Hello-

Unfortunately my oil light starting flickering whilst out and I check the oil level and it was a bit low. Found the nearest station and all they had was Castrol 5w 50 so I added a little over 1/2 a quart of 5w 50 to my Cooper S.

Is there anything I should be concerned about with this different viscocity oil in my engine with the majority being 5w 30 from the factory? I have only 6000 miles on the engine and was wondering if I should go in and get an oil change for fear of having these different mixes screwing with my engine.

The car is not motoring out of the driveway till I get some feedback

 

As long as the new oil is synthetic, you'll be fine. Really. If not, change it ASAP. The numbers just refer to the temperature range that it is rated for. I think lower numbers are better for winter and higher for summer, etc...But if you mix them then your temperature range will just be some average of the two. No problem.

BTW, my oil pressure light flickered during a meet 2 months ago. I checked and was low. It still goes on now and then but the oil level is fine. Took it to the dealer and they said it's fine. I'm going to ask them to change the sensor b/c it still goes on at idle after a long drive. I have my second scheduled service in 2 weeks.

 

Thanks Greatgro-

Yea it definately is fully synthetic Castrol. I had the car in the dealer twice with the flickering oil light problem and they said it was a drop low so they topped it and off I went. This time I checked the dipstick and there was a spot of oil on the bottom. Definately low in my opinion but I didn't want to chance it so added oil.

I definately am going to take it in to the dealer as the erractic behaviour of the oil light and crappy dipstick is causing me too much stress!

Thanks Again

 

One more thing is this crappy dipstick really doesn't give a good accurate reading. Is it just me? I really don't want to add too much oil if it isn't reading correctly

ARGHH!

 

>>One more thing is this crappy dipstick really doesn't give a good accurate reading. Is it just me? I really don't want to add too much oil if it isn't reading correctly
>>
>>ARGHH!


Got to agree about the dipstick, Scary2. What is so hard about two little lines that tell you "OK" and "Add"? We get a bunch of grooves or something and we have to decipher where the safe range is and when you are supposed to add oil. Okay so I'm a bit stupid when it comes to engines, but am I alone?

Ken

 

No the dipstick really does suck.

 

Just wanted to point out that the 'synthetic' label on Castrol Syntec is somewhat misleading.....

Castrol stopped making Syntec with a fully synthetic base back in 96-97, and now use a petroleum base for the oil.

Mobil took them to court for calling it synthetic, and Castrol basically played with symatics to keep the synthetic badge on the oil, and the price high.

Fact is, it's not fully synthetic any more!

You need to look elsewhere (Mobil1, Amsoil etc) if you want real synthetic

Chris.

 

yes - yellow for yellow oil !?!?!?!

any aftermarket dipstick better?



>>>>
>>No the dipstick really does suck.

 

>>Just wanted to point out that the 'synthetic' label on Castrol Syntec is somewhat misleading.....
>>
>>Castrol stopped making Syntec with a fully synthetic base back in 96-97, and now use a petroleum base for the oil.
>>
>>Mobil took them to court for calling it synthetic, and Castrol basically played with symatics to keep the synthetic badge on the oil, and the price high.
>>
>>Fact is, it's not fully synthetic any more!
>>
>>You need to look elsewhere (Mobil1, Amsoil etc) if you want real synthetic
>>
>>Chris.

Yes, Castrol is a Group III Lubricant. Read about the various classes here:
http://www.syntheticwarehouse.com/lu...20concepts.htm