BMW 3 of the E46 series

since 1998 release

Repair and operation of the car


BMW 3 of the E46 series
+ BMW 3 Cars (E46)
+ Current leaving and service
- Engine
   + Procedures of repair of the engine
   - Engine lubrication system
      Oil circulation contour
      Removal and installation of the pallet of a case
      Check of pressure of oil
+ Cooling systems, heating
+ Power supply systems, injection and release
+ Electric equipment of the engine
+ RKPP and transmission line
+ Automatic transmission
+ Coupling and power shafts
+ Brake system
+ Suspension bracket and steering
+ Body
+ Onboard electric equipment
+ Schemes of electric equipment


Engine lubrication system

Greasing of the engine is carried out by all-weather oil that excludes need of replacement of oil at change of a season (summer/winter). A basis of this oil is low-viscous seasonal oil (for example, 10 W) which in a hot state becomes more viscous by means of so-called "the viscosity stabilizer". Thereby, effective greasing, both cold, and the hot engine is provided.

Also light oils can be applied (oils to high capacities). They represent all-weather oils into which as additive along with others umenshitel of coefficient of friction are entered. In light oils as a basis so-called synthetic oils are applied.

The terms "mineral", "semi-synthetic" or "synthetic" is only the instruction on structure of a basis of oil. Depending on full structure various quality of oil can turn out.


Scope viscosity oils/classes

Designation of SAE indicates viscosity of motive oil.

For example: SAE 10 W 40:

10 viscosity of oil in a cold state. Than the number, especially liquid oil in a cold state is less.

W oil is suitable for application in the winter

40 viscosity of oil in a hot state. Than the number, especially dense oil in a hot state is more.

BMW long life p/n 07 511470 407 special oils

X can accept values 30, 40, 50

On an illustration viscosity of motive oil depending on external temperature is shown. These oils can be applied almost to all external temperatures. From an illustration it is visible that scopes of the next classes SAE have the general sites that allows existence of short-term deviations of temperature. However at very low external temperatures starting characteristics of the engine can worsen.

It is allowed to mix oils of various classes of viscosity if there is a need of addition of oil, and external temperature does not correspond to a class of viscosity of the oil which is in the engine.

It is not allowed to enter additional lubricant additives of any kind neither into fuel, nor into oil.

Spetsifikatsiiya of motive oil

Quality of motive oil is characterized by norms of the manufacturer of the car and oil.
The European manufacturers classify the oils under the ACEA specification (Association des Constucteurs Europeens de I‘Automobile) which considers, first of all, the European production technology of engines. Oils for petrol engines of cars have according to the ACEA specification quality classes from A1-96 on A3-96, oils of diesel engines have classes from B1-96 on B3-96. A3 oils for petrol and B3 for diesel engines have the highest quality.

Classification of motive oils by the American manufacturers is carried out on API system (to API: American Petroleum Institut). Designation consists of two letters. The first letter indicates a scope: S-Service, is intended for petrol engines; C-Commercial, is intended for diesel engines. The second letter indicates quality in alphabetical order. Oils of the SJ API specification for petrol and CF for diesel engines have the superior quality.

Motive oils which are intended by the manufacturer only for application in diesel engines, should not be applied in petrol engines. Are available oil which are intended for application both in petrol, and in diesel engines. In this case both specifications (for example: ACEA A3-96/B3-96 or API SH/CD) are specified oil capacities.


The BMW firm for the engines established other norms and motive oils classifies as "Longlife-Öle" and "Spezialöle".