BMWX6 50I2011Overview/bmw/x6-50i/2011/base/
E71 platform

2011 BMW X6 50I

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 X6 50I.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S7)

The 2011 BMW X6 50i is an SUV built on BMW’s E71 platform, paired with an Automatic (S7) transmission and EPA-rated fuel economy of 17 city / 19 highway / 18 combined mpg. Servicing its engine calls for 6.9 quarts of oil in 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ viscosity grades. In the X6’s reliability record, this model year is a notable concern point: with 12 recalls and 31 owner complaints on file, the engine stands out as the top complaint area, so a thorough mechanical review should be central to any research on this vehicle.

Model year201320122011201020092008

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 torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/19/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 Hybrid · 760 Hybrid 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 48 Hybrid · 760 Hybrid CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11428683168 alt 11428637821
Engine air filter13717589642 alt 13717577457
Spark plug12120037580 alt 12120037581
Battery61217594976
Front wiper blades61610077821
Thermostat11538632664 alt 11537586885
Cabin air filter64319194098 alt 64316804939

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S7)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length192.5 in
Overall width78 in
Overall height66.9 in
Wheelbase115.4 in
Track (front / rear)65 / 64.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)50/50

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 19 / 18 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 6.9 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJ engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2. 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidBMW part number 83222152426
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10.5-11.5
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.1 Pints
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.1 Pints
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.5 pints
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.1 Pints

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts18 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts11 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 Nuts103 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug24.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug24.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub310 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub310 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerBMW

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number48 Hybrid
Standard BCI Cranking Performance760 Hybrid cca
Optional BCI Group Number95R
Optional BCI Cranking Performance950 cca
Optional BCI Group Number95R

Service checks

Pressure Test21.7 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief17-22 psi
Pressure Test29 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief28-32 psi
Engine Compression145-232 PSI. 29 maximum variation. psi

Brakes

Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 14015 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
173 ft. lbs., step 2: 60 degrees, step 3: 60 degrees, step 4: 6073 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 3 stages
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9.66 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
17 ft. lbs., Step 2: 11 ft. lbs., Step 157 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.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 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 2011 BMW X6 50I lead in one area — the engine, 9 of 31 reports (29%), well ahead of the next concern. NHTSA has issued no recalls for this vehicle, so these are owner-reported concerns only. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 3 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.

12
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
268
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
31
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 3 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 31 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine9
Power Train4
Power Train,Engine2
Suspension,Fuel System, Gasoline,Engine1
Steering,Suspension,Unknown Or Other1
Power Train,Electrical System,Vehicle Speed Control1
Fuel System, Gasoline1
Power Train,Electronic Stability Control (Esc),Engine1

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 268 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B0120162026-05-06Electrical SystemThe Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship…
B1106142025-03-27EngineThis bulletin outlines the Customer Care Package program that has been designed…
B0120162025-03-13Electrical SystemThe Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship…
B0120162025-02-20Electrical SystemThe Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship…
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 X6 50I. 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 2011 X6 50I 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 2011 X6 50I have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the X6 50I get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 19 highway / 18 combined mpg.