Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2010 X5 3.0SI.
The 2010 BMW X5 3.0SI represents the E70 platform’s mid-cycle refinement, delivering a premium SUV experience powered by its naturally aspirated inline-six engine paired with a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission. With a robust 6.9-quart oil capacity and EPA-estimated fuel economy of 15 city, 21 highway, and 18 combined MPG, this model balances capability with efficiency for its class. While its 147 owner complaints—primarily centered on engine-related issues—and 22 recalls place it among the more problematic years in the X5’s lineage, it remains a critical reference point for understanding the platform’s reliability evolution before later updates addressed many of these concerns.
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 11427542021 |
| Engine air filter | 13717798342 alt 13717589642 |
| Fuel filter | 13327822499 |
| Spark plug | 12122158252 alt 12120037663 |
| Battery | 61217594976 |
| Front wiper blades | 61610077821 |
| Thermostat | 11517787692 alt 11538632664 |
| Cabin air filter | 64319194098 alt 64316804939 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Overall length | 190.9 in |
| Overall width | 76 in |
| Overall height | 69.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 115.4 in |
| Curb weight | 4916 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 64.6 / 65 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 48/52 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 15 / 21 / 18 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 103 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 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 1.5 Pints |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 1.9 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 6.9 qt |
| Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts | 18 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | M6 bolts: 6 ft-lbs, M7 nuts: 9.6 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 15 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 11 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 | 103 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 | 310 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 49 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 900 cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 48 |
| Optional BCI Cranking Performance | 570 cca |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 49 |
| Pressure Test | 21.7 psi |
| Pressure Test | 29 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 26-30 psi |
| Pressure Test | 29 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 26-30 psi |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads |
| 1 | 30 ft. lbs., step 2: 120 | 30 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 73 ft. lbs., step 2: 60 degrees, step 3: 60 degrees, step 4: 60 | 73 ft. lbs |
Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.
| 1 | 59.0 ft. lbs. | 59 ft. lbs |
| 2 | loosen all bolts 180 degrees starting from the outside working to the inside. | 180 degrees |
| 3 | 37.0 ft. lbs. | 37 ft. lbs |
| 4 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 5 | 90 degrees | 90 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 | 7 ft. lbs., Step 2: 11 ft. lbs., Step 15 | 7 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 X5 3.0SI top in one area — the engine, 23 of 147 reports (16%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the engine are also the target of recall 18V-248 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming it was actually performed. 2 of the reports describe a crash and 6 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 147 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 14 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M vehicles, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M vehicles, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of…
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however…
Showing 5 of 335 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B012016 | 2026-05-06 | Electrical System | The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship… |
| B611026 | 2026-04-23 | Electrical System | While performing a 12-Volt battery jump start, disconnect, or replacement, Vehicle test… |
| B066425 | 2025-12-01 | Engine | Gasket Return |
| B110614 | 2025-03-27 | Engine | This bulletin outlines the Customer Care Package program that has been designed… |
| B012016 | 2025-03-13 | Electrical System | The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship… |
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.
Interactive fuse-box and wiring references for this vehicle, searchable by circuit.
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 22 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 15 city / 21 highway / 18 combined mpg.