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2018 BMW 540i

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 540i.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2018 BMW 540i pairs a smooth-shifting S8 automatic transmission with an EPA-rated fuel economy of 21 city, 30 highway, and 24 combined mpg, establishing its core mechanical identity. For researchers assessing this model, it sits in a highly favorable position within the nameplate's reliability history, arriving well after the complaint peak of 31 recorded in the year 2000. The broader complaint timeline from 1990 to 2024 reveals a distinct downward trend in reported issues, ultimately reaching a record low of just 5 complaints by 2024. This trajectory places the 2018 model firmly within an era of improved engineering maturity, meaning prospective owners encounter a vehicle where historical reliability pitfalls have largely been resolved.

Model year20192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy21/30/24 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 680 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11428583896. 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.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 680 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified
Tire size245/45R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.0; Optional: 8.0; Front Optional: 8.0; Rear Optional: 9.0; Front Optional: 8.0; Rear Optional: 9.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11428583896 alt 11427826799
Engine air filter13718577170
Spark plug12122455258
Battery61216806755
Front wiper blades61612447932
Thermostat11538658571 alt 11537642854
Cabin air filter64115A1BDB6 alt 64115A1BDB7

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length194.5 in
Overall width73.6 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase117.3 in
Curb weight4019 lb
Track (front / rear)63.4 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)53/47

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 30 / 24 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume99 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the 540i of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.5–4.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.50 sec — 2017 xDrive Sedan (M Sport)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2017xDrive Sedan (M Sport) 3.0L Turbo I-64.50 sec13.10 sec335 hpAWD
2017Sedan (M Sport) 3.0L Turbo I-64.70 sec13.20 sec335 hpRWD
2017xDrive Sedan (M Sport) 3.0L Turbo I-64.70 sec13.20 sec335 hpAWD
2017Sedan (M Sport) 3.0L Turbo I-64.90 sec13.50 sec335 hpRWD
2021xDrive Sedan (M Sport) 3.0L Turbo I-6 + Elec4.60 sec13.20 sec335 hpAWD
2021xDrive Sedan (M Sport) 3.0L Turbo I-6 + Elec4.70 sec13.30 sec335 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 20.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Clutch FluidDOT 4

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)35.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)16.0 ft-lbs
Nitrogen Oxide (NOX) Sensor Bolt(s)33.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts9.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance680 cca
Optional BCI Group Number48,49, 95R
Optional BCI Cranking Performance760 cca, 900 cca, 950 cca

Service checks

RPM725.0

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120 degrees. Replace Screws30 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 10 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

113mm size head bolts22 ft. lbs
213mm size head bolts37 ft. lbs
313mm size head bolts90 degrees
413mm size head bolts90 degrees
513mm size head bolts90 degrees
613mm size head bolts90 degrees
711mm size head bolts22 ft. lbs
811mm size head bolts90 degrees
911mm size head bolts90 degrees
1011mm size head bolts90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

This vehicle uses condition-based service — it signals maintenance needs through its onboard service indicator rather than fixed mileage intervals. Items on the factory schedule:

ReplaceEngine Oil Filter · Spark Plugs · Engine Oil · Cabin Air Filter · Engine Air Filter Element
InspectWindshield Washer System · Underbody · Brake Line · Disc Brake Caliper · Brake Rotor · Air Bag System · Exterior Lighting · Steering System
Road testUniversal Vehicle Operation
Inspect Fluid LevelEngine Coolant System
ResetTire Pressure Monitoring System
Drain, Refill & BleedBrake Hydraulic System

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
0
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’90’91’92’93’94’95’97’98’99’00’01’17’24

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V465000Engine And Engine Cooling:EngineReported 12/07/2018

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 540d xDrive vehicles. The crankshaft sensor may be equipped with incorrect firmware, preventing the sensor from properly processing input from the crankshaft… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft sensor, free of charge. The recall began September 6, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at…

19V684000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: CameraReported 27/09/2019

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 540i. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 47 batteryEngine oil filter 11428583896Engine air filter 13718577170Spark plug 12122455258Battery 61216806755

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

Does the 2018 540i have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 540i get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined mpg.