BMW›525XI›2006›Overview/bmw/525xi/2006/base/

E60 platform

2006 BMW 525XI

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 525XI.

Transmission Automatic (S6)

The 2006 BMW 525XI is built on the E60 platform and holds 6.9 qt of engine oil, with approved viscosities of 15W‑40, 10W‑40 or 10W‑30 meeting API SJ standards. Fuel economy is rated at 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway and 20 mpg combined, and the vehicle uses an Automatic S6 transmission. These figures place the 2006 525XI within the standard specifications for its model year.

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.9 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJOEM · verified

Lug nut torque88 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy18/25/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 95R · 850 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11428683168. 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.

Battery groupBCI 95R · 850 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	11428683168 alt 11428637821
Engine air filter	13717521033
Fuel filter	16117373514
Spark plug	12122158253
Battery	61218381749 alt 61217591085
Front wiper blades	61612455442
Thermostat	11537549476
Cabin air filter	64319171858

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S6)

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	18 / 25 / 20 mpg
Drivetrain	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	99 cu ft
Cargo volume	14 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.9 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 M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	BMW part number 83220142516
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	10.5-11.5
Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	6.9 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid	BMW MTF part number 83220309031
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity	3.4

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	AT: 92 ft-lbs, MT: 89 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	88 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	43.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	43.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	310 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	310 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-5-3-6-2-4
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	0.8 ohms
Spark Plug Manufacturer	BMW

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.60-3.00 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Standard BCI Group Number	95R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	850 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	94R
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	640 cca

Service checks

Engine Compression

130-261 PSI. 29 maximum variation. psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	22-26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	81 ft-lbs / 48 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.181 in / 1.417 in / 0.945 in / 0.787 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.181 in / 1.417 in / 0.945 in / 0.787 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	0.031 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.882 in / 1.118 in / 0.724 in / 1.354 in
Rotor Finish	0.5 - 3.5 μin

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120

15 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	22 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	bolt 1-10	90 degrees
4	all turn 90

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70

15 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

This vehicle uses condition-based service — it signals maintenance needs through its onboard service indicator rather than fixed mileage intervals. Items on the factory schedule:

Replace	Transmission Assembly · Engine Oil Filter · Spark Plugs · Oxygen Sensor · Transfer Case Assembly · Fuel Filter · Engine Oil · Power Steering System
Inspect	Brake System · Cabin Air Filter
Drain, Flush & Refill	Engine Coolant System
Drain, Refill & Bleed	Brake Hydraulic System

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V273000Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv)Reported 04/04/2019

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 530xi Sports Wagon, 325i, 325xi, 325xi Sports Wagon, 330i, 330xi, Z4 3.0i and Z4 3.0si vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417…

17V428000Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant ClassificationReported 06/07/2017

BMW of North America, Inc. (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, and 550i vehicles equipped with the Sport Seat option and certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 525XI. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 95R battery Vehicles taking 6.9 qt E60-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 11428683168 Engine air filter 13717521033 Fuel filter 16117373514 Spark plug 12122158253

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2006 525XI take?

6.9 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.

Does the 2006 525XI have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 525XI get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined mpg.