1997 Corolla vs. 2007 BMW X5 same oil?

[Chewi]

Morning all,
Just got a new to me 2007 X5 and was shocked that the owner's manual recommends a 5w30 for this rather large SUV. This is the same weight my old Corolla called for. There is a Mobil 1 0W-40 on the list which I will probably use as it is rather easy to find unless someone can talk me off the ledge. It just seems odd to me. Any thoughts on how this 'computes'.
P.S. the 5w30 is the BMW rebrand

 

[JAG]

But BMW 5w30 is a high viscosity 5w30 that has a HTHS viscosity >3.5cP. It meets ACEA A3/B3 or A3/B4. Typical 5w30 oils at chain stores have HTHS viscosities B1 or A5/B5 which do NOT require HTHS to be at least 3.5 cP.

Mobil 1 0W-40 meets BMW LL01 and ACEA A3/B4 and is a good choice.

 

[cchase]

The "regular" 5w30 that your Corolla could use is likely not acceptable for the BMW even though the k.v. is in the same range.

When looking for oil for the BMW, look for oils that meet its applicable specifications and don't think in terms of just the viscosity. You'll find that the overlap of all 5w30 oils and oils that meet the LL-01 spec is rather small.

 

[OVERKILL]

And this is why people get confused by the Euro spec's. 5w30 is not 5w30. As explained in the first reply by JAG, the HTHS on the BMW 5w30 is much higher than the typical PCMO that your Corolla calls for.

 

[UNC017]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
And this is why people get confused by the Euro spec's. 5w30 is not 5w30. As explained in the first reply by JAG, the HTHS on the BMW 5w30 is much higher than the typical PCMO that your Corolla calls for.



And yet, wanna bet that about half the X5's on the road are running "ordinary" 5w30 oils from the bulk tanks at Jiffy Lube with no ill effects at all?

But yes, on the OP's X5, I would say definitely use either a 5w30 that meets the right specs RE: HTHS, or else use the 0w40. I for one am an Mobil 1 0w40 believer and run it in everything except my Jeeps, which still get RT6 5w40, and my Ram 1500 which still gets an Xw20 per factory recommendations (under warranty, and 4.7s seem to do great on the thin oils anyway).

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
And this is why people get confused by the Euro spec's. 5w30 is not 5w30. As explained in the first reply by JAG, the HTHS on the BMW 5w30 is much higher than the typical PCMO that your Corolla calls for.



And yet, wanna bet that about half the X5's on the road are running "ordinary" 5w30 oils from the bulk tanks at Jiffy Lube with no ill effects at all?



Only if they aren't running it at the Euro OCI's, LOL!

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Chewi
There is a Mobil 1 0W-40 on the list which I will probably use

There's your answer. Case closed.

 

[Chewi]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL

Only if they aren't running it at the Euro OCI's, LOL!


Scary!
Probably best just to buy oil/filter and DIY. I just hope this doesn't have a skid plate with 25 screws of different sizes like the Jetta.
Always interesting to research oil for a new auto. Thanks for everyone's replies!
BTW from BMW here are the choices...identical to the owners manual printed in 07:

Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30
Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40
Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5w30
Valvoline SynPower SAE 5w30

*Use only oils with an API rating of SM or higher.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: Chewi
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL

Only if they aren't running it at the Euro OCI's, LOL!


Scary!
Probably best just to buy oil/filter and DIY. I just hope this doesn't have a skid plate with 25 screws of different sizes like the Jetta.
Always interesting to research oil for a new auto. Thanks for everyone's replies!
BTW from BMW here are the choices...identical to the owners manual printed in 07:

Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30
Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40
Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5w30
Valvoline SynPower SAE 5w30

*Use only oils with an API rating of SM or higher.

If you want to change oil yourself, see if your friend(s) has a fluid extractor such as Mityvac 7201 that you can borrow to extract oil via dipstick tube. The cartridge oil filter is on top of the engine and easily to change.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Chewi

Valvoline SynPower SAE 5w30

This is wrong by the way, alas BMW never bothered to fix it. The regular SynPower 5w30 that you find in stores does not meet any Euro specs and has HT/HS below 3.5 cP. What they really meant was SynPower 5w30 HST, but good luck finding this one in stores.

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
And this is why people get confused by the Euro spec's. 5w30 is not 5w30. As explained in the first reply by JAG, the HTHS on the BMW 5w30 is much higher than the typical PCMO that your Corolla calls for.

And yet, wanna bet that about half the X5's on the road are running "ordinary" 5w30 oils from the bulk tanks at Jiffy Lube with no ill effects at all?

Only if they aren't running it at the Euro OCI's, LOL!

And you can be sure (for their own self serving purposes) that very short OCIs will be recommended by the quick lube places.