Oil Change

[Mr_X6]

Does anyone know after how many miles do u change the oil of an X6? i assumed that the car would tell me when i needed to but i have over 5,000 miles on it and still havent got a message.

[chuck92103]

Originally Posted by Mr_X6

Does anyone know after how many miles do u change the oil of an X6? i assumed that the car would tell me when i needed to but i have over 5,000 miles on it and still havent got a message.

BMW uses synthetic oil and the engine can hold a lot more oil than a typical car. As a result, the interval for oil changes is much longer.

The onboard computer will calculate miles driven, time, RPMs, temperature, etc.

In general, BMW will change the oil once per year, However, you may get your oil light sooner or later depending on how you drive. Some folks have received the light (on other models) as early as 9k miles, and as long as 20k miles.

You will find some folks who recommend paying for more frequent oil changes. This is carry over for days gone by where cars held less oil, oil quality was not as good, oil filters were not as good, and oil systems and engines were not as good.

From what I have seen and read, it makes no difference what route you choose. There has not been any reported engine failures due to engine oil change intervals. Just make sure you get it changed at least once per year even if the light does not come one.

One thing to note, the engine oil count down is not linear. It is not a mile per mile count. So in one month you may see it drop from say 12k down to 8-10k miles. you can check iDrive for how many miles have counted down thus far. It also shows up in the dash cluster for a couple seconds when starting the vehicle.

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by chuck92103

BMW uses synthetic oil and the engine can hold a lot more oil than a typical car. As a result, the interval for oil changes is much longer.

The onboard computer will calculate miles driven, time, RPMs, temperature, etc.

In general, BMW will change the oil once per year, However, you may get your oil light sooner or later depending on how you drive. Some folks have received the light (on other models) as early as 9k miles, and as long as 20k miles.

You will find some folks who recommend paying for more frequent oil changes. This is carry over for days gone by where cars held less oil, oil quality was not as good, oil filters were not as good, and oil systems and engines were not as good.

From what I have seen and read, it makes no difference what route you choose. There has not been any reported engine failures due to engine oil change intervals. Just make sure you get it changed at least once per year even if the light does not come one.

One thing to note, the engine oil count down is not linear. It is not a mile per mile count. So in one month you may see it drop from say 12k down to 8-10k miles. you can check iDrive for how many miles have counted down thus far. It also shows up in the dash cluster for a couple seconds when starting the vehicle.

Totally agree with your comments, the Oils of today along with new filters are very long lasting.

[branko]

Although BMW claims it is not necessary, it won't hurt to do an intermediate oil change at 5.000 miles, just to get rid of all the dirt into the oil..

[leonelm3]

I have not picked my X6 50i up yet, but assuming BMW is using similar grade synthetic as my E46 M3, It should be every 10k.

i know i will most definetly ask BMW when we pick ours up.

with our Porsche Cayenne it too was every 10k and the computer told you so 500 miles out

[KJ]

Originally Posted by leonelm3

I have not picked my X6 50i up yet, but assuming BMW is using similar grade synthetic as my E46 M3, It should be every 10k.

i know i will most definetly ask BMW when we pick ours up.

with our Porsche Cayenne it too was every 10k and the computer told you so 500 miles out

It won't be the same grade oil as the E46 M3 which was using Castrol RS 10w-60 (ridiculously thick oil). The E46 M3 only used oil like that due to the crank bearing issues it had.

I would just change it when the computer tells you to. Unless you plan to keep the car well beyond the warranty period, I wouldn't spend extra money on oil changes. The computer tells you when to change it. If that is good enough for BMW, then it's good enough for me.

- KJ

[Anteater]

Originally Posted by chuck92103

One thing to note, the engine oil count down is not linear. It is not a mile per mile count. So in one month you may see it drop from say 12k down to 8-10k miles. you can check iDrive for how many miles have counted down thus far. It also shows up in the dash cluster for a couple seconds when starting the vehicle.

I'm approaching 10,000 miles at this point and the countdown has remained consistent - still showing 6000 to go before oil change is required. I suspect it will change to 5000 as soon as the clock hits the 10,000 mark. I'll advise once I get there!

Cheers, Anteater.

[chuck92103]

Originally Posted by Anteater

I'm approaching 10,000 miles at this point and the countdown has remained consistent - still showing 6000 to go before oil change is required. I suspect it will change to 5000 as soon as the clock hits the 10,000 mark. I'll advise once I get there!

Cheers, Anteater.

The car came out in may and you are at 10K? That's like 30k miles per year.

I suspect most of your driving is freeway and as result you oil won't need chanigng until 15-20k.

[Anteater]

Originally Posted by chuck92103

The car came out in may and you are at 10K? That's like 30k miles per year.

I suspect most of your driving is freeway and as result you oil won't need chanigng until 15-20k.

Yes - 10K in just over 3 months - scary! Having said that, I did 2000 miles in the first couple of weeks driving to Montreal and back, but I use it as the daily drive to/from the office too - which is a 70 mile round trip, as you say - mostly freeway. Still runs like a dream having said all that!!

Cheers, Anteater.