Oil Change Issues! Help/Advise Needed!

redline727

I work as a service advisor at a BMW dealership. And I don't know what is the specific formula for "BMW" engines but the BMW big wig engineers are strict on only using 5w30 synthetic formulated for BMW. I can tell you what we use is a full synthetic 5w30 made by Castrol for BMW. And the M cars use a Castrol Motorsports full synthetic 10w60. We aren't aloud to use anything else as per BMW (I'm sure this is also due to some type of contract obligation but you get the idea). I imagine what you got is an equivelant to what we use formula wise. I can say whatever the formula is its great for extended oil changes. BMW has free conditioned based maintenace for 4yrs/50k miles and the cars go an average of 12-17k miles or one year before they get an oil change.(it's also not uncommon to have to add a qt in between oil changes either) Off of the free maintenance we recommend 10k miles or 1 year. It's obvious BMW pushes the limit while its on there dime. So the oil is good. But BMWs use cartridge type filters and have much larger oil pans. Most of the smaller engines still take 7 qts, that by itself promotes longer oil life and most of them have factory oil coolers. Bottom line BMW engines are very different from ours though. Manufactures recommend different oils for a reason. They know their engines best bc they designed them clearances/tolerances/pressures/running temps can be very different between engines. Does that mean every BMW owner buys oil from the dealer I doubt it haha but BMW still recommends 5w30 full synthetic by Castrol if you buy off the shelf.

That being said I would drain that oil and get yourself what Nissan recommends and that is Ester oil for the 370. I use Redline personally. Or use the Nissan Ester oil.

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