Adding engine oil

[JCL]

Originally Posted by AZX54.4

I have been considering using TOTAL/elf 5w-30 motor oil. It comes highly recommended.

Originally Posted by AZX54.4

In Phoenix,AZ. My indy sells it and autohausaz.com sells it.
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From that link:

Engine Oil; TOTAL Quartz INEO MC3 5W30, Full Synthetic; 1 Liter Bottle
A fully synthetic motor oil formulated to meet or exceed German car manufacturer specifications including low-sulfur diesel: BMW Longlife LL04, Mercedes p.229.51, Audi/VW 502.00/505.00/505.01, in addition to ACEA04: A3/B4/C3 and API: SM/CF. Compatible with particulate filter and other post-treatment filter systems. Please verify owners manual recommendations prior to ordering

The INEO MC3 is the only 5W30 oil shown in that link. It would be a really bad idea to put that in your gasoline engine in North America. While it can be used outside North America, BMW published a TIS advising not to use any LL04 oils on gasoline engines outside of Europe. Probably has to do with fuel composition, likely sulphur and ethanol content. The LL04 has a low TBN. Works well on a diesel, though. LL04 is designed to work well with a diesel particulate filter, but it gives up protection in other areas.

This isn't just about Total/Elf oils; no LL04 oil whether Castrol or Mobil should be used unless required. Total do have other oils that aren't LL04 in a 5W-30 grade, but they are either LL98 or LL01. Question is, why would you want to use an oil that only meets 10 or 13 year old specifications when there are much better oils out there?