For a BMW owner, performing an oil change themselves is a terrific endeavor. if you have the resources. Fortunately, if you have the oil filter cap wrench—which costs around $20 if you can’t borrow one from a friend—they are not difficult to complete.
After a few usage, the instruments typically pay for themselves. For $89.26 with free shipping, Turner Motorsports offers an oil change package that includes a BMW oil filter, 7 gallons of BMW synthetic oil, and a new drain plug. I’ve done a lot of articles and videos on oil changes because it’s a relaxing way to use your BMW.
In This Article...
Does My BMW Need To Be Serviced At The Dealer?
If you’re reading this, it’s likely that you’re looking for information on whether you have to take your BMW to the dealer for maintenance or an oil change. Can I take my BMW to any mechanic? is a question you may have already questioned yourself. In summary, you can take your BMW to whichever mechanic you choose for maintenance and oil changes. There is a little more to it than that, but overall, you are under no need to visit the BMW dealer ever again if you choose not to.
You must keep in mind that not all mechanics are certified to operate on your BMW, even though you have a choice in who does so. Even though all modern cars have four wheels, many of them are very specialized, and sometimes that’s where the similarities between various manufactures end. We’re going to go into the specifics of getting your BMW serviced today, including some warning signs you should watch out for. In the end, we’ll provide you with enough knowledge to locate a skilled BMW mechanic in your neighborhood. Since it’s in their best financial interest to have you return to them for everything, including the needless nitrogen for your tires, you probably won’t hear this information from your BMW dealer.
The dealership industry has a little-known secret: “Service and repair” is their “bread and butter.” They make every effort to prevent you from taking your repairs elsewhere because of this. They advocate against independent mechanics since it will put more money in their own wallets even though they are fully aware that they provide the same services for less money. You need to hear this if you’re still wondering, “Can I take my BMW to any mechanic for service?”
Step 3: Add oil to the engine
You must reinstall the drain stopper before adding any oil. Go back underneath the vehicle and insert the new drain plug that was included in the oil change kit. You should manually thread it in to prevent damaging the plastic threads. After that, tighten it with a 10mm hex wrench. You won’t need to use much energy to tighten the plug because it has a maximum torque figure of 8Nm.
Close the access panel after removing the drain plug from beneath the automobile. At this point, you can elevate the vehicle, take off the jack stands, and set it down again. Pour 4.5 liters of the excellent stuff into your 5-liter oil jug. Start the car after replacing the cap.
When the engine starts, listen for any loud metallic noises. If none are present or are louder than before, you’re in good shape. After that, drive the vehicle a few times around the block to warm the engine oil.
Check the oil level in the iDrive system after you’ve driven the car around. Scroll down and click “Vehicle Info” on the main menu. Select “Vehicle Status” next.
Choose the fourth option under “Vehicle Status” to have the vehicle check its oil level. After choosing that choice, adhere to the instructions that are displayed on the screen.
Before informing you, your BMW will wait a little period of time to read the level. Depending on the findings, adjust the oil level to sit at its maximum capacity by adding or removing as needed.
Authored by:
owner of a 1973 Porsche 914 and a 1998 Impreza 2.5RS with a flat-six engine swap. only when opposing perspectives are horizontal.
Is oil change in a BMW challenging?
We’re continuing our new “How-To” post series, and now we’re going to walk you through the fundamentals of changing the oil in your BMW using a straightforward do-it-yourself manual. A BMW’s oil change process is very straightforward and not substantially different from that of other vehicles. Regular oil changes are necessary to prevent sludge buildup, power loss, and, most importantly, engine damage.
While some BMWs utilize synthetic lubricants and others organic, many BMW experts advise using synthetic oil due to its many advantages, including less friction, reduced engine wear, and increased fuel efficiency. BMW handles the service maintenance every 15,000 miles, but depending on your driving style, the dashboard display will let you know if the oil has to be changed sooner. In my experience, many BMWs have a typical mileage of 10,000 kilometers.
What does a BMW oil change cost?
How much does a BMW oil change cost? BMW oil changes typically cost between $135 and $175, with parts and fluids accounting for roughly $90 to $110 of that total and labor making up the remaining percentage.
Do BMWs require particular oil?
You shouldn’t skimp on the quality or type of motor oil you put in your BMW because it’s the second-most crucial fluid after fuel in your car. Because of this, BMW advises using only synthetic motor oils in all BMW engines.
Are you able to repair a BMW yourself?
Your pride and joy is your BMW. As soon as something starts to go wrong, you start working to fix it. Even though you may have experience with do-it-yourself tasks, you shouldn’t attempt to fix your car on your own. In fact, you should never attempt to perform some BMW repairs yourself.
It is recommended to leave any physical damage to your BMW to the trained experts. Metalworking expertise is necessary for body work. Even if you have that experience, it’s likely that you lack the color and finishes needed to blend your work effortlessly. On each of their vehicles, BMW uses unique colors. One repair should always be left to the professionals.
Only a certified BMW master mechanic should ever handle transmission repairs. Many new BMWs have eight-speed automatic transmissions, which are complicated and challenging to comprehend. In fact, in order to know how to fix them, mechanics must go through rigorous training. The numerous suspension parts all share this characteristic. BMW vehicles feature unique suspension systems. You could endanger both yourself and your car if you try to fix it alone.
Finally, you could believe that repairing your windshield is a simple task if it is chipped. Although it can appear straightforward, the windshield needs to be positioned correctly in order to offer protection. If not, you can later experience leaks or other damage.
Leave everything that’s wrong with your BMW to a professional. We know BMWs here at Bemer Motor Cars. We offer a wide range of services to maintain the functionality of your BMW, from gently used cars to maintenance. We have the skills and experience to support you whether you want to trade in your current X5 or tune up an older model. Don’t worry if you don’t own a BMW. Bemer Motor Cars is a specialist in Mercedes, Porsche, Audi, and other makes in addition to BMWs. There isn’t a better store to buy a luxury automobile from. Contact a member of our vehicle experts right away.
What oil is recommended for BMW?
Oil for the majority of BMW passenger and SAV vehicles: 0W-40 Mobil 1 SAE. SynPower SAE 5W-30 by Valvoline. SAE 0W-30 Castrol Syntec European Formula. BMW will start advising Shell/Pennzoil PurePlus Oils as their aftermarket oil in 2015.
What kind of oil should I use in my BMW?
The majority of BMW engines ship from the factory with a 5W-30. Additionally, BMW advises an oil change every 15,000 miles.
Mobil Full Synthetic 5W-30 High Mileage, Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40, Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30, or Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30 are the brands that BMW utilizes. Since 2015, BMW has advised using Shell/Pennzoil PurePlus Oils as its aftermarket oil.
There is a sizable aftermarket performance modifying community for BMWs. If you read the conversations on forums or Facebook groups, you’ll notice that owners of tuned BMWs frequently praise Liqui Moly 5w-40.
Take the climate into account In warmer climates, consumers frequently choose the 5W-40 oil kind. You should choose the 0W-40 oil type if you live somewhere with a cooler environment. In comparison to 5W-40, which takes a few minutes to warm up to the ideal lubricating temperature, 0W-40 lubricates the bearings better upon beginning.
Which oil brand does BMW use?
bp (February 15, 2021) is delighted to announce that it has been chosen as the engine oil partner for BMW and MINI authorized dealers throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico. bp is a global leader in high-performance lubricants and is the creator of the Castrol Oil Brands. As Castrol had been the engine oil supplier for 14 years prior to this new five-year arrangement, a long-standing partnership between these two premium brands is once again established.
As part of the current initiative, bp will keep making engine oils under the BMW Group brand that adhere to the most modern and stringent engine requirements set forth by the OEM, including LL-17 FE+ and LL-12 FE as well as older generation specs like LL-01 and LL-04. The Castrol EDGE, a well-known full synthetic brand reinforced by Fluid Titanium Technology, is the foundation for the BMW brand’s lubricant formulas. Fluid Titanium Technology boosts film strength, lowers friction, and enhances lubrication under the extreme pressure of high power engines.
“We are honored that the BMW Group has chosen us to serve as their lubricant provider once again. The BMW brand is well-aligned with bp’s market position because it is both iconic and widely known as a sign of performance engineering. We anticipate working together in the future to develop lubricants and to pursue fresh sustainability initiatives “Castrol Americas Regional President Laura Posadas remarked.
Does it pay to change your own oil?
So, is changing your own oil less expensive? Depending on the kind of oil and filter you use, performing this activity yourself might result in savings of between $25 and $75 per oil change.
Is bringing your own oil for an oil change less expensive?
According to our study, the least expensive oil we could find would result in a savings of roughly $34 and mechanic businesses that do offer a discount for bringing your own oil will charge about $59.46. However, you’ll save even more if you can find cheaper oil or a lower servicing charge.