Change oil based on mileage or computer?
 

I know, I know, there are tons of threads on here about when to change oil. My question is a bit different.

We're getting close to starting a cross country trip in our '12 MCS, I want to get the Mini serviced before we leave. The computer in the car says we have 1,300 miles to go for a change. When I look at the invoice from last year and compare the current mileage with what it says on the invoice, I'm within a few miles of hitting 10k miles since the last change. So, will Mini change the oil based on actual miles or what the computer says? Will call Mini next week, but wanted to hear what experiences members here have had. I know about changing it every 5k miles, I already did that 5k miles ago on my dime. I also have a couple of months to go before I qualify for the 'yearly' change.

A second question. Why the difference? I suspect the computer might be basing the 1,300 to go based on also factoring in how the car is driven? The bulk of the miles driven the past year are freeway.

I change my oil annually, regardless of mileage.

But then, I only drive about 5K miles a year.

Dave

Understood. What I'm trying to do is get Mini to change the oil on their dime. I still have about 6 months of Mini maintenance left.

if your oil service light aint YELLOW they won't do it for free.
I took mine in cause I knew the 1yr mark was like 2weeks away, NOPE no
oil change unless I paid. So I did pay and brought it back the next month for my free change.

They will do it for free once a year under your Mini maintenance program, no matter what the mileage says. My dealer has.

Dave

Normally, unless the MINI OBC is indicating it is time for an oil change, you will not be able to get it done without paying for it yourself.

That said, I have read of a few cases where people were able to get the oil change done a bit early. Usually it was in a situation similar to your where the owner knew they were going to be on the road when the oil change would be due. AND, they had a good relationship with their service advisor, so they were able to get some consideration when they might not have otherwise been able to.

Personal choice whether or not to live by or defeat the 'book'. Us old timers change oil AT LEAST every 5K regardless of who else says what. Oil is cheap compared to 'not' oil and all the thrills that can bring. If you decide to use up all the time and miles on your trip before the shop lets you in the door at least pack an extra quart. Ya otta have an extra quart in the boot regardless.

The dealership does it every 15K or 1 year. I had them do it both to mine. What I mean is at of the 2 times I went in one was for mileage and the other one was for a year. I bought mine used and it had been over a year the first time I had the oil changed and the next I went in was like 8 months later and it had been 15k(I changed it in between that time myself).

Now that my car is out of warranty I change it about every 4-6K miles. Like tomorrow I am changing it about a 1K miles early.

Someone please clarify.....
I read that the mini eats oil
What years and what condition
Would a new mini eat oil
Asking cause I can't read the damn dipstick and I'm always full
New 2014 R55 fJCW
2 oil changes so far
1 at 5k ( by dealer ) my dime
1 at 10k ( dealer ) their dime
Should I be worried
Or is it after a few years of wear n tear that they start consuming
Thanks

Wow, great job with the line breaks mobile app Looked readable when it was typed , sorry guys!

Clarification - if you read it on the Internet, it must be true.

The dipstick is real easy to read, just check it cold, on a level surface. Pull the dipstick, don't wipe it off, note the level, replace the dipstick. My MINI uses very little oil between oil changes. The dealers overfill them a bit, so if it looks full all the time, it probably is.

My MINI used the most oil in the first year, while it was breaking in, after that almost nothing.

Dave

So my 07 eats the **** out of oil. I just top it off and deal. A 2014 is whatever. Just change it like you are and you will be fine.

Sent from me being awesome around my MINI!!

All Indians walk in single file. I know because the one that I saw, did.
Every MINI is different. This one, '06, 80+K miles, every 5K we dump out exactly what went in. If you go by all the problems voiced on forums you are hearing from a small handful of the population. The preponderance of MINI owners don't even know what a forum is and don't care.
I have no idea why people have trouble eyeballing the dipstick. There's either oil present or there's not. If you still can't see it rest it against a piece of paper towel or something and examine the stain.

Because the R56 dipstick before the LCI was stupid hard to read unless you actually took the time to learn how to read it. I every once in awhile look at and completely blank. Once you learn though it does make a good amount of sense and can tell you how much oil is really in the car.

Imo, If you don't change your oil every 6,000 with full synthetic you will be forced to buy the oil anyhow to replace what your burning.

I already have 26,000 miles on my '13 MCS. I change my oil every 4,000 miles. I'm old and set in my ways.

Change based on the OBC, so every 21,000 - 24,0000 so about once a year. Add about 3/4 of a quart over the span. Just turned 333,000 miles last week :thumbsup:

Nik

Whatever works for you. I change mine out every 5,000 miles.

ive been changing mine every 9K (when the computer prompts me).

im at 37K on my '13MCS and burn no oil.......and the oil is still looking servicable at 9K so ive felt no inclination to change it any earlier.

I do every 6 months or 7500 miles....somes a bit sooner, but not later...
Just do not trust the super long mini oil change intervals....if you want to keep the car around, I suggest you do the same.

The only way to safely run oil more than 6-7K ( full synth ) is to run 7K and send a sample to a lab like blackstone and have it tested to see if any life is left and what contaminants and percentage is in the oil.

I did this with my 2004 chevy PU and found 6-7K was the most I could go before the life was up on it.

When you think about it, changing the oil every 4500 miles, is rather cheap insurance!

As the OP, am somewhat surprised how this thread diverged into "How often should I change my oil?", which is not what I asked as I already change my oil every 5k (see first post). Am trying to get my free oil change based on over 10k miles since last dealer oil change. Perhaps I wasn't clear what I was asking?

So as a followup to my original question, I did call the dealer. They will only change my oil if I either reach my one year anniversary date (which is several weeks a way), or the computer says it's time to change (apparently it doesn't matter how many actual miles are on the oil). The computer currently says I have 1k miles to go, which would make it 11k since the last dealer oil change. So, off to an independent for a change prior to our trip.

Just as I said , service ain't yellow you pay green

Yup, you had it right. I was hoping I could throw myself on the mercy of the Mini court. :thumbsup: