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 X3 xDrive35i SAV.
The 2012 BMW X3 xDrive35i is an F25-platform SUV equipped with an Automatic (S8) transmission and EPA fuel economy ratings of 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. Service specifications require 7.3 quarts of engine oil meeting 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ viscosity grades. Reliability data documents 48 total owner complaints with steering systems cited as the top concern, alongside two manufacturer recalls. This profile positions the model year as a specific data point in the X3’s reliability history for researcher reference.
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 11428637820 |
| Engine air filter | 13717601868 alt 13717571355 |
| Spark plug | 12120037663 alt 12120037582 |
| Battery | 61217594976 alt 61217598775 |
| Front wiper blades | 61612458017 |
| Thermostat | 11537586784 alt 11537586783 |
| Cabin air filter | 64119237159 alt 64319237158 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Overall length | 183.1 in |
| Overall width | 74 in |
| Overall height | 66.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 110.6 in |
| Curb weight | 4112 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 63.8 / 64.2 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 50/50 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 19 / 26 / 21 mpg |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 7.3 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 | 1.2 Pints |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 2 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 7.3 qt |
| Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts | 18 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 11 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 | 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 | 850 cca |
| Pressure Test | 21.7 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 17-21 psi |
| Engine Compression | 145-232 PSI. 29 maximum variation. psi |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 1.102 in / 0.787 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 1.102 in / 0.787 in |
| Rotor Minimum Machining | 0.031 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 1.039 in / 0.724 in |
| Rotor Finish | 0.5 - 3.5 μin |
| 1 | 55 FT. LBS., STEP 2: 45 DEGRESS +/- 10 | 55 FT. LBS |
| 1 | 15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 140 | 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 | 6 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9.6 | 6 ft. lbs |
| 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) |
| 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 X3 xDrive35i SAV top in one area — the steering, 8 of 48 reports (17%), well ahead of the next concern. NHTSA has issued no recalls for this vehicle, so these are owner-reported concerns only. 6 of the reports describe a crash and 1 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the steering 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 48 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 354 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.
7.3 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 19 city / 26 highway / 21 combined mpg.