2013 BMW 528i Engine Oil Capacity

The 2013 BMW 528i has an oil capacity of 5.3 quarts, but check your owner’s manual if you’re unsure.
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Keep your 2013 BMW 528i in top form by changing the oil on a regular basis. To do so, you’ll need a fresh filter and at least 5.3 quarts of premium 5W-30 engine oil. 
BMW is renowned for making luxury cars for driving enthusiasts, but keeping these performance cars in good shape requires diligent maintenance and frequent TLC. If you want to change the oil in your BMW yourself, it’s a nice way to save a little money, as
BMW oil changes
can be on the expensive side. 
Read on for what you need to know about your 2013 BMW 528i’s oil capacity and how to perform a successful oil change!
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2013 BMW 528i engine oil capacity

How much oil does a 2013 BMW 528i need? To keep this particular Bimmer happy, you’re going to need 5.3 quarts of oil
The 2013 528i has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine—but neither of those numbers is the same thing as the oil capacity. The “2.0-liter” refers to the amount of volume those four cylinders take up (aka the engine’s displacement), not the amount of oil the engine needs. 
Before we move on, a minor caveat: make sure you consult your owner’s manual to verify the quantity and type of oil you need. There’s some conflicting information online as to what kind of oil is best for this creature, but what we’re presenting here is the general consensus. BMW has a website where you can
look up your owner’s manual by VIN
if you no longer have the hard copy. 

What oil type does a 2013 BMW 528i require?

You’ll need 5.3 quarts, but of what? If you’ve ever strolled past the oil section at an auto parts store, you know that there are a lot of choices out there, and one bottle is definitely not the same as another. 
The stuff you want is a premium grade 5W-30 oil. Look for one that has the API Certification Seal on it. If you want to go for the gold standard, you can get
BMW-brand engine oil
, but if not, any premium grade 5W-30 oil with an API certification is fine.
Those numbers and letters on the label indicate the oil’s viscosity, or how thick it is. Picture how pancake syrup flows if you’ve kept the bottle in the refrigerator—that’s not how you want your engine oil to behave. The engine oil code helps you choose an oil for your vehicle that’s always going to run as easily as warm thin syrup.
For the BMW 528i, that oil is premium grade 5W-30 oil. The “W” in the code stands for winter—“5W” means that this oil has a low viscosity (flows freely) at 0°F. The “30” tells us that it also stays at the desired viscosity when it’s scorching hot out. 
If your oil’s viscosity isn’t correct, it won’t flow through the engine and lubricate all the components properly—and this can lead to disastrous engine damage. 

How often should you change the oil on a 2013 BMW 528i?

BMW recommends that you change your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. If you don’t put many miles on your car, then aim for every six months. Some sources claim that using synthetic oil allows you to go 7,500 to 10,000 miles between changes, but always check your manual and stick with the manufacturer’s recommendations
Be on the lookout for the following indicators that you may be due for an oil change
  • Motor oil that is dark brown or black in color—clean oil should be an amber color
  • Motor oil that feels gritty
  • New or odd noises from the engine 
  • New odors, particularly ones that smell oily, smoky, or like burning
  • A decrease in your vehicle’s performance
MORE: Are BMWs expensive to maintain? 

How to change your BMW’s oil and oil filter

Ready to get your hands dirty? Let’s do this thing! You’ll need the appropriate wrenches, a drain pan, a funnel, a new filter, and at least 5.3 quarts of premium 5W-30 oil. You’ll also want some shop rags, as things can get a tad grimy. 
Start your BMW up and let it run for a few minutes to get the engine to normal temperature. Once you’re there, turn off the engine, properly jack the car, and follow these steps: 
  • Get underneath the engine, remove the oil drain plug, and let the old oil drain into the drain pan.
  • Remove the old oil filter (accessed from the top side) and continue to let the oil drain.
  • Install the new filter, replacing the old o-rings with the new ones that came with the filter.
  • Once all the old oil has drained out, replace the oil drain plug and make sure it’s properly tightened. 
  • Using the funnel, fill the engine with the fresh oil and tighten the reservoir cap.
Start your BMW up and let it run for a few minutes to allow the new oil to circulate—look closely for any leaks. Use the dipstick to check the oil level again, as a new oil filter will absorb some of the fresh oil, and you may need a top-off. If all is well, the
oil pressure light
should be off and your BMW should be happy. 
Almost done! Remember that clean up song everyone learned as a little kid? Well, it very much applies here—but singing it is not required, and in fact, may result in someone hurling a monkey wrench at your head if you do belt it out! 
At any rate, don’t dump the old oil out on the ground or down the drain. Place it in a proper container (the empty oil bottle and funnel make this task easy) and take it to your local oil recycling center
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