Change oil based on mileage or computer?
#1
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.
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.
Last edited by AZdsrt; 06-06-2014 at 01:32 PM. Reason: gammar
#3
#4
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.
#6
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.
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.
#7
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.
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#8
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.
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.
#9
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!
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!
#11
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
My MINI used the most oil in the first year, while it was breaking in, after that almost nothing.
Dave
#12
#13
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!
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!
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.
#14
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.
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.
#19
#20
#21
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.
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.
#23
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.
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.
#24
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.
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.
#25
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