Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2010 550i 5-door Hatchback.
The 2010 BMW 550i 5-door Hatchback is an F07-platform passenger car pairing a six-speed automatic transmission with EPA fuel economy ratings of 15 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined, while its engine's 8.5-quart oil capacity—filled with 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ viscosity oil—hints at the substantial mechanical hardware underneath the versatile five-door body. From a reliability standpoint, this model year carries a notably burdened history, with 180 owner complaints led by fuel and propulsion system issues and a significant 12 recalls, meaning researchers and prospective owners should approach this particular 550i with careful attention to whether recall and complaint-driven repairs have been addressed.
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 · 720 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11427542021. 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 | 11427542021 |
| Engine air filter | 13717521023 |
| Fuel filter | 16117373470 |
| Spark plug | 12122158252 |
| Battery | 61217586961 alt 61217586962 |
| Front wiper blades | 61612455442 |
| Thermostat | 11538632664 alt 11537586885 |
| Cabin air filter | 64319171858 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Overall length | 190.9 in |
| Overall width | 72.8 in |
| Overall height | 57.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 114.2 in |
| Curb weight | 3946 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 61 / 61.8 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 51/49 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 15 / 23 / 18 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 99 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 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.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | BMW part number 83222152426 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 10.5-11.5 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 1.8 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 |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 310 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.76-1.80 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 5.40-6.80 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 49 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 720 cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 95R |
| Pressure Test | 29 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 28-32 psi |
| Brake Application | WITH FN3 |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 22-26 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81 ft-lbs / 48 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads |
| Brake Application | WITH FN3 |
| 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 |
| 1 | 73 ft. lbs., step 2: 60 degrees, step 3: 60 degrees, step 4: 60 | 73 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 60,000 mi.
| Every 60,000 mi | Spark Plugs (replace) |
| Every 100,000 mi | Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) |
| 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 2010 BMW 550i 5-door Hatchback top in one area — the fuel/propulsion system, 23 of 180 reports (13%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 2 recall campaigns target the fuel/propulsion system, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 6 of the reports describe a crash and 11 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the fuel/propulsion system 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 180 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible… Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in…
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series Coupe, 5 Series Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i… Remedy: Dealers will replace the four VANOS bolts, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 18, 2023. Owner notification…
Showing 5 of 418 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B066425 | 2025-12-01 | Engine | Gasket Return |
| B110614 | 2025-03-27 | Engine | This bulletin outlines the Customer Care Package program that has been designed… |
| B068824 | 2024-12-18 | Unknown Or Other | Screw Cap Return |
| B068624 | 2024-12-04 | Unknown Or Other | Socket Housing Return |
| B067824 | 2024-10-31 | Fuel/Propulsion System | Plastic Fuel Tank Return |
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.
Interactive fuse-box and wiring references for this vehicle, searchable by circuit.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
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.
NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined mpg.