Are we able to change the MINI's oil inbetween scheduled dealer changes?

 

Yes, they wont ever know if you do or not. Just mke sure that you don't reset your oil change countdown (not a super simple task.) So, change away

 

exactly. don't reset the counter and all will be well. Stick it to the man!

 

HUH???

First ... NOT reseting the counter is trivial as in ... do not touch anything. How can "doing nothing" be NOT a super simple task:impatient

Second, if you put in fresh oil, do you not think the computer recognizes the wear and tear on the oil an adjusts for it being cleaner? Or if you dont use a BMW filter they aren't going to notice it?

 

There's no oil quality sensor The computer calculates it based on a preprogrammed proprietary algorithm probably using time, average runtime after starts, fuel used, etc and maybe even time at WOT for all we know. But if you fill the crankcase with olive oil it won't tell you to change it right NOW

You can pay the dealer for the in-between oil changes (tell them not to reset the counter) or just change it yourself using the same German Castrol from AutoZone at ~5,000 miles if your counter tends to read 10,000. That's what I did, and I didn't even bother to change the filter because I figured it was designed for 15,000+ miles anyway.

 

It recongizes something, what I do not know but in my younger, foolish days when loaded with extra $$$ I did change the oil at 4/5K and the computer slowed down. So that means something

Now that I am older and wiser, I know better

 

Perhaps in your younger days you foolishly did not drive the car as it was meant to be driven and have now seen the error of your ways?

I think if there was an accurate portable oil analysis device cheap enough to be included free with a car it would also be sold at the autoparts store next to the antifreeze testers and we wouldn't have to mess with mail-in oil analysis labs. I'd buy one, if only to find out whether I've been foolish for changing my oil at 5k all of this time.

 

I'm too late for my 5K change... I already have 7500 miles on my OEM oil .

I've also been wondering about the level of computer analysis that goes into monitoring the engine for services like oil changes. I don't think there are oil quality sensors...

Call me silly, but I'm just going to ask my local dealership MA and the mechanic who performs the services their opinions on 5K vs. 10K oil changes. I'm torn between the "gut feeling" of doing more frequent changes vs what MINI recommends. However, one would think that the engineers who design these cars know more than a drivers "gut feeling" about what's right.

 

I think you're right on that. We got a similar answer from
the dealer. Said it was based on how you drive and how
much fuel you consumed.

Heard this from different mechanics:
"The #1 thing you can do to keep your engine running it's
best the longest is to change your oil, tuneups only help
it running efficiently."

That being said, every 5-7,000 (or once between MINI
changes) would be erroring on the side of caution right?

Thanks for the link BFG9000.


No comments on the collage I made for UKDragon?

 

I changed mine to Amsoil at 1500 miles. I changed it again a week or so before Driving School (at about 6000 miles I think). I figured the on board countdown went with driving style since before Driving School it said about 3500 miles to service and after it said 2800, but I only put about 400 miles on the car over the weekend. I have another Driver's School scheduled for March so I'll probably change it again when I get my brakes done (not at the dealer).
Annette

 

Being from the old school of frequent oil changes being cheap insurance (not as cheap now with synthetics), I was rather alarmed when my dealer told me that the first oil change is 10,000, but each oil change after that is 15,000. Has anyone else been told this? Does anyone know where i can find the official Mini reference to oil changes (ok, haven't looked in the manual yet, so slap me).

 

I've changed mine twice I have 10000 miles and it says I'm due in 150 miles, before last weekend I was at 900 till time to change, wonder if it is the track days.

 

I got my first free oil change before the first 10K miles was up. I hit one year (delivery date was July 2005) before 10,000 miles so the dealer just changed the oil (July 2006) and didn't reset the countdown thingie.

Last week my dealer performed the first oil service. They changed the oil, cabin filter and changed the wiper blades. They reset the countdown thingie and now it reads 15,000 miles.

I forgot to ask my SA one more thing before I left. I know for sure that I'll hit one year before the 15,000 miles is up. So, do I take it in for a oil change one year after my first service(March 2008) or just wait until the countdown thingie reads under 1,000 miles?

 

I believe he was saying that resetting the counter is not a super simple task, not, not resetting it. Quite possibly he thought the computer didn't recognize the wear and tear on the oil cause it has no way to do that. :impatient

 

I don't belive adding new oil or changing the filter will reset the computer. Also, I have no idea how they reset the computer being that it seems to be in the key!

Since the computer seems to be in the key, is it possible for MINI's to have more than 1 key?

Pics to and from the oil change:

 

reseting the counter is a combination of button pushes and key turns in a specific sequence and a specific timing that can be found by searching this site. (I taped the instruction to the inside cover of my Haynes)

I found the hard part 2b getting the sequence/time right. Took several tries the first time but eventually got it to work.....

No comment on changing oil more frequently - I do mine now that I'm out of pre-paid maintenance. The engineer that decided how the filter mounts and where it is, is probably still laughing....:impatient

Dealer is to change oil under pre-paid when the computer says or @ 12 months. Which ever comes first. Curiously, the second time mine was changed 12 months hit when the service counter still had 3k to go. Dealer changed the oil and did not reset counter; did not do full service...changed again 3k later during service call...go figure....