Oil change interval?

["Doss Donaho" <ddonaho@xxxxxx>]

My layman's understanding of the purpose of the lights is to try to
determine the useful life left in the oil.
If you really want to know whets going on with the oil have it tested.
I've been really impressed with www.blackstone-labs.com.
They can tell you how the additives in your oil are holding up, if dirt is
getting into your engine, amount of coolant/water/gas in the oil, if its
gotten burnt, bearing/ring wear, etc.  You can determine how your engine and
driving habits effect the oil and how long it is lasting for you.  Based on
what additives are left and the amount of contaminants in the oil you will
know the oil had more life left or didn't.  You can know precisely what is
going on in your engine and with your oil.  Best thing is that you can stop
relying on opinions--you know what they say about opinions.

Go to the site and order a test sample kit.  The ship you a little bottle
and an info sheet.  Fill out the sheet with as much info as you can.  They
have a better database than you might think.  Also, they seem to really
analyze your results based on your information and give you a precise
summary of the findings.  The more info they have the better.  The cost is
$18.50 and you get results back about the time the check clears.  Another
list I am on negotiated for a price $16.  Someone might try that with this
list.  I won't since I already have the discount.  Judging by your posts,
some of you have endless hours to save $2.

Without the oil tests, the best answer you are ever going to get is an
ultra-conservative 3K, or a wild ass guess.  There are just to many
individual variables.

Doss
86 535i
Soon to have M badges all over--as soon as I can find out how to gold plate
them :)






- -----Original Message-----
From: William T. Wallace [mailto:ssgwallace@domain.elided]
Sent: Sunday, April 02, 2000 1:50 PM
To: BMW uuc digest; BMW Digest
Subject: <E39> Oil change interval?


I know this has been talked about allot, but what's the final overall
opinion about oil change intervals?  Should I go with the service indicator
lights or every 3,000miles?  Which is better in the LONG run?

'00 528i
http://www.geocities.com/emailmeman/home.html
BMWCCA# 177841
"GOD is good all the time"

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