BMWX3 xDrive28i SAV2013Overview/bmw/x3-xdrive28i-sav/2013/base/
F25 platform

2013 BMW X3 xDrive28i SAV

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 X3 xDrive28i SAV.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S8)

The 2013 BMW X3 xDrive28i SAV is an F25-platform SUV whose eight-speed automatic (S8) helps it achieve EPA ratings of 21 city, 28 highway, and 24 combined mpg, with engine lubrication requiring 7.3 quarts of 0W-30, 0W-40, or 5W-30 oil. With 226 owner complaints on record, seven recalls, and the engine standing as the top complaint area, this model year falls on the less reliable end of the X3's history. That combination of elevated complaint volume and engine-centric issues signals that researchers and prospective buyers should approach this particular year with heightened scrutiny.

Model year20132012201120102009

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity7.3 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque88 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy21/28/24 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 49 · 900 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 49 · 900 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11428683168 alt 11428637820
Engine air filter13717571355 alt 13717601868
Spark plug12120037582 alt 12120039664
Battery61217598775 alt 61217639053
Front wiper blades61612458017
Thermostat11537586784 alt 11538636594
Cabin air filter64319237158 alt 64319312318

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length183.1 in
Overall width74 in
Overall height66.1 in
Wheelbase110.6 in
Curb weight4112 lb
Track (front / rear)63.8 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)50/50

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 28 / 24 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 7.3 qt of 0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30 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 FluidBMW part number 83222152426
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10.5-11.5
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.2 Pints
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.8 Pints
Engine Oil0W-30 · 0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity7.3 qt
Engine Oil0W-30 · 0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts26 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts18 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsPlenum: 11 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts11 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugM12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts88 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug24.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug24.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Spark Plug ManufacturerBMW

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number49
Standard BCI Cranking Performance900 cca
Optional BCI Group Number95R
Optional BCI Cranking Performance950 cca
Standard BCI Group Number49

Service checks

Pressure Test21.7 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief17-23 psi
Pressure Test21.7 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief17-21 psi
Engine Compression101-145 PSI. 29 maximum variation. psi
Engine Compression145-232 PSI. 29 maximum variation. psi

Brakes

Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.787 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.787 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.031 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.039 in / 0.724 in
Rotor Finish0.5 - 3.5 μin

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Torque to Knuckle — tightening sequence 1 stages
155 FT. LBS., STEP 2: 45 DEGRESS +/- 1055 FT. LBS
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 14015 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
3Bolts 1-10 90 degrees90 degrees
445 degrees45 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
3Bolts 1-10 90 degrees90 degrees
445 degrees45 degrees
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1in sequence 1-106 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9.66 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7015 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

At 150,000 miOxygen Sensor (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

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

Owner complaints about the 2013 BMW X3 xDrive28i SAV dominate in one area — the engine, 87 of 226 reports (38%), well ahead of the next concern. NHTSA has issued no recalls for this vehicle, so these are owner-reported concerns only. 4 of the reports describe a crash and 10 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the engine pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
368
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
226
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 10 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 226 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine87
Power Train,Engine30
Power Train11
Service Brakes9
Engine & Engine Cooling,Electrical System9
Unknown Or Other6
Air Bags6
Electrical System,Engine5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 368 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B6505262026-04-30Air BagsReplace the driver’s air bag module (generation 10, PSDI-X).
B6505262026-03-25Air BagsBMW AG is conducting a Voluntary Service Action involving certain Model Year 2010 – 2013…
B1311102024-09-16Fuel/Propulsion SystemOnly fuel nozzles with the recommended “specified” diameter for diesel engine passenger…
B4107222024-04-04StructureWhile driving the vehicle on normal roads at10mph and above, a "cracking" sound from the…
B5108192024-01-16Electrical SystemThe basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

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 X3 xDrive28i SAV. 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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2013 X3 xDrive28i SAV take?

7.3 qt of 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, 5W-40 OIL MEETING BMW SPECIFICATION LL01, per the factory manual.

Does the 2013 X3 xDrive28i SAV have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the X3 xDrive28i SAV get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 28 highway / 24 combined mpg.