Check engine oil level...

openroad · 3rd May 2006, 12:04

Bother....

I am miles away from a BMW dealer and need some 10w60 oil as this message came up when I switched the engine off this morning. Does anyone know if I can just substitute 10w30 this one time. Also, any ideas how much oil I will need to glug in to make this message go away? I have a whole refinerery of the 10w60 at home, just none with me.

Botherations

Pip · 3rd May 2006, 12:36

It is 1 litre from top to bottom mark on the dipstick.

I think you can use alternatives in an emergency but I suggest same viscosity if possible.

Pip

sumo69 · 3rd May 2006, 13:36

IMO... any decent oil as a top up is better than running a low oil level.

Low oil - engine goes bang, warranty denied.

Top up - worst case, do an oil change when you get home! If LL01 oil used, very unlikely to have any adverse effect.

Sumo69

bmwdctr · 3rd May 2006, 16:04

All synthetic oils are designed to be cross compatible

We have roads out here (California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas) where you might not see a gas station for several hours at freeway speeds! It would be best not to make a habit of mixing oils, in a pinch you'll be fine. Happy motoring

Need4Spd · 3rd May 2006, 16:23

Just be sure it's a synthetic, preferably meeting API spec. But if you are forced to use regular dinosaur oil, which I agree is preferable to not restoring the oil to the proper level, then do so and change it when you get home. Next time, I'm sure what you will do is carry a spare bottle in the trunk in one of those special BMW containers or a sturdy zip lock bag.

eljockvis · 3rd May 2006, 19:01

hi
just go to halfhords and get castrol synthetic 5w 30/40
it will be fine!

mottati · 4th May 2006, 00:40

Have you checked the oil level yet? My "check oil level" warning comes up when I am about half a litre low. It happened to me recently on a trip, i checked the level and continued on. Even if you're at the 'add a litre' mark, i think gentle driving for a little while would be fine.

That said, in the manual, they do state it is ok to add "a quality synthetic oil" of whatever the current rating is. If you pick up some mobil 1 15w50 at a local auto parts shop, you'll be fine.

M5Don · 4th May 2006, 00:49

BMW NA issued a SI regarding substitution oil for the 10w-60 S62s. They claimed that the BMW/Castrol 5w-30 synthetic can be used in conjunction with the recommended 10w-60. They did advise however, that mixing the 5w-30 will greatly shorten the usable life of the 10w-60 in the engine. So use the BMW 5w-30 or Castrol Syntec 5w30 (identical oil w/o infrared tracer) and change the oil when you get home.

M5 Dave · 4th May 2006, 01:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by M5Don

BMW NA issued a SI regarding substitution oil for the 10w-60 S62s. They claimed that the BMW/Castrol 5w-30 synthetic can be used in conjunction with the recommended 10w-60. They did advise however, that mixing the 5w-30 will greatly shorten the usable life of the 10w-60 in the engine. So use the BMW 5w-30 or Castrol Syntec 5w30 (identical oil w/o infrared tracer) and change the oil when you get home.

Infared tracer? This is in 10w-60? Why, for checking oil leaks?

M5Don · 4th May 2006, 03:19

Actually, the 10w-60 doesn't have it. But the BMW bottle 5w-30 does. For some reason, BMW wanted the ability to (if needed) see if the branded oil was being used in an engine. What I didn't understand about it was that it isn't even legal to deny a warranty claim based on a customer's use of an aftermarket consumable fluid in their car.