Manufacturer approvals (VW, BMW, MB) and oil selection
The manufacturer’s approval matters more than viscosity alone. We explain what the VW, BMW or Mercedes standards are and how to choose oil with the right approval.
Manufacturer approvals (VW, BMW, MB) and oil selection
5 min readA manufacturer’s approval is an official confirmation that a given oil meets the requirements of a specific brand. In practice it often matters more than the viscosity class itself.
What is an approval?
These are dedicated standards, e.g. VW 504.00/507.00, BMW Longlife-04 or MB 229.51. The manufacturer tests the oil for its engines and approves it for use.
Why is the approval more important than viscosity?
- Two 5W30 oils can have different approvals and intended uses
- The wrong approval can harm the DPF or the timing system
- The manufacturer guarantees compatibility only for approved oils
- An approval can be a condition of keeping the warranty
Approvals can also be a condition of keeping a new car’s warranty — see how servicing outside an authorised dealer affects the warranty.
At every mobile oil change we select a product with the right approval for your car model.
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