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 xDrive Sedan.
The 2012 BMW 528i xDrive Sedan represents the brand’s mid-cycle refinement of the F10 platform, a four-door passenger car that pairs its smooth inline-six engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time all-wheel drive for balanced road manners. With a 5.6-quart oil capacity requiring 5W-30 lubricant, the powertrain delivers EPA-estimated fuel economy of 22 city, 32 highway, and 26 combined mpg—figures that underscore its efficiency within the executive segment. This model year carries a reliability profile shaped by 99 owner complaints, with engine-related issues emerging as the most frequent concern, while four official recalls further define its service history. Positioned in the middle of the F10’s production run, the 2012 528i xDrive reflects both the platform’s strengths and its documented reliability considerations for prospective owners and researchers.
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 | 22 / 32 / 26 mpg |
| Drivetrain | All-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 5.6 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 | 1.2 Pints |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 1.8 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | Synthetic · SAE 5W |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.6 qt |
| 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 |
| Transfer Case Fill Plug | 43.0 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Drain Plug | 43.0 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 xDrive 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.
5.6 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 22 city / 32 highway / 26 combined mpg.