BMWM5 Sedan2013Overview/bmw/m5-sedan/2013/base/
F10 platform

2013 BMW M5 Sedan

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 M5 Sedan.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (AM-S7)

The 2013 BMW M5 Sedan is an F10-platform passenger car whose engine, demanding a substantial 9.0 quarts of 0W-30, 0W-40, or 5W-30 viscosity oil, is paired with an Automatic (AM-S7) transmission. This mechanical configuration returns a modest EPA-rated 14 city and 20 highway mpg, underscoring the performance-oriented priorities of the platform. Within the model's broader reliability history, however, this year represents a cautionary point, as its ten owner complaints predominantly focus on the engine alongside two separate recalls, indicating notable mechanical vulnerabilities for researchers to monitor.

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity9.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque88 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy14/20/16 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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 11427848321. 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.

Battery groupBCI 49 · 900 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11427848321
Engine air filter13727843283 alt 13727843284
Spark plug12120039634
Battery61217648317
Front wiper blades61612458015
Thermostat11538632664 alt 11537586885
Cabin air filter64119272642

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AM-S7)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length192.9 in
Overall width73.2 in
Overall height57.5 in
Wheelbase116.9 in
Curb weight4365 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)51/49

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined14 / 20 / 16 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume102 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 9.0 qt of 0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear Oil Capacity2 Pints
Engine Oil0W-30 · 0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity9.0 qt
Power Steering FluidUse Pentosin CHF 11S

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugM12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts88 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerBMW

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number49
Standard BCI Cranking Performance900 cca
Optional BCI Group Number95R
Optional BCI Cranking Performance950 cca

Service checks

Engine Compression203-261 PSI. 29 maximum variance. psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH 12.76 ROTOR / WITH FN3
Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle81 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads
Brake ApplicationWITH 12.76 ROTOR / WITH FN3
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.787 in / 1.181 in / 0.945 in / 1.417 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.787 in / 1.181 in / 0.945 in / 1.417 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.031 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
173 ft. lbs., step 2: 60 degrees, step 3: 60 degrees, step 4: 6073 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 1,200 mi.

At 1,200 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 120,000 miOxygen Sensor (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2013 BMW M5 Sedan dominate in one area — the engine, 5 of 10 reports (50%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the engine are also the target of recall 12V-475 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming it was actually performed. 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.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
383
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
10
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 10 complaints on record, top 6 components.

Engine5
Steering,Electrical System,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Steering,Suspension1
Air Bags1
Electronic Stability Control (Esc),Service Brakes1
Steering,Seat Belts,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15V188000Exterior LightingReported 31/03/2015

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, and ActiveHybrid 5 vehicles. The rear reflex reflectors may not reflect enough light. As… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at…

12V475000Engine And Engine Cooling:EngineReported 28/09/2012

BMW is recalling certain model year 2013 M5, M6 Coupe, and M6 Convertible vehicles, manufactured from July 19, 2012, through September 11, 2012. Due to a manufacturing process error, the tolerance between the engine oil… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil pump, free of charge. The safety recall began on November 30, 2012. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 383 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B5108192024-01-16Electrical SystemThe basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
B6113052024-01-11Electrical SystemThe electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process…
B3407142023-10-13Service Brakes, HydraulicFunctional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a…
B3409142023-06-01WheelsThe Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) warning light comes on while driving. The following…
B6515232023-05-01Electrical SystemAfter programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode)…

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 M5 Sedan. 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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2013 M5 Sedan take?

9.0 qt of 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, 5W-40 OIL MEETING BMW SPECIFICATION LL01, per the factory manual.

Does the 2013 M5 Sedan have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the M5 Sedan get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined mpg.