Novice question from a novice oil guy with no mechanical prowess or knowledge--but need advice badly from ppl who know cars and oil!!
I recently inherited a 03 bmw 325i, about 90k miles, car manual recommends 5w30 or 5w40 fully synthetic oil (so far only synthetic oil has been used). What would happen if I added REGULAR 5w30 oil in my car? Will regular oil damage or harm my engine over time. If so, please explain and specify how.
I drive in normal conditions, in a fairly sub-urban area, upstate NY, do not race but do occasional spirited driving.
I have asked several mechanics but all have told me its not a good idea except none of them can explain why or give a clear reason. When I went to the BMW dealer, asking that question to a technician gets them little angry and I got a hurried response, they told me to "do what I like outside at any garage". That was really embarrassing.
To my understanding oil’s main function is to act as a lubricant so why not the use of regular oil in my engine? Or does BMW want consumers buy more expensive materials,be exclusive, that is not completely necessary? As I have read online, in Europe, many car owners do not even use synthetic oil as Americans do but there cars run very long.
Not interested in blending. I also know that synthetic oil is superior to regular oil. I just started working and am paying off student loans and cant afford the $100+ to do an syn.oil change and I dont want to unless I know its completely necessary i.e. damage to the engine, etc.
Advice needed,
Tobin, 23, New York
I recently inherited a 03 bmw 325i, about 90k miles, car manual recommends 5w30 or 5w40 fully synthetic oil (so far only synthetic oil has been used). What would happen if I added REGULAR 5w30 oil in my car? Will regular oil damage or harm my engine over time. If so, please explain and specify how.
I drive in normal conditions, in a fairly sub-urban area, upstate NY, do not race but do occasional spirited driving.
I have asked several mechanics but all have told me its not a good idea except none of them can explain why or give a clear reason. When I went to the BMW dealer, asking that question to a technician gets them little angry and I got a hurried response, they told me to "do what I like outside at any garage". That was really embarrassing.
To my understanding oil’s main function is to act as a lubricant so why not the use of regular oil in my engine? Or does BMW want consumers buy more expensive materials,be exclusive, that is not completely necessary? As I have read online, in Europe, many car owners do not even use synthetic oil as Americans do but there cars run very long.
Not interested in blending. I also know that synthetic oil is superior to regular oil. I just started working and am paying off student loans and cant afford the $100+ to do an syn.oil change and I dont want to unless I know its completely necessary i.e. damage to the engine, etc.
Advice needed,
Tobin, 23, New York