I keep a printed copy of this page in my glovebox. When I am under the car with oily hands, I do not want to be navigating through eight levels of SIS menus to find out what torque spec goes on the drain plug.
Everything below comes directly from the factory Service Information System. Part numbers, quantities, viscosities, torque values — all verified against the SIS pages in the browser.
Specification: 0W-40, McLaren spec MCL-001 (meets MB 229.51 and VW 508.00)
Capacity: Approximately 8.5 liters with filter change
Oil filter: McLaren part number MLB-114 or equivalent Mann HU 823 x
Drain plug torque: 25 Nm (18 ft-lb)
I use Mobil 1 Extended Performance 0W-40. It meets the spec, it is available at any auto parts store, and I do not want to wait three days for McLaren-branded oil to ship when I need to change it this weekend.
Do not go thinner. I have seen owners switch to 5W-30 because their BMW mechanic told them it was fine. The M840T runs hot and the tighter clearances need the 0W-40 film strength. Stick with spec.
Specification: DOT 4, LFV (Low Fluid Viscosity) per ISO 4925
System capacity: Approximately 0.6 liters for a full bleed
Change interval: Every 30,000 miles or 2 years
The LFV spec matters. Regular DOT 4 will work in a pinch, but LFV fluid has better cold-temperature performance which affects the ABS/ESP response time. On a car that stops this hard, that matters.
I use ATE SL.6 — it is LFV-certified and available online for reasonable prices. The bleed procedure is straightforward: start at the furthest caliper from the master cylinder (rear right) and work your way in. Two people makes it faster, but a one-man bleed kit works fine too.
Type: McLaren-specified phosphate-free hybrid organic coolant (pink)
Capacity: Approximately 12 liters for a full system flush
Mix ratio: Pre-diluted 50/50 — do not mix with water unless you are topping off in an emergency
Change interval: Every 60,000 miles or 5 years
Do not mix coolant types. The pink McLaren fluid is chemically different from the green stuff in your Honda or the orange in your Ford. Mixing them creates gel that blocks the radiator. If you need emergency top-off and cannot find pink coolant, distilled water is fine temporarily — just flush and refill with proper fluid at the next service.
Specification: 75W-90 GL-5
Rear LSD capacity: Approximately 1.8 liters
Fill plug torque: 35 Nm (26 ft-lb)
I change this every 30,000 miles even though McLaren says 60,000. The LSD handles a lot of torque and the fluid degrades. It is cheap insurance — about $40 in fluid and an hour of my time.
Specification: McLaren-specified SSG fluid (part number MLB-130)
Capacity: Approximately 3.5 liters
Change interval: McLaren says "lifetime." I say every 60,000 miles.
Lifetime means the lifetime of the warranty, not the lifetime of the transmission. The 7-speed SSG dual-clutch is robust but the fluid still degrades under heat. Change it and add it to your pre-sale checklist — a documented transmission fluid change adds value when you sell the car.
| Fluid | Spec | Capacity | Interval |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Oil | 0W-40 MCL-001 | 8.5L | 7,500 mi |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 LFV | 0.6L | 30,000 mi / 2 yr |
| Coolant | Pink HOAT | 12L | 60,000 mi / 5 yr |
| Diff Oil | 75W-90 GL-5 | 1.8L | 30,000 mi (my interval) |
| SSG Fluid | MLB-130 | 3.5L | 60,000 mi (my interval) |
For exact torque specs and step-by-step procedures, see the relevant sections in the SIS browser. Also check the maintenance schedule for when each of these is due.