MINI Lowers Oil Change Interval
8 views
Skip to first unread message
Kathy E
Apr 17, 2012, 5:59:45 PM4/17/12
to Big Sky MINIs
MINI Shortens Oil Change Interval
Sections: Faults & Fixes Apr 16th, 2012 No Comments
A regular topic on White Roof Radio is our opinion that the factory-
specified 1 year/15,000 (approximately) mile oil service intervals on
the R56 MINIs are far too long. WRR co-host and MF contributor, Todd
Pearson, snapped this photo of a window sticker on a recent MINI
showing a new oil change interval of 1 year/10,000 miles. Given the
number of R56s (and R50/R53s) that have had oil-related troubles, it
makes sense that MINI would re-consider this interval. However, we
don’t yet have any information as to exactly why MINI has dropped the
interval back to 1 year/10,000 miles, which was the original service
interval on the R50/R53.
Speculations under the White Roof and here at MotoringFile abound. Did
the costs of warranty engine repairs finally cross a line where it
made more financial sense to take steps to prevent issues? Did oil
usage data make a separate case for shorter intervals? Is this a
reaction to common consumer behavior — i/e owners never bothering to
check their oil in the first place until they got a warning light or
it was time for their scheduled oil change? Does this change in
service policy open MINI up to litigation over past engine troubles?
Whatever the reasons, it’s a good thing to see the interval shortened.
Now responsible owners need only do one 5,000-7,000 mile mid-cycle oil
change instead of two. New owners, what are you hearing from your
dealer? Who’s been changing their oil regularly? Sound off in the
comments.
Sections: Faults & Fixes Apr 16th, 2012 No Comments
A regular topic on White Roof Radio is our opinion that the factory-
specified 1 year/15,000 (approximately) mile oil service intervals on
the R56 MINIs are far too long. WRR co-host and MF contributor, Todd
Pearson, snapped this photo of a window sticker on a recent MINI
showing a new oil change interval of 1 year/10,000 miles. Given the
number of R56s (and R50/R53s) that have had oil-related troubles, it
makes sense that MINI would re-consider this interval. However, we
don’t yet have any information as to exactly why MINI has dropped the
interval back to 1 year/10,000 miles, which was the original service
interval on the R50/R53.
Speculations under the White Roof and here at MotoringFile abound. Did
the costs of warranty engine repairs finally cross a line where it
made more financial sense to take steps to prevent issues? Did oil
usage data make a separate case for shorter intervals? Is this a
reaction to common consumer behavior — i/e owners never bothering to
check their oil in the first place until they got a warning light or
it was time for their scheduled oil change? Does this change in
service policy open MINI up to litigation over past engine troubles?
Whatever the reasons, it’s a good thing to see the interval shortened.
Now responsible owners need only do one 5,000-7,000 mile mid-cycle oil
change instead of two. New owners, what are you hearing from your
dealer? Who’s been changing their oil regularly? Sound off in the
comments.
aorr
Apr 17, 2012, 6:20:18 PM4/17/12
to Big Sky MINIs
Wow, really interesting to read this. I can't believe it is(was) 15k
miles. Glad to see that they did drop that for the uninformed
motorists.
-Andy
miles. Glad to see that they did drop that for the uninformed
motorists.
-Andy
Russ Motoring
Apr 18, 2012, 8:25:05 AM4/18/12
to Big Sky MINIs
We have pretty routinely changed at 10,000 miles in our 2005. Engine
still seems to sound good. Surprised to learn the new cars were
15,000, and now are 10,000.
I have a car sitting in my alley with 375,000 miles because with the
conventional oil and long distance driving I usually changed around
3,000 miles and never more than 7,000 miles. The engine still sounds
good (a head gasket presently needs replacement, but the engine still
sounds good :) ) My moral to this story, change the oil! It seems
that maybe MINI has discovered the same?
And on a related topic of fluids, I've just read an interesting
article in Street Rodder magazine about bake fluid change is advised
for every 2 years. I haven't checked the interval for MINI, and I
have never changed brake fluid in my vehicles, but after reading this
article about the hygroscopic properties of most traditional glycol
brake fluids, I'm taking this fluid change much more serious from now
on. And for those who use silicone brake fluids, hygroscopic issues
are not present, but other concerns like corrosion may be of concern.
High performance brake systems, the article suggested DOT 4 or DOT 5
glycol; but again what are we using in our MINIs?
still seems to sound good. Surprised to learn the new cars were
15,000, and now are 10,000.
I have a car sitting in my alley with 375,000 miles because with the
conventional oil and long distance driving I usually changed around
3,000 miles and never more than 7,000 miles. The engine still sounds
good (a head gasket presently needs replacement, but the engine still
sounds good :) ) My moral to this story, change the oil! It seems
that maybe MINI has discovered the same?
And on a related topic of fluids, I've just read an interesting
article in Street Rodder magazine about bake fluid change is advised
for every 2 years. I haven't checked the interval for MINI, and I
have never changed brake fluid in my vehicles, but after reading this
article about the hygroscopic properties of most traditional glycol
brake fluids, I'm taking this fluid change much more serious from now
on. And for those who use silicone brake fluids, hygroscopic issues
are not present, but other concerns like corrosion may be of concern.
High performance brake systems, the article suggested DOT 4 or DOT 5
glycol; but again what are we using in our MINIs?
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages