Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 100,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1996 318TI.
The 1996 BMW 318TI is a compact hatchback built on BMW's E36 platform, featuring a 5.3-quart oil capacity with manufacturer-approved viscosities ranging from 15W-40 to 10W-30 (API SJ), paired with a four-speed automatic transmission and achieving EPA fuel economy ratings of 20 city/29 highway/23 combined mpg; with just one recall and only eight total owner complaints filed, the 1996 model year falls within the 318TI's relatively trouble-free production run from 1995 to 1999, notably just before the model's peak complaint year in 1998 and following its lowest-complaint year in 1997, suggesting reasonable reliability for its segment.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 91 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11421716192. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
| Engine oil filter | 11421716192 |
| Engine air filter | 13721247404 |
| Fuel filter | 13321740985 |
| Spark plug | 12129064619 alt 12129063428 |
| Front wiper blades | 61611387678 alt 61611380759 |
| Serpentine belt | 11281743193 alt 11281437369 |
| Thermostat | 11531743179 alt 11531743017 |
| Cabin air filter | 64312339892 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
| Overall length | 165.7 in |
| Overall width | 66.9 in |
| Overall height | 54.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in |
| Curb weight | 2745 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 54.7 / 54.3 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 53/47 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 20 / 29 / 23 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 5.3 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJ engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 88 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 2.4 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.3 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 86 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 16 ft-lbs |
| Driveshaft Flange to Transmission | 145.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Ignition Coil Primary Resistance | 0.4-0.8 ohms |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.76-2.26 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Capacity | 4.05-5.06 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 91 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 600 cca |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum | 51.0-58.0 @ idle psi |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum | 65.0-97.0 psi |
| Injector Primary Resistance | 15-17 ohms |
| Engine Compression | 159 |
| Engine Oil Pressure | 7.25 at idle, 62.35 regulated. psi |
| Intake Valve Lash | Hydraulic in |
| Exhaust Valve Lash | Hydraulic in |
| Brake Application | WITH SOLID ROTOR / WITH VENTED ROTOR |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 18-22 ft-lbs / 81 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 49 ft-lbs / 81-96 ft-lbs / 81 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in |
| Brake Application | WITH SOLID ROTOR / WITH VENTED ROTOR |
| Rotor Minimum Machining | 0.031 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.409 in / 0.331 in / 0.803 in / 0.685 in |
| Rotor Finish | 0.5 - 3.5 μin |
| 1 | 4 ft. lbs., Step 1: 4 ft. lbs., Step 3: 70 | 4 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 22 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 1 | 14.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 50 | 14.5 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 100,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 1996 BMW 318TI sits early in this five-year federal record with 8 complaints, 1 recall, 0 investigations, and 3 TSBs. That complaint count exceeds 1995’s 3, 1997’s 1, and 1999’s 1, but remains well below the 1998 peak of 17 complaints, placing 1996 before the model’s most reported trouble year. Recalls occurred only from 1995 through 1997 at one per year, then stopped, while TSB volume trended upward and peaked at 7 in 1998. In 1996, Visibility and Electrical System were the most frequently reported complaint areas, each with 2 reports, though the data does not specify root causes; the year also recorded 1 crash-related complaint and 0 fire complaints. Against this backdrop, 1996 looks like a comparatively reasonable year to consider, with lower complaint volume than 1998 and a single recall on file, though buyers should verify that recall was completed and inspect the visibility and electrical systems carefully.
All 8 complaints on record, top 6 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE…
Showing 3 of 3 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B510819 | 2024-01-16 | Electrical System | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
| 12 15 96 | 1997-11-01 | Vehicle Speed Control | ROUGH IDLE |
| 12 15 96 | 1997-02-01 | Electrical System | M44 MISFIRE FAULTS 50, 51, 52 OR 53. *TW |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
5.3 qt of HIGH PERFORMANCE MINERAL OILS: ABOVE 5 degrees F: 15W-40 API SJ, SL OR SM, -5 degreesF TO 68 degrees F: 10W-40 API SJ, SL OR SM, 5 degreesF TO 50 degrees F: 10W-30 API SJ, SL OR SM, BELOW 50 degrees F: 5W-30 API SJ, SL OR SM, BELOW 32 degrees F:, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 20 city / 29 highway / 23 combined mpg.