BMW›545I›2004›Overview/bmw/545i/2004/base/

E60 platform

2004 BMW 545I

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 545I.

Transmission Automatic (S6)

The 2004 BMW 545I. It takes 8.5 qt of 15W-40 engine oil, is EPA-rated at 16/24/19 mpg city/highway/combined, and has been independently tested at 5.5 sec 0–60 mph.

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity8.5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJOEM · verified

Lug nut torque88 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy16/24/19 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 11427511161. 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.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	11427511161
Engine air filter	13717521023
Fuel filter	16117373470
Spark plug	12129071003 alt 12120037607
Battery	61217591085 alt 61218381749
Front wiper blades	61612455442
Thermostat	11538632664 alt 11537586885
Cabin air filter	64319171858

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	190.9 in
Overall width	72.8 in
Overall height	57.9 in
Wheelbase	114.2 in
Curb weight	3803 lb
Track (front / rear)	61 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	51/49

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	16 / 24 / 19 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 545I of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.50 sec — 2004 Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2004	Sedan 4.4L V8	5.50 sec	14.10 sec	325 hp	RWD
2005	Sedan 4.4L V8	5.50 sec	13.80 sec	325 hp	RWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 8.5 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJ 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 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2. 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	3 Pints
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	8.5 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid	BMW MTF part number 83220309031
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity	3.4
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug

M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

88 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	BMW

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.63-3.00 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Optional BCI Group Number	95R
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	850 cca

Service checks

Engine Compression

174-203 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	81 ft-lbs / 22-26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	81-96 ft-lbs / 81 ft-lbs / 48 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.181 in / 1.417 in / 0.945 in / 0.787 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.181 in / 1.417 in / 0.945 in / 0.787 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	0.031 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.882 in / 1.118 in / 0.724 in / 1.354 in
Rotor Finish	0.5 - 3.5 μin

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

73 ft. lbs., step 2: 60 degrees, step 3: 60 degrees, step 4: 60

73 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	22 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	90

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	Transmission Assembly · Engine Oil Filter · Spark Plugs · Oxygen Sensor · Fuel Filter · Engine Oil · Power Steering System · Engine Air Filter Element
Inspect	Brake System · Cabin Air Filter
Drain, Flush & Refill	Engine Coolant System
Drain, Refill & Bleed	Brake Hydraulic System

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 545I. 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 8.5 qt E60-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 11427511161 Engine air filter 13717521023 Fuel filter 16117373470 Spark plug 12129071003

Reference guides

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

OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2004 545I take?

8.5 qt of HIGH PERFORMANCE MINERAL OILS: ABOVE 5 degrees F: 15W-40 API SJ, SL OR SM, -5 degreesF TO 68 degrees F: 10W-40 API SJ, SL OR SM, 5 degreesF TO 50 degrees F: 10W-30 API SJ, SL OR SM, BELOW 50 degrees F: 5W-30 API SJ, SL OR SM, BELOW 32 degrees F:, per the factory manual.

What gas mileage does the 545I get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined mpg.