R56 1st oil change on 2012 mini cooper hardtop
#1
1st oil change on 2012 mini cooper hardtop
I have 2012 mini cooper hardtop with 1000 miles. Today I changed the motor oil for first time. 4 quarts came out and 4 quarts went in. But I read in some posts that it should have been 4.4 quarts. I drove the car and the level is 3/4 up between the two bulges on the oil dip stick, after waiting 5min per the manual.
I can't find the oil capacity in the manual, any ideas?
thanks
I can't find the oil capacity in the manual, any ideas?
thanks
Last edited by grips03; 03-10-2012 at 05:04 PM.
#2
I have 2012 mini cooper hardtop with 1000 miles. Today I changed the motor oil for first time. 4 quarts came out and 4 quarts went in. But I read in some posts that it should have been 4.4 quarts. I drove the car and the level is 3/4 up between the two bulges on the oil dip stick, after waiting 5min per the manual.
I can find the oil capacity in the manual, any ideas?
thanks
I can find the oil capacity in the manual, any ideas?
thanks
Did you change out the filter as well. If not, there's your other .4 quarts. And, if you didn't, shame on you. You always change out the filter.
3/4 up the bulges would be about 1/2 quart.
#3
I changed the oil filter.
When I measured the original 4 quarts that came out of the car via the drain plug, I didn't account for the little bit that came out with the oil filter. So its more like 4.2 quarts came out of the car.
I went back and added .25 quarts (so now we are up to 4.25 quarts in total) and I'm right at the top bulge. I'm on flat surface, and checked with the procedure in the owners manual.
I'll check again in a week, but perhaps oil capacity is 4.4 quarts from dry and 4.2 quarts should be changed with oil filter change. I know my LR truck is like this, 6.9 quarts from dry and 6.1 quarts with oil filter change.
The owners manual really should have better info.
When I measured the original 4 quarts that came out of the car via the drain plug, I didn't account for the little bit that came out with the oil filter. So its more like 4.2 quarts came out of the car.
I went back and added .25 quarts (so now we are up to 4.25 quarts in total) and I'm right at the top bulge. I'm on flat surface, and checked with the procedure in the owners manual.
I'll check again in a week, but perhaps oil capacity is 4.4 quarts from dry and 4.2 quarts should be changed with oil filter change. I know my LR truck is like this, 6.9 quarts from dry and 6.1 quarts with oil filter change.
The owners manual really should have better info.
#4
I have a 2012 Hard top too. My oil level is 3/4 of the way up between the two buldges too. I haven't changed it yet. I even added about 1/4 quart and the level didn't change??? I wouldn't worry about it, it is in the safe zone. I have had the same reading on the dipstick since I bought the car 2 months ago. I have 1800 miles now. I check the oil every week.
#5
Here is what I did
Parts:
Mini oil filter p/n: 11 42 7 622 446
Castrol 0w-30 Edge SPT European Formula - bought 6 quarts, could have only bought 5
brake clean
Procedure:
Drove front wheels up 2 plastic ramps
Used 8mm stubby hex socket driver for drain plug
Used small hook to pull off old copper crush washer that was stuck to bottom of oil pan.
Used 10mm 6 point to move the coolant expansion tank and pushed to side , gives better access to oil filter area
Used 27mm 6 point to remove oil filter
Replaced o-ring with light oil coat, filter, drain plug with copper crush washer
Refilled motor oil
Cleaned up oil filter area with rag with brake clean on it
Checked oil level on level ground after driving more than 6 miles and waiting 5min after driving
Parts:
Mini oil filter p/n: 11 42 7 622 446
Castrol 0w-30 Edge SPT European Formula - bought 6 quarts, could have only bought 5
brake clean
Procedure:
Drove front wheels up 2 plastic ramps
Used 8mm stubby hex socket driver for drain plug
Used small hook to pull off old copper crush washer that was stuck to bottom of oil pan.
Used 10mm 6 point to move the coolant expansion tank and pushed to side , gives better access to oil filter area
Used 27mm 6 point to remove oil filter
Replaced o-ring with light oil coat, filter, drain plug with copper crush washer
Refilled motor oil
Cleaned up oil filter area with rag with brake clean on it
Checked oil level on level ground after driving more than 6 miles and waiting 5min after driving
Last edited by grips03; 03-10-2012 at 05:17 PM.
#6
It is nearly impossible to get Mini to tell you how much oil to put in the car. I even called Mini USA and they could not/ would not tell me. After hunting all over the place I found MINI's internal technical service document that lists oil capacity by motor.
N12 (2007+ MINI Cooper) and N16 (latest motor) – 4.20 liters / 4.4381 quarts
N14 (2007+ MINI Cooper S) and N18 (latest motor) – 4.20 liters / 4.4381 quarts
Don't overfill it and don't let it get low.
N12 (2007+ MINI Cooper) and N16 (latest motor) – 4.20 liters / 4.4381 quarts
N14 (2007+ MINI Cooper S) and N18 (latest motor) – 4.20 liters / 4.4381 quarts
Don't overfill it and don't let it get low.
#7
Here is what I did
Parts:
Mini oil filter p/n: 11 42 7 622 446
Castrol 0w-30 Edge SPT European Formula - bought 6 quarts, could have only bought 5
brake clean
Procedure:
Drove front wheels up 2 plastic ramps
Used 8mm stubby hex socket driver for drain plug
Used small hook to pull off old copper crush washer that was stuck to bottom of oil pan.
Used 10mm 6 point to move the coolant expansion tank and pushed to side , give better access to oil filter area
Used 27mm 6 point to remove oil filter
Replaced o-ring, filter, drain plug with crush washer
Refiled motor oil
Cleaned up oil filter area with rag and brake clean on it
Checked oil level on level ground after driving more than 6 miles and waiting 5min after driving
Parts:
Mini oil filter p/n: 11 42 7 622 446
Castrol 0w-30 Edge SPT European Formula - bought 6 quarts, could have only bought 5
brake clean
Procedure:
Drove front wheels up 2 plastic ramps
Used 8mm stubby hex socket driver for drain plug
Used small hook to pull off old copper crush washer that was stuck to bottom of oil pan.
Used 10mm 6 point to move the coolant expansion tank and pushed to side , give better access to oil filter area
Used 27mm 6 point to remove oil filter
Replaced o-ring, filter, drain plug with crush washer
Refiled motor oil
Cleaned up oil filter area with rag and brake clean on it
Checked oil level on level ground after driving more than 6 miles and waiting 5min after driving
You are most likely OK at the level you are at. I know the manual says to check oil at operating temp. but try checking it in the morning for the heck of it. Pull it out, wipe it off, reinsert it, pull it out and read. If hard to see, lay it on a paper towel.
As long as you are within the bulges you are OK. I try and keep mine at the top bulge.
I would also recommend checking oil level once a week.
Ditto on the DO NOT OVERFILL. That can be as bad as running it low.
Good job.
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#8
#9
They aren't like the old manuals that shows one how to do certain things.
I guess because they figure most owners will have the dealerships work on
them.
I've figured out NAM is a pretty good manual. LOL
#10
You're off to a great start by changing the oil before the OBC tells you to, that could be 13,000 to 15,000 miles before the first oil change! I did my first one at 1,500 miles and then every 5,000 and/or when the OBC says it's time. I don't burn any oil like many do so I must have done something right.
#11
#15
Not panic, but there shouldn't be any excessive oil.
You want to drain out any excess as overfilling the engine oil can create sloshing / foaming of the oil which leads to less protection.
That's incorrect; remove the excess oil immediately.
- Erik
You want to drain out any excess as overfilling the engine oil can create sloshing / foaming of the oil which leads to less protection.
That's incorrect; remove the excess oil immediately.
- Erik
#16
Just curious, was it a dealership that changed it or
independent?
Overfilling is not a good idea at all.
You can place a container under the drain plug and
loosen it up enough to have it leaking until you figure
about a 1/2 qt. is out then tighten it up again. Clean up
around the plug and snug it. Don't over tighten it.
#17
#18
Good luck. The plug is a 25 mm torque drive but I believe you can substitute an allen.
**Before doing anything, I have a question. Are you sure they put 5 qts. in? Are you saying that because you
can see they charged you for 5 quarts or is the level way over the upper bulge on the dip stick?
Last edited by drsimmons; 03-11-2012 at 08:44 AM.
#20
#21
True. We have a local mechanic (in our local club) that truly believes that changing MCS oil intervals need to be 4500. They have seen several premature failures on R56 turbos and chain guides on Minis that extend the change intervals. So for now we are doing them early.
#22
True. We have a local mechanic (in our local club) that truly believes that changing MCS oil intervals need to be 4500. They have seen several premature failures on R56 turbos and chain guides on Minis that extend the change intervals. So for now we are doing them early.
so it's only about $45. and 40 minutes. Not bad for piece of mind.
#23
I drive my Mini just over 5k a year (my Jeep gets the other 5-6k a year) so I mainly do it that early to get that year old oil out of there.
#24
#25