How Often Should You Get a BMW Oil Change?

Dec 15, 2021

When you got your first car, it felt like your dad was always asking you whether you had an oil change recently. Now, you want to take excellent care of your BMW, but you’re not quite sure exactly how often maintenance should be performed. Today, we’re taking a closer look at how often you should have a BMW oil change performed by a certified BMW technician in Fayetteville, NC.

How Often Should You Get a BMW Oil Change in Fayetteville, NC?

If your motor is over nine years old, you should bring your BMW in for a professional oil change every 3,000 miles. Similarly, you should schedule an oil change every 3,000 miles if you drive under harsh conditions. Note, both of the aforementioned guidelines assume the use of conventional motor oil. If synthetic motor oil is used when your oil is changed and you have an old motor or put your motor through extra wear and tear, 10,000 miles is okay.

How Often Should You Get an Oil Change With a Fairly New Motor?

How often you should get an oil change with a relatively new motor depends primarily on the type of motor oil used. If you choose to have your oil changed with conventional motor oil, you can come in for an oil change every 5,000 miles if you put your motor under more wear and tear than the average person. On the other hand, if you choose to have your oil changed with synthetic motor oil, you can come in every 12,500 miles if you have a newer engine.

Do I Drive Under Harsh Conditions?

Harsh driving conditions are driving conditions that put an unusual amount of strain on your engine. For instance, if you drive for fewer than 11 miles when it is 32 degrees or colder outside, your motor oil doesn’t have time to warm up, reach the appropriate viscosity, and protect your motor’s moving parts from excessive wear and tear. Similarly, driving fewer than six miles when the ambient temperature is 33 degrees or above constitutes harsh driving conditions.

Long-distance trailer towing also puts a great deal of strain on your motor. If you’re planning to attach a camping trailer to the back of your X3, keep in mind that you will need another oil change sooner. Another example of harsh driving conditions is stop-and-go driving in extremely high temperatures. If your employer offers flexible hours, you may want to commute to work early or late to avoid rush hour traffic in the summer.

One of the most important steps you can take to keep your BMW healthy and reliable is scheduling regular oil changes. Depending on your normal driving conditions, the age of your motor, and the type of motor oil used, you may need to schedule oil changes every 3,000 to 12,500 miles. Contact us today at Valley Auto World BMW to schedule a service appointment if it’s been a while since your last oil change.