FAQs on Oil

• What type of oil is in the engine?
  
• What type of oil is recommended by BMW?
  
• Valvoline 5W 30 Synthetic?
  

What type of oil is in the engine?

BMW Longlife Synthetic Oil SAE 5W-40

What type of oil is recommended by BMW?

The following is from the 1999 Owner's Manual.

For M coupe:

• Always refer to the ACEA specifications when selecting oil. If no ACEA rating is available, use CCMC and API specifications. Required quality: API SH, API-SN/CD, API-SH/CE.
• For information on the "longlife oils" or "special oils" approved by BMW, consult your BMW center.
• Select the correct SAE class of oil depending on the climatic conditions in the area you will be driving.
• SAE classes for M coupe, see below:
  • Special - Oils 0W - X (X=30, 40 or 50)
    for below -30C to > 30C, (below -22F to > 86F)
  • Special - Oils 10W - X (X=30, 40 or 50)
    for -20C to > 30C, (-4F to > 86F)
  • 5W - 20 for below -30C to 0C, (below -22F to 32F)
  • 5W - 30 for below -30C to 10C, (below -22F to 50F)
  • 10W - 30 for -20C to 10C, (-4F to 50F)
  • 10W - 40 for -20C to 20C, (-4F to 68F)
  • 15W - 40 -15C to > 30C, (5F to > 86F)

For Z3 coupe:

• Use approved "longlife oils" only.
• For information on the "longlife oils" or "special oils" approved by BMW, consult your BMW center.
• SAE classes for Z3 coupe, see below:
  • Longlife - Oils 0W - X (X=30, 40 or 50)
    for below -30C to > 30C, (below -22F to > 86F)
  • Longlife - Oils 10W - X (X=30, 40 or 50)
    for -15C to > 30C, (5F to > 86F)

Valvoline 5W 30 Synthetic?

Valvoline 5W 30 Synthetic does not carry the A3/B3 certification that the BMW 5W 40 synthetic has. BMW dealers do sell BMW 5W 40 synthetic for $3.50 a quart. BMW 5W 40 synthetic is made by Valvoline.

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