Why does my oil change lights last so long?

[Tai Pham]

I bougt my car about 8 months ago and have changed the oil about 5 times. When i got the car, the oil inteval lights were all green and now after approx. 12000 miles i am on the last green light. An i supposed to follow the lights for oil changes? Am i just changing the oil too frequently?:dunno

[B.Watts]

In a word, yes.

With increases in oil technology, there's really no need to change synthetic oil at 3000 mile intervals. I change between 7500-8000 in general. I've even stretched out to 9000 miles before. We had that used oil sent off to be tested, and it came back just fine...and that was with 3-4 track events and a few auto-x's in there. I use Mobil 1 for reference.

Oil companies and oil change places will still tell you every 3000 miles, because they want your money.

My mother goes by the green lights on her car since she gets free service from the dealership as part of her purchase on her M3ca. The oil they take out looks almost as clean/clear as the new oil they put in.

The way I see it, I'm saving $$, time, and being easier on the environment. Changing oil every 3000 miles is a thing of the past.

[MaaadNYCe]

I change my oil every 3500 miles [approx.] Once the lights remove themselves, then it's usually time for an OIL SERVICE. Slightly different, but don't use that as a basis for routine oil changes!

[Tai Pham]

In regards to it being better on the environment, I thought that recycling oil takes care of that. Am I wrong for thinking that?:dunno

[///Manuel]

What do you guys think about change the filter after 3k?

[mini///m3]

I do it every 3-4k. I like to know my oil is as clean as it can be.

[makken]

our first oil change on our X5 was close to 14k miles, according to the green lights.
I've put on 8k miles on the 540 since we got it, and I still have 3 lights left.
Our X5 just had its inspection about 2 months ago, we have done no work on the 540 since we brought it back in march.
I guess its pretty normal. My dad is always afraid that the computer sensor might be broken.. hes used to changing oil every 3000 miles.

[Kevlar]

The speed at which your green lights go out is dependant on...

a) how long you are over 4k RPM
b) how many starts/stops you do
c) how long you are over 3k RPM when the oil is not up to temp

and a few other factors i believe.

As for oil... my oil changes normally happen every 7500-9000 miles now. Before I would do it every 3000 miles cause i was paranoid, now after some testing and oil analysis, I normally wait 7500-9000 miles. Amsoil did a test on their 0W-30 oil and found that it was able to go up to 25,000 miles without an oil change (they did change the filter at 12,500 miles tho). Only then did the oil start to break down.

[The HACK]

Originally posted by Kevlar
The speed at which your green lights go out is dependant on...

a) how long you are over 4k RPM
b) how many starts/stops you do
c) how long you are over 3k RPM when the oil is not up to temp

and a few other factors i believe.

As for oil... my oil changes normally happen every 7500-9000 miles now. Before I would do it every 3000 miles cause i was paranoid, now after some testing and oil analysis, I normally wait 7500-9000 miles. Amsoil did a test on their 0W-30 oil and found that it was able to go up to 25,000 miles without an oil change (they did change the filter at 12,500 miles tho). Only then did the oil start to break down.

Later model BMWs (post MY2000) use fuel consumption as a guage.

[Anfanger]

Originally posted by Kevlar
The speed at which your green lights go out is dependant on...

a) how long you are over 4k RPM
b) how many starts/stops you do
c) how long you are over 3k RPM when the oil is not up to temp

and a few other factors i believe.


To add onto what Kev said...

http://www.peakeresearch.com/silights.shtml

As for me I change my oil 3-4k miles, whenever I get free time.

[BAADDOG]

Running a s/c and race gas my oil lights went out two at a time. :95

The Amsoil Series 0w30 oil was still good though.

[Zoso]

I've gotten lax with my oil changes too. I typically go about 5000 to 7500 miles between mobil 1 oil changes.

I agree that these new synthetic oils are much better than oil of the past and changing every 3,000 miles is for the paranoid and the wealthy.

[RUddin3]

Originally posted by Kevlar
c) how long you are over 3k RPM when the oil is not up to temp


I didn't know that the E36's would have this sensor stock. I think that the warm-up lights on the new M cars are awesome, but makes me wonder why they didn't do them sooner.

Drive Safely,
Raza