3 Tips to Keep a High Mileage N55 on the Road
The N55 was one of BMW's most popular engines for many years. You can find this turbocharged straight-six in many different models, ranging from 2009 to 2019 production years. With such a long history, it's inevitable that many N55-equipped vehicles are now crossing well over 100k miles and even more.
If you own a BMW with one of these engines, there's no reason to panic as it ages. The N55 is a relatively reliable engine, and it's certainly possible to keep one going for many years. These three tips will help you avoid some costlier potential problems while ensuring your car gives you many more years of service.
1. Don't Ignore Service Intervals
Modern BMWs (including most N55-equipped cars) use complex computer systems to attempt to provide you with proper service intervals. Instead of requiring oil changes or similar services at specified intervals, your car's computer attempts to estimate your needs based on driving conditions and data from sensors in your vehicle.
Even if you're well out of warranty, you should still follow these recommendations. Sticking with routine oil changes, brake pad replacements, and vehicle inspections will help keep your engine internals in good working order. If your goal is to keep your car running and performing well for as many years as possible, it's best to stick to the service schedule your car's computer recommends.
2. Consider More Frequent Oil Changes
BMW recommends oil with the LL-01 specification, allowing for extended oil change intervals. The exact recommendation will vary depending on your car's year, but BMW generally recommends 10,000 miles for newer cars. However, there are several reasons you may want to consider more frequent oil changes as your N55 crosses into higher mileage.
Changing your oil more frequently on older cars can be beneficial since your engine's internal tolerances may be wearing down. More frequent changes will reduce further wear and keep everything lubricated. More specifically, the N55 uses a narrow oil channel to deliver lubrication to the Valvetronic system, and this channel can clog up with old, sludgy oil. More frequent changes will help protect this equipment.
3. Carefully Monitor Oil Usage
Like many BMW engines, the N55 has several potential sources of oil leaks. The valve cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket are the most common, although the oil pan gasket can also develop leaks. These leaks can become severe quickly, potentially starving your engine of oil and leading to increased wear or even rapid and catastrophic damage.
Ensure that you carefully monitor your oil usage between changes and never ignore any oil loss. A seemingly minor leak can lead to a surprisingly large amount of oil loss, so it's best to address these problems as soon as you discover them.
For more information, turn to a company such as All German Auto.
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