BMW recommends that its High Performance Synthetic Oil be used for all scheduled oil changes. Vehicles by BMW use a series of service indicators to determine the exact interval between its inspection services, when oil changes are performed. Relying on the indicators, the approximate mileage between oil changes could be as much as 15,000 miles.
There has been some controversy over the extended time period between oil changes recommended by BMW. Some dealers advise changing the oil more frequently than the 15,000-mile interval authorized by BMW. Stein Automotive in Louisville, Kentucky recommends changing the oil every 5,000 miles. Additionally, some BMW owners have their engine oil analyzed by an independent testing lab and use the results to fine-tune their oil changes.
Since driving styles vary, there’s no clear consensus on how frequently BMW’s synthetic oil should be changed. Owners of BMW vehicles should consider following the service recommendations of their dealer if they’re advised to change their oil more frequently, or obtain impartial advice on oil changes from a laboratory.
