BMWX62015Overview/bmw/x6/2015/base/

2015 BMW X6

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 X6.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2015 BMW X6 is powered by an engine that requires 6.9 qt of oil in viscosities ranging from 0W‑30 to 5W‑30 and is paired with an eight‑speed automatic transmission delivering an EPA rating of 14 city, 19 highway and 16 combined mpg. Owner feedback records nine total complaints for this model year, with the engine cited as the leading concern and a single recall issued. Across the 2006‑2026 span the X6 peaked at 19 complaints in 2009 and bottomed out at one in 2006, placing the 2015 edition comfortably below the worst year but above the historic low. This positioning suggests the 2015 X6 benefits from a modest improvement in reliability relative to the model’s most problematic period, though it does not reach the near‑flawless record of its earliest iteration.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192015

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy14/19/16 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 95R · 950 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.

Battery groupBCI 95R · 950 CCAOEM · verified
High beam bulbADJUSTMENTOEM · verified
Tire size255/50R19OEM · verified
Wheel / rim9.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11428683168 alt 11428637821
Engine air filter13717850055 alt 13717638566
Spark plug12120037582 alt 12120039634
Battery61219364597 alt 61216806755
Front wiper blades61610039697
Thermostat11538632664 alt 11537598865
Cabin air filter64319194098 alt 64119248294

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length193.3 in
Overall width78.3 in
Overall height66.9 in
Wheelbase115.4 in
Curb weight4751 lb
Track (front / rear)64.6 / 66.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)49/51

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined14 / 19 / 16 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the X6 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

3.7–5.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 3.70 sec — 2015 M
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2015M 4.4L Twin-Turbo V83.70 sec12.10 sec567 hpAWD
2015M 4.4L Twin-Turbo V83.70 sec12.10 sec567 hpAWD
2015xDrive35i 3.0L Turbo I-65.70 sec14.30 sec300 hpAWD
2015xDrive35i 3.0L Turbo I-65.80 sec14.50 sec300 hpAWD
2017M 4.4L Twin-Turbo V83.80 sec12.30 sec567 hpAWD
2018xDrive35i (xLine) 3.0L Turbo I-65.80 sec14.40 sec300 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6.9 qt of 0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30 engine oil, Standard: Castrol SAF-X0, Dynamic: right in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque 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

Brake FluidDOT 4
Clutch FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilStandard: Castrol SAF-X0, Dynamic: right
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity11.5
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity18.0-18.5
Engine Oil0W-30 · 0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts30 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts11
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugM12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Driveshaft Flange to TransmissionM8 Bolts: 33.0, M10: 58.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug24.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug24.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub310 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub310 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerBMW
Spark Plug TypeM14X1.25
Spark Plug Gapnon-adjustable in
Spark Plug Torque20.0 - 24.3 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Optional BCI Group Number95R
Optional BCI Cranking Performance950 cca
Standard BCI Group Number95R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance950 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test21.7 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief17-23 psi
Pressure Test29 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief26-30 psi

Brakes

Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementStamped on rotor
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishStamped on rotor
Vented Rotor Maximum Scoring DepthStamped on rotor
Variation from Parallelism Thickness VariationStamped on rotor
Maximum Rotor RunoutStamped on rotor

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
3Bolts 1-10 90 degrees90 degrees
445 degrees45 degrees
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
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

Reliability & federal safety record

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

The 2015 BMW X6 represents a notable decrease in federal recalls and complaints compared to the 2008-2010 peak, where recalls reached as high as 12 per year. This model shows a stabilization in reliability with 9 complaints and 1 recall, figures that are identical to the 2016 model and significantly lower than the 19 complaints recorded in 2010. However, the volume of Technical Service Bulletins remains high at 249, continuing a trend of elevated TSBs seen from 2008 through 2016. Reported issues for 2015 are concentrated in the engine and powertrain, including one fire complaint and one crash complaint, though the data does not specify the root causes. Because it avoids the high-recall volatility of both the early generation and the 2020-2021 period, this is a good year to buy.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
249
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
9
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 9 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine2
Power Train,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Unknown Or Other1
Engine & Engine Cooling1
Child Seat1
Service Brakes1
Electronic Stability Control (Esc),Service Brakes1
Visibility/Wiper1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V823000Child SeatReported 18/11/2019

BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2015-2019 X6 sDrive35i, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6M vehicles equipped with rear seat lower anchor bars used in securing child restraint seats. The lower… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will weld a reinforcing bracket to the lower anchor bars and the vehicle body, free of charge. Owner notification began January 17, 2020…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 249 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B0101222026-01-21EngineN63TU1 CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT SVC CAMPAIGN: OIL CONSUMPTION DIAGNOSIS/REPAIR
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…
B3601212024-01-08SteeringAt low outside temperatures (below 40 degrees F) and slow driving speeds (i.e. when…
B6127232023-12-08Electrical SystemWhen using the Key Reader to retrieve CBS information from the customer key, no current…

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 X6. 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 2015 X6 take?

6.9 qt of Gasoline engines: 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, 5W-40 oil meeting BMW specification LL01.Diesel engines: 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, 5W-40 oil meeting BMW specification LL04, per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 X6 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the X6 get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined mpg.