How does it indicate the amount you need to add? In other words does it indicate you are down 8 oz., a quart, or what. This is new to me and I'm curious.

Tom

 

Yes, the electronic gauge has graduated markings, and each "mark" says how much you are down, eg "add 1 litre" or quart in US. Once you do add oil, it takes a day (approx.) to show "full" on the electronic gauge which confuses some ppl who think it should show immediately. Once you understand how it works, it's OK. That said, I fail to see what was wrong with the old dipstick.....

 

Thanks,

Tom

 

what this will also be nice for is, is that if ever there is an issue with this car like the last one, at least the car will keep track of the oil level digitally and the dealer can't just call some bs about not watching your oil level

 

That's a good point.

 

I kind of like the electronic dipstick... My 2006 BMW had it and it was fine.

This will likely be my oil change interval:

1000
5000
12,500
20,000

I will have Blackstone (http://www.blackstone-labs.com/) run an analysis on the 20,000 mile oil and see if I can up it to 10,000 miles or leave it at 7500.

Comparing mileage on an international forum is somewhat pointless because we all drive in different conditions. I live in a hot, dusty environment so I'm more cautious about oil life.

 

here's my worry with an electronic gauge.... My Mercedes C-class (2006) had one of these and after around 60k, the "window" that viewed the oil got clogged or something and would give a "check oil" message... maybe Mini has figured out a better way, but that would been a pretty pricey part to replace if I had wanted to...

 

I checked my Owners Manual and there are no published oil change intervals. It appears that the oil changes are handled by the electronics and when an oil/filter change is required it will show through the MENU > VEHICLE INFO > VEHICLE STATUS > SERVICE REQUIRED. Also, when you start the car you'll see the next scheduled maintenance (I assume oil changes as well) is displayed briefly in the instrument cluster after the ignition is turned on.

 

I guess that's like on my wife's old Civic. Supposedly, the car's computer kept track of the type of driving, miles, temperatures and length of time since the previous oil change, and then gave the percent of time remaining on the old oil, the dino kind. Probably was about once a year, she needed to get an oil change -- maybe 7k.

Her new CX-5 says to change the oil at least every 6 months or 7.5k -- whichever comes first. That's 0W-20 synthetic. Since she doesn't do a whole lot of driving, that could be every 3500 mikes. Interesting contrasts!

 

Here is some real-world data on oil changes.

My 2013 Paceman S was purchased in August 2013. It had 4000 miles on it in March 2014, when the computer said to bring it in for service. (The computer said service at 9K miles or March 2014.) The dealer changed the oil and did an inspection. The computer now says 9K miles or March 2015. My guess is that due to the low usage of the car, the date will adjust to sometime late next summer for the next service. The computer never had a mileage larger than 9K miles - so I think that is the default now. (The 2004 and 2008 Mini S that we owned were set to 12K miles. My wife was driving them and they were very low mileage - we got a 12-month service every year, without regard to the mileage.)

David

 

Just checked the Vin Decoder. Enter your Vin and it tells you the oil change interview for the F56 mine: oil maintenance interval 15,000 kms/12 months

 

Thanks, GregoryK,
Not sure I'd have ever looked there for oil change information, but it's nice to know what Mini recommends. I guess I'll have to go there and see what other gems might be hidden there.

Cheers,
Paul_F

 

Silly question from a new guy...

What happens if you live several hours from a dealer, are you just out of luck for the covered services? How does that affect warranty?

Thanks,
Chris

 

Chris. My understanding is that you have to have your car serviced by Mini if you want to keep your warranty active. Check with your dealer. These are not 69 mustangs...like most modern cars they are quite complicated and specific training is necessary to repair and service them.

 

I just follow what the computer computes and have had no problems on either of my cars. Actually my two MINI's have been the most maintenance free cars I have ever owned, which I love. Basically, when the counter got down within 500 miles or a year - whichever came first. It adjusts based on your driving/mileage. So sometimes I'd get two oil changes in within six months. As long as you are following what the manufacturer requirements or beyond, then it shouldn't be an issue. If damage happened to your car, I don't see how it would be your fault if you are following their instructions.

 

I was told by the finance lady who was trying to up-sell me warranty that it was either 15,000 miles or 1yr.

 

Yup, although I think the intervals are lowered to around 10,000 now. The computer determines it. Many change their oil much more on their ow as they think it's too long, but I don't see the point. If that's what they require, it's not like you are doing anything wrong following it. In my eyes, if anything went wrong with the car and I'm following their required maintenance, well then that's on them. Maybe once you are out of warranty it would make sense to change more often...

 

Are they going to turn you down if you go prior to that under the 3-year "maintenance free" package?

Will the car status say: you car needs an oil change?

 

I would not take advice about a major mechanical part of your car from a finance person.

Here's what happens to Mini Cooper engines when the bean counters are allowed to make engineering decisions:

http://totalcarmagazine.com/tech/201...n_your_engine/



^ That resulted in following what the computer said to do. The car has less than 40k miles on it.

Mini has since shortened their oil change intervals but I still think it's a good idea to keep a close eye on your oil condition if you plan on keeping the car for a long time. I don't really understand how people rationalize not spending $50 for an oil change on a $30,000.00 machine.

 

What about from the engineers?

How do you know the "bean counters" made any engineering decisions?

That's ok - I don't understand how people rationalize spending $50 for oil changes that don't provide any benefit. Fortunately, it is their money to spend as they see fit.

 

1. The only evidence we have is the end product. I would bet there are a bunch of engineers angry at the trade being made for marketing vs. longevity. I live in this world every day...

2. Well-engineered engines that are on proper oil change intervals don't look like the pictures I posted above.

3. Agreed on the second portion of your statement. However we are all here because we love our Minis. Spending money to (possibly) error on the side of caution to protect something I like is money well spent in my opinion.

*edit*

Here's some more objective evidence from an Internet friend of mine:



It's a BMW direct injection turbo engine following the recommended (computer regulated) oil change intervals.

The evidence is out there... take what you will from it

 

Because it's that way with every auto manufacturer.

Always has been this way.

If engineers made all the calls, cars would be far more overbuilt, and have fewer failures.

The way it works is engineers design something, accountants fire back. Engineers redesign it (cheaper) but at some form of expense (materials/processes). Accounts get ahold of it ..

This goes on until the part costs "X" and is within a specified design life.

 

You guys are drawing a lot of conclusions based on assumptions. Not saying your wrong but that certainly does not mean you are right. Drawing my own assumptions, I do not think its just a matter of cost. You build your cars just barely above the level of failure and there are LOT's of implications that follow which could easily tank a company.

 

I've worked with engineers all my life. The general rule is x3 for safety and then the individual add more. I would say that this is not the case with cars. They bench test and road test everything. They clearly design to a lifespan. They could build cars that last 100 years...but they don't because of price and weight. People expect less and less...this is the new phone every other year generation.
BMW's and Mini's are way down on the quality of build compared to most Japanese cars.
So really when you do your first oil change seems not that important in the scheme of things....but I guess everything helps:-}

 

Nope, See - Magnum Moss Act for details.

However, you must keep receipts and show you used the correct oil type that Mini recommends.