More oil changes when running ethanol blend?

Munchi435i · 11-22-2020, 04:45 PM

Has anyone heard of this? Recently spoke with a shop that was saying to have more frequent oil changes due to the properties of ethanol. I religiously change my oil every 5,000 miles but they are recommending every 3,000.

Any thoughts?

n55david · 11-22-2020, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munchi435i

Has anyone heard of this? Recently spoke with a shop that was saying to have more frequent oil changes due to the properties of ethanol. I religiously change my oil every 5,000 miles but they are recommending every 3,000.

Any thoughts?

is the shop that is telling you this the shop that changes your oil?

Munchi435i · 11-22-2020, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phantom10R

is the shop that is telling you this the shop that changes your oil?

No this is new shop im trying out.

ZM2 · 11-22-2020, 05:57 PM

Here’s my experience: https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1749349

thejeremyman9 · 11-22-2020, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munchi435i

Has anyone heard of this? Recently spoke with a shop that was saying to have more frequent oil changes due to the properties of ethanol. I religiously change my oil every 5,000 miles but they are recommending every 3,000.

Any thoughts?

Running shorter OCI with E85 is common, but from my experience that is more relevant with non DI cars running relatively rich, because you tend to accumulate ethanol in the oil pretty quickly. On a ~E30 DI car like ours, i would say you are OK at 5k with good quality oil. I would recommend collecting a sample for blackstone labs after 5k at the next oil change and you will know if you have any fuel (or other contaminants) in your oil and what the viscosity and TBN are. Then shorten if needed.

zinner · 11-26-2020, 10:36 AM

Get a blackstone report done, that will let you know how much life is left in the oil, get the TBN (total basis number I think) to determine how much additives are left (indication of life).

11-22-2020, 04:45 PM	#1
Munchi435i Major 486 Rep 1,105 Posts Drives: 2014 Alpine White 435i M-sport Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Orlando FL iTrader: (0)	More oil changes when running ethanol blend? Has anyone heard of this? Recently spoke with a shop that was saying to have more frequent oil changes due to the properties of ethanol. I religiously change my oil every 5,000 miles but they are recommending every 3,000. Any thoughts? __________________ 435i M-Sport \| Pure Stage 2 Turbo \| MHD Tune \| XHP Stage 3 \| Wagner Comp Evo 2 \| MPE \| Evolution Racewerks CP/DP/TIC \| M-LSD \| XDI-35 \|
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11-22-2020, 05:57 PM	#4
ZM2 Brigadier General 2828 Rep 3,703 Posts Drives: 2017 LBB M2 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Baltimore iTrader: (1)	Here’s my experience: https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1749349
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11-26-2020, 10:36 AM	#6
zinner Major 561 Rep 1,130 Posts Drives: `17 X5 35d/`15 335i/`18 M550IX Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (0)	Get a blackstone report done, that will let you know how much life is left in the oil, get the TBN (total basis number I think) to determine how much additives are left (indication of life).
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