2009 BMW 328i Engine Oil Capacity

Time to change the oil in your 2009 BMW 328i? Before sliding under your engine, make sure you know the engine oil capacity.
Written by Abbey Orzech
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
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The 2009 BMW 328i offers style, comfort, and performance, but you can save some money on this luxury car by doing your oil changes yourself. Here’s the engine oil capacity for a 2009 BMW 328i. 
Between high
BMW car insurance
premiums and pricier maintenance and repair costs, BMW owners may be looking for a way to save on their car expenses. Cut your garage costs by DIYing your oil change! 
If you’ve never changed a car’s oil, you may be unfamiliar with what an engine oil capacity even is. Luckily,
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2009 BMW 328i engine oil capacity

So, what is the 2009 BMW 328i’s engine oil capacity?
The 2009 328i has a 3.0-liter, six-cylinder engine that requires 6.9 quarts or 6.5 liters of engine oil. 
But wait…how can a 3.0-liter engine need 6.5 liters of engine oil? These different values can get confusing if you’re new to car maintenance, so let’s break it down. 
A 3.0-liter engine means that the engine cylinders occupy a volume of 3.0 liters—this is the engine’s displacement. The engine oil capacity is 6.5 liters and tells you how much engine oil your vehicle needs each time it gets an oil change. 
The two values cannot be interchanged, so always check your car’s oil capacity with a trusted source to be sure. 

What kind of oil does a 2009 BMW 328i need?

Simply knowing the engine oil capacity isn’t enough, though. You’ll also need to know the correct kind of oil your 2009 BMW 328i takes. Its engine was designed to function with a specific kind of oil and any other kind will reduce its performance or even cause engine damage, so you shouldn’t select just any jug of oil. 
The owner’s manual for the 2009 BMW 328i states that the optimum engine oil is a premium 5W-40 oil. The oil grade 5W-40 describes the oil’s viscosity at the cold starting temperature of an engine and the engine’s normal operating temperature of around 212°F. 
The 5 followed by the W—which stands for “winter—indicates a low viscosity at the cold start temperature and the 40 indicates a higher viscosity at the normal operating temperature.
Essentially, you’ll want to get a 5W-40 oil because those are the prime functioning conditions for your engine and it will help to ensure no excess wear and tear occurs. 
You can use either a synthetic oil or conventional oil as long as you’re sticking to the recommended oil grade or an oil grade just above or below the recommended type. If you’d like some guidance on the type of oil to buy for your 3328i, check out these options:
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How often to change oil on a 2009 BMW 328i 

Now that you have a handle on the amount and the kind of oil your 2009 BMW 328i needs, we’ll move into how often you should be changing the oil. 
BMW recommends that your 328i receive an oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles if you’re rolling with conventional motor oil. If you opt for a synthetic oil, you can go 7,500 to 10,000 miles in between oil changes. 
These numbers may be a little different for everyone depending on your driving habits. If you drive very often or drive on uneven or rugged terrain, you may need to change your oil more often.
The numbers are good benchmarks to keep in mind, but mileage isn’t the only way you can gauge how your 2009 BMW 328i engine oil is doing. Keep your senses out for these symptoms of poor oil quality or low levels of oil that can tell you when you may need an oil change: 
  • Dark brown or black oil. Your engine oil should be amber or light brown, so if you’re seeing much darker shades it could be time to change the oil. 
  • Burning smell. Low levels of oil or contaminated oil can release a burning, smoky oil smell. 
  • Grit in the oil. Clean oil will have a texture close to syrup. If you’re seeing grittiness or other debris, change your oil. 
  • Loud engine noises
    . Waiting too long for an oil change could leave you vulnerable to engine knock! 
  • Reduced vehicle performance. If you’re noticing that your fuel economy has dropped or maybe the engine stutters before turning on, it could be time for an oil change. 

How to change your oil and oil filter

If you’ve determined that it’s time to change your 2009 BMW 328i oil and you’re ready to give it a go, grab these
essential car tools and supplies
:
  • Socket wrench 
  • Drain pan 
  • Filter wrench 
  • Replacement oil filter 
  • 6.9 quarts of 5W-40 motor oil 
And before you start draining the old oil, you’ll want to get your engine warmed up to its normal operating temperature. Depending on the outside temperature, you may need to idle the engine for five to 20 minutes or you could take your BMW for a spin around the neighborhood. 
After warming the engine up, turn the vehicle off while it’s on a level surface and follow these steps: 
  • Pop open the hood and remove the oil fill cap
  • Head under the engine with the socket wrench and drain pan to remove the oil drain bolt and let the old oil begin draining
  • While the oil is draining, remove the old oil filter
  • After the oil finishes draining, install the new oil filter
  • Put the oil drain bolt back on
  • Pour 6.9 quarts of new 5W-40 oil into the engine and replace the oil fill cap. 
Then you’ll want to pull out the oil dipstick to confirm the right level of oil, and let your engine run for a few minutes to check for any leaks. 
Success? Great! All that’s left is clean-up. Pour the old oil into a sealable container and drop it at your local recycling or disposal center. Be sure you do not dump the oil in the trash or on the ground

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Staying up to date on your 2009 BMW 328i’s regular maintenance is one of the best ways to make sure your vehicle’s life is long and healthy, and to make sure you’re paying less in emergency repairs and maintenance over time. 
Staying up to date on the details of your
car insurance
policy will also make sure you’re paying less over time!
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