BMW 328i Engine Oil Capacity

The BMW 328i engine oil capacity is 5.3 quarts. Read on to learn more about how to change your oil with this guide from Jerry.
Written by John Davis
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
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The BMW 328i provides an excellent blend of comfort and class. And with its customary Bimmer luxury and roomy interior, this sedan is great for cruising around town or hitting the highway. But if you want to keep your 328i running as great as it looks, you need to know its engine oil capacity—5.3 quarts.
As a luxury car owner, you’re no stranger to long lists of vehicle expenses. And when you add up the costs of routine maintenance, fuel, and insurance premiums, that list might feel overwhelming. Fortunately, you can save time and money by changing your own oil—just remember to check your owner’s manual for the engine oil capacity first.
This is the place to look if you’ve lost the manual or just need a little extra help with your BMW 328i engine oil capacity.
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BMW 328i engine oil capacity

The turbocharged two-liter four-cylinder engine in your 328i holds 5.3 quarts or 5.02 liters of oil.
Remember not to confuse your
engine displacement
—the pistons’ two-liter volume inside the cylinders—with its oil capacity, which is the amount of oil it can store and use as a lubricant. 
Your car’s engine displacement and oil capacity are different numbers and never interchangeable.

What kind of oil does a BMW 328i need? 

Learning your car’s oil capacity is only the first step toward changing the oil. You also need to know its oil type. Yes, that’s right; there are various different types of motor oil, and your 328i’s engine requires a specific kind. 
When you go to the parts store, look for SAE 5W-40. That’s the type of oil that BMW recommends you put in your 328i, and it’s always a smart choice to go with the manufacturer’s recommendation. 
If those numbers and letters look confusing, don’t worry. They actually have a pretty simple meaning. 
The “SAE” is short for Society of Automotive Engineers. That’s the group in charge of writing these motor oil codes. And the numbers signify the oil’s thickness or viscosity
The first number, in this case, “5,” represents how thick the oil is at cold temperatures—that’s why you find it next to the “W,” which stands for winter—and “40” tells you how viscous the oil is at hot temperatures. 
You can tell how thick an oil is by looking at its number designation. Thinner oils have smaller numbers and move through your engine more efficiently. 
If you’re still not sure which oil to buy, look for these three options:
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How often to change the oil on a BMW 328i

BMW says you should change the oil in your 328i every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. But if you don’t drive your car that often, it might be easier for you to remember to change the oil every six months.
Since a lot of time passes between oil changes, it’s wise to frequently check the oil to ensure the level and condition are healthy. It’s best to check your oil at least once a month or every other time you fill the gas tank. 
When you pull the dipstick to check your oil, remember to look for these signs that it needs to be changed:
  • Oil with a black, dark brown, or muddy appearance (clean oil looks similar to dark honey)
  • Grimy, sandy, or gritty textured oil
  • Bad smells coming from the engine, such as oil, burning, or smoke
  • Poor engine performance
  • Strange sounds coming from the engine

How to change your oil and oil filter

Now that you know how much and what kind of oil to put in your BMW, you’re ready to start changing it. You’ll need these tools:
  • A jack and jack stands or something to lift the car
  • A ratchet wrench with a 15-millimeter socket
  • An oil filter wrench
  • A torque wrench
  • A funnel
  • A drain pan
  • A clean rag or towel
Before you begin, turn the car on and let it run for about five minutes. Although this step isn’t necessary, it will warm the engine, which helps the oil drain more quickly. After you run the engine for a few minutes, turn the car off and follow the steps below.
Step 1: Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap and dipstick.
Step 2: Slide under the car and then locate and remove the oil drain plug. Be sure to use your drain pan to catch the old oil.
Step 3: Remove the old oil filter from its housing while waiting for the oil to drain.
Step 4: Lubricate the new filter’s gasket with a thin layer of oil before screwing it into place. Only tighten the filter until it is snug.
Step 5: Reinstall the drain plug and tighten it to six lb-ft.
Step 6: Using your funnel, fill the engine with clean oil and then screw the fill cap back into place. 
When you finish these steps, turn the car on and let it run for 30 seconds. Then, check the oil level using the dipstick and top it off if needed. Finish up by ensuring that the fill cap and dipstick are secure, and then close the hood.
As one final step, recycle your old oil by pouring it into the new oil container and returning it to your local auto parts store. 

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Maintaining your car insurance policy is just as crucial as cutting back on the cost of an oil change. Now that you’ve saved yourself time and money by changing your own oil, you might be able to save even more money by reevaluating your insurance plan. 
If you’re overpaying for coverage, it might be time to switch providers.
Luckily,
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