Engine Oil & Manual Transmission Oil Information

BMW TEMPERATURE VISCOSITY TABLE:

1. Engine Oil Requirements and Specifications

A. Approved Engine Oils
^ For BMW gasoline engines all single grade and multiple grade, heavy duty (HD) engine oils* according to API classification: SE or SF.
^ For BMW turbocharged diesel engines all single grade and multiple grade, heavy duty (HD) engine oils* according to API classification: CD.
^ For BMW gasoline and diesel engines all single grade and multiple grade engine oils* according to API classification: SE/CD or SF/CD.

*Engine oil may be either a mineral or synthetic base.

^ Special Oils: Because of their special viscosity/temperature properties, these engine oils can be used for outside temperatures from -22~F to 86~F (-30~C to + 30~C). Mobil 1 SAE 5W-30 is the only motor oil that has been tested and approved by BMW as a special oil. However, since special oils have friction reducing properties and consequently influence the break-in behavior of engines, they should not be used until after the initial 1200 mile break-in period.

^ SAE viscosity classes according to BMW standards conforming with normally predominating outside temperatures - see BMW temperature/viscosity table.

B. Engine Oil Change Intervals

The first oil change with oil filler replacement is scheduled for the break-in inspection at 1200 miles.

Other Oil Changes

^ For cars with Service Indicator: when "OIL SERVICE" or "INSPECTION" display comes on, including oil filter.

^ For cars without a Service Indicator

Model year(s) Mileage
1980 and later 7500
1975 thru 1979 6500
1974 and earlier 4000
including oil filler. However, at least twice annually, preferably before and after the winter season. More often depending on operating conditions.
D. Operating Conditions

Dependent on SAE viscosity grades and pertinent temperature ranges - see enclosed BMW temperature/viscosity table. Operation above or below the temperature ranges is permitted for brief periods.

With low viscosity oils, e.g. SAE 5 W 20, SAE 5 W 30, high engine speeds for long periods and heavy loads should be avoided when the temperature ranges are exceeded.

E. Oil Additives

All BMW engines are designed in such a manner that oil additives are not required in conjunction with the present day highly developed engine oils.

Any type of oil additive is rejected by, the manufacturer; no testing is planned, even in the future.

The responsibility for the resulting effects and consequent damage from the use of oil additives cannot be accepted by BMW AG.

F. Break-In Instructions

During the break-in period of a new engine or parts of a reconditioned engine (new bearings, crankshaft, pistons, etc.) BMW engines do not require special break-in oils.

All of the single and multiple grade heavy duty engine oils can be used, as long as they conform with the above mentioned specifications.

Since special oils have friction reducing properties, and consequently influence the break-in behavior of engines, it is recommended not to use them until after the break-in inspection at 1200 miles.
2. Manual Transmission Oil Requirements and Specifications

A. Approved Transmission Oils (except 1984/85 528e/325e Models*)

*Note: See Service Information Bulletin 23 03 84 (8P4) for additional details.

Manual Transmission oils do not require any special oil approvals. Approval is given to all reputable transmission oils of viscosity class SAE 80 according to specifications MIL-L-2105 or API-GL-4.

On an optional basis our approved single grade motor oils SAE 20, SAE 30, SAE 40 of a mineral oil base may be used. In addition ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) as approved by BMW may also be used to eliminate cold starting problems in areas with extremely cold temperatures**.

**Note: Gear noise will increase with the use of motor oil and significantly increase with the use of ATF.

Synthetic Engine Oil or multiple grade engine oils should not be used and will not be approved for use in manual transmissions since they contain greater amounts of friction reducers which could cause the synchronizers to be damaged.

B. Transmission Oil Change Intervals (except 1984/85 528e/325e Models)

^ First oil change at 1200 mile break-in inspection
^ Subsequent oil changes at each Inspection II

For cars without Service Indicator, subsequent oil changes at 18,000 mile intervals.

C. Approved Transmission Oils (1984/85 528e/325e Models only***)

^ Mobil SHC 630 (Synthetic Transmission Fluid) ***Note: See Service Information Bulletin 23 01 84 (827) for additional details.

D. Transmission oil change intervals (1984/85 528e/325e Models only)

^ First and subsequent oil changes at each Inspection II

Note: Do not change synthetic transmission fluid at 1200 mile inspection.

All pertinent publications in Owner's Handbooks and Repair Manuals will be brought up to date in the next edition.