Short trip/oil question

andrew335i · 01-20-2013, 07:32 PM

I am always making short 5-10 trips since I live on military base. I know this is bad for our cars. Can I counter the negative effects by changing my oil often? Say 4-5k miles? And if so.. Am I safe to use conventional oil rather than spending 60-70 bucks on fully synthetic oil?

idrift4wd · 01-20-2013, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrew335i

I am always making short 5-10 trips since I live on military base. I know this is bad for our cars. Can I counter the negative effects by changing my oil often? Say 4-5k miles? And if so.. Am I safe to use conventional oil rather than spending 60-70 bucks on fully synthetic oil?

its not terrible for our cars, but if your going to have short trips, try to make one of them is a hot trip

id stick with synthetic, im sure it can run on conventional, but its HIGHLY recommended.

VTECaddict · 01-20-2013, 07:37 PM

Change as often as you like, but only use recommended synthetic oil.

andrew335i · 01-20-2013, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

Change as often as you like, but only use recommended synthetic oil.

Roger that. Am I properly countering the negative effects of short trips by changing oil more often?

bumere90 · 01-20-2013, 08:28 PM

Conventional oil will ruin your engine
Short trips will cause sludge build up

avocet · 01-20-2013, 10:09 PM

You will have zero issues with a premium conventional oil. If you are doing 5-7500 mile oil changes you will be changing it out before the additives wear out. With lots of starts I would think about 6 month calendar intervals instead of one year.

But keep in mind, I don't think there is an actual bmw ll01 spec dino oil(ll being "long life").

If you are running hard hot sustained conditions, I would stick with syn.

andrew335i · 01-20-2013, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avocet

You will have zero issues with a premium conventional oil. If you are doing 5-7500 mile oil changes you will be changing it out before the additives wear out. With lots of starts I would think about 6 month calendar intervals instead of one year.

But keep in mind, I don't think there is an actual bmw ll01 spec dino oil(ll being "long life").

If you are running hard hot sustained conditions, I would stick with syn.

I'll spend the extra bucks for synthetic. I was looking forward to conventional only because its typically slightly thicker than synthetic, reducing engine noise. I remember when I went from conventional to m1 0w-40 on my old e46... The engine ticking became louder

avocet · 01-20-2013, 11:27 PM

Castrol edge spt 5-40 is ll-01, and yes, it seems to quiet down my 328i.

andrew335i · 01-21-2013, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avocet

Castrol edge spt 5-40 is ll-01, and yes, it seems to quiet down my 328i.

Cool. Just confirmed that ill probably do that then

Wires · 01-21-2013, 07:23 AM

I'd stick with the synthetic though. As much as you don't need the long life in your case, it's more thermally stable and will minimize startup wear.

Probably a good idea to do yearly changes too (with that driving pattern). It's what all other manufacturers recommend.

Pierce330 · 01-21-2013, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrew335i

I am always making short 5-10 trips since I live on military base. I know this is bad for our cars. Can I counter the negative effects by changing my oil often? Say 4-5k miles? And if so.. Am I safe to use conventional oil rather than spending 60-70 bucks on fully synthetic oil?

I drive 2 kms to work and then I take the long way home so that I lengthen the trip to let the car warm up...It's not that great for the car if you are constantly taking short trips...

andrew335i · 01-21-2013, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avocet

Castrol edge spt 5-40 is ll-01, and yes, it seems to quiet down my 328i.

This is synthetic still...

I decided I'm going to just use bmw brand synthetic oil. It's cheaper than m1 0w40 I've been using yet is just as good. Thanks guys

01-20-2013, 07:32 PM	#1
andrew335i Banned 10 Rep 93 Posts Drives: 2009 335i e92 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Newburgh, NY iTrader: (0)	Short trip/oil question I am always making short 5-10 trips since I live on military base. I know this is bad for our cars. Can I counter the negative effects by changing my oil often? Say 4-5k miles? And if so.. Am I safe to use conventional oil rather than spending 60-70 bucks on fully synthetic oil?
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01-20-2013, 07:37 PM	#3
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 481 Rep 6,067 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	Change as often as you like, but only use recommended synthetic oil. __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
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01-20-2013, 08:28 PM	#5
bumere90 Grozniy 177 Rep 2,602 Posts Drives: Carless Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: FL iTrader: (12)	Conventional oil will ruin your engine Short trips will cause sludge build up
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01-20-2013, 10:09 PM	#6
avocet Major 252 Rep 1,157 Posts Drives: 2007 328i 2011 X5d Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Vancouver bc iTrader: (0)	You will have zero issues with a premium conventional oil. If you are doing 5-7500 mile oil changes you will be changing it out before the additives wear out. With lots of starts I would think about 6 month calendar intervals instead of one year. But keep in mind, I don't think there is an actual bmw ll01 spec dino oil(ll being "long life"). If you are running hard hot sustained conditions, I would stick with syn.
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01-20-2013, 11:27 PM	#8
avocet Major 252 Rep 1,157 Posts Drives: 2007 328i 2011 X5d Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Vancouver bc iTrader: (0)	Castrol edge spt 5-40 is ll-01, and yes, it seems to quiet down my 328i.
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01-21-2013, 07:23 AM	#10
Wires Brigadier General 1646 Rep 4,876 Posts Drives: 2016 340i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	I'd stick with the synthetic though. As much as you don't need the long life in your case, it's more thermally stable and will minimize startup wear. Probably a good idea to do yearly changes too (with that driving pattern). It's what all other manufacturers recommend.
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