Engine - Oil Recommendations/Checking Procedure

GROUP 11
Engine

Bulletin Number
11 04 00

Woodcliff Lake, NJ
October 2001
Service Engineering

This Service Information bulletins supersedes S.I. 11 04 00 dated September 2000.

SUBJECT:
Engine Oil Level Check

MODEL:
E39 M5 with S62 engine
E52 Z8 with S62 engine
E36 M roadster, M coupe with S52 and S54 engines
E46 M3 with S54 engine

SITUATION

General Information:

The race bred engines incorporated in BMW M vehicles include increased power output and maximum engine speeds compared to conventional BMW engines. Due to their high performance design characteristics all M engines may exhibit slightly higher oil consumption compared to conventional BMW engines. A spirited driving style (especially during the critical engine break in period) will lead to further increased engine oil consumption.

BMW recommends checking the oil level and if necessary topping up using the correct viscosity whenever refueling is required to maintain the value of your BMW throughout its service life.








Engine Oil Recommendations / Engine Oil Level Checking Procedure

Note:
For logistical reasons Castro Formula RS SAE 10W-60 Synthetic Oil has been renamed and is now called Castrol TWS Motorsport SAE 10W-60 Synthetic Oil. Since the formulation has remained the same it is sold under the same BMW part number (07 51 0 009 420).





Engine Oil Level Check Procedure

M5 produced up to 3/00:

Only if a customer needs to top up oil between oil changes and Castrol Formula RS SAE 10W-60 or Castrol TWS Motorsport SAE 10W-60 Synthetic Oil is not available is it permissible to use synthetic engine oils with a lower viscosity which conform to the API classification SH or higher.

Engine oil consumption will increase when Castrol Formula RS 10W-60 Synthetic Oil or Castrol TWS Motorsport SAE 10W-60 Synthetic Oil is diluted (topped up with other low viscosity synthetic engine oils).

Other causes for oil consumption may be a spirited driving style during the vehicle break-in period which does not conform to the procedure listed in the owners manual and on the sticker located in the upper left hand corner of the windshield (Example: "Up to 1200 miles / 2000 kilometers no full throttle, Max. engine speed: 5500rpm, Max. speed 106m/h - 170km/h", etc.).

As with fuel economy, engine oil consumption is directly influenced by driving style and vehicle operating conditions.





The BMW M Engine Oil Information brochure (see illustration shown) is included in all BMW M vehicles and will give the customer quick reference information regarding engine oil recommendations and checking procedures.

Due to the new oil recommendations for the S54 engine the new M Engine Oil Information brochure (print date 6/01, see illustration) supersedes the earlier version brochure (with out a print date).

Additional brochures are available under part number SD92-116 and can be ordered from Product Engineering.
Information only.

WARRANTY INFORMATION

Note:
New print date - 6/01





Note:
All S54 Engines now use Castrol Formula RS SAE 10W-60 or Castro TWS Motorsport SAE 10W-60 Synthetic Oil as shown.