How many miles to discolor oil

taibanl · 06-20-2011, 10:51 PM

I just had my second oil change at 11,500 miles (The first was at 4851, a self paid change). I have seen many threads here where the OP has suggested that the dealer didnt change the oil.

Out of curiousity, when I got home 18 miles later I checked my dipstick. Indeed I had a darkish grey colored oil (but quite thin), not golden like fresh oil.

I would presume that oil can discolor this quickly, as I'd rather not think the dealer is this shady.

montr · 06-20-2011, 11:27 PM

I do my own oil change in between dealer oil change. How long it take for the oil to get dark with a diesel engine? Only few miles.

carlosalbertogui · 06-21-2011, 02:50 AM

yes only few miles

F32Fleet · 06-21-2011, 06:56 AM

Normal. It's the soot. This is why I get a laugh out of people who change their oil based upon how it looks.

John 070 · 06-21-2011, 06:59 AM

Most of us don't have a dipstick, so I think the only valid answer you're going to get is from a D owner who does their own oil. Anything else, is speculation. Dealers do make mistakes, or sometimes they don't have enough time to service all the cars, but someone is going to get into trouble if a ticket is not closed. So they bring the car back out without performing the work. One troublesome mentality is that everyone leases, so when they don't do the work, they are harming bmwfs not the customer.

06-20-2011, 10:51 PM	#1
taibanl Brigadier General 281 Rep 4,121 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NA iTrader: (4)	How many miles to discolor oil I just had my second oil change at 11,500 miles (The first was at 4851, a self paid change). I have seen many threads here where the OP has suggested that the dealer didnt change the oil. Out of curiousity, when I got home 18 miles later I checked my dipstick. Indeed I had a darkish grey colored oil (but quite thin), not golden like fresh oil. I would presume that oil can discolor this quickly, as I'd rather not think the dealer is this shady.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

06-20-2011, 11:27 PM	#2
montr Captain 157 Rep 716 Posts Drives: 2010 335d, 2018 430i G-Coupe Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	I do my own oil change in between dealer oil change. How long it take for the oil to get dark with a diesel engine? Only few miles.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-21-2011, 02:50 AM	#3
carlosalbertogui Second Lieutenant 17 Rep 238 Posts Drives: bmw E91 facelifted by me Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: portugal iTrader: (0)	yes only few miles
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-21-2011, 06:56 AM	#4
F32Fleet Lieutenant General 3572 Rep 10,352 Posts Drives: 2015 435i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southeastern US iTrader: (0)	Normal. It's the soot. This is why I get a laugh out of people who change their oil based upon how it looks.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-21-2011, 06:59 AM	#5
John 070 Lieutenant General 1705 Rep 14,829 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	Most of us don't have a dipstick, so I think the only valid answer you're going to get is from a D owner who does their own oil. Anything else, is speculation. Dealers do make mistakes, or sometimes they don't have enough time to service all the cars, but someone is going to get into trouble if a ticket is not closed. So they bring the car back out without performing the work. One troublesome mentality is that everyone leases, so when they don't do the work, they are harming bmwfs not the customer.
	Appreciate 0 Quote