Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2010 X3 3.0I.
The 2010 BMW X3 3.0I is a compact SUV built on the E83 platform, powered by a gasoline engine that requires 6.9 quarts of oil with a viscosity rating of 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 meeting API SJ standards, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and achieving EPA fuel economy ratings of 17 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined; with 85 total owner complaints filed and 8 recalls issued, this model year ranks among the X3's most problematic in terms of documented issues, with air bags emerging as the primary area of concern—a legacy that positions it as a benchmark reference point for understanding the model's historical reliability trajectory.
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 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 11427953129 |
| Engine air filter | 13717542545 |
| Fuel filter | 16147186454 |
| Spark plug | 12122158253 alt 12120037663 |
| Battery | 61217586960 alt 61217594976 |
| Front wiper blades | 61610443590 alt 61613427726 |
| Thermostat | 17113438717 alt 11537549476 |
| Cabin air filter | 64319216590 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Overall length | 179.9 in |
| Overall width | 72.8 in |
| Overall height | 65.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 109.8 in |
| Curb weight | 4012 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 58.7 / 59.8 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 50/50 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 17 / 24 / 20 mpg |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| 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 88 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 | 2 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 6.9 qt |
| Manual Transmission Fluid | BMW MTF part number 83229408942 |
| 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 |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Fill Plug | 24.0 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Drain Plug | 24.0 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 310 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 221 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 49 |
| Optional BCI Cranking Performance | 900 cca |
| Pressure Test | 21.7 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 17-21 psi |
| Engine Compression | 130-261 PSI. 29 maximum variation. psi |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 30 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 110 ft-lbs / 67 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.984 in / 0.866 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 0.984 in / 0.866 in |
| Rotor Minimum Machining | 0.031 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.921 in / 0.803 in |
| Rotor Finish | 0.5 - 3.5 μin |
| 1 | 15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120 | 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 |
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 60,000 mi.
| Every 60,000 mi | Spark Plugs (replace) |
| Every 100,000 mi | Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) |
| At 150,000 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 X3 3.0I dominate in one area — the air bags, 28 of 85 reports (33%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the air bags are also the target of recalls 20V-017 and 17V-605 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming they were actually performed. 3 of the reports describe a crash and 4 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the air bags 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 85 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The…
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2010 BMW X3 2.5i, X3 3.0i and X3 xDrive30i Sports Activity Vehicles. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if, and how, the passenger… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 27…
Showing 5 of 175 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B650526 | 2026-04-30 | Air Bags | Replace the driver’s air bag module (generation 10, PSDI-X). |
| B650526DCS | 2026-04-08 | Air Bags | Update - Recent F25 Air Bag Module Service Actions |
| B650526DCS | 2026-04-01 | Air Bags | Update - Recent F25 Air Bag Module Service Actions |
| B650626 | 2026-03-25 | Air Bags | BMW AG is conducting a Voluntary Service Action involving certain Model Year 2010 – 2013… |
| B650526 | 2026-03-25 | Air Bags | BMW AG is conducting a Voluntary Service Action involving certain Model Year 2010 – 2013… |
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:, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined mpg.