Add Oil Help

[addicted2bimmers]

So I drove in sport mode for about 4 hours on a road trip and I just got this.. Service just closed and they're closed on Sunday's so i have to wait til Monday to go to the dealer to get their oil. Can I get something from autozone that's just as good until I go to the dealer on Monday? Also how much is oil from the dealer or is it free?

[MattBianco]

when in doubt, do as the manual says.

QUOTE

Alternative oil types
If the approved engine oils are not available, up to 1 US quart/liter of an oil with the following specification can be added:

Gasoline Engine
API SM or superior grade specification.

Diesle Engine
API ILSAC GF-5.

BMW recommends Castrol

UNQUOTE

Dealers top up for free since oil change / maintenance is covered. You should just add a quart.

[addicted2bimmers]

Originally Posted by MattBianco

when in doubt, do as the manual says.

QUOTE

Alternative oil types
If the approved engine oils are not available, up to 1 US quart/liter of an oil with the following specification can be added:

Gasoline Engine
API SM or superior grade specification.

Diesle Engine
API ILSAC GF-5.

BMW recommends Castrol

UNQUOTE

Dealers top up for free since oil change / maintenance is covered. You should just add a quart.

Why can't all answers be as simple as you sir thanks a lot

So what exact Castro oil to get for a xdrive35i?

And so BMW tops up for free? Should I just go to them?

[lowlevelhell]

RTFM.

[addicted2bimmers]

Originally Posted by lowlevelhell

RTFM.

RMFD

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by Joashstjean

Why can't all answers be as simple as you sir thanks a lot

So what exact Castro oil to get for a xdrive35i?

And so BMW tops up for free? Should I just go to them?

From my experience not all dealers offer free top offs.. some have charged me for a quart and some gave them to me for free.

[turboawd]

BMW Long-life rating LL-01
Approved Synthetic Oils for the US Market with gasoline engines (non-M)

-Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30
-Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40
-Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30
-Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30

[MattBianco]

Originally Posted by Joashstjean

....So what exact Castro oil to get for a xdrive35i?.....

My pleasure.

SM rating basically goes in most engines 2010 and newer.
SN seems to surpass SM rating according to the American Petroleum Institute: source

Every gas station should carry SM or SN grade. Castrol's online oil selection feature yields this result:

EDGE 0W-30

[42pilot]

Synthetic Rotella T6 5w40 is completely acceptable as well, and can be found anywhere for diesels. Mobil One 0w30 can be found anywhere as well and is good for gas engines. These are two of the best too.

[lowlevelhell]

Originally Posted by Joashstjean

RMFD

Rural mail free delivery?

Retail motor-fuel dispenser?

Right Multi-function display?

The best part of this thread, other than a discussion of SN vs. SM ratings, is that all the answers to your question are already in your car.

By the by, BMW has no idea what brand of oil you put in your car. Just don't mix grades, and don't mix synthetic with organic.

And as Matt said, when in doubt...

[42pilot]

The manual is good except when they start pushing a brand. These statements are paid for by the oil manufacturer and is pure bullshit when written to sound as if your engine or warranty will explode if you don't use the endorsed brand. It's even more of a joke when you take into consideration formulas by the endorsed oil manufacturer are different by country but the engines is the same. Castrol pays a lot of money to have their name in the manual and on the car.

Anyway, I hate oil debates because oil is treated as some sort of magic juice that has mysterious powers over your engine. If you are stranded, put a quality oil in your engine to keep it from seizing and overheating. If you can get to the proper rating, grade and, for the anal owner, correct brand, then do that.

If our engines are low one quart (1 qt out of 6), it doesn't matter if you mix grades, synthetic vs dino, brands or even rating. Even Pep Boys oil will work (can't believe I said that...) if you are stranded. Then, as soon as practical, change the oil.

For us diesel owners, always try to find diesel rated oil because of the detergents, and other additives that take care of soot and acid.

For proof, MattBianco has taken the time to copy and paste the most important part of the manual:

"Alternative oil types

If the approved engine oils are not available, up to 1 US quart/liter of an oil with the following specification can be added:

Gasoline Engine
API SM or superior grade specification. (No mention of brand, weight, synth vs dino, etc. You can even use diesel oil here!)

Diesle Engine
API ILSAC GF-5. (important difference over gas) "

By the way - Matt gets my vote for the hardest working, most tolerant and helpful, and most thorough forum member I have the pleasure of virtually knowing.

Thank you MattBianco

[lowlevelhell]

I feel like BMW was decent in at least saying "BMW recommends" instead of specifying Castrol only. My old Triumph TR6 has about 12 brands of oil stamped on the oil filler cap. That's some dedication. Now, anyone know who still sells Esso motor oil?

[Doanster]

Originally Posted by lowlevelhell

RTFM.

Oh lord. Welcome to Bimmerpost lowlevelhell.
Highly, highly helpful and informative posts you've got going on.

This would be such a good forum if we all just told people to RTFM or "Google it, stupid!"

[Doanster]

Originally Posted by lowlevelhell

I feel like BMW was decent in at least saying "BMW recommends" instead of specifying Castrol only. My old Triumph TR6 has about 12 brands of oil stamped on the oil filler cap. That's some dedication. Now, anyone know who still sells Esso motor oil?

MB is even worse... "Mobile 1" stickers prominently displayed in the engine bay of my C-class.

[py0413]

I thought BMW is switching from Castrol to Shell? There was a notice from late last year or early this year.

[MysticBlue]

Every vehicle I have, and every vehicle I have ever had for as long as I can remember, I always keep a liter in the trunk. Never know when you are going to need it. I don't understand why people wouldn't keep an extra liter in their trunk.

[Doanster]

Originally Posted by MysticBlue

Every vehicle I have, and every vehicle I have ever had for as long as I can remember, I always keep a liter in the trunk. Never know when you are going to need it. I don't understand why people wouldn't keep an extra liter in their trunk.

Makes sense for long trips through wide-open areas or if you live in truly rural places. Otherwise, a gas station (or even a grocery store) is but a few blocks away to pick up a quart/liter. Having a jug of oil sloshing around in the trunk isn't ideal.
Definitely would do if I still had my oil-burner Ford Fairmont.

[lowlevelhell]

Originally Posted by Doanster

Oh lord. Welcome to Bimmerpost lowlevelhell.
Highly, highly helpful and informative posts you've got going on.

This would be such a good forum if we all just told people to RTFM or "Google it, stupid!"

Some questions are best answered on a forum. Some questions are best answered by the fancy book that comes with the car.

As for a quart in the trunk...I do that in my Triumph. Along with a quart of 80/90 hypoid and a good pair of walking shoes. Otherwise, I agree. No need in an X5.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by py0413

I thought BMW is switching from Castrol to Shell? There was a notice from late last year or early this year.

BMW Switched to Shell on 1 January 2015 worldwide.
No more Castrol

The new Shell Gas to Liquids (GTL) oil is now bottled in BMW branded bottles and the very new engines have oil caps that just show an oil can and no longer say "BMW recommends Castrol"

[MysticBlue]

Originally Posted by Doanster

Makes sense for long trips through wide-open areas or if you live in truly rural places. Otherwise, a gas station (or even a grocery store) is but a few blocks away to pick up a quart/liter. Having a jug of oil sloshing around in the trunk isn't ideal.
Definitely would do if I still had my oil-burner Ford Fairmont.

But if people are unfamiliar with the basics to the point that they have to ask a forum "what do I do when my car says to add oil?" and are at a loss what to do because it's Sunday and the dealer is closed, then maybe it's a good idea to be prepared and just have the proper oil already at hand. I'm not talking about a gallon jug, I'm talking about keeping an extra liter in your trunk. Seems like pretty basic common sense to me. It's not like it costs a lot.

[lowlevelhell]

Who sells oil by the liter?

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by MysticBlue

Every vehicle I have, and every vehicle I have ever had for as long as I can remember, I always keep a liter in the trunk. Never know when you are going to need it. I don't understand why people wouldn't keep an extra liter in their trunk.

because if i need oil, i can buy a quart almost anywhere. no need to be bmw oil, and no need to haul a quart around all the time.