Regular oil change is one of the simplest, yet one of the most important maintenance services that will keep you BMW humming through the years. Fresh engine oil not only has the correct chemical and mechanical properties, but it also carries away dirt and gunk that gets created when various moving parts of the engine work in close proximity.
The longer the interval between oil changes, the greater the degradation of the oil’s chemical and mechanical properties due to age and heat, and also, the greater the amount of gunk and dirt that the engine oil circulates through the engine – because engine oil filter has a limited capacity to filter out all those impurities. That’s why with every oil change professional mechanics also provide a fresh oil filter, so the system can work as designed, and provide maximum lubrication and cleaning for the engine.
The rule of thumb says that you should have your BMW go through an oil change every 5000 miles (if using 100% synthetic oil, which we highly recommend). You can check Owner’s Manual for manufacturer’s recommendation for your specific model. However, life sometimes gets in the way, so if you ever notice any of the symptoms below, it’s your vehicle telling you it’s time for an oil change:
If the service engine soon light comes “on”, it’s pretty much self-explanatory. Time to visit your visit your local mechanic for an oil change and any additional services that manufacturer specified for the current mileage.
Low Oil light is another warning light, often looks like an ancient oil lamp. It tells you that your BMW is at least 1 quart low on engine oil. If you notice this warning light, it’s best to stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so and turn off the engine. Let it sit for a few minutes, so the engine oil drains into the pan, then check the engine oil level – if it is low, add engine oil (it’s good to keep a quart or two in the trunk) until full, then turn on the engine and let it idle for a minute. If the light goes off, you have solved the problem. But if it continues on, turn off the engine and call Toole’s Garage – you should not drive the vehicle until it has been inspected by a professional mechanic and the root cause of the low oil light has been found and corrected.
For all your BMW service and repair needs call Toole’s Garage in Valley Springs – we can provide comprehensive BMW care, including advanced engine diagnostics and repairs. Our highly trained mechanics will use state-of-the-art digital tools to talk to your BMW’s on-board computer, and all repairs we perform carry nationwide 36 months / 36,000 miles warranty.