04-01-2020, 10:09 PM | #1 |
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Factory oil was 0w20 in my 20 x5
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11-10-2020, 11:57 AM | #2 |
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How do we interpret this test result?
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11-15-2020, 02:04 AM | #4 |
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The TBN (total base number) is a bit low for only 1500-miles. https://www.blackstone-labs.com/do-i-need-a-tbn/
Many oils start out with a pretty high value. Not knowing what the oil BMW uses, this could be normal. From what I think I know, it looks like things may have been a little loose, and the TBN buffer got used up. This can happen as the rings get polished to the cylinders, and stop any blowby of exhaust gasses that can introduce acids, that the TBN buffers. You never want the TBN to get negative in an engine. Higher pressure from higher rpm before the rings fully seat could cause that to drop faster than normal. |
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11-15-2020, 08:13 PM | #5 | |
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11-15-2020, 10:27 PM | #6 |
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Today's oils have more additives in them than just base oil. TBN is a measure of how well it can neutralize acids. Some combustion byproducts can be acidic. If those get into the oil, they need to get neutralized or they can start to eat the metals. I'm surprised that the value dropped that low after only 1200-miles. But, as the description I linked, it can drop fast, then plateau. There could be other bits in there that help. So, basically, I don't know. Another test at say 3000-miles would be instructive, but the OP may have changed the oil at that point, and it's mute. I haven't tested in a long time. But, I've seen higher TBM values after 12K-miles than that 1200-miles. SO, I'm somewhat wondering if it was accurate. It would be interesting to know what the TBN value of virgin (unused) oil was. My expectation is that BMW knows their engines, and it may be that the M-versions call for an oil change that early, and if so, sounds like a good idea! That may not apply for their 'normal' engines, assuming people abide by the break-in suggestions FWIW, I've tested some oils at 12k+ miles, and they were still in fine shape, TBN good, wear metals low, viscosity within range. BMW engines tend to use more oil than many others, and that helps. Synthetic oils can handle heat better than conventional ones, and, if you don't use up all of the additives, they can last a very long time.
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07-03-2022, 04:55 AM | #7 | |
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What do you do for a living? I tested several motors oils over lifespan, all with Blackstone. Figures can float, and as mentioned without brand new oil test as reference, can be hard to read on first test. Also note to those who like to change runin oil faster than recommended by OEM, I have seen Audi v6 engine consuming oil just because ring's did not seal all the way till 60k miles. Owner changed oil at 1000 miles, when new. What did not help, motor was connected to CVT and run at very low RPM mist of its life. |
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07-26-2022, 06:29 PM | #8 |
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FWIW, I retired from the defense industry, but have a somewhat technical background.
I did a bunch of oil testing back when I had an Infinity...they recommended oil changes (not synthetic) at 3750-miles, which I felt was way too often. After testing the oil, I found that was true. Then I switched to synthetics, and found that I could get the same level of protection after 3-4x the life as with the OEM suggestions with fossil fuel based oils, which saved not only money, but time and hassle. I only did a couple of tests on my BMW, but found it was still easily within normal specs after the CBS logic's limits. Since I retired, I don't get anywhere near the max miles before the annual timer expires, so I don't worry about it. There will tend to be a higher accumulation of wear metals in the first oil service interval, but as long as the TBN and viscosity are good, no problems. The engine will have some wear metals as things seat themselves, then things stabilize. |
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10-06-2022, 05:23 PM | #11 |
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This is a fresh sample of bmw oil 0w20 sent to the lab . The second oil sample is bmw 0w20 Current mileage 5100 lots of idling time . I choose to do a oil change myself will let the dealer do next oil service at approximately in 4800 miles I believe I'll be doing the oil change every 5000 miles. Due to the low TBN I would say 7500 would be the limit on the BMW oil
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10-22-2022, 04:11 PM | #12 |
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02-19-2023, 12:29 AM | #13 |
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My tbn is 1.8 in 5,300 miles on my x5 . I don’t think I’ll be doing a 10,000 mile oil service.tbn on a new sample starts 6.5 In the future I’ll be doing 6 months or 5,000 miles . I do the oil service myself anyway hate going to dealer if I don’t have to .
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02-22-2023, 10:27 AM | #14 | |
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G05 50i too? 2019 or M50i? |
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02-23-2023, 12:34 AM | #15 |
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02-23-2023, 02:23 PM | #16 | |
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Doing oil change at home with such a high clearance car is a walk in the park, much eaiser than make an appointment and drop car off to dealer, then pick at the end of the day. And DIY oil change is very inexpensive too. FCP Euro even life time warranty the material on your 2nd purchase. No reason not to do it IMO.
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02-25-2023, 12:29 AM | #17 | |
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02-28-2023, 05:57 AM | #18 | |
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0W-20 (AFE): API SN-PLUS (Resource Conserving); SN, SM...; ILSAC GF-5; ACEA C5; A1/B1; BMW LL-17FE+; MB 229.71; Ford WSS-M2C947-B1; Opel/Vauxhall OV0401547; Fiat 9.55535-GSX; Chrysler MS-12145; Volvo VCC RBS0-2AE |
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02-28-2023, 06:55 PM | #19 |
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03-03-2023, 10:20 PM | #20 |
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TBN is a useful number, but modern oils and engine design often result in lower numbers without the associated problems it used to indicate. What's missing from that report posted above is the TAN value, which is very useful in combination with TBN. Those values along with the bearing metals are needed to help figure out when to change the oil. Note that the capacitance, that the BMW oil life sensor reads, is a good way to decide when those values are approaching a problem level. TBN is no longer as critical a number as it used to be with looser original systems, higher sulphur levels in the fuel of old, and the stability of a synthetic oil versus a conventional one. https://www.chevronlubricants.com/en...bn-vs-tan.html
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