All of the "recommended" oils listed in my 2013 base (non-S) Mini Cooper's owner's manual, including Mini's "own" oil (Castrol at the time) are rated API SL--so too is the Edge 5w30 Euro (gold bottle made in Austria) I received today as a replacement for the NLA Edge 0w30 Euro (which was "recommended" and also SL) I was previously using.
However, the manual states that for the purposes of topping up to use an SM-rated oil if the recommended ones aren't available.
I looked at the API chart and SL is for gas engines 2004 and older, SM for 2010/older and SN for 2010/newer. Which tells me that my MY 2013 should require SN, but.......
Is the difference between the ratings critical? Again, I've been using SL-rated oils in my current car which at this point is largely a 63K-mile track rat with no apparent problems; the engine basically lives at redline and uses NO oil so I've had no need for "topping up"--more concerned about changing the oil completely which is done often.
Thanks to all--I'm certainly learning alot about oil here!!
Gary
However, the manual states that for the purposes of topping up to use an SM-rated oil if the recommended ones aren't available.
I looked at the API chart and SL is for gas engines 2004 and older, SM for 2010/older and SN for 2010/newer. Which tells me that my MY 2013 should require SN, but.......
Is the difference between the ratings critical? Again, I've been using SL-rated oils in my current car which at this point is largely a 63K-mile track rat with no apparent problems; the engine basically lives at redline and uses NO oil so I've had no need for "topping up"--more concerned about changing the oil completely which is done often.
Thanks to all--I'm certainly learning alot about oil here!!
Gary
Last edited: