BMW Engine Oil Change DIY
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Need to oil change your BMW? Learn how to do it by following the procedures below.
At a Glance
- Oil: a full synthetic with the BMW approval in your manual (Longlife 01, 04 or 17FE+); M engines like the S54 or S65 need 10W 60.
- Capacity: about 7 quarts on most six cylinders; less on four cylinders, more on V8s.
- Torque: filter cap and drain plug commonly 25 Nm; use a new drain plug washer.
- Reset the oil service reminder in the cluster or iDrive afterwards.
- Interval: follow the car’s CBS reminder; many owners go sooner.
- A scanner such as the YOUCANIC UCAN-II Pro resets the BMW oil service (CBS) reminder and reads engine codes.
Regular oil changes are one of the most important things to keep your BMW engine healthy. Changing the engine oil on a BMW is easy, and most DIYers can complete this job in less than one hour.
What you will need
- Engine Oil: Capacity: about 7 quarts on most six cylinder engines; four cylinder engines take less and V8s more, so check your owner’s manual.
- Choose an oil that carries the BMW approval listed in your owner’s manual (such as BMW Longlife 01, 04 or 17FE+), not just the right viscosity. Recommended choices include Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30 or Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40 where they carry that approval. A very popular choice among BMW enthusiasts is the Liqui-moly 0w-40.
- Vehicles with S54, S62, S65, or S85 engines require 10W-60 full synthetic oil, such as Castrol SAE 10W-60.
- BMW Oil Filter
- The replacement filter should be designed for at least 7500-mile oil change intervals. Use a long-life filter to take advantage of extended oil change intervals. A cheap BMW filter can cause oil pressure issues or provide no filtering over 5,000 miles.
- 86mm Oil Filter Tool
- Wheel Chocks
- Car Jacks
- Jack Stands
- Oil Drain Pan
- Ratchet Wrench
- Metric Sockets
Procedure
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Jack up your BMW. Secure the vehicle with jack stands even if you are using car ramps. Allow the engine to cool down.
Set the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
Check if your BMW has an access panel. Remove the engine splash shield under the engine.
Remove the plastic shield under your vehicle’s engine if no access panel is present.
Remove the 17mm drain bolt and drain the engine oil on the oil pan.
Allow the engine oil to drain for at least 15 minutes.
Replace the washer on the drain bolt. A new washer should be included with your engine oil filter.
Remove the oil filter. Use a BMW oil filter wrench to remove the oil filter.
Ideally, you want to use the BMW oil filter tool, but oil filter pliers will also work.
Replace the oil filter’s O-rings. The O rings on the oil filter housing should be changed every time the oil filter is changed. New O rings will be included with the new BMW oil filter.
Install the oil filter and torque it to 25Nm.
Install the drain plug and torque it to the specified specifications. Typical BMW oil drain bolt torque is 25 Nm (18.4 ft-lb).
Do not install the drain bolt without a crush washer. Leaks can develop if a drain bolt is installed without a washer.
Add engine oil. Locate the oil fill cap and remove it by turning it counterclockwise. Start by adding 6 quarts.
Wait five minutes, then check the engine oil level. Some BMWs do not have an oil dipstick, so you must check the oil level via the instrument cluster.
Add oil as required and check the engine oil level via the iDrive.
Reset Oil Service Reminder. Once the oil level is correct, you can start the engine.
Reset BMW Oil Service Reminder
When your BMW is due for an oil change, you should get a reminder on the iDrive indicating that the engine oil needs to be changed. You should also record the last time you changed your BMW oil.
Here’s how to reset the BMW oil service reminder.
Change BMW engine oil based on the recommended interval based on the oil and filter you use.
- iDrive message reminding you to change Engine Oil
- Remaining Oil Life 0%
- If you have exceeded your BMW oil change interval significantly, you may also get a message on iDrive stating that the engine oil pressure is too low, which could cause engine damage. Switch off the engine. Continued driving is not possible; please get in touch with the nearest BMW center.
- This may come up if the oil level is too low, which may be when oil leaks or burns.
- Engine oil should be at a minimum level. Add 1 quart of oil as soon as possible; refer to the owner’s manual.
- This message will come up if the oil change has been overdue, an oil leak is present, or the engine burns oil.
When Does a BMW Need an Oil Change?
When using an approved BMW synthetic oil and filter, BMW’s Condition Based Service system sets the interval; on recent US models it typically calls for an oil change at up to 10,000 miles or one year. Many owners choose to change it sooner, around 5,000 to 7,500 miles.
The best way to find the correct BMW oil change interval is to check at the end of your owner’s manual. Some BMW models can go 15,000 miles before needing an oil change, while older BMWs require an oil change every 3,000 miles.
Torque Specifications
The most common torque specifications for the BMW oil filter and drain plug are:
- Oil filter: 25 Nm (18.44 ft-lb)
- Oil drain plug: 25 Nm (18.4 ft-lb)
Verify these values in your owner’s manual.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do you have to change the oil in a BMW?
Many owners change BMW oil around every 7,500 miles, but newer BMWs use Condition-Based Servicing (CBS) to remind you when your next oil change is due. CBS monitors oil life based on various parameters, including driving habits, driving patterns (city/highway), driving conditions, fuel consumption, and more.
How much does a BMW oil change cost?
An oil change at a BMW dealership can cost between $90 and $175, depending on the BMW. At a repair shop, it will cost between $65 and $110.
Can I get a BMW oil change at the Quick Lube shop?
You can change your BMW oil at any oil lube shop. Ensure they use an oil with the BMW approval in your owner’s manual and a quality filter, and that they reset the service reminder.
What kind of oil is recommended for BMW?
Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30, Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40, Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30. Beginning in 2015, BMW is recommending Shell/Pennzoil PurePlus Oils as their aftermarket oil.
Can I use conventional oil for my BMW?
BMW owners who use conventional oil should change the engine oil more frequently. If this is the case, change the engine oil as recommended by the oil and filter manufacturer regardless of your BMW Conditional Based Service recommendations. The reason is that CBS may calculate oil life, assuming you used synthetic oil, but conventional oils typically have a shorter life.
How often do I change my BMW oil?
The oil change service should generally be done every 5,000 to 16,000 miles. However, that number can vary depending on the oil type, engine, and driving conditions. We recommend checking the owner’s manual for the correct interval.
How often does a BMW need an oil change?
They’re designed to last up to 12,000 and even 15,000 miles between oil change intervals, roughly one driving year. Even your BMW owner’s manuals recommend an oil change every 15,000 miles.
How much is an oil change for BMW x5?
The average cost for a BMW X5 oil change is between $149 and $174.
Is BMW Oil synthetic?
Yes, BMW has been recommending full synthetic oil since the 2000s.
Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your BMW.
Thought it was going to be harder, but the step by steps make it very easy for anyone. Remember to reset the oil reminder becasue I forgot and had to go do it a couple of days latter.
A few more tips:
Use gloves.
Open the oil lid before you do anything. 
Dont overfill with engine oil. 
If you use cheap oil/filter, change your oil every 5k miles. 
Hope this helps someone.