Thought I would ask all of you about this... My MA advised that when I everytime I fill up with gas, I should check my oil level as the MINI's will go through it a little bit. He said just get a bottle of Mobil1 or Castrol Synthetic and top it off as needed.

Anybody else doing this?

First Fill up by the way....33.4 MPG, took 13.8 gallons of 91 for a total of $60+ ($4.41/gallon OUCH!) Computer said that I had 525 Miles to go after the fill up!

 

I have heard that during the break-in period watching your oil level is crucial. Although it does make me wonder where all that "eaten" oil goes...

 

I check ever 1k or so with an oil change interval of about 7k (and usually a good long road trip in there). Everyone's frequency is a little different, but when you start looking at 15-20k between oil changes the risk of burning enough off to cause concern is fairly great.

 

It's good practice to check your fluids at every fill up so you can catch a potential problem before it becomes a distaster... but I never do so

 

Assuming this is for an R56 as it was your first fill up.

First time I've heard of a mini rep suggesting you use something other than Mini branded oil. Do a search for "oil" and you'll see what I mean. That dipstick isn't the easiest for me to read either.

 

While I applaud your MA's recommendation to check your oil frequently, a better method than checking at a gas station would be to check every few weeks at home after the car's been sitting for awhile, preferably overnight. This will give you a very accurate oil level indication, especially if you always park in the same location. By the way, my base manual Clubman used little or no oil in the first 1,200 miles. The oil level was exactly between the indicator marks when I got the car, and the level did not go down at all before my first change at 1,200 miles.

 

a little off topic, but do you happen to listen to Jim Rome.

 

Jim Rome? No clue who he is.

So what Oil asre you supposed to use? Sombody mentioned MINI oil. I though MINI used Castrol?

I know you should check your fluids every so often and usually do. I just thought it funny to check at every fillup to top off if needed. I am used to Oil changes every 3K miles. I am nto convinced on waiting 12K or so to get the MINI's first one. Planning on about 6K or so and just paying for it myself. I am a little **** about my service schedule :-)

 

If you do a thread search you'll find lots of discussions on which oil to use. In the Clubman warranty and service booklet MINI recommends their own oil, and also Mobil1 5w30 and Mobil1 5w40. I've used Mobil1 5w30 for years, and that's what I use for the oil changes I do, along with an OEM filter.

 

I use Mobil1 5w30 in between oil changes. I also check everything on Friday. All fluids and air pressure in tires ( including spare even though I doubt I'll ever use it ) then take a look around the car for anything a miss. The whole process usually takes no more than 10-15 minutes. I choose friday so I know she's ready for weekend fun.

I have done this with all cars and bikes that I've driven.

Thanks Dad for teaching me how to take car of a car. Miss you.

 

Yeah it's Castrol but the mini branded stuff has an ACEA A3/B3 certification. Supposedly any 5w30 with that certification will work. There just aren't that many sold in NA that I have found and it's just easier to go to the local BMW/Mini dealer and get it for ~$6.

There have been quite a few threads on when to do your first oil change take a look at this one in particular. I just changed mine this weekend, it just makes me feel better.

 

Thank you for all the info folks! What on earth did we do before the internet and forums...LOL

 

Mobil1 5w30 does not have the A3/B3 certification, and it's still recommended by MINI in the service and warranty booklet. It's the only non-MINI oil with a recommendation, along with Mobil1 5w40.