Well both my cars only see about 2000 miles a year each. So I don't change my oil by a set amount of miles, I just change it every spring and always use synthetic (maybe I can go longer? Some say every 6 months, every year, some even say every 2 years) but anyway what about the oil filters? change them once a year too? I usually use whatever good filter like royal purple, or any other synthetic media filter that might be on sale or in the Bimmer's case w.e i can find. To throw it out after 2000 miles seems wasteful even if its only once a year. Could I just change the filter every other year? I mean the oil never comes out that dirty so it should be fine.. My only thought is maybe the filter degrades over time too? which im sure it does but it should last 2 years no? idk what are your thoughts?
How often to change filter on granny car?
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A Bimmer ain't no granny car.
I'm on pace to put less than 1,500 miles on my 2007 Ridgeline this year. I now use Kendall GT-1 blend and a Nippon filter. I'm planning to stretch it to an 18 month OC because the shortest trip it gets is 8 miles.
I can't vouch for the useful lifespan of paper media found in most filters, but I doubt that 18 months and 1,500 miles presents a problem.
I'm on pace to put less than 1,500 miles on my 2007 Ridgeline this year. I now use Kendall GT-1 blend and a Nippon filter. I'm planning to stretch it to an 18 month OC because the shortest trip it gets is 8 miles.
I can't vouch for the useful lifespan of paper media found in most filters, but I doubt that 18 months and 1,500 miles presents a problem.
To simplify your life, change the oil and the filter 1x per year.
Not much point in using synthetics, but the cost difference is not so huge either, so keep using whatever you want.
There will be plenty of other valid & considered opinions, but you must expect that with BITOG.
Not much point in using synthetics, but the cost difference is not so huge either, so keep using whatever you want.
There will be plenty of other valid & considered opinions, but you must expect that with BITOG.
I only put on about 2-3K miles a year on my E39 as well. I just change the oil and filter once a year. It's very little effort and the filter is inexpensive, and it just feels weird to change the oil but not change the filter (and suck out all the oil that's still sitting in the oil filter housing), but that's just my OCD. My guess is you'd be fine changing the filter every other year.
Originally Posted By: KGMtech
To simplify your life, change the oil and the filter 1x per year.
Not much point in using synthetics, but the cost difference is not so huge either, so keep using whatever you want.
There will be plenty of other valid & considered opinions, but you must expect that with BITOG.
+1 I would use a conventional, PYB or ST and a wix filter. You could probably get away with changing the filter every other year but I would change the oil yearly. Cheap insurance. Also, how long does the fuel stay in your tank? With such little miles you might want to consider throwing in a fuel stabilizer when you fill up. Doesnt need a lot but also cheap insurance
To simplify your life, change the oil and the filter 1x per year.
Not much point in using synthetics, but the cost difference is not so huge either, so keep using whatever you want.
There will be plenty of other valid & considered opinions, but you must expect that with BITOG.
+1 I would use a conventional, PYB or ST and a wix filter. You could probably get away with changing the filter every other year but I would change the oil yearly. Cheap insurance. Also, how long does the fuel stay in your tank? With such little miles you might want to consider throwing in a fuel stabilizer when you fill up. Doesnt need a lot but also cheap insurance
Originally Posted By: Bgallagher
Originally Posted By: KGMtech
To simplify your life, change the oil and the filter 1x per year.
Not much point in using synthetics, but the cost difference is not so huge either, so keep using whatever you want.
There will be plenty of other valid & considered opinions, but you must expect that with BITOG.
+1 I would use a conventional, PYB or ST and a wix filter. You could probably get away with changing the filter every other year but I would change the oil yearly. Cheap insurance. Also, how long does the fuel stay in your tank? With such little miles you might want to consider throwing in a fuel stabilizer when you fill up. Doesnt need a lot but also cheap insurance
for fuel my jeep only gets 12 mpg lol maybe 2-4 weeks. The bmw i havent owned long enough to really tell you i recently got it but that i imagine will last a month maybe more since it gets twice the mpg. Sometimes I like to throw in a can of Berryman B12 chemtool in my cars (not sure if it stabilizes but i know its a fuel cleaner or w.e you want to call it) and i always use 93 octane since gas is cheap now and i don't fill up often.
Originally Posted By: KGMtech
To simplify your life, change the oil and the filter 1x per year.
Not much point in using synthetics, but the cost difference is not so huge either, so keep using whatever you want.
There will be plenty of other valid & considered opinions, but you must expect that with BITOG.
+1 I would use a conventional, PYB or ST and a wix filter. You could probably get away with changing the filter every other year but I would change the oil yearly. Cheap insurance. Also, how long does the fuel stay in your tank? With such little miles you might want to consider throwing in a fuel stabilizer when you fill up. Doesnt need a lot but also cheap insurance
for fuel my jeep only gets 12 mpg lol maybe 2-4 weeks. The bmw i havent owned long enough to really tell you i recently got it but that i imagine will last a month maybe more since it gets twice the mpg. Sometimes I like to throw in a can of Berryman B12 chemtool in my cars (not sure if it stabilizes but i know its a fuel cleaner or w.e you want to call it) and i always use 93 octane since gas is cheap now and i don't fill up often.
Originally Posted By: Bgallagher
+1 I would use a conventional, PYB or ST and a wix filter.
Technically, he needs an oil with HT/HS of at least 3.5 cP. Not sure if any conventional PYB or ST grades offer that.
I would just continue using a BMW approved synthetic oil. With only once a year oil changes, it's not like he's spending a fortune on oil anyway. M1 0w-40 or Castrol 0w-40 are very reasonably priced at Walmart.
+1 I would use a conventional, PYB or ST and a wix filter.
Technically, he needs an oil with HT/HS of at least 3.5 cP. Not sure if any conventional PYB or ST grades offer that.
I would just continue using a BMW approved synthetic oil. With only once a year oil changes, it's not like he's spending a fortune on oil anyway. M1 0w-40 or Castrol 0w-40 are very reasonably priced at Walmart.
Originally Posted By: KGMtech
To simplify your life, change the oil and the filter 1x per year.
Not much point in using synthetics, but the cost difference is not so huge either, so keep using whatever you want.
There will be plenty of other valid & considered opinions, but you must expect that with BITOG.
I always stock up on oil when I see a good deal (I change oil in my parents cars and some machinery too i pay like $17-$23 for synthetics) and for filters i figure whats a few bucks a year? and get a nicer one which may have answered my question but just thinking maybe its wasteful since the filter is probably clean
To simplify your life, change the oil and the filter 1x per year.
Not much point in using synthetics, but the cost difference is not so huge either, so keep using whatever you want.
There will be plenty of other valid & considered opinions, but you must expect that with BITOG.
I always stock up on oil when I see a good deal (I change oil in my parents cars and some machinery too i pay like $17-$23 for synthetics) and for filters i figure whats a few bucks a year? and get a nicer one which may have answered my question but just thinking maybe its wasteful since the filter is probably clean
Originally Posted By: NormanBuntz
A Bimmer ain't no granny car.
I'm on pace to put less than 1,500 miles on my 2007 Ridgeline this year. I now use Kendall GT-1 blend and a Nippon filter. I'm planning to stretch it to an 18 month OC because the shortest trip it gets is 8 miles.
I can't vouch for the useful lifespan of paper media found in most filters, but I doubt that 18 months and 1,500 miles presents a problem.
by granny car i meant by the mileage they see lol I'm no granny either haha
A Bimmer ain't no granny car.
I'm on pace to put less than 1,500 miles on my 2007 Ridgeline this year. I now use Kendall GT-1 blend and a Nippon filter. I'm planning to stretch it to an 18 month OC because the shortest trip it gets is 8 miles.
I can't vouch for the useful lifespan of paper media found in most filters, but I doubt that 18 months and 1,500 miles presents a problem.
by granny car i meant by the mileage they see lol I'm no granny either haha
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: Bgallagher
+1 I would use a conventional, PYB or ST and a wix filter.
Technically, he needs an oil with HT/HS of at least 3.5 cP. Not sure if any conventional PYB or ST grades offer that.
I would just continue using a BMW approved synthetic oil. With only once a year oil changes, it's not like he's spending a fortune on oil anyway. M1 0w-40 or Castrol 0w-40 are very reasonably priced at Walmart.
True, I didn't consider that. You could also use Castrol 0w-40 if you want. isn't that what is the "recommended" brand for those years? I would use whatever cheap 0w-40 you can find and change the filter every other year. Just remember to take the filter out, drain it, and put it back. Considering the miles used, a quality filter (i.e. wix, fram TG/Ultra) can handle every other.
Originally Posted By: Bgallagher
+1 I would use a conventional, PYB or ST and a wix filter.
Technically, he needs an oil with HT/HS of at least 3.5 cP. Not sure if any conventional PYB or ST grades offer that.
I would just continue using a BMW approved synthetic oil. With only once a year oil changes, it's not like he's spending a fortune on oil anyway. M1 0w-40 or Castrol 0w-40 are very reasonably priced at Walmart.
True, I didn't consider that. You could also use Castrol 0w-40 if you want. isn't that what is the "recommended" brand for those years? I would use whatever cheap 0w-40 you can find and change the filter every other year. Just remember to take the filter out, drain it, and put it back. Considering the miles used, a quality filter (i.e. wix, fram TG/Ultra) can handle every other.
Originally Posted By: Bgallagher
isn't that what is the "recommended" brand for those years?
Pennzoil is now the "recommended" oil supplier for BMW in North America. The car basically calls for an oil meeting the BMW LL-01 spec though, so both M1 0w-40 and Castrol 0w-40 would work just fine.
isn't that what is the "recommended" brand for those years?
Pennzoil is now the "recommended" oil supplier for BMW in North America. The car basically calls for an oil meeting the BMW LL-01 spec though, so both M1 0w-40 and Castrol 0w-40 would work just fine.
I'd just stick with changing the oil & filter once a year.
Oil filter for 3 years, change oil once a year.
I change the oil in a granny car myself - 2007 Lexus ES350 - I change it every 5k miles - it takes her about 3 years to get there. It currently has 6.5 quarts of MC 5w30 blend. It uses no oil in 5k miles. I change the filter every other time - 10k miles or about 6 years. The car has less than 50k total miles on it and the oil looks clean after 5k. Next year it will get Castrol Edge Synthetic because that's what I have laying around and I bought it cheap. I use the cheapest Wix cartridge filter. The car runs and drives like a new car.
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+1 (?) Every 2 years at the LEAST.
Come on!
This is a LL oil, BIG sump likely real synthetic - the oil is loaded from every angle to handle this schedule with ease. Those who said 1x per year will get no BITOG stars and can go to the corner!
Come on!
This is a LL oil, BIG sump likely real synthetic - the oil is loaded from every angle to handle this schedule with ease. Those who said 1x per year will get no BITOG stars and can go to the corner!
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Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
This is a LL oil, BIG sump likely real synthetic - the oil is loaded from every angle to handle this schedule with ease.
Depends on driving patterns. In my case, I do a lot of short trips which dumps a lot of fuel and moisture into the oil and has no chance to burn it off. As a true BITOG'er, I did a UOA after 16 months (2 winters) and did not like what I saw under these conditions. TAN was exceeding TBN. So I dropped it down to 12 months.
If the OP does longer drives and gets the oil up to temp often, then 2 years is entirely doable, IMO.
This is a LL oil, BIG sump likely real synthetic - the oil is loaded from every angle to handle this schedule with ease.
Depends on driving patterns. In my case, I do a lot of short trips which dumps a lot of fuel and moisture into the oil and has no chance to burn it off. As a true BITOG'er, I did a UOA after 16 months (2 winters) and did not like what I saw under these conditions. TAN was exceeding TBN. So I dropped it down to 12 months.
If the OP does longer drives and gets the oil up to temp often, then 2 years is entirely doable, IMO.
I do drive short trips often usually less than 10 miles. It does see the highway but usually only for a few miles. I also tend to let my cars idle to warm up (I have a remote start on my Jeep i would like one on the bimmer but my installer said they require some other stuff and its really complicated and costs an arm and a a leg plus its best to not mess with German wiring) i also live in new england so these cars see anything from 10 degrees to 100 degrees weather
I would do both the oil AND filter once a year with quality synthetics that meet your manufacturers requirements. Why? It would make me sleep better at night. In all reality, the cost really isn't that much doing it once a year and it gives you a chance to marvel at the underside of your machines.
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