Fuel - Gasoline Quality
89BMW08Group 13 Fuel System
Bulletin Number 13 01 88 (1564) Page 1 of 3
Woodcliff Lake, NJ November 1989 Technical Dept.
Refer to Technical Reference Information 13 01 88 (2090) for more detailed information on fuel properties.
This Service Information bulletin supersedes S.I. 13 01 88 (1564) dated February 1988. It lists revised limits concerning oxygenated fuel blends.
Please remove and discard S.I. 13 01 88 (1564) dated February 1988 from your S.I. binder.
SUBJECT: Gasoline Fuel Quality Recommendations
MODELS: All (with gasoline engines)
Situation: With the improvements in fuel quality by some fuel companies, a revision to our previous Service Information Bulletin is required to reflect the current situation.
Position: BMW gasoline fuel recommendations
1. Octane:
All cars except M Series: 87 AKI* or 91 RON** (minimum requirement) M Series only (M-3, M-5, M-6): 90 AKI* or 96 RON** (minimum requirement)
*AKI AntiKnock Index
**Ron Research Octane Number
2. Reid Vapor Pressure: see General Information on page 2.
3. Detergency Additives: Use gasoline containing deposit control additives which keep intake valves clean. When unable to find gasoline with proper additives, use "BMW Gasoline Additive" or its equivalent.
4. Alcohol: Use gasoline containing little or no alcohol unless it has been formulated with appropriate detergency additives. Fuel containing up to and including 2.8% O2, which equates to 10% ethanol or 15% MTBE; or up to and including 3% methanol plus an equivalent amount of co-solvent only, will not void the applicable warranties respecting defects in materials or workmanship. However, hesitation, starting, and stalling problems may result from use of such fuels, especially under certain environmental conditions such as high ambient temperatures and high altitudes, and as a result, unscheduled maintenance may be required.
General
Information: Octane number is always posted on the gasoline pump and therefore, is easily determined.
Reid Vapor Pressure is virtually impossible to check, and therefore, we recommend purchasing fuel from a reputable station. Alcohol generally tends to increase the Reid Vapor Pressure, and therefore, if hot weather driveability problems are encountered and the fuel is suspected, it is recommended that you switch to a fuel known to contain no alcohol.
Detergency Additives are also particularly difficult to check. The only way to determine this is to review the advertising of the brand, (whether it be T.V., newspaper, magazine, or point of sale) and look for advertising stating the fuel contains additives which control intake valve deposits or advertise "meeting BMW standard of intake valve cleanliness" for either "up to 50,000 miles" or for unlimited mileage".
CAUTION: When the fuel tank is filled with such a high quality fuel, the "BMW Gasoline Additive" or its equivalent should not be used. An over-dosage of additives would occur, which can dilute the engine oil. Severe engine damage may be the consequence.
BMW Gasoline Additive Since not all gasoline contains the latest deposit control additives, BMW has developed a gasoline additive that can be added to each tankful of fuel, in order to assure proper engine cleanliness. This additive or its equivalent should be used whenever gasoline cannot be found which contains the proper detergency. From our research, it has been shown that additive must be present in every tankful to be effective. It has been determined that whenever additive is not present, carbon will be deposited on the intake valves. Therefore, using additives which specify "every fourth tankful" etc. are not recommended, since they are much less effective because they work only in the tankful to which they were added.
In addition, no additives are known to BMW (at this time) to be effective at removing these deposits.
NOTE: There are a number of engine-and fuel additives on the market in addition to the BMW tested and approved Gasoline Additive. BMW of North America, Inc. ("BMW NA") does not require that BMW dealers use only approved engine-and/or fuel additives. If it is determined by BMW NA that an unapproved engine or fuel additive has caused damage to a BMW automobile, the BMW warranty will not cover this damage. The use of an unapproved engine and/or fuel additive will not, of itself, however, constitute a breach of the BMW Dealer Agreement.
AS THE FUEL QUALITY ISSUE CAN HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION, SALES AND SERVICE PERSONNEL ARE REQUESTED TO COMMUNICATE THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO THEIR CUSTOMERS AT EVERY POSSIBLE OCCASION.
Warranty Statement: Unscheduled Maintenance Only use fuels advertised to have adequate detergency and low alcohol content. Use of fuels with insufficient detergent and/or excess alcohol can cause driveability problems that necessitate cleaning intake valves and fuel injectors, and adjusting the engine idle. We suggest having this work performed by your Authorized BMW Dealer, perhaps while regular maintenance is performed. Your dealer can also recommend a fuel additive that will provide sufficient detergency. While this recommended unscheduled maintenance is not required in order to maintain the emission warranty, cleaning of intake valves or fuel injectors, or adjustment of engine idle, necessitated by use of inappropriate fuel is not covered by warranty because no defect in material or workmanship or component failure is involved.