DIY: Let's Change the Engine Oil

[kosmo69]

Originally Posted by rantarM3

All you have to do is wrap a rag all the way around the housing before you open it up. That will catch any oil that spills out.

I have also seen numerous posts indicating the torque for the filter cover to be 25 Nm. However, I printed out the procedure and torque specs from TIS and it states 40 Nm for the filter cover. My car is a very late 2011 so perhaps the filter housing cover was changed.

Lastly, I vacuumed out the oil in the filter housing with a 100 cc plastic syringe (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o01_s00_i00). I then measured all of the oil that I had drained and came up with right around 8.8 liters. Prior to the change the oil level indicator read at 1/8 below max. After the change, it's reading 1/4 above min (this is after ~120 miles of driving since the oil change). I recall that after my prior oil change, the indicator read low but after a week or so, popped up to 1/8 below max. But I also recall that 9 liters had been poured in. I really hate this electronic dip stick! I'll give it till next week to see where it ends up.

the torque of 40nm seems high to me. It was 25nm on my m5. Wonder why they changed it?

[rantarM3]

Originally Posted by kosmo69

the torque of 40nm seems high to me. It was 25nm on my m5. Wonder why they changed it?

I'd post images of the pages from TIS but for the copyright issues. My car also has an "anti-twist lock" on the filter housing cover, which as far as I know, was not included in earlier cars.

**UPDATE**

I again checked TIS this morning and the correct torque value for the oil filter cap is 40 Nm.

I also found a TSB (SI2010-000110626) entitled "Increased tightening torque for oil filter head cover S65."

It states:

Situation: Increased torque for oil filter head cover.

Affected vehicles: All M-vehicles with S65 engine

Measure: The tightening torque has been increased from 25 Nm to 40 Nm.

This measure aplies retrospectively to all vehicles with S65 engine. The torque of 25 Nm specified on the oil filter head cover should be ignored.

Procedure: Observe the changed tightening torque in the repair literature in ISTA.

[RBB]

I changed the oil for the first time this past weekend using this guide. I added 8 liters of oil, started the car and got a +1 warning. Added another 1/2 liter and that put me at the 3/4 full mark on the meter. Couldn't have been any easier.

[ycb]

Thanks so much for this. Easier than changing oil on a Chevy lol

[adc]

Just did mine yesterday, this guide is very useful.

Put the car on ramps up front, then raised the rear on 2 floor jacks to make it level. I managed to remove all the remaining oil in the filter housing by soaking it up with 4-5 paper towels. Easy as pi.

I torqued the oil filter housing cap to 25Nm, that's precisely what it seemed to have been torqued before. I wonder if all BMW centers go by the new measurement of 40Nm, or if they apply it selectively to new cars?

Anyway, I added 8.5L and level shows OK in several subsequent measurements.

[surewin]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Edit: The electronic oil monitoring system and lack of a dipstick continue to frustrate me. If the system were secondary, that's fine, but why do away with the dipstick? After putting in 8.75 liters (stated capacity is 8.8) and driving a couple times, the system is still telling me to add 1 quart -- would you trust it? If it had a disptick there would be no question. Just really stupid!

I completely agree! That is my single complaint about the E9x series. I'd rather see the actual level with my own eyes.

[InterJon]

The getbmwparts oil change kit is now $160. Are there any other cheaper sources?

[Slalom]

Had the Swiss dealer change it. Picked up the car in a snowstorm (1 inch) never got out of first gear 15 minute drive took 2 hours (who say the Swiss can drive in snow?). Got bored driving home, checked the onboard system and it said that the oil level was too high. No warning had come up.

This morning back to the dealer who gave me a line about US Spec cars having a smaller sump. They removed some oil, scratched a rim (which they pointed out to me and will repair in the spring).

Next time, I will do it myself.

[A1rjrdn23]

Hey guys, seems like I have misplaced my manual, Is there a URL I can get the step by step oil change process? I'll be attempting to do my first oil change today. thanks guys.

[JamesKilcarr]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

I changed mine today at 8k miles (in 8 1/2 months) -- Service Indicator is showing 8k to service.

I used ramps at the rear, and jacked the front fromt the central jack point and supported the front on jack stands at the suspension arm pivot points. I noticed when the filter is removed there is about 1/10 liter of oil in the bottom of the housing. I used my MityVac to suck it out, though you could use an old turkey baster. I poured about the same amount of fresh oil into the bottom before reinstalling the filter.

I put in 8 1/4 liters before restarting the car. It took quite a while to get a reading, and was then showing near the bottom of ths scale with a "+1" notation. I added another 1/2 liter, but was unable to get a different reading in the garage. I'll check it again after driving.

The car always seems to run better after an oil change--pyscholocical, I know, but it makes you feel good.

Edit: The electronic oil monitoring system and lack of a dipstick continue to frustrate me. If the system were secondary, that's fine, but why do away with the dipstick? After putting in 8.75 liters (stated capacity is 8.8) and driving a couple times, the system is still telling me to add 1 quart -- would you trust it? If it had a disptick there would be no question. Just really stupid!

hi greg i have a question, after all the oil has been changed does the car automatically change itself to say change the oil next 8000 miles or whatever it is. what i mean is, you know how the car tells you the amount of miles before oil has to be changed on the idrive, do you have to reset this somehow, or does it do it itself? sorry for the questions but im new to this any help would be appreciated it thanks

[marksae]

You'd need to reset it manually. This video shows how:



Not sure if there's a way to get the oil change interval lowered.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by JamesKilcarr

hi greg i have a question, after all the oil has been changed does the car automatically change itself to say change the oil next 8000 miles or whatever it is. what i mean is, you know how the car tells you the amount of miles before oil has to be changed on the idrive, do you have to reset this somehow, or does it do it itself? sorry for the questions but im new to this any help would be appreciated it thanks

As marksae says, not it does not. I do not find that necessary. I just remember to do the in-between changes at 7-8k remaining. I usually have the dealer do the scheduled changes just to keep a relationship with them, plus there are updates and other services they can check for.

[atruelunatic]

Need help everyone!

I finally lifted up the car to do my 7.5k mi oil change and noticed that the dealership actually overtightened the nuts causing it to strip (not the threads, but where you put the allen key).

1) Any ideas on an easy way to remove the screw?
2) And where can I get a replacement one?
3) Or I saw someone post that they used a new screw that uses a socket wrench to tighten. Does anyone know what size the threads are and the length to get as well?

TIA!

[aussiem3]

Originally Posted by elp_jc

It's actually 180ml (0.18 liter), measured with a syringe, so you were 80% off . But I sucked oil all the way down with a long needle, not just to the base. Must be a valve somewhere, as oil should just flow down into the engine, no? Still not enough to worry about, but more than I thought. Next time I'll suck it with my vacuum fluid extractor, but wanted to measure it this first time just for kicks. The good news is 8.8 + 0.2 = 9.0 ltr, so no need to store 0.2L anymore . Good day.

I think 9 litres sounds right. I did my oil change today, and emptied everything, including sucking out the oil filter. I sucked out a fair amount from the filter ... and I think 180 ml mentioned above is close to the mark. I didn't measure.

Filled with 8.8 ltr and the car is showing between min=max. I am sure there is room for another 200 ml. I am going to pour that in shortly and I don't think that's an overfill. It should show max, and even if it's an overfill it shouldn't hurt.

P.S. See the image after topping up 200ml - making it 9 ltr in all. Doesn't even max out. Unless there is a problem with the sensor. Hope that's not the case.

[aussiem3]

I've been looking at Liqui Moly Synthoil Race Tech GT1 10W-60 as an alternate to Castrol TWS 10w-60 for my next oil change. When looking at the filling capacity (see attached pic), 8.8 litres plus 0.4 litres if you are changing the filter.

Then no wonder we get the add 1 ltre warning soon after an oil change when we have filled only 8.8 with the filter. You will see in my previous post that I filled with 9 litres and it was still way below the max. So it won't hurt to fill with 9.2 litres when changing oil with the filter.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by aussiem3

I've been looking at Liqui Moly Synthoil Race Tech GT1 10W-60 as an alternate to Castrol TWS 10w-60 for my next oil change. When looking at the filling capacity (see attached pic), 8.8 litres plus 0.4 litres if you are changing the filter.

Then no wonder we get the add 1 ltre warning soon after an oil change when we have filled only 8.8 with the filter. You will see in my previous post that I filled with 9 litres and it was still way below the max. So it won't hurt to fill with 9.2 litres when changing oil with the filter.

From my experience, 8.8L includes the filter capacity. What you posted is not definitive.

[aussiem3]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

From my experience, 8.8L includes the filter capacity. What you posted is not definitive.

If that's the case how come when I filled with 9 litres it's still under the MAX level? This was after syphoning out some oil from the filter

[coogs08]

Hi guys, I changed my oil today and decided to make a video tutorial. Hope it helps some people out.

[1MOREMOD]

what are people using as their source for filter and oil? just had mine done at the stealer yesterday as well as castrol srf in for the brakes. think i need to quit paying them as this is an easy thing to DIY. does bavarian or someone have a kit that includes the oil and filter?

[coogs08]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

what are people using as their source for filter and oil? just had mine done at the stealer yesterday as well as castrol srf in for the brakes. think i need to quit paying them as this is an easy thing to DIY. does bavarian or someone have a kit that includes the oil and filter?

http://www.getbmwparts.com/partlocat...egoryID=164147

Item: PKE92M3OIL

[1MOREMOD]

thank you!

[M3N74L]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

I changed mine today at 8k miles (in 8 1/2 months) -- Service Indicator is showing 8k to service.

I used ramps at the rear, and jacked the front fromt the central jack point and supported the front on jack stands at the suspension arm pivot points. I noticed when the filter is removed there is about 1/10 liter of oil in the bottom of the housing. I used my MityVac to suck it out, though you could use an old turkey baster. I poured about the same amount of fresh oil into the bottom before reinstalling the filter.

I put in 8 1/4 liters before restarting the car. It took quite a while to get a reading, and was then showing near the bottom of ths scale with a "+1" notation. I added another 1/2 liter, but was unable to get a different reading in the garage. I'll check it again after driving.

The car always seems to run better after an oil change--pyscholocical, I know, but it makes you feel good.

Edit: The electronic oil monitoring system and lack of a dipstick continue to frustrate me. If the system were secondary, that's fine, but why do away with the dipstick? After putting in 8.75 liters (stated capacity is 8.8) and driving a couple times, the system is still telling me to add 1 quart -- would you trust it? If it had a disptick there would be no question. Just really stupid!

What jack did you use to reach the center lift point?