BMWX6 M2013Overview/bmw/x6-m/2013/base/
E71 platform

2013 BMW X6 M

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 X6 M.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2013 BMW X6 M is an SUV built on the E71 platform, equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission and an engine that takes 9.0 quarts of 0W-30, 0W-40, or 5W-30 oil, while delivering EPA ratings of 12 mpg city, 17 highway, and 14 combined. Within the model’s complaint history from 2008 to 2021, this year’s 26 owner complaints and 6 recalls place it below the peak of 34 complaints for 2012 but well above the low of 7 for 2021, with air bag issues emerging as the top concern.

Model year2013201220112010

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity9.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy12/17/14 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 11428637821
Engine air filter13717577457 alt 13717577458
Spark plug12120037580 alt 12120037581
Battery61217594976
Front wiper blades61615A87C90
Thermostat11538632664 alt 11537586885
Cabin air filter64319194098 alt 64119248294

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length192.5 in
Overall width78 in
Overall height66.9 in
Wheelbase115.4 in
Curb weight4894 lb
Track (front / rear)65 / 64.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)50/50

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined12 / 17 / 14 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 9.0 qt of 0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30 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 Capacity1.1 Pints
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.1 Pints
Engine Oil0W-30 · 0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity9.0 qt
Engine Oil0W-30 · 0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts18 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 Number49
Standard BCI Cranking Performance900 cca
Optional BCI Group Number49
Optional BCI Cranking Performance850 cca
Optional BCI Group Number49

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
Engine Compression203-261 PSI. 29 maximum variance. 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

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
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 30,000 mi.

Every 30,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
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.

The 2013 BMW X6 M sits in the middle of a generation that saw its most turbulent period in 20112012 before a steady improvement in reliability metrics. Compared to the 2012 peak of 34 complaints and 7 recalls, the 2013 shows modest improvement with 26 complaints and 6 recalls, though the 217 TSBs indicates ongoing service bulletins—suggesting dealers were still addressing a high volume of known conditions. The presence of one federal investigation and one fire-related complaint is notable, as these are the only fire complaint in the entire dataset, but the data does not specify the root cause or outcome. Air bag issues dominate the complaint categories at 9 of 26 total, followed by engine (5) and power train combined with air bags (5). By 2014, complaints had dropped further to 11, suggesting the manufacturer addressed some systemic issues through mid-generation corrections. The takeaway: the 2013 represents a transitional year—past the worst of the peak complaint period but still within the generation's higher-problem window, and it carries that unresolved investigation and isolated fire complaint. For a used purchase, a thorough pre-purchase inspection focused on air bag systems and powertrain, combined with verification that all outstanding recalls have been addressed, would be essential before committing.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
217
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
26
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 26 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags9
Engine5
Power Train,Air Bags5
Power Train1
Steering,Suspension,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Air Bags,Engine1
Unknown Or Other1
Steering1

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 217 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B0120162026-05-06Electrical SystemThe Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship…
B6110262026-04-23Electrical SystemWhile performing a 12-Volt battery jump start, disconnect, or replacement, Vehicle test…
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…

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 M. 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 X6 M take?

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

Does the 2013 X6 M have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the X6 M get?

EPA figures are 12 city / 17 highway / 14 combined mpg.