BMW Oil Specifications and Quality Standards

In the mid-1990s BMW created and instituted its own internal engine oil quality standard and specification system to ensure optimal engine reliability and longevity. They were put into place to ensure a higher quality level of engine oil would be used in their engines, instead of solely relying upon and specifying the broader and more general SAE (Society of American Engineers), API (American Petroleum Institute), or ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturers Association) oil quality standards and specifications. According to our research, there are currently 8 different BMW engine oil quality specifications that have been established for BMW engines since the mid-1990s. Each BMW oil quality specification denoted by letters and numbers signifies the necessary oil profile and chemical properties needed for the oil to archive the performance level required for a specific BMW engine application. BMW engines that experience mechanical issues or failures can many times be linked to consumers using low to mid-quality grade engine oils for a prolonged period because they are not in accordance with the high-quality level standard BMW recommends. Using the correct BMW motor oil specification will offer the best possible performance, protection, and longevity for your engine. Below you will find a brief overview and explanation of the BMW engine oil types, and the basic engine application they coincide with.

There have been increased requirements for vehicle manufacturers worldwide to reduce emissions, minimize their carbon footprint, and improve fuel economy. Consequently, the development of new advanced internal combustion engine designs being engineered to meet these emission requirements and fuel mileage demands. Motor oil plays a crucial key role in meeting these requirements. Thus, new advanced cutting-edge BMW synthetic motor oil formulations were created. BMW has created very specific recommended oil formulas for their engines and around the mid-1990s - onward BMW models require a motor oil that meets a specific BMW motor oil quality standard or specification.

Should I Use Engine Oil That Does Not Have BMW-Approved Engine Oil Quality Standards?

No, it's not recommended. When changing your BMW oil, it's important to use the recommended BMW oil type for your specific engine application. Old petroleum-based motor oils are a thing of the past. BMW engine designs are too technologically advanced. All modern BMW engines are designed, engineered, and manufactured to exact tolerances using unique materials (alloys) to meet target performance requirements. Newer models also use advanced fuel injection and valvetrain systems that are lubricated using specific motor oil formulations to ensure optimal system reliability. These advanced engines and fuel injection systems must meet stringent emission requirements focusing on improving fuel economy without compromising engine performance. Therefore, exact BMW motor oil specifications were designed, are required, and should be used in your engine.

It's also important to consider that many BMW oil change intervals are from 10,000 - 15,000 miles. Throughout these BMW oil change intervals, the motor oil must provide maximum lubrication and performance. Providing stable long-term lubrication protection for extended BMW oil change intervals can only be achieved when the designed and designated BMW motor oil quality specification is used.

Using conventional motor oil that does not meet your needed BMW oil quality standard is very risky. Using the wrong motor oils will likely damage internal engine components, reduce fuel mileage, increase emissions, and can void applicable vehicle warranties. Consequently, it's important to use the proper BMW oil that states that it has been approved or meets your corresponding BMW oil quality standard.

OEM Approved BMW oil is key to ensuring engine reliability, optimal fuel economy, and the demands of meeting today's emission standards.

How to Confirm Which BMW Oil Specification Is Right for Your Engine

Always consult your service manual and confirm the specific fluid and oil requirements for your exact BMW engine application. The recommended BMW oil, specifications, quality standards, and oil viscosity weight are specified in your owner's manual. These specifications can typically be referenced in the owner's manual index under engine oil or operating fluids. If you have lost your owner's manual and are having difficulty determining what type of BMW oil to use, you may wish to refer to our BLAU® Oil Change Kits for your BMW model. Our oil change kits conveniently include the correct BMW engine oil, amount of oil, oil filter, and hardware for each specific model and engine type.

PAGE DISCLAIMER: The BMW motor oil information on this page should not be used as a substitute for what your vehicle owner's manual, factory service manual, or authorized BMW dealer recommends. Consult your owner's manual for the correct type of BMW oil that is to be used for your specific BMW model. The BMW oil specifications referenced in the article are used internationally. However, the BMW engine and year applications referenced apply only to BMW SUV models available in the USA.

Recommended BMW Oil Types Specifications

BMW Special Oil Spec

The BMW Special Oil specification was formulated for older BMW engines from around 1992 until 1997. Typically this BMW formulation is a semi-synthetic SAE 10W-40 viscosity.

RAVENOL TSI 10W-40
Meets BMW Special Oil Specification

  • Performance low friction semi-synthetic based oil with exclusive CleanCynto technology additive formula.
  • Quality hydrocrack and PAO base oils with good corrosion protection, cold start characteristics, and flow.
  • Good abrasion resistance, oxidation stability, and cold start characteristics.
  • Good detergent, dispersant properties for good engine cleanliness.

BMW Longlife-98 Oil Spec

BMW's first long-life engine oil. The BMW Longlife-98 oil specification is also referred to by many as BMW LL98, Longlife 98, or LL-98. However, the correct and proper identification for this oil quality standard is BMW Longlife-98. Usually required for BMW's gasoline engines manufactured before the year 2002. Since then BMW has discontinued this option for motor oil and has superseded the BMW Longlife-98 spec with the Longlife-01 oil specification. However, some motor oil manufacturers still offer the BMW Longlife-98 formulation for those who still desire it.

RAVENOL SSO 0W-30
OEM Approved BMW Longlife-98 Oil Specification

  • Advanced high Performance fully synthetic USVO & CleanSynto technology.
  • No shear losses during an entire change interval.
  • High shear stability during high operating temps.
  • Reduces internal dynamic engine drag and increased fuel mileage.
  • Excellent lubrication even in extreme below zero temperature.

BMW Longlife-01 Oil Spec

BMW Longlife-01 was originally formulated around the year 2002 for BMW gasoline engines. The BMW Longlife-01 oil specification is also referred to by many as BMW LL01, Longlife 01, or LL-01. However, the correct and proper identification for this oil quality standard is BMW Longlife-01. This formulation is a fully synthetic long-life motor oil and can also be used where a BMW Longlife-98 oil is recommended. This formula is always a fully synthetic engine oil with a variety of viscosity options such as SAE 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, and 5W-40.

RAVENOL SSO 0W-30
Meets BMW Longlife-01 Oil Specification

  • Advanced high Performance fully synthetic USVO & CleanSynto technology.
  • No shear losses during an entire change interval.
  • High shear stability during high operating temps.
  • Reduces internal dynamic engine drag and increased fuel mileage.
  • Excellent lubrication even in extreme below zero temperature.

RAVENOL HCL 5W-30
OEM Approved BMW Longlife-01 Oil Specification

Ravenol Motor Oil HCL 5W-30 Synthetic 5L
Rating:
100%
$62.95
  • Performance low friction synthetic base oil and exclusive CleanCynto technology additive formula.
  • Suitable for extended oil change intervals where recommended by the manufacturer.
  • Low friction German oil for gasoline engines.
  • Reduces internal dynamic engine drag and increased fuel mileage.
  • Excellent cold start characteristics and shear stability.

RAVENOL SSL 0W-40
OEM Approved BMW Longlife-01 Oil Specification
ACEA A3/B4

  • Fully synthetic PAO-based oil with exclusive USVO and CleanCynto technology.
  • No shear losses during an entire change interval.
  • Extended oil change intervals where recommended by the manufacturer.
  • Improved mechanical efficiency and fuel economy with excellent cold start characteristics.
  • Utilizes the positive properties of tungsten to smooth the internal surface structure of the engine.

Eurol Syndura 5W-40
OEM Approved BMW Longlife-01 Oil Specification

Eurol Syndura Fully Synthetic 5W40 Motor Oil 5L
Rating:
97%
$44.95
  • Eurol fully synthetic engine oils are the preferred choice of today's demanding Dakar rally-winning teams.
  • Fully synthetic oil technology provides excellent high-temperature shear load stability and film strength.
  • Excellent quick lubricating film strength during cold engine starts and the warm-up phase.
  • Minimal oil-related deposit buildup in combustion chambers, piston rings, & valves.

RAVENOL VST 5W-40
OEM Approved BMW Longlife-01 Oil Specification

Ravenol Motor Oil VST 5W-40 Fully Synthetic 5L
Rating:
95%
$72.95
  • Fully synthetic PAO-based oil with exclusive USVO and CleanCynto technology.
  • No shear losses during an entire change interval.
  • Extended oil change intervals where recommended by the manufacturer.
  • High abrasion resistance, oxidation stability, and excellent cold start characteristics.
  • Utilizes the positive properties of tungsten to smooth the internal surface structure of the engine.

BMW Longlife-04 Oil Spec

The BMW Longlife-04 oil quality specification was formulated around 2004 for BMW diesel engines equipped with diesel particulate filter (DPF) exhaust systems. The BMW Longlife-04 oil specification is also referred to by many as BMW LL04, Longlife 04, or LL-04. However, the correct and proper identification for this oil quality standard is BMW Longlife-04. This formula is always a fully synthetic long-life oil with a variety of viscosity options available such as SAE 0W-30, 5W-30, and 5W-40. The BMW Longlife-04 oil type can be used in place of BMW Longlife-12FE if not available in your region or when an SAE 5W30 BMW diesel oil viscosity is preferred over 0W30.

Eurol Syntence FS 0W-30
Meets BMW Longlife-04 Oil Specification

  • Developed with Eurol OPT additive technology, containing less phosphorus, sulfur, and sulfated ash.
  • Fully synthetic oil developed especially for European vehicles.
  • Designed for use on vehicles equipped with soot filters.
  • Quieter engine valve train components are typically noticed.

Eurol Syntence 5W-30
OEM Approved BMW Longlife-04 Oil Specification

  • Eurol fully synthetic engine oils are the preferred choice of today's demanding Dakar rally-winning teams.
  • Fully synthetic oil developed especially for European vehicles.
  • Designed for use on vehicles equipped with soot filters.
  • Quieter engine valve train components are typically noticed.

RAVENOL VMP 5W-30
Meets BMW Longlife-04 Oil Specification

Ravenol Motor Oil VMP 5W-30 Fully Synthetic 5L
Rating:
95%
$79.95
  • Fully synthetic PAO-based oil and exclusive USVO and CleanCynto technology.
  • No shear losses during an entire change interval.
  • Meets stringent EURO VI, EURO V, and EURO IV emission standards.
  • Supports diesel EGR and particulate filter emission system cleanliness and longevity.
  • Extended oil change intervals where recommended by the manufacturer.

Eurol Fluence DXS 5W-30
Meets BMW Longlife-04 Oil Specification

  • Eurol fully synthetic engine oils are the preferred choice of today's demanding Dakar rally-winning teams.
  • Fully synthetic oil developed especially for European vehicles.
  • Designed for use on vehicles equipped with soot filters.
  • Quieter engine valve train components are typically noticed.

RAVENOL HLS 5W-30
OEM Approved BMW Longlife-04 Oil Specification

Ravenol Motor Oil HLS 5W-30 Synthetic 5L
Rating:
100%
$64.95
  • Performance synthetic base oil and exclusive CleanCynto technology additive formula.
  • Special MID SAPS low ash oil characteristics.
  • Suitable for extended oil change intervals where recommended by the manufacturer.
  • Supports diesel EGR and particulate filter emission system cleanliness and longevity.
  • Excellent cold start characteristics, shear stability, and fuel economy improvement.

Eurol Fluence 5W40
OEM Approved BMW Longlife-04 Oil Specification

  • Fully synthetic oil developed for excellent shear load stability during the entire extended oil change interval.
  • Reduction in engine friction-induced heat and wear.
  • Very low evaporation loss, extending the life of expensive diesel emission system components.
  • Formulation properties reduce friction, wear, and significantly improve fuel mileage.

RAVENOL VMO 5W-40
OEM Approved BMW Longlife-04 Oil Specification

  • High-performance synthetic with exclusive CleanCynto technology additive formula.
  • Special MID SAPS low ash oil characteristics.
  • Suitable for extended oil change intervals where recommended by the manufacturer.
  • Meets stringent EURO IV and EURO V emission standards.
  • Noticeable fuel economy improvement.

BMW Longlife-12FE Oil Spec

This BMW motor oil specification was formulated around 2013 for both BMW diesel engines equipped with diesel particulate filter (DPF) exhaust systems and also some gasoline engines. The BMW Longlife-12 oil specification can also be referred to by many as BMW LL12, Longlife 12, or LL-12. However, the correct and proper identification for this oil quality standard is BMW Longlife-12FE. This oil specification is recommended for BMW diesel engines from 2014 onward. Its recommended for BMW gasoline with three-cylinder, four-cylinder, and six-cylinder engines with one or no turbocharger. The BMW Longlife-12FE formulation is always a fully synthetic long-life oil with a viscosity of SAE 0W-30. The BMW Longlife-12FE motor oil should not be used in gasoline engines with multi-turbo systems. If BMW Longlife-12FE is not available in your region the BMW Longlife-04 diesel oil spec can be used in place of BMW Longlife-12FE. BMW Longlife-04 can also be used in place of BMW Longlife-12FE when an SAE 5W30 is preferred over SAE 0W30.

RAVENOL FES 0W-30
OEM Approved BMW Longlife-12 FE Oil Specification

  • Fully synthetic PAO-based oil with exclusive USVO and CleanCynto technology.
  • No shear losses during an entire change interval, utilizes the positive properties of tungsten to smooth the surface structure of the motor, reducing friction and wear and significantly improving mechanical efficiency.
  • Supports cleaner emission standards, improved fuel economy, and modern emission system cleanliness and longevity.

BMW Longlife-14FE Oil Spec

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