···
Log in / Register

What type of gasoline should a BMW M4 use?

4 Answers
SanMolly
09/05/25 7:08am

BMW M4 generally uses 95-octane gasoline. Engine oil viscosity classification: 10W-40 is its SAE standard viscosity value. This viscosity value first indicates that this oil is multi-grade oil. W stands for WINTER, and the number before W represents the flow performance at low temperatures. The smaller the number, the better the starting performance at low temperatures. The number after W represents the stability of the oil at high temperatures (i.e., the possibility of thinning). The larger the number, the better the high-temperature stability of the oil. Function of engine oil: Engine oil can lubricate and reduce wear, assist in cooling, seal and prevent leaks, prevent rust and corrosion, and provide shock absorption for the engine. It is known as the 'blood' of the car. Choosing the right engine oil and changing it regularly can maintain the engine in good condition and extend its service life.

Was this review help?
6
3
Share
Hazel
09/17/25 7:22am

I've been driving a BMW M4 for several years and always fill up with 98 octane gasoline at the gas station - it's my personal habit. Initially, I hesitated about saving money by using 95 octane, but after trying it once, I noticed the acceleration wasn't as smooth on the highway and there was some minor vibration. After checking the owner's manual, BMW does state that 95 octane can be used as the minimum requirement, but strongly recommends 98 octane to achieve the best performance from the twin-turbocharged engine. Especially if you drive aggressively, 98 octane helps prevent knocking issues and keeps the engine sound cleaner. My suggestion is that 95 octane might be acceptable for regular city driving, but when hitting the track or going on long-distance sprints, 98 octane is definitely the preferred choice. After all, the M4 is a high-performance coupe that needs proper care - otherwise, engine wear accelerates and repairs become more expensive. Overall, sticking with 98 octane gasoline gives me more confidence in my driving experience and reduces maintenance headaches.

Was this review help?
3
5
Share
Expand All
CamilleLynn
10/31/25 7:53am

As a mechanic who frequently repairs cars, I've encountered many BMW M4 owners coming to me due to using the wrong gasoline. BMW officially recommends 95 octane as the baseline, but 98 octane is more reliable, especially in preventing knocking at high RPM ranges. I've handled several cases of M4s using lower-octane fuel and found that the ignition system tends to accumulate carbon deposits, leading to unstable power output. Prolonged use may even damage the piston rings. I recommend owners prioritize 98 octane gasoline because its higher octane rating better matches the engine's compression ratio. If only 95 octane is available locally, using it temporarily once or twice is acceptable, but long-term use requires switching back to 98 octane to avoid major overhauls. Checking the sticker on the fuel cap or the manual is more reliable. Remember, gasoline choice directly impacts performance and longevity—don't save small money only to incur big losses.

Was this review help?
10
1
Share
Expand All
MacDominic
12/14/25 8:01am

As a die-hard BMW fan, I firmly believe the M4 deserves nothing less than 98-octane fuel! This car is a born beast, with an engine designed specifically for high-octane performance. At a car meet, I test-drove two M4s—one running on 95-octane felt sluggish on throttle response, while the other fueled with 98-octane delivered explosive power instantly. Daily driving with 98-octane ensures smoother idling and a more thunderous exhaust note. Though pricier, it's worth every penny to protect the engine from knocking. My advice? Go for 98-octane without hesitation.

Was this review help?
4
4
Share
Expand All
More Forum Discussions

What does a triangle with an exclamation mark on the dashboard mean?

A triangle with an exclamation mark indicates a malfunction in the vehicle's general performance, components, or functions. Common issues include parking sensor failure, fuel cut-off system intervention or malfunction, external light failure, or engine oil pressure sensor failure. Solution: Visit a 4S shop for inspection to identify the source of the fault. The exclamation mark is a common fault indicator in vehicles. Besides the triangle with an exclamation mark, there are four other forms of exclamation mark warnings: a yellow gear with an exclamation mark, a red circle with parentheses and an exclamation mark in the middle, a yellow bracket with a horizontal line and an exclamation mark in the middle, and a yellow bulb with an exclamation mark. Below is a detailed analysis of these four scenarios: Automatic transmission fault: A yellow gear with an exclamation mark indicates an automatic transmission fault warning light, signaling a transmission issue or low transmission fluid. The transmission fluid should be replaced promptly. Brake system fault: A circle with parentheses and an exclamation mark in the middle represents a brake system warning, typically indicating a brake system malfunction or low brake fluid. Immediate inspection of the brake system is required to avoid accidents. Tire pressure anomaly: A bracket with a horizontal line and an exclamation mark in the middle indicates a tire pressure monitoring warning light, which illuminates when the tire pressure is too low. Check the tire pressure and restore it to the normal range. Lighting fault: A yellow bulb with an exclamation mark is a lighting fault indicator, signaling a malfunction in one of the vehicle's lights. Solution: Visit a 4S shop for inspection as soon as possible, or conduct a self-check, focusing on commonly used bulbs such as turn signals, fog lights, and interior lights to identify the issue.
19
4
Share

What is the ETC installed in the car?

The ETC machine installed in the car is called an OBU device. Once installed, activated, and a card is inserted, it can be used normally. ETC is an electronic toll collection system, also known as an automatic road toll system. It is a road toll method specifically designed for toll roads, commonly seen on highways, bridges or tunnels with toll policies, and certain sections of urban centers to alleviate traffic congestion. According to the State Council's regulations, starting from 2020, vehicles without ETC will not enjoy toll discounts. In the future, only one manual lane will be retained at highway toll stations, and tolls can only be paid through manual channels. Additionally, newly installed ETC devices cannot be used on highways immediately; they must be activated first. During free holiday periods, vehicles with ETC can still use highways, and no fees will be deducted when passing through ETC lanes. ETC Deduction Principles: Highways have one or more ETC lanes. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle's electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane, and by using computer networking technology for backend settlement with banks, the system achieves the purpose of collecting tolls without requiring vehicles to stop at toll stations. All this is based on the principle of "pass first, deduct later." Benefits of Installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in queues. Green and eco-friendly: Reduces noise and exhaust emissions by allowing vehicles to pass toll stations without stopping, thus minimizing pollution. Cost-saving: Reduces wear and tear and fuel consumption by minimizing frequent starts and stops. Users also enjoy a 5% discount on toll fees. Improved efficiency: ETC lanes can theoretically increase vehicle throughput by 2-3 times, making traditional ETC systems more advanced, faster, and higher-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. More policy support: The State Council's "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Comprehensive Transportation System" explicitly states the goal of "achieving interoperability of transportation cards in key city clusters by 2020 and significantly increasing the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC." It also sets a target of "50% ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles by 2020" in the main indicators of the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development plan. Future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage rates for passenger vehicles, future efforts will include promoting ETC use for trucks and exploring deeper integration of ETC systems with vehicle-to-vehicle communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure coordination, and other smart transportation developments. This will provide comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners, meaning more application scenarios will support ETC. ETC Usage Notes: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. If the vehicle in front stops, maintain a distance of at least 10 meters to prevent automatic fee deduction for the wrong vehicle due to ETC device failure or absence. The ETC lane recognition speed is 20 km/h. Driving too fast may result in failure to read the vehicle's device information, leading to toll deduction failure. Unauthorized removal or movement of the OBU device, or detachment/loosening of the ETC electronic tag, will render the tag invalid. It can be taken to the bank where the ETC card was issued or a highway service center for inspection. If the detachment is not due to human error, reactivation is sufficient. When using a debit card linked to ETC, insufficient balance may cause toll deduction failure. Follow the guidance of on-site staff to use the manual MTC lane and pay with cash or card. Thick car windshields may cause poor signal reception. This is especially important for vehicles that have had their windshields replaced after accidents or for those with modified front windshields.
20
2
Share

Where is the car's tire pressure sensor located?

The installation position of a car's tire pressure sensor varies and can be categorized into built-in and external types. The built-in sensor is installed inside the tire, which is relatively more stable, while the external type involves adding a sensor outside the valve stem. The tire pressure monitoring sensor can accurately measure the temperature and pressure inside the tire. Tire pressure monitoring systems can be divided into two types: one is the indirect tire pressure monitoring system, which determines tire abnormalities through differences in tire rotation speed; the other is the direct tire pressure monitoring system, which involves installing four tire pressure monitoring sensors inside the tires.
16
4
Share

What are the differences between the Mercedes-Benz GLE350 and GLE450?

Mercedes-Benz GLE350 and GLE450 have the following differences: Maximum engine power: The maximum engine power of the Mercedes-Benz GLE350 is 190 kW, while that of the Mercedes-Benz GLE450 is 270 kW. Maximum engine torque: The maximum engine torque of the Mercedes-Benz GLE350 is 370 Nm, while that of the Mercedes-Benz GLE450 is 500 Nm. Both the GLE350 and GLE450 are equipped with a 9-speed automatic transmission, have a 5-door, 5-seat SUV body type, an 85L fuel tank capacity, and feature front-engine four-wheel drive.
16
1
Share

Does turning a car screw clockwise tighten or loosen it?

Turning a car screw clockwise tightens it. Below is relevant information about car screws: Design reason: The majority of screws are designed with right-hand threads due to ergonomic principles. The speed direction relative to the rotation axis follows the right-hand rule, and over 90% of people are right-handed, making it more convenient for the majority. Additionally, right-hand threads are easier to manufacture, especially in large-thread turning processes. Important notes: Screws are critical fasteners in automobiles. The tightness and tightening sequence of these fasteners are extremely strict; otherwise, they may pose safety hazards.
9
2
Share

Why Does a Car Shake?

Car shaking can be caused by: 1. Throttle malfunctions, such as throttle blockage or carbon buildup; 2. Excessive impurities in the intake tract, preventing the engine control unit from accurately regulating idle air intake; 3. Spark plug issues, like electrode erosion or damage; 4. Use of low-quality gasoline leading to fuel pump blockage or incomplete combustion of the air-fuel mixture in the cylinders; 5. Fuel injector problems, such as carbon buildup or clogging. Solutions for car shaking include: 1. Cleaning the fuel injectors and refueling at reputable gas stations; 2. Cleaning the intake tract; 3. Cleaning the throttle.
1
5
Share
Cookie
Cookie Settings
© 2025 Servanan International Pte. Ltd.