Howdy all.
I have a 2016 328i xDrive with the n26 engine.
After my break-in I did a drain and fill using Castrol EDGE 5W-30 (rated for BMW Longlife-01). Link here (https://www.amazon.com/Castrol-03037.../dp/B0161A4CKG). I also attached the specs, from the Castrol site.
The engine calls for a new 0W-20 LL-14 FE+ oil, but no one but BMW sells this oil. I also read reports of dealerships simply putting in 5W-30 when they do the "free" maintenance oil changes. I don't think I read of a single dealership actually using the new 0W-20 LL-14 FE+ oil (at least not yet). Plus, the n20 came out in 2012 and was spec'd to take 5W30 LL-01 (or maybe LL-01 FE, I can't tell as people seem to be using these two names interchangeably in the web). Anyway, the n26 is simply a SULEV version of the n20 (it has an extra cat on the exhaust manifold and a charcoal filter on the intake).
So I thought I was good to go, but now I'm doubting my decision:
1 -- We don't normally get real cold winters, but this year has been a big exception -- it is getting down into the teens and staying there. I took my digital thermometer and measured the snow at 5 degrees (which is what the oil pan essentially resting on when I park in a lot full of snow). I'm a worried that I'm doing premature damage to my engine (at start up) by using a 5W oil in such cold temperatures and I'm considering putting a 0W-20 or 0W-30 in.
2 -- I *just* realized that LL-01 and LL-01 FE are not the same. The manual calls for LL-14 FE+ or LL-01 FE. And I accidentally put in "regular" LL-01 (the 5W-30 Castrol). The strange part is, from what I can tell, LL-01 seems better since LL-01 FE has a lower HTHS viscosity.
Uggg... My head is about to explode.
Questions:
1 -- Do I need to be worried about running LL-01, without the FE designation? I'm guessing not. The "FE" seems to lower the performance/protection of the oil in exchange for higher fuel economy.
2 -- I'm freaking out about running a 5W oil in the car with such cold temps. Will I damage my car if temps drop to 12F, or so (and I do a cold start)?
3 -- There are not a lot of Longlife-01 FE oils out there, and even fewer that are 0W-20 or 0W-30. And I'm guessing what I am finding is special order -- meaning a wait time. If I wanted to change to a 0W-20 soon, do you think I'll be safe to run down the parts store and put Mobile 1 full synthetic 0W-30 -- without the longlife-01 designation? I plan on changing the oil every 5K, so I don't know how important "longlife" really is. I'm not going to do a 10-15K mile OCI recommended by BMW since I do a lot of short trips around town and my car barely gets warmed up, quite often.
Thanks for all the help,
-Nathan
I have a 2016 328i xDrive with the n26 engine.
After my break-in I did a drain and fill using Castrol EDGE 5W-30 (rated for BMW Longlife-01). Link here (https://www.amazon.com/Castrol-03037.../dp/B0161A4CKG). I also attached the specs, from the Castrol site.
The engine calls for a new 0W-20 LL-14 FE+ oil, but no one but BMW sells this oil. I also read reports of dealerships simply putting in 5W-30 when they do the "free" maintenance oil changes. I don't think I read of a single dealership actually using the new 0W-20 LL-14 FE+ oil (at least not yet). Plus, the n20 came out in 2012 and was spec'd to take 5W30 LL-01 (or maybe LL-01 FE, I can't tell as people seem to be using these two names interchangeably in the web). Anyway, the n26 is simply a SULEV version of the n20 (it has an extra cat on the exhaust manifold and a charcoal filter on the intake).
So I thought I was good to go, but now I'm doubting my decision:
1 -- We don't normally get real cold winters, but this year has been a big exception -- it is getting down into the teens and staying there. I took my digital thermometer and measured the snow at 5 degrees (which is what the oil pan essentially resting on when I park in a lot full of snow). I'm a worried that I'm doing premature damage to my engine (at start up) by using a 5W oil in such cold temperatures and I'm considering putting a 0W-20 or 0W-30 in.
2 -- I *just* realized that LL-01 and LL-01 FE are not the same. The manual calls for LL-14 FE+ or LL-01 FE. And I accidentally put in "regular" LL-01 (the 5W-30 Castrol). The strange part is, from what I can tell, LL-01 seems better since LL-01 FE has a lower HTHS viscosity.
Uggg... My head is about to explode.
Questions:
1 -- Do I need to be worried about running LL-01, without the FE designation? I'm guessing not. The "FE" seems to lower the performance/protection of the oil in exchange for higher fuel economy.
2 -- I'm freaking out about running a 5W oil in the car with such cold temps. Will I damage my car if temps drop to 12F, or so (and I do a cold start)?
3 -- There are not a lot of Longlife-01 FE oils out there, and even fewer that are 0W-20 or 0W-30. And I'm guessing what I am finding is special order -- meaning a wait time. If I wanted to change to a 0W-20 soon, do you think I'll be safe to run down the parts store and put Mobile 1 full synthetic 0W-30 -- without the longlife-01 designation? I plan on changing the oil every 5K, so I don't know how important "longlife" really is. I'm not going to do a 10-15K mile OCI recommended by BMW since I do a lot of short trips around town and my car barely gets warmed up, quite often.
Thanks for all the help,
-Nathan