[AspektUSA]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

They made the change to 0w-20 for CAFE reasons. Then dealers started using 0w-20 for earlier models as well, because they didn't want to have to stock more than one SKU. That more or less forced BMW to revise the service manuals. The acronym for why is CYA, but those in the know are aware that it's all happy horseshit.

I think, to BMW's credit, the US has finally started mandating ULS fuel as of Jan 2020.

The better quality fuel will go much further to lifting all OCI/UOAs across the board, and could eventually put the US on the path to running extended drain intervals of 2yrs as in Central Europe.

[Billfitz]

ULSD has been used in the continental US since 2006, in Alaska since 2010. After 2010, EPA’s diesel standards required that all highway diesel fuel supplied to the market be ULSD, and all highway diesel vehicles must use ULSD.
BMW had pretty much nothing to do with that, nor any other car make, as the vast majority of diesel usage in the US is in trucks and buses.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

ULSD has been used in the continental US since 2006, in Alaska since 2010. After 2010, EPA's diesel standards required that all highway diesel fuel supplied to the market be ULSD, and all highway diesel vehicles must use ULSD.
BMW had pretty much nothing to do with that, nor any other car make, as the vast majority of diesel usage in the US is in trucks and buses.

He's talking ULSG. While there are some minor differences US refiners has been refining ULSG since January 2019.

[Billfitz]

With a US market share of less than 2% BMW wouldn't have had anything to do with ULSG either.

[AspektUSA]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

With a US market share of less than 2% BMW wouldn't have had anything to do with ULSG either.

The manufacturers push/lobbied the EPA on the Top Tier fuel program, and that likely had a tickle up effect in getting ultra low sulphur petrol mandated this year.

At any rate, lower sulphur fuel should ease peoples concerns about 10k-15k intervals full stop.

[dubuW]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

In case you haven't noticed BMW has the habit of changing their approved oil designations pretty much in concert with when they change their supplier. I wouldn't be too concerned about using an LL-01 oil, especially if changing it more often than BMW recommends. If you can find it at a good price then why not, but none of the major brands are going to be bad.
I use Liqui Moly Molygen myself.

I use Liqui Moly myself.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by AspektUSA

The manufacturers push/lobbied the EPA on the Top Tier fuel program, and that likely had a tickle up effect in getting ultra low sulphur petrol mandated this year.

At any rate, lower sulphur fuel should ease peoples concerns about 10k-15k intervals full stop.

ULSG, like ULSad, is only about tighter emissions.

The changes had been in the works for years if not decades.

[JuniorBimmer]

Can anyone Share Which Automatic Transmission Fluid They use?
or recommendation's for a 335XI GT 2015 N55 Engine ?

[flyt100]

Originally Posted by JuniorBimmer

Can anyone Share Which Automatic Transmission Fluid They use?
or recommendation's for a 335XI GT 2015 N55 Engine ?

I bought a kit from FCPEuro with the ZF Lifeguard 8 fluid (2013 335xi).

[JuniorBimmer]

Originally Posted by flyt100

I bought a kit from FCPEuro with the ZF Lifeguard 8 fluid (2013 335xi).

I will go with that one then! much appricated

[JuniorBimmer]

Originally Posted by flyt100

I bought a kit from FCPEuro with the ZF Lifeguard 8 fluid (2013 335xi).

What differential fluid or gear fluid do you use ?
this is different from the ATF correct?

[AspektUSA]

Originally Posted by JuniorBimmer

What differential fluid or gear fluid do you use ?
this is different from the ATF correct?

FCP should sell the OE BMW Hypoid gear fluid I think.

I would just go with that, even though it's a bit pricey.

[eleven11]

Okay. So I suffer paralysis by analysis on most issues, but I think this oil business is taking it to a new level for me. I've been reading way too much on here and BITOG, and need to wrap this up. This thread is busy, so I thought I'd join in (vs starting a new one).

Vehicle:
B46 at 25,000 miles
Daily driver, planning to keep long-term (~1000 miles/month)
Oil changes every 5000
Bolt-ons and tune (spirited driving, but not tracking)
Milder midwest winters

BMW recommends 0W-20 (now LL-17 FE+). As discussed, this seems too thin and aimed for emissions/MPG. Especially with some modifications and aggressive driving.

With winter approaching, I'm leaning toward 5W-30. I've narrowed it down to Liqui Moly or RedLine. FCP lists Special Tec LM products at that weight for my engine.

I know I'm overthinking this. Just need input or a push. Much appreciated.

[AspektUSA]

Originally Posted by eleven11

Okay. So I suffer paralysis by analysis on most issues, but I think this oil business is taking it to a new level for me. I've been reading way too much on here and BITOG, and need to wrap this up. This thread is busy, so I thought I'd join in (vs starting a new one).

Vehicle:
B46 at 25,000 miles
Daily driver, planning to keep long-term (~1000 miles/month)
Oil changes every 5000
Bolt-ons and tune (spirited driving, but not tracking)
Milder midwest winters

BMW recommends 0W-20 (now LL-17 FE+). As discussed, this seems too thin and aimed for emissions/MPG. Especially with some modifications and aggressive driving.

With winter approaching, I'm leaning toward 5W-30. I've narrowed it down to Liqui Moly or RedLine. FCP lists Special Tec LM products at that weight for my engine.

I know I'm overthinking this. Just need input or a push. Much appreciated.

If you scroll up a bit, you'll find a Liqui Moly rep saying viscosity isn't as important as it used to be.

Specification is everything, as oil these days is just a conveyance for additives, detergents, and stabilizers.

Liqui Moly 0w-20 TT6600 is what I'd use in your case: 20 weight is nice and thin for winter, reaches lube points faster, and is compatible with start/stop.

If you're getting hit with oil temp lights because you're driving a bit too aggressively on public roads, then you should consider thicker oil.

[eleven11]

Originally Posted by AspektUSA

If you scroll up a bit...

Thanks for the response and feedback. I caught that, and do agree to an extent. However, I'm still not too confident 0W-20 is an ideal long-term option for the best protection.

[AspektUSA]

Originally Posted by eleven11

Thanks for the response and feedback. I caught that, and do agree to an extent. However, I'm still not too confident 0W-20 is an ideal long-term option for the best protection.

And using the incorrect specification is?

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by eleven11

With winter approaching, I'm leaning toward 5W-30.

With winter approaching you should be thinking of 0W-20. 5W-30 is a summer weight oil, assuming you change the oil more than once a year. I only do a yearly change, and 90% of my driving isn't in winter, so I run 5W-30.

[eleven11]

Originally Posted by AspektUSA

And using the incorrect specification is?

BMW vacillates on these matters, even on this vehicle. The now recommended oil wasn't even in the physical manual (2017). They list alternative weights that are acceptable.

Originally Posted by Billfitz

With winter approaching you should be thinking of 0W-20. 5W-30 is a summer weight oil, assuming you change the oil more than once a year. I only do a yearly change, and 90% of my driving isn't in winter, so I run 5W-30.

Thanks Bill. I agree with your thoughts. Since my post, however, I pulled the trigger on 5W-30. I'm going to do a Blackstone analysis when changing, and will check again in 5,000 miles.

[bgalakazam]

Next summer I'm out of Italy, going to Germany. Have an oil change coming up in 3000km. Wondering if I should switch from the current LL-04 5W-30 I use due to colder weather. Then I could just get the LL-12 FE 0W30 or LL-14 FE+ 0W20. Thoughts from people in cold weather (note LL-12 in gas engines is OK in Europe).

[GoodTroll]

Been reading through this thread because I'm trying to figure out what oil to run in my N20. I'm not particular, but I'm having a hard time actually find LL-01 oil anywhere local (nor have I seen LL-17 FE+). I've read plenty of forum posts that seem to indicate Pennzoil has a product, but the only one I can currently find is LL-04, which the nice Liqi Moly gentleman a few pages back said shouldn't be run in the US. I ended up getting the Molygen online but even that doesn't actually say it's LL-01 approved, it says that it's recommended for vehicles with LL-01 requirements (among others). Maybe that's just a translation issue, but to my lawyer's eye it reads like it's not actually approved. Are the days of being able to pick up an LL-01 oil at WalMart over? I can't even find one at Autozone or O'Reilly. So what are actual current oils sold that are LL-01 approved?

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by GoodTroll

Been reading through this thread because I'm trying to figure out what oil to run in my N20. I'm not particular, but I'm having a hard time actually find LL-01 oil anywhere local (nor have I seen LL-17 FE+). I've read plenty of forum posts that seem to indicate Pennzoil has a product, but the only one I can currently find is LL-04, which the nice Liqi Moly gentleman a few pages back said shouldn't be run in the US. I ended up getting the Molygen online but even that doesn't actually say it's LL-01 approved, it says that it's recommended for vehicles with LL-01 requirements (among others). Maybe that's just a translation issue, but to my lawyer's eye it reads like it's not actually approved. Are the days of being able to pick up an LL-01 oil at WalMart over? I can't even find one at Autozone or O'Reilly. So what are actual current oils sold that are LL-01 approved?

Why not just order a kit from FCP euro?

[alohasurftoad]

just get this...

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Pennzoil-...uart/495194903