[slowblackx3f25]

The label under the hood says I should be using 0w-20 synthetic engine oil, but I have been using 5w40 for the past few oil changes.

Should I go back to 0w-20?

[stamsd]

If I remember correctly, the "0" in 0w is the cold temp viscosity. The lower the number, the thinner it is when cold. You won't do harm to your car using 5-40, but something to think about in extreme temps.

[e30lover318i]

5w40 is too thick. Especially for somewhere with very low temps like Canada. Thin oil is able to circulate quicker. Definitely switch back to 0w20 the weight your running is more for someone like in Cali

[thenew3]

Your owners manual will specify different oil weights for different temperature ranges.

Look at the manual and see what temperatures you'll be using your car, and pick the oil that works in that range.

Personally I switched from 0w-20 to a 0w-30 or sometime 5w-30 weight. 0w-20 was so thin it was burning at too fast a rate for my taste (roughly 1 qt every 1k miles). with 0w-30 and 5w-30 so far I haven't seen any measurable oil consumption.

[Wgosma]

The greatest proportion of mechanical wear on an internal combustion engine occurs during cold startup- this is an established fact.

In general any car is better off running as low a viscosity oil as possible as it flows better when cold; "0" weight is lowest viscosity available. In warm to hot ambient temp environments one needs the oil to maintain bit higher viscosity so it will not breakdown chemically due to heat.

So as stated above, look at the manufacturers recommended viscosity based on climate you operate in.

Oil consumption can vary somewhat widely depending on type of engine, age/mileage, driving conditions, etc. an engine that consumes next to no oil is not necessarily in 'better' operating condition than one that uses a quart every few thousand miles.

[andreigbs]

If maintaining warranty is a concern, I would use the appropriate spec oil. Whether that's LL-01FE or another spec (can't do much better than LL-01 these days), that's up to you.

Bottom line is the spec is more important than the viscosity rating on the bottle.

[slowblackx3f25]

stamsd ahh yes, that is correct, thanks for your input, with that said, I should go by ambient temps in the region I live and operate the vehicle.

e30lover318i I've heard couple of my friends say that as well, but in Canada we see high heat temperatures as well as low cold temperatures... I will most likely switch back. 0w-30 as thenew3 mentioned that he did.

Wgosma Thank you for your input, I will go based off the climate in my region (Toronto, Ontario, Canada), I will be switching back to 0w-30 or 0w-20, whichever one I can find (Liqui-Moly synthetic engine oil)

andreigbs My x3 is out of warranty so I don't need to follow BMW recommended engine oil... but I will go back to 0w-30 based off what I hear from you all, and the research I did based on temperature readings (it's in c and not Fahrenheit) I attached an image file.

I retrieve that image from this website: https://www.machinerylubrication.com...ose-engine-oil

It's a chart showing which engine oil grade is a match for cold/hot ambient temperatures - I'll be going back to 0w20 or 0w30.

Where I live and drive my x3, we feel -35c (-31F) winter temps, and +35c (95F) summer temps, and I believe 0w20/0w30 engine oil is good for these temps.

Thanks again everyone for your input!!! Highly appreciated. Take care and drive safe

[andreigbs]

If you're sticking with the 0w30 oils, then Pennzoil Platinum Euro LX is a great oil.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Pennzoil-...uart/164408058

I've used the PP Euro L before, great stuff too and easily found on the shelf. The LX isn't so easily found, but easy to have delivered.

Of course there are other brands, including BMW's own 0w30 stuff which is around $12/quart. You have plenty of options.

[shoman24v]

Originally Posted by andreigbs

If you're sticking with the 0w30 oils, then Pennzoil Platinum Euro LX is a great oil.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Pennzoil-...uart/164408058

I've used the PP Euro L before, great stuff too and easily found on the shelf. The LX isn't so easily found, but easy to have delivered.

Of course there are other brands, including BMW's own 0w30 stuff which is around $12/quart. You have plenty of options.

For what it's worth, that oil doesn't carry BMW approval.

[andreigbs]

Correct: PP Euro LX may not carry BMW approval, but it does carry even tougher MB, Porsche, and VW approvals. I would use it with confidence.

The PP Euro L carries BMW's LL-04 approval. It's a 5w30 whereas the OP was wanting to stick to a 0w30 weight. As I said, there are other options.

At various NAPA stores you will find LiquiMoly products on the shelf. My local one carries several with BMW approvals.

Valvoline MST 5w30 is another easy to find oil that is LL-04 approved (https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/VCA787301)

If you're really concerned about oil, I'd spend some time at bobistheoilguy.