Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
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) |
| At 120,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 550i xDrive 5-door Hatchback.
The 2012 BMW 550i xDrive 5-door Hatchback is a PASSENGER CAR variant riding on the F07 platform, combining an Automatic (S8) transmission with a 9.0-quart oil capacity requiring 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ viscosity and EPA ratings of 15/20/17 mpg. Reliability records place this model year at 45 total owner complaints with Engine cited as the predominant concern area across two recalls, a profile that signals concentrated powertrain vulnerability for researchers examining this chassis vintage.
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 · 900 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11427583220. 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 | 11427583220 |
| Engine air filter | 13717577457 alt 13717577458 |
| Spark plug | 12120037580 |
| Battery | 61217648317 |
| Front wiper blades | 61612458015 |
| Thermostat | 11538632664 alt 11537586885 |
| Cabin air filter | 64119272642 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Overall length | 192.9 in |
| Overall width | 73.2 in |
| Overall height | 57.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 116.9 in |
| Curb weight | 4365 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 63 / 64.2 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 51/49 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 15 / 20 / 17 mpg |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 102 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 9.0 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJ engine oil. 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.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | BMW part number 83222152426 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 10.5-11.5 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 1.2 Pints |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 1.8 Pints |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 9.0 qt |
| Manual Transmission Fluid | BMW MTF part number 83220309031 |
| Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.2 |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Fill Plug | 43.0 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Drain Plug | 43.0 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 | 1.85-1.89 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 49 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 900 cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 49 |
| Optional BCI Cranking Performance | 850 cca |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 26 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.787 in / 0.945 in / 1.181 in / 1.417 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 0.787 in / 0.945 in / 1.181 in / 1.417 in |
| Rotor Minimum Machining | 0.031 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.724 in / 0.882 in / 1.118 in / 1.354 in |
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
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) |
| 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 2012 BMW 550i xDrive 5-door Hatchback lead in one area — the engine, 8 of 45 reports (18%), well ahead of the next concern. NHTSA has issued no recalls for this vehicle, so these are owner-reported concerns only. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 1 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the engine 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 45 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.
Showing 5 of 424 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B110614 | 2025-03-27 | Engine | This bulletin outlines the Customer Care Package program that has been designed… |
| B510819 | 2024-01-16 | Electrical System | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
| B611305 | 2024-01-11 | Electrical System | The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process… |
| B160623 | 2023-12-20 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel… |
| B653423 | 2023-11-22 | Electrical System | Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their… |
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.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
9.0 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 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined mpg.