bmw engine oil volume The right choice of oil for BMW

24.09.2019

What you need to know when choosing oil for BMW engines? Which oil is suitable for a particular engine? It is these two questions that most concern BMW owners who have not decided on the choice of oil when its scheduled replacement is approaching. First of all, it should be remembered that engine oils for BMW are divided into certified(admitted) and special(Special Oil). Moreover, according to the specifications of the automaker, for gasoline modifications of the BMW 1,3,4,5,6,7 series, it is allowed to use only those engine oils that have passed special tests and have been officially approved by BMW. For diesel versions of the same models, the use of universal motor oils is allowed, provided that they comply with the requirements of the documentation for each car model (according to ACEA classification). For BMW approved engine oil, the appropriate approval must be indicated on the packaging. Its absence indicates the absence of BMW certification, therefore its use is not recommended.

Oils certified by BMW received the name long life. These oils meet ACEA:A3/B3 specification standards and have been tested by BMW for their ability to provide extended service intervals (OilService). The use of these oils is allowed both in summer and in winter.

Since 2001, BMW began to produce engines of a new generation, which entailed tougher requirements for oil properties. As a result, oils with a long service life were divided into four categories:

1. Longlife-01- oils that meet the full list of BMW requirements for technical fluids and are recommended for use in N62 / N42 engines. In addition, these oils are recommended for use in older BMW engines (manufactured before February 2000), except for S62 (e39), CNG, M43.

2. Longlife-01FE (Fuel Economy)- oils with the same standards as Longlife-01, but with a lower viscosity, resulting in reduced fuel consumption. The use of these oils is allowed only in those engines, the design features of which allow the use of oil with a low viscosity.

3. Longlife-98(original name - Longlife) - oils that meet the standards with an extended maintenance interval (OilService), introduced in 1998. The use of these oils is recommended for BMW engines equipped with forced ignition (except for S54, N42, and S62 (e39) produced before February 2000).

4. Longlife-04- this tolerance has been introduced for engine oils that have passed a hollow test cycle at BMW. Oils with this approval can be used in modern BMW engines and are not recommended for cars manufactured before 2004.

Category special oils (Special Oil) as well as certified, it complies with ACEA: A3 / B3 specification standards and is an earlier version of BMW Longlife category oils. The use of special oils is recommended for older BMW models with a change interval of up to 15,000 kilometers (according to the OilService regulations). Special oils are multigrade. The exception is oils with a viscosity grade SAE 10W-X - its use is allowed at an ambient temperature of at least 20 ° C.

It should be remembered that for BMW engines it is recommended to use only engine oils that meet the above recommendations. The presence in the name of oils of such formulations as “fully synthetic (light-flowing) motor oil”, etc., is not evidence of the possibility of their use in BMW engines and can only be considered as a general name. The decisive factor in determining the suitability of the oil can only be an indication of the approval from BMW.

In conclusion, a few words about oils for new cars and engines after a major overhaul. And if it is unlikely that anyone will make an independent oil change outside the official service in new cars, then for BMW owners with engines after the “capital” it does not hurt to know that so-called “break-in” oils are not used in BMW engines. Therefore, when changing oil in engines after a major overhaul (as well as for new engines), it is recommended to use only the above-mentioned certified oils.

Engines/oils	Longlife-01	Longlife-01FE	Longlife-98	Specialist. oils	SAE 10W-60	M610	Specialist. ACEA
M43TU	+		+
M43/CNG						+
M47	+		+	+			+
M47TU	+		+	+			+
M47TU after 03/2003	+
M51 (e34/36) after 09/1995	+		+	+
M52TU	+		+
M54	+		+ (since 08/2001)
M57	+		+	+			+
M57TU	+
M57TU after 03/2003	+
M62LEV	+		+
M67	+		+	+			+
M67 (e65)	+
M73 (e31) after 09/1997	+		+	+
M73 (e38) 09/1997 - 08/1998	+		+	+

Devices and consumables necessary for changing engine oil:

Wrench 11 9 240. Used to remove the oil filter cover.
Engine oil. very important. For BMW 3 Series engines of 2.0 liters, 4.25 liters will be needed. oils. For a volume of 3.0 liters - 6.5 liters. oils.

Basic instructions for changing engine oil:

Before starting the oil change procedure, warm up the engine!

	1. Using the key 11 9 240, remove the oil filter cover. Additional characteristics of the key: diameter? dm., edge size 86 mm., number of edges 16. Suitable for engines: N40, N42, N45, N46, N52.
	2. We are waiting for the oil to flow out of the filter into the oil pan. (Engine oil can be removed in 2 ways: through the dipstick hole designed to measure the oil level in the engine, using an oil pump, which can be found at a gas station or service, or drained from the crankcase).
	3. Remove/place the filter element in the directions indicated by the arrow. Fit new O-rings (1-2) with circular cross section. Lubricate the rings (1-2) with oil.
	4. Unscrew the plug (1) of the oil sump. Drain the oil. Then replace the sealing ring of the plug. Fill in new engine oil.

5. We start the engine. We wait until the engine oil pressure control lamp turns off. Then if:

A). The engine has an oil dipstick:

Shut off the power unit, let the car stand for about 5 minutes. You can check the oil level;

b). The engine does not have an oil dipstick:

Park the car on a level surface;
Wait for the engine to warm up to operating temperature and let it run at 1000-1500 rpm for 3 minutes;
Look at the engine oil level on the gauges or on the control display;
Add oil if necessary.

6. Reset counter maintenance (oil change).

The debut of the 53rd series of the super popular car from BMW took place in 1999 at an exhibition in Detroit. Until 2004, the mid-size sports SUV was produced with all-wheel drive, distributing traction between the front and rear wheels in a ratio of 62 to 38. Since 2004, the crossover has been equipped with an xDrive system that allows you to transfer all traction from one axle to another. Now the model could become both front- and rear-wheel drive in a few seconds. The technical data of the X5 in the E53 line was inherited from its predecessor E39 (a line of engines and electronics), but the novelty borrowed a lot from the British Land Rover.

Being a premium car, between 1999 and 2006 it was equipped with different powertrains: two 3-liter diesel engines (184 and 218 hp) and several gasoline engines. The latter included engines of 3.0 (231 hp), 4.4 (286 hp), 4.6 (340 hp) and 4.8 (355 hp) liters. The most charged versions of the E53 family received Alpina installations and made the creation of the Bavarians one of the fastest SUVs on the planet. The minimum time to accelerate to 100 km / h takes the crossover only 6.1 seconds (for comparison, this is only a second more than the Porsche Cayenne Turbo produces). As for the maintenance of this line of engines, the types of oil and how much to pour into which of the engines are described further.

In 2004, the BMW X5 underwent its first restyling, as a result of which, in addition to the appearance of the already mentioned xDrive system, its appearance was updated. The changes affected the shape of the radiator grille, hood, optics. In addition, they began to supply the car with adaptive xenon, which made it possible for the driver to "look" around the corner. And the 4.4-liter engine was also corrected - it became a little more powerful (320 hp versus 286 hp). In this form, the model was produced until 2006, when the second generation with serial number E70 was released to replace it.

Generation E53 (1999 - 2006)

BMW M54B30 engine 231 hp

Oil types (by viscosity): 5W-30, 5W-40
How many liters of oil in the engine (total volume): 6.5 liters.
When to change oil: 10000

BMW M62B44/M62TUB44 engine 286 hp

What engine oil is poured from the factory (original): Synthetic 5W30
Oil types (by viscosity): 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, 5W-40
How many liters of oil in the engine (total volume): 7.5 liters.
Oil consumption per 1000 km: up to 1000 ml.
When to change oil: 7000-10000

According to the BMW E39 maintenance instructions, an oil change must be carried out either once a year or after a run of 15 thousand kilometers for gasoline engines and every 10 thousand for a diesel engine. Such recommendations are valid there, abroad. There is a small note in the manual: if the car is operated in difficult conditions, then the engine oil must be changed twice as often. That is, for gasoline power units every 7-8 thousand, and for diesel - every 5000. When driving on our fuel and on our roads, we can say with confidence that a car in the post-Soviet expanses is operated in difficult road conditions. So, when it is necessary to change the oil in the BMW E39 engine, we figured it out, now we will try to understand what and where to fill in.

What oil to fill in E39?

As you know, motor oils are mainly classified by base and viscosity. It can be divided by the type of base: mineral and synthetic. There are semi-synthetic oils. Viscosity is regulated by various additives and chemical additives. If you rummage through the Internet and read posts on various forums, then you will get a complete mess in your head. Some advise only synthetic, others semi-synthetics, others insist only on mineral oil, especially if the car has more than 100 thousand mileage. And the discussions and recommendations of various manufacturers in general can lead to a dead end the whole thought process.

Let's figure it out. It is better not to use mineral oils for BMW engines. After all, the task of the oil is not only to lubricate the parts of the power unit, but also to cool, prevent corrosion, and remove wear products. "Mineral water" quickly loses its characteristics, therefore it is not able to protect the motor as much as possible and ensure its normal operation. Mineral-based oils are cheaper, and this is the main argument of many car owners. But if you want your car to serve for a long time and properly, fill in synthetic and semi-synthetic oils. The presence of special additives in them will extend the life of the motor.

To make it easier to make a choice, below is a table of viscosity of motor oils from the pages of the BMW instruction manual. The main criterion for choosing will be the climate in which the car is operated.

The main criterion for choosing oil is the climate in which the car is operated.

It is logical to fill the engine with the oil recommended by the car manufacturer. But such recommendations are not always specific. The main thing is that the oil meets the ACEA class: A3 / B3 (CCMC-G5 / PD2) or API SJ / CD. There are a lot of manufacturers on this list. It is called Special oils and is updated every year. These are engine oils recommended by BMW AG. After examining the list, we can conclude that oil from well-known brands is suitable for the BMW E39. It is important that the oil was produced at the manufacturer, and not spilled in the basement of a neighboring house. Buy oil only from trusted dealers of official brands.

The main thing is that the oil meets the ACEA class: A3 / B3 (CCMC-G5 / PD2) or API SJ / CD

If you do not trust anyone, then you can order the original oil from BMW. Its original code is 83 21 9 407 782. This is the code for a liter canister. For a complete oil change in the engine, 6.5–7.5 liters are needed. (depending on the engine).

Do-it-yourself engine oil change in E39

To change the engine oil, you will need the following tools and materials:

Rags to clean up spilled oil.
Low capacity for used oil, volume about 8 liters.
A set of ring or socket wrenches.
Narrow slotted screwdriver.
Phillips screwdriver.
Sharpened knife.
Oil filter kit: filter element, oil seal ring under the housing cover, copper washer for sealing the drain plug. Original number: 11 42 7 512 300.

Oil filter kit

The kit does not include 2 oil filter housing cover rod seals. It is advisable to order them separately and replace them. Part number 11 42 1 744 001.

Engine oil approved by BMW LL-98 or LL-01, such as Valvoline Syn Power SAE 5W-50 or Valvoline Top Gard SAE 10W-40.

You can use a filter from another manufacturer. For example, the cross-code of the filter for BMW E39 according to the MANN-FILTER catalog: HU 925/4X.

The procedure for performing work on changing the oil

It is better to change the oil in a pit or overpass. The oil filter is located in a special housing between the radiator and the engine. The motor should not be cold, however, when using synthetic oils, this requirement is not important. "Synthetics" retains good fluidity even at +10 degrees Celsius.

The oil filter is located in a special housing between the radiator and the engine.

We unscrew the cover of the filter housing using the socket head. Remove it and disconnect the filter element from it.
We remove the old seals from the cover rod by cutting them off with a knife.
We install new o-rings, after lubricating the rod with new oil.
Wipe the oil filter housing with a prepared rag.
We install a new filter element in the housing.
We fasten the cover, carefully tighten it with a wrench.
Open the neck on the engine to fill the oil.
If the engine compartment protection is installed from below, then open the dirt shield with a Phillips screwdriver. We discard it.
Loosen the drain plug on the engine block.

Loosen the drain plug on the engine block

We substitute the prepared container and unscrew the cork completely. Drain the used oil.
We replace the sealing washer on the plug and screw it back into the engine block. Tighten with a key.
Pour about six liters of new engine oil through the oil filler neck. We close the neck.
We measure the oil level with a dipstick. It should be at the MAX mark or even slightly higher.
We start the engine and observe the emergency oil pressure indicator. It should light up and go out after a few seconds. If the indicator does not go out, then turn off the engine and start it again after 10-15 seconds. The indicator should turn off. After letting the engine run for a few minutes, turn it off.
After 15-20 minutes, check the oil level. If necessary, add it to the maximum mark.

Oil change video

The manufacturer does not recommend flushing the engine when changing the oil. If you use high-quality motor oil, then flushing the motor is not necessary. It is recommended to use flushing only when switching from mineral water to semi-synthetic or synthetic oils.
Do not change the brand of engine oil or add oil from another brand. Different manufacturers use different additives that can "quarrel". As a result, you can fly into a large sum when repairing the power unit.

The debut of the E39 took place at the 1995 Frankfurt Motor Show. Then a car with a greatly altered appearance appeared before the public. If earlier, when changing generations, the design almost did not change, then this time the angularity of the body is gone, the BMW received rounded outlines and a spacious interior due to the increased wheelbase. The weight of the car was again reduced, now due to the implementation of its suspension from aluminum.

The generation of BMW of the fifth series, codenamed E39, has been produced since 1995 and has become a direct follower of the E34 model. Like its predecessor, the model range of the generation was represented by numerous trim levels with power plants of different sizes and capacities. Until 2000, the base car was the weakest 150 hp engine. with a volume of 2 liters (model 520i), and after restyling - a modification with a 2.2-liter unit with a capacity of 170 hp. As before, the manufacturer regularly expanded the range of engines with more powerful units. The pinnacle in the race for power was the 400-horsepower "monster" at 4.9 liters. In maintenance, the engines required filling in different amounts of oil, which will be discussed a little later.

Restyling in 2000 changed a lot of things in the appearance of the familiar "behi". Now the steering wheel was made in a different design, the bumper was modified and the foglights were redone, and the radiator grille received a voluminous convex shape. But one of the key features of the refreshed design is the "angel eyes" - the model's signature rounded headlights. As for the changes under the hood, three more 6-cylinder modifications of the M54 engine have been added here: 2.2 liters with 170 hp, 2.5 liters with 192 hp. and 3.0 liters with 231 hp in the asset.

In 2003, the 4th generation was replaced by the E60 model, although until 2004 the production of 39 station wagons continued in parallel.