Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 50,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1991 318is.
Equipped with a Manual 5-spd transmission and achieving EPA fuel economy ratings of 19/25/21 mpg, the 1991 BMW 318is requires an engine oil capacity of 5.3 qt with recommended viscosities of 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ. This model year initiates the 1991-1997 complaint history with 6 total owner complaints predominantly concerning Engine & Engine Cooling, accompanied by a single recall. While the generation's reliability data shows fluctuations peaking at 13 complaints in 1993 and dropping to 2 in 1997, the 1991 model's lower initial count establishes a comparatively solid baseline for researchers evaluating the vehicle's long-term dependability.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Manual 5-spd |
| Overall length | 170.1 in |
| Overall width | 65 in |
| Overall height | 54.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 101.2 in |
| Curb weight | 2480 lb |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 53/47 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 19 / 25 / 21 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 81 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 12 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 5.3 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJ engine oil, GL-5 in the differential.
| Differential Gear Oil | GL-5 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 2.4 Pints |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.3 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 50,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 1991 BMW 318is presents a relatively stable federal record compared to its generational peers, with just six complaints—half the volume of the 1993 peak (13) and slightly above the 1992 low (3). While recalls doubled from one in 1991 to three in 1992, the target year’s single recall aligns with the broader trend of minimal safety interventions, as no investigations were opened across the entire generation. Complaints in 1991 were exclusively tied to engine and engine cooling systems, a pattern that doesn’t recur with such concentration in subsequent years, though the data doesn’t specify root causes. The absence of crash or fire-related complaints further distinguishes 1991 as a year without major systemic issues. This places the 318is in a favorable position within its generational arc, avoiding both the early teething problems of a new model and the later surge in complaints seen in 1993. **Takeaway: The 1991 model year appears to be a sound choice, offering a balance of lower complaint volume and minimal recall exposure relative to its siblings.**
All 6 complaints on record, top 2 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
DURING TESTING, INCORRECTLY INSTALLED DRIVER-SIDE KNEE BOLSTER PREVENTED STEERING COLUMN FROM MOVING FORWARD AS DESIGNED TO ABSORB IMPACT ENERGY FROM DRIVER DUMMY. Remedy: REPAIR THE KNEE BOLSTER TO ALLOW CLEARANCE AND AVOID IMPEDANCE OF STEERING COLUMN MOVEMENT DURING FRONTAL IMPACT.
Showing 1 of 1 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B510819 | 2024-01-16 | Electrical System | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
5.3 qt of HIGH PERFORMANCE MINERAL OILS: ABOVE 5 degrees F: 15W-40 API SJ, SL OR SM, -5 degreesF TO 68 degrees F: 10W-40 API SJ, SL OR SM, 5 degreesF TO 50 degrees F: 10W-30 API SJ, SL OR SM, BELOW 50 degrees F: 5W-30 API SJ, SL OR SM, BELOW 32 degrees F:, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined mpg.