1.0 Introduction

These operating fluids specifications describe the standards which are necessary for approval and application for BMW automobiles. Operating fluids are arranged in vehicle group category and are approved for all assemblies. Any reference to a particular fluid contained in an active Service Information Bulletin since January 1987 will be listed next to the fluid's part number. Before applying operating fluids, it is important to make sure that the specifications and manufacturing codes on the container conform with those on the enclosed specification list.

Prior to their approval, all operating fluids are tested in detail on test stands, in laboratories, and in cars during field tests.

As new information is received, the Operating Fluids Manual will be updated. Some lubricants or fluids may be listed in more than one specific group. For example, Part No. 81 22 1 468 879 (Pentosin CHF7.1 Fluid) is listed under Group 32 (Steering) as well as in Group 37 (Integrated Suspension Systems). BMW Car Care products are listed in Group 99.

BMW of North America has also approved various fluids for use which are not available through the Parts Department, but may be obtained locally. A list of these approved fluids is found on sections 4.0 ALTERNATE UNIVERSAL LUBRICANTS AND WORKSHOP SUPPLIES  and 5.0 APPROVED OPERATING FLUIDS SOURCES 

Some fluids have been phased out of PDC inventory. Such fluids will be marked by an asterisk (*) after the part number along with the name(s) of alternate supplier(s) and the product name/part number.