Here is a VOA done last week by Polaris Labs on a sample of the oil used by BMW in all their current gas models with turbo direct injection motors (including the M5 and M6). BMW recommended oci is approx 15,000 mi (motors have ecm computer algorithms plus oil life monitors) with 7 qts in the sump for most cars (not sure about M cars).
The bottle says the oil is made in the US with foreign and domestic components. It meets ACEA A3B3 and API SL/CF. I believe it is made by Castrol, BMW's lubricant partner.
Aluminum 2 ppm
Silicon 3
Sodium 6
Moly 143
Boron 60
Magnesium 12
Calcium 2157
Phosphorous 884
Zinc 1004
Vis. 100 C 11.7 Cst
Base number 8.16
Oxidation 6 abs/cm
Nitration 5 abs/cm
Couple of questions:
Why API SL? It's a currently formulated oil.
Why would oxidation and nitration show up in a VOA? I've been told that esters in the virgin oil sometimes can fool the test equipment into thinking oxidation/nitration. True?
All your comments appreciated.
The bottle says the oil is made in the US with foreign and domestic components. It meets ACEA A3B3 and API SL/CF. I believe it is made by Castrol, BMW's lubricant partner.
Aluminum 2 ppm
Silicon 3
Sodium 6
Moly 143
Boron 60
Magnesium 12
Calcium 2157
Phosphorous 884
Zinc 1004
Vis. 100 C 11.7 Cst
Base number 8.16
Oxidation 6 abs/cm
Nitration 5 abs/cm
Couple of questions:
Why API SL? It's a currently formulated oil.
Why would oxidation and nitration show up in a VOA? I've been told that esters in the virgin oil sometimes can fool the test equipment into thinking oxidation/nitration. True?
All your comments appreciated.
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