Red Line Euro 5W40 meets BMW LL-04 standards and is API SP/SN+/SN/SM/SL/CF and ACEA C2/C3, A1/B1 rated. These are characteristics published by the oil manufacturers and Red Line products share or exceed the minimum standards set by BMW. Red Line Euro Series oil is often mistaken as a "Diesel-only" oil. It was originally designed for Euro market gas and Diesel fuels with very low Sulphur levels. However, since 2014 most US fuels match the European Sulphur levels which makes Red Line Euro oil ideal for high performance and high mileage BMW engines. LL-04 oils can be back-dated to be compatible with any models calling for 5W30 LL-01 oil. Use 5W40 in warmer climates where a 5W30 may be too thin. Euro Series oil has greater levels of ZDDP than typical oils (Diesel oils are exempt from ZDDP restrictions on gasoline oils). We love to use Red Line Euro oil on highly tuned turbo engines where it provides superior protection to turbo bearings at elevated temperatures. High ZDDP oils also provide better protection and sealing on higher mileage engines with loose tolerances. Our recommended oil change interval is 5,000-6,000 miles with regular used oil analysis.
Red Line oil outperforms the factory oil when it comes to strength under stress. The latest BMW oils are engineered for efficiency and include additives to enhance lubrication, reduce emissions, and improve fuel economy. But in the high performance turbo world we live in, these oils break down faster, leaving your engine unprotected. Red Line uses a higher quality base stock for its oil products that is superior at withstanding higher temperatures and stress than other oils. Redline oil has higher levels of ZDDP (zinc and phosphorous) and a higher HTHS rating so it does a better job of lubricating, protecting, and sealing in the hotter environments our turbo engines are capable of. This is especially important as engines accumulate mileage and wear as a thinner oil won't be able to provide extra levels of protection. Red Line Oil includes the appropriate levels of anti-wear additives and ash content to ensure compatibility with factory emissions equipment.
Red Line Oil has proven over many years of use in our own track vehicles, race cars, and street cars/trucks to provide unmatched long-life protection. The more we learn about this product versus other competitors, the more we like it - Red Line exceeds our demanding standards. With BMW shifting its focus to high efficiency oil formulas, the need for a high performance motor oil is greater than ever.
The following is a very general guideline for oil weight selection. Engine designs are different and engines change as they wear. We recommend a higher weight oil for high-mileage engines or engines that show signs of significant wear - usually one grade higher. "Max Efficiency" assumes no sustained running at high rpm.
