BMW Engine Oil Certification and Standards

BMW, like other major automotive manufacturers, has its own engine oil certification system. Depending on the engine and intended use, BMW specifies the standards that engine oils must meet to gain approval. These standards include certain chemical properties (such as the proportion of sulfate ash) and standardized tests for oil performance (like HTHS).

BMW Longlife Oil Certification Levels

BMW's Longlife oil certification system includes several different grades, such as LL-01, LL-01 FE, LL-04, LL-12 FE, LL-14 FE+, etc. However, for users in China, it’s unnecessary to memorize all these grades. This is because many of BMW's oil grades are either specific to gasoline vehicles, targeted at the European local market, or dedicated to diesel vehicles.

Common Oil Grades in China

In China, the most commonly used oil grades by BMW are LL-01 and LL-04. Both grades are universal for gasoline and diesel engines, with the latest versions being from 2018 (referred to as "LL-01 2018" and "LL-04 2018"). The main difference between the two grades lies in whether the exhaust system is equipped with a particulate filter (GPF/DPF).

LL-01 for Pre-GB6A Models

For vehicles manufactured before the National VI A (国六A) standard, BMW recommends using LL-01 grade oil. This grade is known as "high shear" oil and falls within the same category as the familiar European standard A3/B4. Typically, these oils are primarily marked as 5W-40, although some 5W-30 oils also meet this standard.

Comparatively, LL-01 grade oil far exceeds the ACEA classic A3/B4 standard in terms of lubrication protection, resistance to sludge, cleaning ability, and service life. This is expected, as the oil change interval for BMW LL-01 is set at 30,000 kilometers.

LL-04 for GB6B Models

For all new vehicles meeting the National VI B (国六B) standard in China, BMW officially recommends using LL-04 grade oil. This grade also belongs to the "high shear" oil standard and is equivalent to the well-known European standard C3. Generally, these oils are primarily marked as 5W-30, but some 5W-40 oils also comply with this standard.

LL-04 grade oil significantly surpasses the current strongest ACEA C3 standard in terms of lubrication protection, resistance to sludge, cleaning ability, and service life. Therefore, as an owner of a "new BMW," it is advisable to prioritize selecting oils that meet the LL-04 standard.

BMW Engine Oil Certifications Overview

• BMW Longlife-98: For gasoline and diesel engines before 1998.
• BMW Longlife-01: For special gasoline engines since September 2001.
• BMW Longlife-04: For certain engines post-2004.
• BMW Longlife-12 FE: For certain gasoline engines since 2013 and diesel engines since 2014.
• BMW Longlife-14 FE+: For certain gasoline engines from 2014 onwards.
• BMW Longlife-17 FE+: For engines equipped with particulate filters since 2017.
• BMW Longlife-19 FE: For certain diesel engines from 2004 onwards.
• BMW Longlife-22 FE++: For certain gasoline engines with/without OPF since 2022.

M GmbH Engine Certification

There is no specific general approval for BMW M engines (such as M2, M3, M4, M5, or M8). For older M models, such as the M5 and M6 from three years ago or earlier, a special 10W-60 oil is provided. Newer M engines, like the S55 in the M3 (F80) and M4 (F82) or S63 in the M5, are included in existing BMW certifications such as Longlife-01, Longlife-04, or Longlife-12 FE. The most commonly used version is BMW Longlife-04.

The names of various BMW certifications are based on the model year and are often supplemented by the abbreviation FE (Fuel Economy) in newer specifications. FE is designed to identify engine oils optimized for reduced fuel consumption. Fuel savings from FE oils are typically achieved by lowering the HTHS value, which is also reflected in lower SAE grades (like 0W-20). This trend, where engine oils are "thinner," remains a topic of debate among manufacturers.

Conclusion

For BMW owners, understanding the specific oil grades and their applications is crucial for maintaining optimal engine performance. Always refer to BMW's recommendations for your vehicle model and ensure that the oil you choose meets the required certification standards.

TERZO Compliance

When selecting engine oil, ensure that the product complies with the necessary specifications, such as those outlined by TERZO, to guarantee compatibility and performance in your BMW engine.