Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 100,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1997 318IS.
The 1997 BMW 318IS is a compact sport sedan built on the E36 platform, featuring a 5.3-quart oil capacity with viscosity recommendations of 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 meeting API SJ standards, and paired with a four-speed automatic transmission delivering EPA fuel economy ratings of 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined; this model year represents the culmination of the 318IS production run spanning 1991 to 1997, and notably recorded the lowest complaint total in the model's history with just two owner complaints—compared to a peak of 13 in 1993—with steering being the primary concern and only a single recall issued, indicating a marked improvement in reliability relative to earlier iterations.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 92 · 575 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11421716192. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
| Engine oil filter | 11421716192 |
| Engine air filter | 13721247404 |
| Fuel filter | 13321740985 |
| Spark plug | 12129064619 alt 12129063428 |
| Battery | 61218381724 |
| Front wiper blades | 61618353289 alt 61611387678 |
| Serpentine belt | 11281743193 alt 11281437369 |
| Thermostat | 11531743179 alt 11531743017 |
| Cabin air filter | 64119069895 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
| Overall length | 174.4 in |
| Overall width | 67.3 in |
| Overall height | 53.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in |
| Curb weight | 2976 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 55.5 / 55.9 in |
| 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, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 88 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| 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 |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 86 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 22.0 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 16 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Ignition Coil Primary Resistance | 0.4-0.8 ohms |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.76-2.26 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Capacity | 4.05-5.06 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 92 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 575 cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 91 |
| Optional BCI Cranking Performance | 600 cca |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum | 51.0-58.0 @ idle psi |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum | 65.0-97.0 psi |
| Injector Primary Resistance | 15-17 ohms |
| Engine Compression | 159 |
| Engine Oil Pressure | 7.25 at idle, 62.35 regulated. psi |
| Intake Valve Lash | Hydraulic in |
| Exhaust Valve Lash | Hydraulic in |
| Brake Application | WITH SOLID ROTOR / WITH VENTED ROTOR |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 18-22 ft-lbs / 81 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 49 ft-lbs / 81-96 ft-lbs / 81 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in |
| Brake Application | WITH SOLID ROTOR / WITH VENTED ROTOR |
| Rotor Minimum Machining | 0.031 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.409 in / 0.331 in / 0.803 in / 0.685 in |
| Rotor Finish | 0.5 - 3.5 μin |
| 1 | 4 ft. lbs., Step 1: 4 ft. lbs., Step 3: 70 | 4 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 22 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 1 | 14.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 50 | 14.5 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 100,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Across the 1991–1997 federal record, complaints peak at 13 in 1993 and then trend downward, falling to 0 in 1996 before edging up to 2 in 1997; recalls follow a similar arc, starting at 3 in 1992, holding at 2 through 1995, and dropping to 1 in both 1996 and 1997. The 1997 318is therefore sits near the low-risk end of the generation, with the second-lowest complaint count and the lowest recall count, tied with 1991 and 1996. Its two complaints are split evenly between Steering and Vehicle Speed Control, with one crash-related complaint and no fire complaints, though the data does not specify root causes or whether any are linked. TSBs remain flat at one per year across the entire run, and no NHTSA investigations were opened for any year, including 1997. Given the declining federal-file activity and the 1997 model’s minimal complaints and single recall, it appears to be one of the better years to buy in this generation—provided a pre-purchase inspection confirms the steering and throttle systems are sound.
All 2 complaints on record, top 2 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 1 of 1 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…
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 / 28 highway / 22 combined mpg.