Using less engine oil opinions needed

[sagaboy]

My 1990 turbo 520i bmw using synthetic 10/50w since new and have clocked 300,000 KM the car is now being used for short slow daily drive and does less than 2,000 miles per year with oil change twice a year.

Engine oil are sold in 4 liters pack where I live, I was thinking that perhaps it is OK to use only 4 liters with the dip-stick showing 10% below the full mark (5 liters required for full dip-stick mark). Any suggestions appreciated

 

[AndyH]

I'd use 5 liters of oil if the engine takes 5 liters for an oil change. Or use 4 liters and keep a very close eye on the oil level by checking it everytime you fill-up the gas tank.

 

[rpn453]

It won't be a problem as long as you check the level frequently, but it seems kind of ridiculous! You don't have storage space for 1 jug of oil?

 

[PandaBear]

Change only 4/5 of it, and pour back 1 liter of dirty oil.

buy 8 liter > 1/5 dirty oil > low on new oil > not changing oil

 

[racer12306]

its actually 20% 100/5 = 20 therefore every liter of oil = 20% of the crankcase capacity. i would not intentionally run the engine low on oil.

 

[LarryL]

You should consider trying to keep the oil level at or just below the full mark. If you are not driving much, that extra liter of oil, you are planning to leave out, will help to dilute the acids and crud formed by your short run driving. Every little bit can help. Another thing you can do is give your oil a little boost with some Lube Control. Fuel Power in your gas can keep the fuel system lubricated and protected, something that should also be considered when driving so few miles. In effect you are loosing the flushing action that a lot of use will give your fuel system. Keep the gas tank as close to full as practical to give less room for condensation. Also make sure you cooling system is filled and well burped. Less air, less corrosion. Isn't it terrible, all these thing to think about when you don't have a life?

 

[TallPaul]

Any reason you can't buy two packages and keep the extra three liters for future use?

 

[Robbie Alexander]

what about buy one pak
and go to service station and check your oil
wink winkbefore you do the oci and go inside to buy one quart to make up the 5th

BTW, what's up, they only sell bulk packs all over?

why would you not want to have an extra few quarts laying around? they will always become useful

just the other day albeit maybe by mistake
I had used a 18 Month old bottle that has been riding in the bed of my truck with about 4-6 ounces in there... the oil was opened a few years ago and never needed it til then
as I keep a full bottle behind the seat next to the cab--- standing up----
in the apartment I have bottles in the bathroom
in the living room in the pantry
on the porch and by the door
and who knows where else...

ya never know when your going to need some oil

 

[sagaboy]

I will have to pay double buying 2 pack or pay 25% extra just to buy another 1 liter.



Hummmm... People are strange including myself but this 5 liters thing have been bothering me for years but then I didn’t have "BOBISTHEOILGUY" …. after this posting, I believe I can at least get on with life

liter between "full" and "add", so if you were a liter short it should be very close to the "add" mark. I fail to see how that would be 10% low.>

I have the same opinion too

and was thinking that perhaps having a big oil sump just 10% low could equal to 1 liter short. The oil level was checked after parking it over night on level ground. 5 liters was what the work shop charged me perhaps it only need 4.2 liters (I started changing the oil/filter myself now).



Do I need to keep the car running to check? Or to check the oil level immediately after switching off the engine but then with oil still clinging to the engine the dip-stick may indicate empty!

 

[Curious Kid]

You can check the oil level before taking a trip, while the engines cold and not running. You can also check it while gasing up, just give the oil some time to drain back into the sump.

I believe the calibrated levels on the dipstick represent the level of cold oil (oil expands as it's heated), and one that has sat idle in the sump for a while on level ground.

For curiosities sake - how much does having a car whose wheels are level compare with have an engine whose crank is level as far as indicated oil level is concerned?

As far as the oil capacity inconviences, well just about everyone who changes their own engine oil (or any fluids for that matter) has to deal with it...often 2/3rds to 3/4's a qt. in a push mower or snowblower, then just about anything for a car, truck, motorcycle, etc. It's just part of the private dealings. "Compromise."

 

[eljefino]

Most dipsticks are one quart/liter between "full" and "add", so if you were a liter short it should be very close to the "add" mark. I fail to see how that would be 10% low.

However, you can certainly change your oil with only four liters, start the car, park it somewhere level, and see where your stick shows, as rated capacities are approximate.

 

[pitzel]

Use the correct amount of oil, but only change it once a year.

See the UOA from the Porsche here that went 5 years on its factory fill.

 

[sagaboy]

I manage to find the original manual stating that between the low and full mark on the dip-stick is 1 liter, OK I believe that the dip-stick show 10% less than full due to the new oil filter taking up some of it.

Hey guys! Thanks for all the suggestions

 

[LarryL]

Is you final solution to short the oil change because it is too much trouble to get it right and having less oil is not really going to cause any damage that can be detected? Interesting.

 

[Kestas]

I'm with pitzel. Two oil changes every 2K within a year is too often. You could easily go at least one year between oil changes... especially with synthetic... even with turbo.

 

[sagaboy]

Since car can’t be driven at more than 3,000 rpm within the city and the oil is changed every six month (less that 1 K), I guess it won't make much difference if there is a bit less oil in the engine

The original bmw manual didn’t state how much is needed for each oil change—just mention that; 1 liter of oil between the lowest and highest mark on the dip-stick. After I have changed the oil/filter, started the car for the oil circulate, let sit over night, the dip-stick show only 10% below the full mark, I can safely assume that the engine require only 4 liters and some of that oil went to the empty the oil filter.



I do agree with you, it’s a bit of an over-kill but on the other hand with low mileage short drive the oil may not get hot enough to remove waste residue.

The drained oil really look black (although its color means nothing) I dip my left hand into it and rub my fingers--the oil still feel good--then I dip my right hand into new oil and they both felt the same… seem like the 1K black oil is still good... hmmmm … OK, I will send it for UOA (cost $40 over here).

 

[PandaBear]

If it is 4/4.2 full, then it should be perfectly fine. I did that on my dad's car anyways, and unless you are taking a sharp corner at 6000rpm your oil pump will never pick up any air.

if you are not comfortable doing 1 year OCI, try at least 9 month, 6 month 1k is obsessive.

 

[eljefino]

Your assumption that the car holds 4.2 liters makes sense if you put 4 in and it's almost to full. 3.2 liters would be "add" on the stick and 0.1 liters of old oil will probably always hide somewhere in the motor never to leave unless the thing is taken apart. This math justifies your dipstick figure.

I would actually not sweat the extra little bit then. But do check the level often.

The 5 liter figure on your receipt could be that a standard oil change price includes "up to five liters" and that's how the computer prints it out. The amount actually added to your car could be less.

When i say start the car, park it, then check the oil, it's to fill the filter after the change. Don't check the level when the car is running since there'll be oil in circulation. Follow your owner's manual procedure but most cars should be checked cold on level ground.

 

[AndyH]

quote:

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Originally posted by Robbie Alexander:
in the apartment I have bottles in the bathroom

---

Oh man, I don't even want to know what you're doing with a quart of oil in your bathroom!

 

[Dr. T]

Correct...driving 2k/yr. and changing the oil twice aka. 1k OCI's is a total waste even if you used the cheapest dino.

Go 2 yrs. (or even 3) without changing if you're using syth...it's no big deal with so low mi's per yr..