mixing oil brands?

How inadvisable is it to combine different brands of 5W-30 when filling up the oil?

Originally Posted by Table3

How inadvisable is it to combine different brands of 5W-30 when filling up the oil?

BMW actually advises it...sort of.

You're allowed to add one of the approved LL-01 oils if needed to top off a fill of OE oil that's low...when OE oil isn't available.

I'm sure the purists would say don't do it, and I haven't done it myself, but the real key isn't the weight as much as the LL-01.

Oh, the purists like me would also say it's better to top off than run low. But I'd also say that if you've just got the low oil light on now, you could wait until tomorrow to get the same oil, but you should check your oil level when car has been sitting a long time to figure out how much to add.

Don't turn it off, see it's at the bottom notch and add a qt. of oil. As you might end up a half a qt. high. Oil takes a while to settle.

More than you wanted, right? LOL

Good info as usual dmax

Originally Posted by The_Don

Good info as usual dmax

I'm so glad I didn't say anything to offend you! Some of you Dons seem pretty touchy!

I've done it from time to time with no issues...I keep the weight the same obviously.

Originally Posted by dmax

I'm so glad I didn't say anything to offend you! Some of you Dons seem pretty touchy!

Lol. Yeah, I can see how that could be the case at times. I try to keep things mellow as I haven't found a way to put a horses head in somebodies bed via forums yet.

Thanks for all the info! Follow up question: what's the difference between "fully synthetic" 5W-30 and "synthetic blend" 5W-30?

Originally Posted by Table3

Thanks for all the info! Follow up question: what's the difference between "fully synthetic" 5W-30 and "synthetic blend" 5W-30?

Have to go to oil threads for that...what you need to look for is a BMW LL-01 rating first...I actually think that's going to be more important than weight. If you need oil 'now,' then get any weight that's LL-01...could be 0/30, could be 0/40 or 5/40.

Failing that, get full synthetic 5/30 (non LL-01 if you have to) and just change your oil sooner rather than later. I'm pretty sure oe oil is full synthetic, but you can also check bmwna for that info...search for oil specifications or fluid specs. It's there.

Originally Posted by Table3

Thanks for all the info! Follow up question: what's the difference between "fully synthetic" 5W-30 and "synthetic blend" 5W-30?

The blend, is a mix usually of conventional oil with synthetic oil. Stick with the full synthetic. Per BMW, here are the LL-01 approved oils: the Mobil 1 0W-40 is the most readily available IMO.

BMW Long-life rating LL-01 Approved Synthetic Oils for the US Market:
Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30
Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40
Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30
Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30

To clarify, what does LL-01 mean?

Synpower MST 5W30 meets spec (LL01), NOT the common Synpower 5W30.

I've mixed different brands and weights before when topping off. As long as it's within specification and meets all standards it's fine. I use the same oil when I do an oil change.

I just topped mine off a few hours ago with a different brand. So far my engine hasn't burst into flames.

Originally Posted by Table3

To clarify, what does LL-01 mean?

I could be wrong, but I always interpreted it as 'Long Life circa 2001 spec." oil.

It means many things but the important ones are that viscosity is around
12.0 cSt @ 100C, and that HTHS is a minimum of 3.5. Most XW30's don't meet this spec for example M1 5W30.

Originally Posted by Lusticles

I just topped mine off a few hours ago with a different brand. So far my engine hasn't burst into flames.

Are you channeling from the dark side?

ALL oils are compatible with each other.

Gn?

I'll have to double check when I get home, but I don't recall the bottle referencing LL-01 or LL-anything on it. Is that a bad thing, or am I just not looking close enough?

The wrong oil is better than no oil.....