Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 60,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1993 318is.
Operating with a 4-speed automatic transmission and EPA fuel economy ratings of 19/28/22 mpg, the 1993 BMW 318is demands 5.3 qt of 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ oil for maintenance. This model year generated 13 total owner complaints, identifying the engine and engine cooling area as the top complaint area alongside two recalls. Within the broader 1991-1997 model history, these figures mark the highest volume of issues compared to the lowest count of 2 complaints in 1997. Consequently, researchers should scrutinize the durability specific to this model year rather than assuming consistency across the generation.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 19 / 28 / 22 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 86 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 10 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, DOT 4 brake fluid.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil | GL-5 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 2.4 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| 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 60,000 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 1993 BMW 318is marks a notable spike in federal complaints within its generation, jumping to 13 from just 3 in 1992 and remaining elevated compared to the 5 or fewer complaints in subsequent years (1994–1997). Recalls for the model year held steady at 2, consistent with 1994–1995 but below the 3 issued in 1992, suggesting no unusual recall activity for the target year itself. The bulk of 1993 complaints—9 of 13—centered on engine and engine cooling, a trend not mirrored as sharply in adjacent years, implying a potential year-specific vulnerability, though the data does not specify root causes. Crash-related complaints were minimal (1), and no fire complaints were recorded, indicating safety incidents were not a systemic concern. This complaint pattern positions 1993 as an outlier in an otherwise stable generation, with the engine cooling issues warranting particular scrutiny during pre-purchase inspection. **Takeaway: While not a recall-heavy year, the 1993 318is demands thorough engine and cooling system verification; if those checks pass, it remains a viable buy within the generation.**
All 13 complaints on record, top 4 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE…
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
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.
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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 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined mpg.