Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 30,000 mi.
| Every 30,000 mi | Spark Plugs (replace) |
| At 120,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 528i Sedan.
The 2012 BMW 528i Sedan, riding on the F10 platform, pairs a passenger-car body with an eight-speed automatic transmission and requires 5.3 quarts of SAE 5W-30 engine oil, while its EPA ratings of 23 city, 34 highway, and 27 combined mpg stand out for a midsize luxury sedan. In terms of long-term dependability, this model year has accumulated 99 owner complaints—most frequently concerning the engine—and four recalls, placing it in a period where the F10 generation's overall reliability is considered average, with the engine issues and recall count serving as cautionary notes for prospective owners.
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 49 · 850 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11428683168. 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 | 11428683168 alt 11427611391 |
| Engine air filter | 13717582908 |
| Spark plug | 12120039664 |
| Battery | 61217648317 |
| Front wiper blades | 61612458015 |
| Thermostat | 11538636594 |
| Cabin air filter | 64119272642 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 8-spd |
| Overall length | 192.9 in |
| Overall width | 73.2 in |
| Overall height | 57.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 116.9 in |
| Curb weight | 3792 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 63 / 64.2 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 51/49 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 23 / 34 / 27 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 102 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 14 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 5.3 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 88 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 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.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | BMW part number 83222152426 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 10.5-11.5 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 1.8 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | Synthetic · SAE 5W |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.3 qt |
| Manual Transmission Fluid | BMW MTF part number 83220309031 |
| Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts | 26 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | Plenum: 11 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 310 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.76-1.90 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 5.40-6.80 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 49 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 850 cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 95R |
| Pressure Test | 21.7 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 17-23 psi |
| Engine Compression | 101-145 PSI. 29 maximum variation. psi |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 26 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.787 in / 0.945 in / 1.181 in / 1.417 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 0.787 in / 0.945 in / 1.181 in / 1.417 in |
| Rotor Minimum Machining | 0.031 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.724 in / 0.882 in / 1.118 in / 1.354 in |
Prep Do not reuse old bolts
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | Bolts 1-10 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 4 | 45 degrees | 45 degrees |
| 1 | in sequence 1-10 | 6 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 30,000 mi.
| Every 30,000 mi | Spark Plugs (replace) |
| At 120,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Owner complaints about the 2012 BMW 528i Sedan lead in one area — the engine, 20 of 99 reports (20%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 4 recall campaigns target the engine, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 3 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the engine pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.
All 99 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a locking ring in the camshaft to retain the camshaft seal disk in the proper location, free of charge. The recall began on…
Showing 5 of 408 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B065725 | 2025-11-18 | Structure | Right Engine Hood Hinge Return |
| B110614 | 2025-03-27 | Engine | This bulletin outlines the Customer Care Package program that has been designed… |
| B510819 | 2024-01-16 | Electrical System | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
| B611305 | 2024-01-11 | Electrical System | The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process… |
| B160623 | 2023-12-20 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel… |
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 BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil, SAE 5W-30 or equivalent., per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 23 city / 34 highway / 27 combined mpg.