Engine Lubrication System

General Information

Multi-grade oils must be used in BMW engines. The advantage of multi-grade oil is that it can be used both in summer and in winter without being changed. The basis of multi-grade oil is a liquid seasonal oil (for example 15W). By means of so-called thickeners, the oil is stabilized when hot, thus retaining its lubricating properties under all operating conditions.

The letter "W" in the SAE designation indicates an oil suitable for winter operation.

Oil Application Range / Viscosity Class
Black field — oils for diesel engines
White field — oils for gasoline engines.
*) Special oils 10W-X, 0W-X, 5W-X; their use requires approval from BMW (indicated on the packaging).

Oils 10W-X, 0W-X, 5W-X; their use requires approval from BMW (indicated on the packaging).

The application ranges of adjacent SAE classes overlap, which allows for short-term temperature deviations. Mixing oils of different viscosity classes is permitted, for example, if it is necessary to top up with oil whose viscosity class does not correspond to the class of the oil in the engine.

Do not add lubricant additives of any kind to fuel or oil.

Engine Oil Specifications

Modern engine oils contain additives that significantly improve their properties. These additives increase the oil's corrosion resistance and oxidation stability, reduce sludge formation in the oil pan, and improve the viscosity, cleaning and dispersing properties of the oil. Cleaning and dispersing additives not only reduce deposit formation in the engine, but also dissolve and disperse deposits and other contaminants in the engine oil and keep them in suspension so that they are removed when the oil is drained.

The quality of engine oil is defined by the standards of the vehicle manufacturer and the oil manufacturer.

Oils are classified by American manufacturers according to the API system (API: American Petroleum Institute). The designation consists of two letters. The first letter indicates the application: S - Service, intended for gasoline engines; C - Commercial, intended for diesel engines. The second letter indicates the quality in alphabetical order. The highest quality oils are API specification SH for gasoline engines and CE for diesel engines.

European oil manufacturers use the CCMC specification. These oils are developed taking into account European engine manufacturing technology. Oils for gasoline engines have classes from CCMC-G1 to -G5, depending on quality. Diesel oils for passenger cars have the specification CCMC-PD1, and the higher quality CCMC-PD2.

European manufacturers additionally specify the "CCMC" specification. The CCMC specification takes into account, in particular, European engine manufacturing technology. Oils for gasoline engines are classified as G4 and G5, depending on quality. Diesel engine oils for passenger cars are available in the CCMC-PD1 specification and the higher quality CCMC-PD2 specification.

The European commission CCMC was replaced by "ACEA" (Association des Constructeurs Europeens de l'Automobile), which continues to develop test methods and quality classification. Oils for gasoline engines of passenger cars have quality classes from ACEA A1-96 to A3-96. Oils for diesel engines have classes from B1-96 to B3-96.

* Engine oils intended by the oil manufacturer only for diesel engines must not be used in gasoline engines. There are oils intended for both gasoline and diesel engines. In this case, two specifications are indicated on the oil packaging (for example, CCMC-G5/PD2). The types of oil to be used in your vehicle are listed in the Specifications.

Oil Consumption

Oil consumption of an internal combustion engine is considered to be its consumption due to the combustion process. Oil consumption should not be confused with oil leaks caused by leaks in the oil pan, cylinder head cover, etc.

Normal oil consumption results from the combustion of some oil in the cylinders and losses with exhaust gases and friction products. In addition, oil is consumed due to high temperatures and pressures generated during combustion. Oil consumption is also influenced by vehicle operating conditions and manufacturing tolerances of individual parts. Under normal operating conditions, oil consumption is so small that only a slight top-up is required between scheduled oil change intervals. Normal oil consumption is 1.5 per 1000 km.

Oil must be added when the "Nachfull" mark is reached (the amount of oil to be added in this case is 1 L).