Engine Oil Grade

[Patrick-Irish]

Does anyone know with certainty what grade of oil is specified by BMW for the 4.4 M62TU engine ?

I checked it out on the Mobil1 site and it's telling me 0W-40. But the Bentley manual is telling me 5W-30 or 15W-40.

Anyone know the correct grade to use ?

Thanks.

[Nik]

I might be wrong, manuals aren't specifing this, but all mechanics here that work on BMW engine recommend SAE10-60W Castrol Edge Sport. It's an M series Engine oil. Works for Stressed engines. X 4.4 is a big and perfomance engine(540). especillay if you like to press it like I do it sometimes and especially if you have 4.6is. However When in cold might want to consider as the oil is thick. I use it anyway, just takes longer to warm up. It's your call.
My friend uses it for his e46 328ci. as he drives like crazy. Your call. No manuals will say to use this oil, and no one at dealership propoblly either.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Patrick-Irish

Does anyone know with certainty what grade of oil is specified by BMW for the 4.4 M62TU engine ?

I checked it out on the Mobil1 site and it's telling me 0W-40. But the Bentley manual is telling me 5W-30 or 15W-40.

Anyone know the correct grade to use ?

Thanks.

Yes.

That engine was used from the first X4 through 2003. You list a 2001 model in your profile. Your owner's manual is very clear on the subject, and it has not been superceded by any BMW technical requirements. See the clip below from the 2001 owner's manual.

While BMW specify only a 5w-30 or a 5w-40, for all climate conditions, you would be fine with a Mobil 1 0w-40, as it is on the heavy side for a 0w spec. I wouldn't use the 15w-40.

I would absolutely not use the M 5w-60 oil. It is the same as the spec calls for when it is cold (the 5w number) but when hot it is too thick (60).

You asked about grade of oil, but you are discussing viscosity. As for grade, you should use an API SM or SL oil. When that engine was built it called for an API SH, but oils have improved since then, SH is obsolete, and these oils are backwards compatible, so you should use the most current grade (API SM), or at most one grade back (API SL).

[Nik]

from theese witch one you think the best JCL?
Castrol Edge Sport 0w-40
Castol Edge 5-40
Castol Magnatec 5-30?
As you say Edge sport 10w-60 shouldn't be used. however in 2.5k miles it burned only .6-.7 liters of it.
Anyway What would you recommend for next time oil change? so far I've got 4 Illu cubics left.
Changing by those are OK? I guess?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Nik

from these which one do you think is the best JCL?
Castrol Edge Sport 0w-40
Castol Edge 5-40
Castol Magnatec 5-30?
As you say Edge sport 10w-60 shouldn't be used. however in 2.5k miles it burned only .6-.7 liters of it.
Anyway What would you recommend for next time oil change? so far I've got 4 Illu cubics left.
Changing by those are OK? I guess?

Those are different oils than we have here, so I don't have much of an opinion on which to use. I do see that Edge Sport 0w-40 is LL-04 certified, and that is not a plus for a gasoline BMW engine in North America, due to our fuel quality. Your fuels may tolerate it. BMW has recommended not using those oils here, so I would stay away from them. Either Edge 5w-30 or Magnatec 5w-30 seem reasonable.

10w-60 isn't an issue in terms of oil consumption, but rather for bearing protection. It is heavier than the oil the bearings were designed for. A heavier oil can withstand higher temperatures better, but a heavier oil does not provide better bearing protection.

[THK]

Hope this helps, this is from BMW's web site regarding oils.

Synthetic Engine Oils








Required maintenance work or services should be performed for your vehicle by your authorized BMW center.

BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil is recommended for scheduled engine oil changes.


BMW High Performance SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Oil* (BMW part number 07 51 0 017 866)

* Does not apply to M vehicles - see below

BMW recommends that you check your engine oil level whenever you add fuel to your vehicle.

If you need to add oil between oil changes and BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil is unavailable, you may top up the oil level with one of the following approved synthetic oils. For information on checking your engine oil level refer to your vehicle's Owner's Manual.

The oils listed below meet BMW's Long-life rating and are acceptable for use in BMW Passenger vehicles and SAVs in the US market with gasoline engines.

BMW Long-life rating LL-01 Approved Synthetic Oils for the US Market:

• Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30
• Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40
• Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30
• Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30

Use only oils with an API rating of SM or higher.

The choice of the right SAE grade is based on the climatic conditions in the region in which you normally drive your BMW.

To best determine which SAE grade is best suited for your vehicle, contact an authorized BMW center.

The following is the only recommended and approved synthetic oil for BMW M (Motorsport) vehicles in the US market with gasoline engines, at the present time.
BMW Long-life rating LL-01 Synthetic Oils for BMW M vehicles equipped with S54, S62, S65 or S85 engines:

• Castrol TWS Motorsport SAE 10W-60 Synthetic Engine Oil
• Castrol Formula RS SAE 10W-60 Synthetic Engine Oil (BMW part number 07 51 0 009 420)

If Castrol High Performance Synthetic Oil is not available and you need to add oil between oil changes, only use synthetic oils with the following specifications for M vehicles:

• Viscosity - preferred SAE 10W-60
• Alternative - SAE 10W-40, SAE 5W-50 or SAE 10W-50

Use only oils with an API rating of SJ/CF, SK/CF or higher.

The following is a listing of synthetic oils recommended and approved for use in the BMW B7 ALPINA in the US market:

• BMW High Performance SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Oil (BMW part number 07 51 0 017 866)
• Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30 Synthetic Oil

BMW recommended / approved engine oils for your vehicle














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[Patrick-Irish]

The reason I put the question out there is because the last time I did an oil change (and filter), I used the Mobil 1 0W-40. And ever since the engine has been making a lot more noise. So I'm thinking it's not entirely happy with the 0W-40 and at the next change I'll use something else.

[Nik]

Originally Posted by JCL

Those are different oils than we have here, so I don't have much of an opinion on which to use. I do see that Edge Sport 0w-40 is LL-04 certified, and that is not a plus for a gasoline BMW engine in North America, due to our fuel quality. Your fuels may tolerate it. BMW has recommended not using those oils here, so I would stay away from them. Either Edge 5w-30 or Magnatec 5w-30 seem reasonable.

10w-60 isn't an issue in terms of oil consumption, but rather for bearing protection. It is heavier than the oil the bearings were designed for. A heavier oil can withstand higher temperatures better, but a heavier oil does not provide better bearing protection.

thanks, I'll go for Edge 5w-40 next time. Car is From US. and fuel quality i dont believe is any better then in US.

EDIT: quite some time I've been looking for unleaded gasoline over here. Only 1 specifies it, but however they use Gasonline from another company, Wich are leaded. so kind of stuck with it.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Nik

thanks, I'll go for Edge 5w-40 next time. Car is From US. and fuel quality i dont believe is any better then in US.

Issue is sulphur, which is high in the US compared to Europe. Don't know about Georgia.

[roadfrog]

The reason I put the question out there is because the last time I did an oil change (and filter), I used the Mobil 1 0W-40. And ever since the engine has been making a lot more noise.

Interesting, I just did an oil change using Mobil 1 0W40 (as per BMW recommendations), and noticed just the opposite - as did my wife.

Very happy so far!