep 758 Posts Drives: F80 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Earth iTrader: (2)	Can't believe people follow the cars computer for oil change intervals.
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07-30-2014, 03:36 PM	#4
The1ontop Second Lieutenant 11 Rep 228 Posts Drives: 2007 335i E92 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	Every 3k bro simple..
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07-30-2014, 07:50 PM	#7
Pr335bob Captain 38 Rep 753 Posts Drives: Black on black e92 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Puerto Rico USA iTrader: (0)	I personally wait 5k. And my car has 68k had it since 13k. Mine has been very reliable so far. Full synthetic always!
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07-30-2014, 10:27 PM	#8
SaviorXi Lieutenant 21 Rep 578 Posts Drives: 2009 335i xDrive coupe Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Dirty South Jersey iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 335i Xdrive Coupe [10.00]	I never burn through oil. Never get a low oil light. I change my oil every 6,000 miles. Mobil One Full Synthetic European blend and BMW oil filters. __________________ Mtech/M3Skirts/335isDiffusor/BBSrgr/PSS/OFT/Alpina/LCItails/LuceAngelEyes/OsramXenarc/ZKWRlenses/ FlowmasterHFC/vibrant/VRSFdp’s/Helix/Mr5CAI/M3rearBushings/M3StrutBrace/RearSway/UUCfrontSway/Meyle/ KoniTCKlineAdjFront&Rear/EibachPro/ECSbrakeLines/ECS2pieceRotors/Akebono
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07-30-2014, 10:45 PM	#9
Miko226 Captain 61 Rep 722 Posts Drives: 11' 335d Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Boca Raton, FL iTrader: (0)	That is not alot of oil for that amount of time and it is very common for our cars to burn a little oil between changes. Just monitor your oil levels and if it appears to be burning more than usual it is likely you may have a leak somewhere. __________________ 11' m57 335d 165k Miles - JR 2, ATM Full Exhaust & Intake, Wagner FMIC, AAR Boost Pipe, AAR Swirl Delete, AAR EGR Delete 08' n54 135i FBO E85 - SOLD
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07-31-2014, 10:00 AM	#10
Jeff@TopGearSolutions 3442 Rep 79,211 Posts Drives: C6 Z06, 09 335i, 10 335xi Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: www.TopGearSolutions.com iTrader: (37)	How many miles before you had to add oil? 1 Quart every 1000 miles would be a lot of oil, as an example. Changing oil every 3000 miles on synthetic oil is throwing money away. Non synthetic oil can go 4000-5000 miles easily. If you are unsure get an oil analysis, you'd be surprised how many people change their oil too often sometimes with the 3000 miles rule. Synthetics have no problem going 7,500 miles at a minimum to 12,000 miles. Most of the time the 12,000 mile rule is a bit much because you likely end up burning some oil by then. I found 7500 miles to be happy medium for all synthetics but the oil itself could actually go a lot longer. I personally dont even put 10,000 miles a year on my car so I just end up changing it once a year.
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07-31-2014, 10:39 AM	#11
Miller335 Colonel 291 Rep 2,189 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	Turbo car that begs to be flogged? Nah I'll stick to 5K-6K changes.
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07-31-2014, 10:53 AM	#12
Indo Rider Captain 563 Rep 744 Posts Drives: 135 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	I burn at least a quart in 5k. Sometimes 2. I target about 5k oci, but will only add 1 quart max per interval so if I get to the point of needing to add a 2nd quart I go ahead and do the oil and filter change. My car has consumed oil like this since day 1... I do drive it like I style it everyday though.
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07-31-2014, 07:07 PM	#13
Raman335i Private First Class 31 Rep 150 Posts Drives: 2008 335i, 2023 IX M60 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	Your oil gasket is probably leaking oil.
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08-01-2014, 05:20 PM	#19
blacknbean Major 14 Rep 1,044 Posts Drives: e92 335i 6MT Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: LA iTrader: (2)	as a reference I would go thru a quart about every 4-5k when I have a vcg and ofhg leak. after the dealer fixed both I went 10k until I got my oil changed and the oil gauge went from max to half way, so my car doesn't use much oil between changes now.
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08-02-2014, 02:50 AM	#20
wiskerbisskit Private 2 Rep 92 Posts Drives: 2010 335i M-sport. Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Ga iTrader: (0)	Per BMW standards its normal to have to add 1 quart every 1000 miles and on an M car its normal to add 1 quart every 750 miles. BMW tech for 3 years.
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