--Frequently Asked Questions :
Is this engine "BMW Approved" ?
Q: What Type of oil change interval is recommended?
A: Regardless of the oil used, regardless of BMWs service guidelines; we do not recommend extending the change interval beyond 7500 mile intervals to insure your engines best care (base this difference on the type of driving & use your vehicle sees).
This oil is easily capable of 5k to 7500 miles even under stressful use.
Q:
Is this oil truly Synthetic?
A: Yes, unlike many "Synthetic" oils that are actually refined from a crude
base, this is a 100% Group IV: PAO or Poly-Alpha-Olefine, derived from the
Ethylene chemistry synthetic oil meant for the highest stresses any street or dual use vehicle will see.
Q:
Can I use this oil in other engines?
A: Any 4-stroke that call for a a Xw-50 or 60 weight oil. We expressly do not recommend using this weight in other engines that call for 10w-40 and lower.
We also believe that the "Joe Gibb's Driven" brand oil is our choice for S14/ M88/
M10/M20/M30 and S38.
Many stock BMW engines (especially those with hydraulic lifters) are actually
best served by 5w-30 through 10w-40 depending on their use.
--BMW Applications that call for 10W-60 weight oil:
- E46 M3
& Z4 (S54)
- E9x V8 M3 (S65)
- E39 M5 & Z8 (S62)
-
M5 & M6 V10 (S85)
|
Q: What type of use is this oil recommended for?
A: While this oil is formulated to perform like a race oil, it has longer lasting viscosity characteristics and detergent
additives that make it suitable for use in
a wide range of apps, including street driven vehicles.
This formulation is designed to stand up to extreme temperatures that you will likely
see if you track your vehicle, but is also formulated with detergents and the
necessary cleaning agents so it's suitable for every-day use. It meets API SJ,
so it will not foul late model cars catalytic converters.
We use this as a
street fill and for HPDE use in all our customers engines that call for 10W-60 with great results.
Q:
Who is Total in the oil industry?
A: Firstly, lets know about
other oil companies: Most specialty brands of oil in the industry are from companies that do not
manufacture
*any base stock*, be it mineral, hydrocracked, ester or PAO. The staff
of many 'boutique' companies is often mostly dedicated to marketing and
sales. Most of the technical development is sub-contracted to Chemical
groups such as Total, from which they purchase their base stocks...
You may already be familiar with Elf as seen in F1, Lemans, WRC, MotoGP and others for over 35 years.
Total, as the "Elf" name brand, has long been a favorite of exotic
automobile owners in the USA and Europe for many years, but has never
before had such excellent distribution in the US until recently...
Total
Group;
headquartered in France (and in NJ USA) are the Total / Elf lubricant brand.
Total is the 4th largest oil company in the world, they manufacturer
base stocks as well as finished lubricant products. Total extracts crude oil, operates refineries & chemical plants, and
employs 10,000 people in the US Chemical industry alone! In short, the
Total-Group engineers and manufactures lubricants from A-to-Z. Total's Engine Oils
are being used by many of the top racing teams today. Porsches and BMWs everywhere are switching to their high grade oil on and off the track for exemplary low wear, lower oil temps, and longer change intervals. For years, Total (as Elf) has been an oil of choice for racing professionals and mechanics alike
in Europe.