Your 2016 BMW 328i's engine strikes a nice balance between performance, smoothness, and fuel efficiency. Knowing its oil capacity (5.3 quarts) is critical if you want it to run smoothly.

Performing

routine maintenance

on your car, such as

changing the oil

, can significantly extend its life. If you are familiar with the BMW 328i's oil capacity and the best oil type, you can save money by doing it yourself at home.

We'll go over all you need to know about the oil capacity of the 2016 BMW 328i, including how many quarts you need, which oil grade works best, and how to change your own oil.

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2016 BMW 328i engine oil capacity

First, let's talk about how much oil you need for your 2016 BMW 328i.

The 2.0-liter engine in the 2016 BMW 328i holds 5.3 quarts of oil. Keep in mind that the 2.0 liters indicated does not represent the capacity of the oil tank, but instead the engine displacement.

The total volume of air and fuel forced into a single cylinder is referred to as displacement, whereas oil capacity is the volume of oil required to keep an engine's moving parts from freezing up. If you use one instead of the other, you risk underfilling your engine and irreparably damaging it.

What kind of oil does a 2016 BMW 328i need?

With the capacity of your 2016 BMW 328i's oil tank in hand, we can determine the optimal oil for your vehicle. If you want to keep your ride running smoothly, then use SAE 5W-30 oil, as this is the oil grade BMW recommends.

Precisely what does this rating indicate? Ratings for oil tell you how thick or thin (a.k.a. viscous) it gets at different temperatures.

In an oil rating, the letter "W" stands for "winter." The numbers show how thick the oil gets at different temperatures. Low values mean that even when the oil is cold, it is still very thin. The 5 rating for your BMW implies that the oil stays thin, even when the engine is running in cold weather. The 30 rating means that the oil stays thin at higher temperatures, too.

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How often to change the oil on a 2016 BMW 328i

BMW advises

changing the oil

in your 2016 328i every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Regardless of how often or how far you drive, the oil should be changed every six months to prevent sludge buildup.

Make sure to also check the oil level often. When you get gas once a month, use the dipstick to determine where the oil level is.

Lastly, if you see any problems, it's probably time to change the oil. Some signs that your BMW 328i requires an oil change as soon as possible are:

Oil is black or dark brown (clean oil is light amber in color)

Gritty or coarse texture

Strange sounds are coming from the engine

Odd smells, especially anything that smells burnt or smoky

Your car is running worse than usual

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How to change your oil and oil filter

When you change your oil, you should always replace the oil filter as well. You can do it yourself if you're handy and looking to save money.

Before you start, you'll need jacks, a socket wrench, a drain pan, a filter wrench, a new filter, fresh 5W-30 oil, and rags to soak up any dirt and grime.

Run your car on level ground for a couple of minutes to warm up the engine before starting it. Then, open the hood and do the following:

Put jack stands under the car to lift it up so you can get to the engine

Remove the oil drain plug and place the drain pan under it

Remove the drain plug and then the oil filter

Allow the used oil to drain into the pan

Tighten the drain bolt to remove the old filter

Put a new filter in place of the old one

Pour in your new oil and replace the oil cap

It's now time to go over your work! Start the engine and keep an eye out for leaks. After several minutes, use the dipstick to ensure the oil level is correct. If needed, add more oil.

The last step of an oil change is to get rid of the old oil. Find out if your city's recycling or waste facilities will accept used motor oil in a sealed container by calling around. Do not simply discard it in the trash or on the street!

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