Engine oil filler neck, Engine oil – BMW M3 Coupe 2004 User Manual

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Adding engine oil

Only add engine oil when the oil level
has dropped to just above the lower
mark on the dipstick.

Do not fill beyond the upper mark on
the dipstick. Excess oil will damage the
engine.

Before checking the engine oil level
after topping up, restart the engine and
allow it to run to obtain a correct dis-
play. Then proceed as described under
Checking the oil level.

BMW engines are designed to
operate without oil additives; the

use of additives could lead to damage
in some cases. This also applies to the
manual transmission, the differential,
and the power steering system.

Recommendation: have the oil changed
at your BMW center.

Continuous exposure to used oil
has caused cancer in laboratory

testing. For this reason, thoroughly
wash any areas of skin that come into
contact with oil using soap and water.
Store oils, grease and similar materials
so that they are inaccessible to chil-
dren. Comply with warning labels and
information on containers.

Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-

posal of used oil.

Specified engine oils

The quality of the engine oil is
extremely important for the function
and life of an engine. Based on exten-
sive testing, BMW has approved only
certain grades of engine oil.

Use only oils approved for your vehicle
model.

Ask your BMW center for details
concerning oils that have been

approved. You can also call BMW of
North America toll-free at 1-800-831-
1117 or visit this website:
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this infor-
mation.

Alternative oil types

If a High Performance Synthetic Oil
approved by BMW should be unavail-
able, you may use small volumes of
other oils for topping up between oil
changes. The following data must
appear on the packaging:
> Viscosity

preferred: SAE 10W-60
alternative: SAE 5W-40 or
SAE 10W-40

> Specifications

preferred: API SJ/CF
alternative: API SJ – also SK, SL, S
etc.

Low ambient temperatures

The oils used by BMW at the factory for
your vehicle model can be used at virtu-
ally any ambient temperature.

Engine oil

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