10w-40 oil for n55 in hot climate

[Lviv777]

I'm almost due for an oil change, and recently a buddy of mine gave me 2 jugs of 10w-40 mobile 1 oil. Currently I use liqui moly 5w-40, but keep in mind I'm in southern California and summer heat is on the way. Has anyone used such high viscosity oil in their x5 with the n55 engine? Any downsides besides more wear on cold starts and lower mpg?

[X5 MAN]

I avoid using whatever oil is available.

Rather stick to 5W-30 European Formula LL01.

After all it is a BMW and not a Ford/GM clunkers

[rodnex]

It's a good thought to tend to higher viscosity in hot regions.
However I'd always stick to full synthetic oil, rather then semi...
So better look out for 5W50 oil or at least 5W40.

[AnotherArchitect]

So if temperatures are 45 and up (113 F), we should also stick to 5w50/40? I use Castrol magnatec 10w40... Is that harmful on the long run?

[heatmizr]

I think of it this way - whether its 50F or 113F out, your engine will try to run at the same temp - HOT (just warms up quicker, fan may run lots more).
So I would stick with the Manuf rec oil weights. If full synthetic it should work fine.

[yco]

better stick with 5w40..

[Qsilver7]

Instead of wasting the 10w-40...could it be mixed with what you normally use? What would happen if you used half of each? Or use a jug of 5w-40 (assuming it's 5 liters/5 quarts?) then topping off the rest of what you need with the 10w-40 (I don't know how much oil the n55 takes).

[heatmizr]

Yes QS - I have no qualms about mixing. Ppl get too way worried about oil!

The guy who runs Blackstone labs said in an interview that he uses whatever is on sale in his own car!
Just stick to the manuf recommended type and weight, change it on the recommended interval and find something else to worry about. If it meets a spec, its meets the spec whether it costs $6/qt or $12/qt. These new oils especially full synth have more in common with each other than they do different.

[X5 MAN]

10w is to thick at the first start when the engine is cold even if the atmosphere is 100F

[Lviv777]

Originally Posted by X5 MAN

10w is to thick at the first start when the engine is cold even if the atmosphere is 100F

Guess ill stick to my normal oil

[N62B48]

@81K miles now i use 9.25 quarts of 10w-30 mobil 1 fully synthetic, I changed the oil every 4K for couple years so far no prob.

Just remember to change your oil every 5-6K miles in it.

[Autobacs]

Simple, just buy Mobil 1 0W-40, use half mixed with half of the 10W-40 until you use it up.

[Lviv777]

Originally Posted by Autobacs

Simple, just buy Mobil 1 0W-40, use half mixed with half of the 10W-40 until you use it up.

Is that how it works? I would assume it would separate into 2 different weights at cold start or am I wrong and this is completely fine? If its that simple it would be great!

[Alex Ander]

I have great results with Pennzoil Euro Platinum 5w40 sold in the US market, which is the equivalent of Shell Helix Ultra 5w-40 in markets outside of US.
Shell Helix Ultra basically is BMW blu bottles oil.
Among the BMW LL01 approvals, it has some of the more stringent approvals by Mercedes, VW Audi, Porsche and Ferrari.

[Autobacs]

Originally Posted by Lviv777

Is that how it works? I would assume it would separate into 2 different weights at cold start or am I wrong and this is completely fine? If its that simple it would be great!

Yes, that simple. Mixing the two in equal parts will make it 5W-40. They are both Mobil so you are good.

[Lviv777]

Originally Posted by Autobacs

Yes, that simple. Mixing the two in equal parts will make it 5W-40. They are both Mobil so you are good.

Thanks for the advice then! Going to have two oil changes for price of one.

[heatmizr]

I mixed some 5wt and 10wt oils in my motorcycle forks for damping, to achieve 7.5wt.

[GearHead335i]

Originally Posted by N62B48

@81K miles now i use 9.25 quarts of 10w-30 mobil 1 fully synthetic, I changed the oil every 4K for couple years so far no prob.

Just remember to change your oil every 5-6K miles in it.

9.25 qts?!?! N55 have a 6.9 qt capacity. Do not put 9.25 qts of oil on your n55 powered e70 or f15.

[Dekero]

Ok so this response is going to draw out all the Oil Snobs on the site... But here goes....

First: I use

5w40 in summer

0w40 in winter

Now for the fun.... I use the cheapest euro spec stated oil I can find on Walmart.com which is currently Valvoline, and has been many others... Along with a Mann filter... As for the whole LL01bmw recommended oil garbage I tend to not fall for the campaign of a company who switched oil companies recently solely because it would save them money to do so... You guys can live and die by that bs if you want...

I change my oil the first Saturday of EVERY month as I drive my X5 35i roughly 6-8k miles a month doing private transportation of business clients... My truck just turned 222k Miles, is Stage 2+ tuned and drives like a beast.

So to those of you who feel the need to spend $100+ for supplies each time you change your oil... More power to you... I'll stick with $22-25 gallon jugs of euro spec (Of which I have about 8-10 in the garage now) that has kept my truck running like a champ...

Let the bashing begin....

[Attacking Mid]

There's optimal and then there's acceptable. That M1 10/40 may not be the optimal oil to use in your N55, but IMHO it is acceptable. Assuming reasonable oil change intervals (not BMW's 15K miles) and assuming the car is driven moderately, I can't imagine you would be compromising your engine in any way using 10/40 in your warm climate. I guarantee you my 0/40 is a LOT thicker at startup when it's below zero Fahrenheit here than is your 10/40 on your frigid 45 degree morning in SoCal.

So, I guess I wouldn't run out and BUY that stuff off the shelf, but if it was given to me, I wouldn't be afraid to use it in your climate.

AM.

[Vortifex]

In my Case i use X3 F25 35i(N55) i lived in tropical only have 2 season(Summer and rainy season)in summer heat can reach 50°, rainny season is like summer but when goes to rain is below to 32° and 26° at night because i use my car 30-40kh/h traffic jam, common temperature my engine is 100/120 celcius

i want have some disscus with people have been experience use N55 how about i use 10w-40 for long time is since my oli shrinking half every reach 3100km i need

additional for those who are curious my engine have some leak or something i been seek theres no leak from white smoke exhaust, seal, valve Cover gasket, oli pan and rod bearing is still good contion even my specialist mechanic says is normal oli shrinking cause engine work and made on 4 season he recommend oli change every 5000km or 6 months( metric i use is km not miles)

[Cnoro]

BMW recommend castrol

if you engine has higher milleage use 5w-40, otherwise 5w-30 or 0w-30