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2021 BMW 540i

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 540i.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2021 BMW 540i is defined by its S8 automatic transmission and an engine specification requiring 6.9 quarts of 0W-20 oil, returning an EPA-rated fuel economy of 25 city, 32 highway, and 27 combined mpg. Looking at the model's complaint history spanning 1990 to 2024, this iteration arrives far removed from the historical peak of 31 complaints recorded in the year 2000. As the lineage trends toward a record low of just 5 complaints in 2024, the 2021 model year occupies a favorable position that signals robust, proven reliability for the platform.

Model year20212003

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy25/32/27 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, Optional: 8, Front: 8, Rear: 9 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11428583896 alt 11427826799
Engine air filter13718691835
Spark plug12122455258
Battery61216806755 alt 61215B3F325
Front wiper blades61612447932
Thermostat11539494425 alt 11539494424
Cabin air filter64115A29D99 alt 64115A1BDB7

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length195.3 in
Overall width73.6 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase117.3 in
Curb weight3847 lb
Track (front / rear)63.4 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)53/47

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined25 / 32 / 27 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.

4.6–4.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.60 sec — 2021 xDrive Sedan (M Sport)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
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
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

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6.9 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, BMW G5 Hypoid Axle Oil P/N 83 22 2 471 487 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to Use new seal: 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF3
Automatic Transmission Fluid CapacityGA8HP76Z
Brake FluidDOT 4
Clutch FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilBMW G5 Hypoid Axle Oil P/N 83 22 2 471 487
Differential Gear Oil Capacity0.85 qt
Engine CoolantInfiniti BASF Glysantin G40 Coolant
Engine Oil0W-20

Engine torques

Cylinder Head InstructionsOnly use new bolts.
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse new seal: 18.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs168.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill PlugFinal Drive: Use new fill plug: 44.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain PlugUse new drain plug. ft-lbs
Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs

Ignition

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

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueRear: 26.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueUse new bolts. 81.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.6
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 12.99; Rear: 12.99

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-1422 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:

ReplaceEngine Oil Filter · Spark Plugs · Engine Oil · Keyless Entry Remote Battery · Cabin Air Filter · Engine Air Filter Element
InspectWindshield Washer System · Parking Brake System · Underbody · Brake Line · Disc Brake Caliper · Brake Rotor · Air Bag System · Exterior Lighting
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.

5
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 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…

21V554000Seat BeltsReported 21/07/2021

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4… Remedy: Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on…

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.

Vehicles taking 6.9 qtEngine oil filter 11428583896Engine air filter 13718691835Spark 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

How much oil does the 2021 540i take?

6.9 qt of BMW LongLife-14 FE+ 0W-20 is recommended., per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 540i have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 540i get?

EPA figures are 25 city / 32 highway / 27 combined mpg.