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 X5 xDrive35i SAV.
The 2012 BMW X5 xDrive35i SAV is a midsize luxury SUV built on the F15 platform, powered by an 8.5‑quart engine that requires 15W‑40, 10W‑40, or 10W‑30 oil meeting API SJ standards, and it delivers EPA‑rated 16/23/19 mpg in city/highway/combined. A dual‑speed automatic S8 transmission provides smooth power delivery, while the vehicle’s all‑wheel drive system (xDrive) and substantial torque ensure confident handling across varying road conditions. In terms of long‑term ownership, the 2012 model year is marked by 271 total owner complaints, with air‑bag issues topping the list, and it has been subject to ten recalls—indicating that prospective buyers should pay close attention to warranty coverage and maintenance records when evaluating reliability.
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 11427848321 |
| Engine air filter | 13717798342 alt 13717577458 |
| Fuel filter | 13327822499 |
| Spark plug | 12120037582 alt 12120037581 |
| Battery | 61217594976 |
| Front wiper blades | 61610077821 |
| Thermostat | 11538632664 alt 11517787692 |
| Cabin air filter | 64319194098 alt 64316804939 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Overall length | 190.9 in |
| Overall width | 76 in |
| Overall height | 69.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 115.4 in |
| Curb weight | 5192 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 64.6 / 65 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 48/52 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 16 / 23 / 19 mpg |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 8.5 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 | 8.5 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 | 95R |
| Optional BCI Cranking Performance | 950 cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 95R Diesel |
| Pressure Test | 21.7 psi |
| Pressure Test | 29 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 26-30 psi |
| Engine Compression | 145-232 PSI. 29 maximum variation. psi |
| Engine Compression | 145-261 PSI. |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads |
| 1 | 15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 140 | 15 ft. lbs |
| 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 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
Prep Do not reuse old bolts
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 1 | 6 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9.6 | 6 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 7 ft. lbs., Step 2: 11 ft. lbs., Step 15 | 7 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 X5 xDrive35i SAV lead in one area — the air bags, 60 of 271 reports (22%), well ahead of the next concern. NHTSA has issued no recalls for this vehicle, so these are owner-reported concerns only. 4 of the reports describe a crash and 10 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 271 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 279 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… |
| 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… |
| B012016 | 2025-02-20 | Electrical System | The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship… |
| B510819 | 2024-01-16 | Electrical System | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
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.
8.5 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 10 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined mpg.