Covid19: Do I need to do regular maintenace even if I didnt drive it?

[thereef510]

I've driven my F15 about 1500 miles this entire year, if that. I got a notification today in the connecteddrive app to schedule an appointment to change my brake fluid and engine oil. So do I need to?

[RED_Y_]

Brake fluid is definitely a must, it is hygroscopic so you need to change it no matter you drive it or not. Oil is my opinion is a bit more questionable but I would change it.

[ponytuning]

My wife's 2015 x5 is due for an oil change this month, it was driven less than 1000 miles this year since the last oil service. Have decided to change it regardless, don't want to risk a warranty issue and be told that maintenance wasn't performed at recommend intervals.

[redline9001]

BMW recommends an oil change once a year regardless of mileage

[thereef510]

Originally Posted by ponytuning

My wife's 2015 x5 is due for an oil change this month, it was driven less than 1000 miles this year since the last oil service. Have decided to change it regardless, don't want to risk a warranty issue and be told that maintenance wasn't performed at recommend intervals.

ours is a 2016 so this is the first year where we're past the warranty/maintenance service period or else I'd for sure take it into the dealer. Is the brake fluid changed at every yearly service interval?

[scotty339]

Originally Posted by thereef510

ours is a 2016 so this is the first year where we're past the warranty/maintenance service period or else I'd for sure take it into the dealer. Is the brake fluid changed at every yearly service interval?

I believe its every 2 years.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by thereef510

I've driven my F15 about 1500 miles this entire year, if that. I got a notification today in the connecteddrive app to schedule an appointment to change my brake fluid and engine oil. So do I need to?

Do you "NEED TO"? Depends on how you feel about maintenance. If you don't change them, I doubt the car will stop running in the next 12 months. But if you do change them...the car will benefit and perhaps your peace of mind could be considered a benefit...although your wallet may not like it.

BMW recommends (as mentioned already) 2-3 years for brake fluid due to its hygroscopicity. And BMW "recommends" 10K-12K or 1 yr oil changes (which ever comes first). So do you want follow those recommendations...or take another route? Neither of those fluids are based on mileage or mileage alone...but are time based as well.

[thereef510]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Do you "NEED TO"? Depends on how you feel about maintenance. If you don't change them, I doubt the car will stop running in the next 12 months. But if you do change them...the car will benefit and perhaps your peace of mind could be considered a benefit...although your wallet may not like it.

BMW recommends (as mentioned already) 2-3 years for brake fluid due to its hygroscopicity. And BMW "recommends" 10K-12K or 1 yr oil changes (which ever comes first). So do you want follow those recommendations...or take another route? Neither of those fluids are based on mileage or mileage alone...but are time based as well.

I'm definitely going to get the brake fluid maintenance done, since its been two years with 1 year of regular driving. I'm just a bit skittish to change the oil with literally no wear. idk i'll probably end up doing both.

[scotty339]

Originally Posted by thereef510

I'm definitely going to get the brake fluid maintenance done, since its been two years with 1 year of regular driving. I'm just a bit skittish to change the oil with literally no wear. idk i'll probably end up doing both.

Wear is one thing, but the oil gets contaminated overtime. Those contaminants can have an effect on the lubricating, heat tolerance and grade of the oil.

Lots of discussion on summer cars that are put away for the winter, oil change before sitting or after sitting? The consensus is do it before as you don't want to leave your dirty oil sitting in your engine.

That being said, I think you'd be okay to keep it as is until you foresee your driving situation changing. Changing the oil to just let it sit there again for who knows how long seems like it will probably just put you right back in the same spot. Depends if you wanna spend the money or not. N55 or N63TU engine?

Then again, I change my own oil so and do it at 10K KM intervals as I feel that the factory 12, 15K KM is a bit high. So take that for what it is. Hahah.

[Qsilver7]

Just an FYI to remember that BMW changed the OIL SERVICE interval to 10K miles or 12 months starting with the 2014 model year (July 2013 production date). My 2013 f06 6 series had a 1/2013 build date and when I brought it in for its initial PPI...they asked if I wanted to change the interval from its original 15k miles to the updated 10k miles...and I said yes.

But I also recognize the the topic of "oil" can be a dicey subject. The owners know their cars and situations better than the "collective". In cases like the OP's...the decision to hold off on an oil change until later may work for them if the car is going to be parked (still) for long periods of time. Going a few months longer on the "time" interval (in my opinion) is not as bad as going long on the "mileage" interval...especially since the car isn't being driven....thus minimal wear issues on the engine's internals.

Good luck with whatever decision you make.

[thereef510]

Originally Posted by scotty339

That being said, I think you'd be okay to keep it as is until you foresee your driving situation changing. Changing the oil to just let it sit there again for who knows how long seems like it will probably just put you right back in the same spot. Depends if you wanna spend the money or not. N55 or N63TU engine?.

We leased a g05 in february. That has now become our primary vehicle since we've already paid the miles on it. and even that is barely used since we're all just sitting at home. I've only been taking the f15 out once in a week/two weeks to drive it 5 or so miles just to keep it running. that's been the pattern since this whole thing started.

I don't expect to go back to regular use of my f15 until June/July of this year. its the 35i 6 cylinder engine. So, should I change the oil now or wait till closer to then to do it?

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by redline9001

BMW recommends an oil change once a year regardless of mileage

Agree. And, shorter trips (mileage) can actually be harder on the engine, and break down oil consistency more so than longer trips.

My advice: do the maintenance.

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by thereef510

I'm definitely going to get the brake fluid maintenance done, since its been two years with 1 year of regular driving. I'm just a bit skittish to change the oil with literally no wear. idk i'll probably end up doing both.

If you are going to change brake fluid, I suggest to install stainless steel brake lines at the same time.

[thereef510]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

If you are going to change brake fluid, I suggest to install stainless steel brake lines at the same time.

what is the benefit of that and what would it typically cost?

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by thereef510

what is the benefit of that and what would it typically cost?

This is worth reading: https://bimmertips.com/stainless-ste...he-advantages/

[thereef510]

Originally Posted by The Libertine

Agree. And, shorter trips (mileage) can actually be harder on the engine, and break down oil consistency more so than longer trips.

My advice: do the maintenance.

what would you consider a 'short trip'? currently, I have no place to go, so I take it to the grocery store about 3 miles away one way. so 6 miles a week, or thereabouts. What would be considered an appropriate driving distance/week to stress the engine and the ancillary components appropriately?

[ponytuning]

Originally Posted by thereef510

what would you consider a 'short trip'? currently, I have no place to go, so I take it to the grocery store about 3 miles away one way. so 6 miles a week, or thereabouts. What would be considered an appropriate driving distance/week to stress the engine and the ancillary components appropriately?

Short trips are not good for the engine if it doesn't get the chance to warm up, more wear on components when it's cold and fluids/lubrication are not optimal. This goes for other components too.

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by thereef510

what would you consider a 'short trip'? currently, I have no place to go, so I take it to the grocery store about 3 miles away one way. so 6 miles a week, or thereabouts. What would be considered an appropriate driving distance/week to stress the engine and the ancillary components appropriately?

A short trip is one in which the engine does not reach operating temperature. I doubt your ~ 3 mile trip is sufficient to adequately warm the engine. And I’m like you, maybe a short trip to the grocery store once per week; not enough to fully warm the engine. So, I make a point to drive some windy roads (no destination, and by myself) until the engine reaches operating temperature and stays there for a while.