BMW Longlife-04 engine oil and other BMW standards: LL-01, LL-12 FE, LL-17 FE+
Longlife-01, BMW Longlife-04, Longlife-12 FE or LL-17 FE+: the owner’s manual names the BMW standard your engine requires. Find out here how the generations differ, how labels abbreviate them and which Elat engine oils list them as a specification.
How the BMW oil specification system works
BMW defines its own factory standards for engine oil under the Longlife name. The number in each name is the year the standard was introduced. Four generations appear on Elat labels: Longlife-01, Longlife-04, Longlife-12 FE and Longlife-17 FE+. The name itself refers to the long drain intervals these oils have to be designed for.
A newer standard does not automatically replace an older one. LL-04 is designed differently from LL-01, and the standards marked FE – short for fuel economy – aim for particularly low friction. You will find the generation your car needs in the owner’s manual or service booklet. Follow it exactly, together with the viscosity given there.
In brief
For diesels fitted with a particulate filter, BMW generally calls for the low-ash Longlife-04 standard, which the Elat range offers as 5W-30, 0W-30 and 5W-40. LL-01 is older and does not require a low-ash formulation, while the FE standards Longlife-12 FE and LL-17 FE+ are intended for certain engines. On Elat labels, every BMW entry is a specification rather than an approval.
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LL04, LL-04 or Longlife-04: one standard, several spellings
Containers often print the BMW standard in shortened form. 5W30 LongLife 3 says “BMW LL04”, 5W30 Extra LongLife 3 “BMW LL-04” and 5W30 Premium LongLife 3 “BMW Longlife-04”. All three mean the same standard. Likewise, “Longlife 12FE” stands for Longlife-12 FE and “LL17FE+” for Longlife-17 FE+.
When choosing an oil, compare the digits and the FE or FE+ suffix rather than hyphens or abbreviations. “LL-01” and “LL-04” look alike but are two different standards.
| Printed after “BMW” | BMW standard meant | Elat oil | Viscosity and ACEA class on the label |
|---|---|---|---|
| LL04 | Longlife-04 | 5W30 LongLife 3, 5W30 Classic LongLife 3 | 5W-30, ACEA C3 |
| LL-04 | Longlife-04 | 5W30 Extra LongLife 3 | 5W-30, ACEA C3 |
| Longlife-04 | Longlife-04 | 5W30 Premium LongLife 3, 5W30 Mega Tec LongLife 3, 0W30 Zero Tec VW, 5W40 High Tec Quantum | 5W-30, 0W-30 or 5W-40; ACEA C3 (Mega Tec: C2/C3) |
| LL-01 | Longlife-01 | 5W40 K2 Hightec HC Synthetic | 5W-40, ACEA A3/B4 |
| Longlife 12FE | Longlife-12 FE | 0W30 Profi Tec for Euro 6 | 0W-30, ACEA C2 |
| LL17FE+ | Longlife-17 FE+ | 0W20 VW Tec Blue Oil | 0W-20, ACEA C5/C6 |
BMW Longlife-04 for diesel and petrol engines: low-ash in three viscosities
LL-04 is a low-ash standard: the oil contains fewer ash-forming additives so that the particulate filter does not clog prematurely. This is why every Elat oil listing LL-04 belongs to ACEA class C3, with 5W30 Mega Tec LongLife 3 also naming C2.
- Diesel engines: for diesels with a particulate filter, LL-04 is usually the standard that applies.
- Petrol engines: many owner’s manuals for petrol engines name LL-04 as well; what matters is the requirement for your engine.
- Viscosity as specified: the Elat range offers LL-04 as 5W-30, 0W-30 and 5W-40. The standard alone does not fix the viscosity.
For an LL-04 5W-30, you can choose between 5W30 LongLife 3, 5W30 Classic LongLife 3, 5W30 Extra LongLife 3, 5W30 Premium LongLife 3 and 5W30 Mega Tec LongLife 3. 0W30 Zero Tec VW lists LL-04 as a 0W-30, and 5W40 High Tec Quantum as a 5W-40.
BMW standards as specifications
On every Elat label, the BMW standards appear in the list of specifications and recommendations; none of these oils states a BMW approval. Your owner’s manual shows whether the specification is sufficient for your vehicle – just ask us if anything is unclear.
Elat engine oils with BMW Longlife specifications
BMW entries appear in blue, exactly as printed on each label – for example LL04, Longlife-04 or LL17FE+.
5W30 LongLife 3
5W-30 · Motor Oil
5W30 Premium LongLife 3
5W-30 · Motor Oil
5W30 Extra LongLife 3
5W-30 · Motor Oil
5W30 Mega Tec LongLife 3
5W-30 · Motor Oil
5W40 High Tec Quantum
5W-40 · Motor Oil
0W30 Zero Tec VW
0W-30 · Motor Oil
5W40 K2 Hightec HC Synthetic
5W-40 · Motor Oil
Lists BMW LL-01 – an ACEA A3/B4 oil, not low-ash.
0W30 Profi Tec for Euro 6
0W-30 · Motor Oil
0W20 VW Tec Blue Oil
0W-20 · Motor Oil
Lists BMW LL17FE+; not backward compatible according to its product description.
Approval or specification?
Only expressly stated manufacturer approvals are marked “Approval”. All other entries are specifications and recommendations as printed on the product label; the entries relevant to this topic are highlighted. For your vehicle or machine, the owner’s manual and the manufacturer’s approval lists always take precedence. If in doubt, we are happy to advise you.
LL-01, Longlife-12 FE and LL-17 FE+: when other BMW standards apply
Besides LL-04, three other BMW standards appear on Elat labels. They cannot simply be swapped for one another:
You can read more about the thin viscosity grades on our topic page 0W-20 and 0W-30 engine oil.
BMW LL-01 5W-40
Longlife-01 is older than LL-04 and does not require a low-ash formulation. 5W40 K2 Hightec HC Synthetic lists LL-01; it is an ACEA A3/B4 5W-40. LL-04 is usually the standard for diesels with a particulate filter.
BMW Longlife-12 FE
A fuel economy standard for certain engines. 0W30 Profi Tec for Euro 6 lists it as “BMW Longlife 12FE”; it is a 0W-30 of ACEA class C2. Only use it if your owner’s manual names Longlife-12 FE.
BMW LL-17 FE+ 0W-20
The most recent of the standards on this page, printed as “BMW LL17FE+” on 0W20 VW Tec Blue Oil. According to its product description, this 0W-20 is not backward compatible – it belongs only in engines whose requirement names exactly this standard.
BMW Longlife oil for workshops and fleets
Workshops and fleets running BMW vehicles can often manage with a compact range: an LL-04 oil in the specified viscosity, plus the FE oils for those newer engines whose owner’s manual calls for them. An LL-01 oil is mainly of interest for older vehicles without a particulate filter.
Global Tech Lubricants supplies business customers throughout Germany: workshops, retailers and online shops, industry, fleets and bus companies. Scheduling and dispatch run from Lünen, in the heart of North Rhine-Westphalia. The complete specifications of every oil are listed in our catalogue of car engine oils; for how nationwide supply works, see Supply across Germany.
Frequently asked questions
Do BMW LL04 and BMW Longlife-04 refer to the same standard?
Yes. “LL04”, “LL-04” and “Longlife-04” are different spellings of the same BMW standard. The number 04 is what counts – an entry such as LL-01 refers to a different, older standard.
Is an LL-01 oil a substitute for LL-04?
Generally not in diesel engines with a particulate filter, which call for a low-ash oil to LL-04. The LL-01 standard does not require a low-ash formulation, and the Elat oil listing LL-01 is an ACEA A3/B4 oil. For petrol engines, the owner’s manual states which standards are permitted.
Can a 0W-20 to LL-17 FE+ go into an older BMW?
Only if the owner’s manual expressly allows it. FE+ oils are designed for particular newer engines, and the product description of 0W20 VW Tec Blue Oil expressly says it is not backward compatible. For older engines, the standard given in the manual remains decisive – often LL-04.
What does FE mean in BMW Longlife-12 FE?
FE stands for fuel economy – oils designed for low friction and reduced fuel consumption. Such standards are intended for certain engines. In the Elat range, 0W30 Profi Tec for Euro 6 lists this standard, printed as “BMW Longlife 12FE”.
Why do some oils list both LL-04 and VW 504.00?
One oil can be specified to several manufacturers’ standards. Of the seven Elat oils listing LL-04, five also list VW 504.00/507.00 and all seven list MB 229.51 – 5W30 LongLife 3 is one example. For a particular vehicle, however, only the standard set by its manufacturer counts.
Related topics
Request BMW Longlife engine oil
Tell us the BMW standard from your owner’s manual, ideally with the viscosity and engine code. We will match the spelling on the label and recommend the right Elat oil.
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