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2020 BMW 540i

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 540i.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2020 BMW 540i represents the mid-cycle iteration of BMW's seventh-generation 5 Series, featuring the modernized G30 platform and paired with an eight-speed automatic (S8) transmission, with EPA fuel economy ratings of 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined; this model year falls squarely within BMW's longitudinal complaint tracking period spanning from 1990 to 2024, during which consumer grievances peaked in 2000 at 31 complaints before reaching their lowest recorded point of just 5 complaints in 2024, suggesting that by 2020 the nameplate had achieved a notably more mature and refined reliability profile compared to its earlier generations.

Quick specs

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

Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy22/30/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses 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.

Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified

Tire size245/45R18/XL 100HOEM · verified

Wheel / rim8; Option 1: 8; Option 2 & 3: Front: 8, Rear: 9 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	11428583896 alt 11427826799
Engine air filter	13718691835
Spark plug	12122455258
Battery	61216806755 alt 61217604808
Front wiper blades	61612447932
Thermostat	11538658571 alt 11537642854
Cabin air filter	64115A1BDB6 alt 64115A1BDB7

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	194.5 in
Overall width	73.6 in
Overall height	57.9 in
Wheelbase	117.3 in
Curb weight	4019 lb
Track (front / rear)	63.4 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	53/47

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	22 / 30 / 25 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	99 cu ft
Cargo volume	14 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Premium 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)

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2021	xDrive Sedan (M Sport) 3.0L Turbo I-6 + Elec	4.60 sec	13.20 sec	335 hp	AWD
2021	xDrive Sedan (M Sport) 3.0L Turbo I-6 + Elec	4.70 sec	13.30 sec	335 hp	AWD
2017	xDrive Sedan (M Sport) 3.0L Turbo I-6	4.50 sec	13.10 sec	335 hp	AWD
2017	Sedan (M Sport) 3.0L Turbo I-6	4.70 sec	13.20 sec	335 hp	RWD
2017	xDrive Sedan (M Sport) 3.0L Turbo I-6	4.70 sec	13.20 sec	335 hp	AWD
2017	Sedan (M Sport) 3.0L Turbo I-6	4.90 sec	13.50 sec	335 hp	RWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs.

Engine torques

Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs

168.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

103 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	Rear: 26.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque	Use new bolts. 81.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque	Front: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: .881; Rear: .724; Front: 13.70 x; Front: .882

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

M6 Bolts with 8.8 tensile strength

84 in

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages

22.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 180°

22 ft. lbs

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:

Replace	Engine Oil Filter · Engine Oil · Keyless Entry Remote Battery · Cabin Air Filter · Engine Air Filter Element
Inspect	Windshield Washer System · Parking Brake System · Underbody · Brake Line · Disc Brake Caliper · Brake Rotor · Air Bag System · Exterior Lighting
Road test	Universal Vehicle Operation
Inspect Fluid Level	Engine Coolant System
Reset	Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Drain, Refill & Bleed	Brake 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.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

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 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V598000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: CameraReported 30/09/2020

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X3 sDrive 30i, X3 xDrive 30i, X3M 40i, X3 xDrive 30e, X4 xDrive 30i, X4M 40i, 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 550e, 550e xDrive, and 550e… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, program the rearview camera with updated software. The recall began November 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW…

21V096000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: CameraReported 19/02/2021

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW…