So i just changed my oil... did i screw up!?

chockomonkey · 11-23-2004, 02:49 AM

Alright. I just changed the oil in my car for the first time (i haven't been neglecting it, i just got it 2 months ago). I didn't know much, so i asked around, and people suggested something like 5w-30 for the winter months. I went to the store and knowing me, i made things more complicated than they were and ended up getting Mobile 1 Fully Synthetic 0w-40. My first questions, was this a mistake? I think what caught my eye was that it said, "European Make" or somethying like that on the label.

Secondly, i have noticed several differences in my car. First of all, it revs up a lot easier. I believe this to be because i switched from normal to synthetic oil. Please correct me if i'm wrong. However, usually while driving my car, from about 1-3k rpms, it has a little bit of power, but then really opens up in the latters, like 4-6. And i have like a surge of power. However, now after the oil change, the car doesn't do this anymore. And it doesn't seem to have the boost of power. It seems to stay with the power i used to get around 1-3k rpms, which wasn't much, all the way through 6k. It just stays constant. Is this normal? Am i imagining things? Did i screw up? Please help me. This possible loss of power in my car is very scary for me.

Thanks

ScotcH · 11-23-2004, 02:21 PM

There should be no issues with using 0w40, though 5w30 seems to be the best bet. Mobil 1 is defintly the way to go ... you just can't go wrong with that oil. As fo the difference in revving .... the oil might be thinner than what you had in there previously, so it will rev quicker, but it really should not be noticible. Power wise, the synthetic oil is a very good cleaner, so maybe it loosend some deposits in the engine, and as a result you lost some compression. This is all just guesswork though. Unless you have a leak, or didn't put in enough oil or something, I would not worry about it too much. Check is often to make sure you are not burning too much oil (up to 1L between changes is considered normal ... more if you race or redline your car a lot).

BMW_M52_M20 · 11-23-2004, 02:37 PM

Use synthetic oils in the E36's, I used mobil one in my previous and it was the best bet.....For summer months, I used 20W50 grade and 10W40 in the winter. Some people use 5w30 as well......

I can't see how changing the oil has given you a loss of power that you are explaining.....I think it is most likely coinsidence.

Do not overfill the oil resivoir! Mine took exactly 5.8L to be right in the middle of the two lines.

Jay

Justin e36 · 11-23-2004, 02:44 PM

nope you'll be fine. you did remember to change your oil filter too, right?

our e36's have rev happy engines... love the higher power bands. I highly doubt your loss in high end torque has to do with the oil change you did. Possibly spark plugs, ignition coils, clogged air filter, or clogged catalytic converter...

chopper · 11-23-2004, 02:48 PM

Mobil 1 is a really good brand and synthetic is the way to go. The difference in specs sholdnt be a big problem but you should try to stay within the recommended weight.

Make sure the filter is changed too.

M-Power · 11-24-2004, 12:13 AM

It's the viscosity of the oil affecting the way your VANOS operates, as it is oil pressure activated. Don't go too thin and watch for leaks now that you are using synthetic, especially when that thin it really creeps through seals.

325isRED · 11-24-2004, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Do not overfill the oil resivoir! Mine took exactly 5.8L to be right in the middle of the two lines.

well, i got suckered into buying bmw 5w-30, and i had to put in 7 litres to get it in between the lines....
btw its a 92 325is

mecbain · 11-24-2004, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 325isRED

well, i got suckered into buying bmw 5w-30, and i had to put in 7 litres to get it in between the lines....
btw its a 92 325is

same here 7 liters of castrol 5W50

chockomonkey · 11-24-2004, 01:03 AM

so, help me out here. if the vanos is activated by oil pressure, then i don't want too thin of an oil? what do the numbers mean? 0w-40. What does that mean? Help me pick the oil i need to use. 'cause i honestly have no clue. thanks.

325isRED · 11-24-2004, 01:18 AM

The first set of numbers is the viscocity of the oil, eg, 5w-30 is thinner than 10w-30. as for the second set of numbers, i am not to sure, perhaps chemical code or something...
as for which grade to use, the bmw dealership told me to use (lol, and then sold me ) 5w-30 for my e36 325

mecbain · 11-24-2004, 02:15 AM

1st number is the viscosity of the oil before the warmup of the engine and the 2nd number it's resistence to heat (how good it keeps it's viscuosity at higher temperatures), anyway that's what I always thought it was.

Personnaly I find 5W a little too thin, but for winter I belive it's fine, during summer 15w+ and you should be fine, but don't worry about it, if you don't race your car every day or start it at -30 every morning, pretty much any good brand synthetic oil should do.

oldskool3 · 11-24-2004, 11:23 AM

I dont think the grade of oil should have anything to do with a power loss, but you should probably use something a little thicker next oil change at least a 5w30, and remember to change your filter.