Engine Life of BMW, Mercedes-Benz or Porsche

What can I do to ensure the longevity of my vehicle’s engine in my BMW, Mercedes-Benz or Porsche?

Maintenance is a key factor in ensuring longevity of a vehicle and its engine. Let’s start with oil changes and what could possibly go wrong with going to a quick lube place.

By simply looking at the quality of oil filters used at some places, we can see a lot can go wrong. Oil filters have serious effects on the health and performance of most modern-day engines.

Most newer engines, take BMW for instance, use a variable oil pressure feed system. This essentially means the volume of oil pump output has been reduced to increase in efficiency which is dependent on the specific engine speed at all times.

Having the wrong oil filter will change the engineered output of the oil pump therefore shortening the lifespan of the engine because its mechanical components are exposed to friction and will degrade overtime.

Oil Filter ComparisonAfter market Mercedes oil filter next to an original Mercedes oil filter.

Furthermore, we have found the oil filter cap has been reinstalled incorrectly and this can have a detrimental effect on the internal engine components. In particular, we have noticed the cage retaining the filter has been disposed off likely because it is quite difficult to remove the filter from this cage and will easily detach if it is pulled hard enough. This will cause numerous lubrication issues and essentially destroys the internal mechanical components of the engine.

Needless to say the type and quality of the motor oil is just as important as the oil filter. The oil is an important component of modern engines and many manufacturers will involve specific oil from leading oil companies that they have tested and chosen to optimize the life, performance, and efficiency of the engine.

It is worth noting that most manufacturers have specific numbers and grades issued by their engineers for the motor oils that should be used in their vehicles. These numbers and grades were chosen by the engineers to optimize the intended efficiency targets.

Each manufacturer will have their own grades and numbers, BMW for example, these numbers and grades can look like LL01, LL04, LL14FE, in Mercedes-Benz they look like this 229.31, 229.5, 229.51 and 229.52, and in Porsche they can appear like A040. According to ACEA, each standard has its own designation and composition certified by their manufacturers.

Modern-day engines are fragile but a marvel of engineering, requiring specific lubricants and filters best suited to the ideal performance of each individual vehicle.

With proper care and maintenance vehicles and their engines can last for considerable distances.

We hope this helps in the long run.

Continuing to look at examples of improper oil changes and use of oil filters, we can see in the photo below the difference between a generic BMW oil filter (left) and an original German Mann & Hummel filter (right).

 

Collapsed BMW oil filter

The generic filter has collapsed, and the paper media has separated from the casing showing the subpar quality of this filter in comparison the original filters we use. The paper media in the generic filter is so thin that the light shines right through it.

This particular engine, 2014 N55 twin turbo, needed a replacement engine which only further substantiates the importance of using the correct oil filter.

Take a look at to the next oil filters. Click on the thumbnail to see bigger photo.

Clogged filter in the middle 1st picture.

On the 2nd picture, the filter with cage detached and cap with missing cage beside it to the left.

The 3rd is cheap aftermarket filter collection and a proper BMW oil filter cap intact beside to the left.

On the 4th photo is a BMW oil filter cap without its cage detached to the left and proper to the right.

Wish you safe motoring and all the best from Techmax Auto Repair  Inc.

Related:

Why synthetic motor oil better for your vehicle?

FUCHS German Synthetic Motor Oils For German Import Cars.

Superior Oil Filtration For Increased Engine Protection.

European Import cars, motor oils specification.

Which is better? Synthetic or conventional motor oil?

What makes a motor oil Synthetic motor oil? The word “synthetic” has a pretty loose definition, a lot of manufacturer prefer the word synthetic to only apply to oils chemically formulated without the use of petroleum as a base oil.

However it is not that simple. At first lets talk about petroleum based motor oils. Petroleum based or Conventional motor oil is a lubricant that is produced directly from crude oil.

Petroleum base motor oils are very “sensitive” to temperature changes. This means at extremely low temperatures, for example at winter  time, here in Canada it may be thick, and at high temperatures, it’s fairly thin. To change the oil properties, oil companies mix additives, chemicals into the petroleum base.

Those chemicals effects the oil  viscosity,  improve it at high and low  temperature too.  When a 5W-30 conventional motor oil is brand new, it  can acts exactly like a 5W-30 synthetic motor oil.

German Synthetic Motor OilGerman Synthetic Oil

The problem is comes with time, from the use, the chemical additives in the conventional oil begin to break-down and or vaporize. This means, the oil starts to get thick when cold and start to get thin when hot.

Synthetic oils work quite differently. From the start, the chemical structure is designed to match a specific multi-grade oil, plus certain additives like rust inhibitors or dispersants will be added to further improve the usefulness of the oil.

The end result is that over time the synthetic oil does not degrade as conventional oils do. From a viscosity standpoint, an old  synthetic oil act pretty similar to a new synthetic oil, however it might get slightly thicker as a result of contaminants.

Some people states it, from a viscosity standpoint alone, a conventional motor oil could match the protection of a synthetic motor oil simply by changing conventional oil  more often, and it is  true. However synthetic motor oils not just lubricate only, they come with superior quality additives, leading to a cleaner, smoother running engine as well.

Which one is right for your car? Which one is better? Synthetic or conventional motor oil?

Before any misunderstanding, probably hard to buy a bad lubricant these days. some of them good  and some others are better. Even the most basic conventional oils available on the market are far better than ones offered 10 years ago.

We believe, it’s ok to use a quality petroleum-based oil in an average car, but if you drive a luxury or a high performance vehicles, we recommend to follow the owner manual’s recommendations, which is synthetic oil.

For sure, the synthetic oil cost more, but the benefits of synthetic justify the expense, with longer oil changes intervals, reduced oil deposit formation, slightly better fuel economy and longer engine life.

Call us for more details. Telephone: 905.795.0419.

Related:

The Importance of Oil Changes

Oil Recommendations by BMW

 

Preventative Maintenance and Your Car

We often get the question how can I make my car last longer?

Does not matter what type of car you drive, it can be a domestic or an import, either way the answer is maintenance above all. Proper timely maintenance, tune up and engine service, is absolutely essential for any car, regardless of make or model. It’s in the name of the procedure called preventative maintenance as simple is that.

A little common sense goes a long way,  we have some really long distance driven cars  to prove it.

We recommend oil changes at ten thousand kilometres, use high quality long-life synthetic motor oil.  Than  coolant flush and fill at least every five years, brake fluid service at every second year, transmission and differential, transfer case fluids at every hundred thousand kilometres, the rest should be a breeze.

Most manufacturers like BMW, Mercedes Benz and Porsche has their own spark plug and filter replacement schedule. They are the minimum standards to follow at least.

Related:

Superior Oil Filtration For Increased Engine Protection

Oil Filters for European Import Cars

Computer Aided Engine Analysis

If you have any questions please call as at your convenience.

Oil Change Related Frequently Asked Qestions

1, Why do European cars have such a long oil drain interval?
Because the oil’s quality that we use today. Continue Reading…

2, Why don’t American or Asian manufacturers recommend such long intervals?
North American and Asian Import manufacturers have been quietly increasing their oil change intervals as API standards have improved the quality of the standard oils on the market.  Continue Reading…

3, Why do most quick lubes recommend changing oil every 5,000 kms?
Because the oil quality that they use and because oil is cheaper than a motor: While there will be no damage caused by more oil changes, the environmental impact of unnecessary used oil is a high price for the sense of security it gives. Also more oil changes mean more money for quick lubes places.Continue Reading…

4, What do the numbers on the front of the bottle mean?
They are the viscosity numbers and…Continue Reading…

5, I heard some synthetics are just fancy mineral oils, is that true?
Yes and no… It’s true that some oils called ‘synthetic’ are comprised of severely refined mineral base stock, but there is more…  Continue Reading…

6, What kind of synthetics oil does Total use in their oils?
Total S.A. is a base oil producer. Depending on the application… Continue Reading…

7, What is Low SAPS?
Low SAPS stands for low content of Sulphated Ash, Phosphorus and Sulphur.Continue Reading…

Contact us for more details at:  (1) 905.795.0419

Related:

FUCHS Synthetic Motor Oil for BMW – Mercedes – Porsche & Other Luxury Cars
European Import Cars Motor Oil Specifications
The Importance of Proper Oil Changes
Engine oil essentials

 

Quality MANN, BOSCH or MAHLE OIL Filter for Your BMW

Quality filters bring a piece of mind. Resist the temptation of offering low priced low price filters. It not worth. At the end you will pay more.

At first the air filter. Todays air filters are integral part of the vehicle air induction system. With computer on-board, the mass airflow measurements are used to optimize fuel usage and exhaus emission.

In other words, if the air filter cause the air intake changed  greatly,  (due to dirty air-filter) then fuel usage and exhaust emission will compromised too. The car will burn more gas and will create more carbon monoxide (CO), which will over use the catalytic converter, and it lifespan will be shorter.

We recommend to change, inspect air filter following the owners manual, according to mileage and driving conditions.

Oil Filters

MANN, Bosch oil filters

You can save few bucks or pennis by take your car to a cheap oil change place. Be carefully,   those places use no name oil filters. Those few bucks that you might save, might also lead to a lot more down the line.

There are more then one reason, why you should not do it. No name filters usually do not have the  consistency in quality and delivery method over time. It seems, by purchasing a less expensive filer, savings are generated right a way. You should not try to save money on oil and oil filters.

By original or other big well know, name brand filter, like MANN, BOSCH or MAHLE OIL FILTER.

Name brand filters are familiar with OAM requirements and their filters meet those needs. In the event of issue, occurs with named brand filter, they will assist in resolving the issue.

Use a no name filter, from questionable sources, can cause  problems down the line. Those problems can vary from premature engine wear to complete engine failure. You can end up in a big engine repair bill, just because, you tried to save few bucks on oil change.

Placing the proper spec filter is very important with long interval synthetic motor oils in many cars. It is crucial to install a high quality, OEM spec or higher oil filter at every oil changes. These filters most survive intervals of 15,000 miles, as some car manufacturers specify.

It is a good practice to install quality parts to your high quality European import car. There is no substitute for quality motor oils and quality oil filters.

“The Lubro Moly & Liqui Moly line of lubricants, additives, and fuel system
products are the finest in the world.”

Related Topic:

European Import Cars Motor Oil Specifications

BMW Approved TOTAL QUARTZ Lubricants

Mann, Bosch MAHLE Oil Filters