Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 45,000 mi.
| Every 45,000 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 740Li Sedan.
The 2012 BMW 740Li Sedan is a passenger car built on the F02 platform, with a 6.9‑quart engine that requires oil of 15W‑40, 10W‑40 or 10W‑30 meeting API SJ specifications and is paired with an Automatic (S6) transmission, delivering EPA‑rated 17 city, 25 highway and 20 combined miles per gallon. Owner complaint data records seven total reports, with engine issues as the primary concern and two recall actions issued, situating the model year within a reliability profile that shows modest defect frequency but a focus on engine durability. Overall, the evidence points to a generally dependable package, though owners should remain attentive to the documented engine‑related complaints.
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 11428683168. 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 | 11428683168 alt 11428637820 |
| Engine air filter | 13717571355 |
| Spark plug | 12120037244 |
| Battery | 61217639053 |
| Front wiper blades | 61612147361 |
| Thermostat | 11538671517 |
| Cabin air filter | 64319175484 alt 64119272642 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 17 / 25 / 20 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 115 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 6.9 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJ engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. 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 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 1.8 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 6.9 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | Use Pentosin CHF 11S |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
| Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts | 18 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | AT: 92 ft-lbs, MT: 89 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 11 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 15 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 103 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 310 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 49 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 900 cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 49 |
| Optional BCI Cranking Performance | 850 cca |
| Pressure Test | 21.7 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 28-32 psi |
| Engine Compression | 203-232 PSI. 29 maximum variation. psi |
| 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 / 1.417 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 0.787 in / 0.945 in / 1.417 in |
| Rotor Minimum Machining | 0.031 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.692 in / 0.882 in / 1.354 in |
| 1 | 15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 137 | 15 ft. lbs |
Prep Do not reuse old bolts
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | Bolts 1-10 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 4 | 45 degrees | 45 degrees |
| 1 | 15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70 | 15 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 45,000 mi.
| Every 45,000 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 740Li Sedan lead in one area — the engine, 2 of 7 reports (29%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 1 recall campaigns target the engine, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 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 7 complaints on record, top 6 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear driveshaft CV joint and, based on its production date, will replace it, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017…
Showing 5 of 315 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… |
| B131110 | 2024-09-16 | Fuel/Propulsion System | Only fuel nozzles with the recommended “specified” diameter for diesel engine passenger… |
| 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… |
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.
6.9 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: 5W-20 API SJ, SL OR SM, HIGH PERFORMANCE SYNTHETIC OILS: 5W-40 API SJ, SL OR SM, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined mpg.