How Often Should You Change Fuel/Oil/Air Filter

[heidifleiss]

How often should one change their fuel/air/oil filter. Should it only be changed when dirty? Or is there a recommended amount of time when one should do so?

The reason I ask is because I've been having a slight jerk with my car as well as a delayed response to taking off when I am at a light. It seems like forever just to get it to move when I am stopped but once it gets going it really takes off. Any ideas? Thanks

[-Matt-]

Well the oil filter should be replaced at every oil change (every ~5 miles).
And I think the air filter is replaced as part of inspection II (every ~40k miles).

I'm not sure about the fuel filter but I am interested to find out - hopefully someone can let us know. I may just get mine done anyway since it is probably still the original one with 147k miles on it.


About the hesitation..

My old car (a ford escort) had a similar problem with hesitating off the line. This got really bad and was pretty dangerous. You would expect your car to pull away - say when joining a roundabout - then you would be stuck barely moving for several seconds. I felt like a sitting duck stationary in the fast moving traffic.

I think the problem turned out to be related to the mass air flow meter, it wasn't giving the correct signal and so the engine was getting the wrong mixture. You should also check for vacuum leaks - for example cracked hoses etc.

[heidifleiss]

Yeah I was figuring the oil filter should be changed at every oil change but just wanted to get someone else's opinion.

Didn't know the air filter is only every 40k. That's pretty darn good if it lasts that long. I wonder if mine has ever been changed. I better take a look.

Thanks for the advice buddy. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

[-Matt-]

By the way, I'm sure there may be people who recommend more frequent changes. I think those are just the BMW recommended intervals.

[B/\/\W]

By the way, I'm sure there may be people who recommend more frequent changes. I think those are just the BMW recommended intervals.

Is that why you have to drive 10,000 miles for the oil inspection light to come back, to signal that the 5,000 mile oil change is needed, but that it's overdue by 5,000 miles?!

[-Matt-]

Well I was going by the info on this site...

http://www.bimmerzone.com/inspection.htm

I think the service indicators are not simply linked to mileage but also take into account the revs you use, number of startups etc. Mileages are therefore approximate.

EDIT: Anyway when I bought my car it had ~140k on it. I had to do oil change at ~143k and now have an inspection approaching at ~148k. Seems like 5k is about what my service indicators show up at.

[B/\/\W]

Well I was going by the info on this site...

http://www.bimmerzone.com/inspection.htm

I think the service indicators are not simply linked to mileage but also take into account the revs you use, number of startups etc. Mileages are therefore approximate.

EDIT: Anyway when I bought my car it had ~140k on it. I had to do oil change at ~143k and now have an inspection approaching at ~148k. Seems like 5k is about what my service indicators show up at.

All the BMWs in our family show the service indicators after about 10k, and believe me we thrash them all! Strange

[oakley]

They should only come on after 10k.. it varies abit as u said but if its coming on at 5k somethings broken or ur not changing outta first gear where eva u go!! (take a look at the pedals- have u got 3 and u only use 2?! That means u have a manual!!!!!!!)
Seriously tho mate get it checked!!

[-Matt-]

Here is another site recommending the same:

http://www.gms.cc/maintenance.htm

Sounds as though you guys are skipping the intermediate oil changes.

Anyway I do still have 2 green squares left so maybe I have a while to go before the service is due.

[oakley]

Humm the sites incorrect anyways- Brake fluid is recommended every 2 years ( its done by the service lights and a clock will flash up to tell u its due) coolant every 4 years... Ur not gonna do any harm changing ur oil every 5k and probably is good practice but its a waste of ur money- if u use cheap oil then fair enough- me I use RP so its around £140 for the oil alone- Im def not doing that twice a year!!

[-Matt-]

I just checked back through my posts on here and it looks like I put the first load of RP in right after I bought the car so in fact the mileage was probably around 140k miles. I am now nearly at 148k miles and still have two green lights. It looks as though you are right about the 10k service light interval but I'm not waiting that long. I am booked in for an inspection on saturday (I will probably get inspection 2 since I don't know when this was last done).