Engine oil at minimum. Can I pour in a quart of any type?

JunkyardDogg · 11-24-2017, 11:33 AM

So I got the notification that my engine oil is at the min and I need to put in a quart. My local Acme is within walking distance and they only have regular Pennzoil SAE (not the premium). Is this safe to put in my car temporarily? I will get a proper oil change at the shop but don't wanna drive anymore with low oil.

avocet · 11-24-2017, 11:43 AM

Just use same weight if possible. It will be fine. The oils are 100% compatable.
People will try and strike fear into you for not using an approved blah blah blah but you will be fine

galahad05 · 11-24-2017, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avocet

Just use same weight if possible. It will be fine. The oils are 100% compatable.
People will try and strike fear into you for not using an approved blah blah blah but you will be fine

This.

Matter of fact, my users manual specifically says what Avocet just wrote, regarding a top-up quart.

Chappers 71 · 11-24-2017, 12:36 PM

You can mix synthetic & conventional but in turbo cars the conventional oil can not withstand the temp in the turbo bearings. Personally I'd just put the correct oil in it.

GATORB8 · 11-24-2017, 12:43 PM

If it just went low, you can drive it to the parts store to get good oil, there's still 6 quarts in it.

You don't necessarily need to do an oil change after if the oil isn't old.

mweisdorfer · 11-24-2017, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JunkyardDogg

So I got the notification that my engine oil is at the min and I need to put in a quart. My local Acme is within walking distance and they only have regular Pennzoil SAE (not the premium). Is this safe to put in my car temporarily? I will get a proper oil change at the shop but don't wanna drive anymore with low oil.

5w-30 or 5w-40 and it must be a Euro blend that is BMW COMPLIANT (LL-01)

JunkyardDogg · 11-24-2017, 01:34 PM

Thanks guys, I just ended up getting a couple bottles of castrol edge synthetic 0w-40

JunkyardDogg · 11-24-2017, 01:50 PM

update:

So my dash says next oil change in 9000 miles, so i've only driven 6000 since my last change. I'll probably get it done at 7500. Question is, is it normal for oil to get low after 6K?

Also, last night the oil level was at minimum. I just put in 1 quart and now it is at max. Does that sound right?

mecheng77 · 11-24-2017, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JunkyardDogg

update:

So my dash says next oil change in 9000 miles, so i've only driven 6000 since my last change. I'll probably get it done at 7500. Question is, is it normal for oil to get low after 6K?

Also, last night the oil level was at minimum. I just put in 1 quart and now it is at max. Does that sound right?

That is not that much oil burning/loss. Many mfgs say 1L/1000km is normal.

Efthreeoh · 11-25-2017, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JunkyardDogg

update:

So my dash says next oil change in 9000 miles, so i've only driven 6000 since my last change. I'll probably get it done at 7500. Question is, is it normal for oil to get low after 6K?

Also, last night the oil level was at minimum. I just put in 1 quart and now it is at max. Does that sound right?

Yes, that is correct. The e-dipstick only reports the amount (level) of the "top quart" (i.e. the 7th quart) of oil. The e-dipstick does not show the amount (level) of the entire compliment of the 7 quarts the engine holds. When the e-dipstick system determines the engine is 1 quart low on oil, it reports to the driver "+1qt", which means just add one quart of oil. The e-dipstick then takes about 10 -15 minutes of normal driving to update the new engine oil level. If you add in the quart when the engine is at operating temperature and immediately check the oil level, the e-dipstick will still report the oil oil level until the system updates. The confuses a lot of owners and they end up over-filling the engine with oil.

Welcome to NBA Jam · 11-25-2017, 07:27 AM

Having the right level of 90% the recommended oil is better than not having enough of 100% the recommended oil.

JunkyardDogg · 11-25-2017, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Yes, that is correct. The e-dipstick only reports the amount (level) of the "top quart" (i.e. the 7th quart) of oil. The e-dipstick does not show the amount (level) of the entire compliment of the 7 quarts the engine holds. When the e-dipstick system determines the engine is 1 quart low on oil, it reports to the driver "+1qt", which means just add one quart of oil. The e-dipstick then takes about 10 -15 minutes of normal driving to update the new engine oil level. If you add in the quart when the engine is at operating temperature and immediately check the oil level, the e-dipstick will still report the oil oil level until the system updates. The confuses a lot of owners and they end up over-filling the engine with oil.

Thanks I found this out after further research

racermp · 11-25-2017, 06:02 PM

Any synthetic 5w30/40 or 0w30/40 etc would be fine. Get a big bottle, Castrol is usually cheap. Keep it, u'll need it

Usually if you just drive to any BMW service, they will top it off for free when as you stand there. Takes few mins.

11-24-2017, 11:33 AM	#1
JunkyardDogg Captain 90 Rep 664 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335is E92 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Engine oil at minimum. Can I pour in a quart of any type? So I got the notification that my engine oil is at the min and I need to put in a quart. My local Acme is within walking distance and they only have regular Pennzoil SAE (not the premium). Is this safe to put in my car temporarily? I will get a proper oil change at the shop but don't wanna drive anymore with low oil.
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11-24-2017, 11:43 AM	#2
avocet Major 252 Rep 1,157 Posts Drives: 2007 328i 2011 X5d Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Vancouver bc iTrader: (0)	Just use same weight if possible. It will be fine. The oils are 100% compatable. People will try and strike fear into you for not using an approved blah blah blah but you will be fine
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11-24-2017, 12:36 PM	#4
Chappers 71 Major General 5525 Rep 5,440 Posts Drives: Beige G31 40ix m sport Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Kent, The Garden of England iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 G31 xdrive 40i ... [4.00] 2006 E92 335i SE [9.50]	You can mix synthetic & conventional but in turbo cars the conventional oil can not withstand the temp in the turbo bearings. Personally I'd just put the correct oil in it. __________________ G31 40ix M Sport E92 335i. E36 328is coupe E39 540i V8 6SP manual E34 3.6 M5. E34 525i sport. VW Jetta Mk2 GTI 16v. 1679cc 1967 resto-cal beetle
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11-24-2017, 12:43 PM	#5
GATORB8 Captain 225 Rep 807 Posts Drives: 2011 335is 6MT Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335is [9.50]	If it just went low, you can drive it to the parts store to get good oil, there's still 6 quarts in it. You don't necessarily need to do an oil change after if the oil isn't old.
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11-24-2017, 01:34 PM	#7
JunkyardDogg Captain 90 Rep 664 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335is E92 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys, I just ended up getting a couple bottles of castrol edge synthetic 0w-40
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11-24-2017, 01:50 PM	#8
JunkyardDogg Captain 90 Rep 664 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335is E92 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	update: So my dash says next oil change in 9000 miles, so i've only driven 6000 since my last change. I'll probably get it done at 7500. Question is, is it normal for oil to get low after 6K? Also, last night the oil level was at minimum. I just put in 1 quart and now it is at max. Does that sound right?
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11-25-2017, 07:27 AM	#11
Welcome to NBA Jam Is it the shoes!? 3884 Rep 5,112 Posts Drives: (Sold) 2011 E92 335i ZMP 6MT Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	Having the right level of 90% the recommended oil is better than not having enough of 100% the recommended oil.
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11-25-2017, 06:02 PM	#13
racermp Major 190 Rep 937 Posts Drives: F30 330i Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (1)	Any synthetic 5w30/40 or 0w30/40 etc would be fine. Get a big bottle, Castrol is usually cheap. Keep it, u'll need it Usually if you just drive to any BMW service, they will top it off for free when as you stand there. Takes few mins.
	Appreciate 0 Quote