BMWX62016Overview/bmw/x6/2016/base/

2016 BMW X6

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 X6.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S8)

The 2016 BMW X6 is a passenger‑car SUV built on BMW’s xDrive platform and powered by a twin‑turbocharged V8 that requires routine engine‑oil service per Motologic procedures. Its EPA rating of 14‑19‑16 mpg reflects the balance between performance and fuel economy, while the automatic S8 transmission delivers smooth shifting across the range. With only nine owner complaints—chiefly focused on the power‑train—and a single recall, the 2016 model sits near the lower end of BMW’s long‑term complaint curve, where the most cited year (2009) reached 19 complaints and the best (2006) saw just one, indicating a relatively reliable entry in the X6 lineage.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192016

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacityRefer to the appropriate Motologic service procedures for drain and refill procedure.OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy14/19/16 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 · 950 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 · 950 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size255/50R19OEM · verified
Wheel / rim9.0; OPTIONAL: FRONT: 10.0, REAR: 11.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11428683168 alt 11428637821
Engine air filter13717571355 alt 13717638566
Spark plug12120040581 alt 12120037582
Battery61216806755 alt 61219364597
Front wiper blades61610039697
Thermostat11538632664 alt 11537586885
Cabin air filter64319194098 alt 64119248294

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length193.3 in
Overall width78.3 in
Overall height66.9 in
Wheelbase115.4 in
Curb weight4751 lb
Track (front / rear)64.6 / 66.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)49/51

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined14 / 19 / 16 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the X6 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

3.7–5.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 3.70 sec — 2015 M
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2015M 4.4L Twin-Turbo V83.70 sec12.10 sec567 hpAWD
2015M 4.4L Twin-Turbo V83.70 sec12.10 sec567 hpAWD
2015xDrive35i 3.0L Turbo I-65.70 sec14.30 sec300 hpAWD
2015xDrive35i 3.0L Turbo I-65.80 sec14.50 sec300 hpAWD
2017M 4.4L Twin-Turbo V83.80 sec12.30 sec567 hpAWD
2018xDrive35i (xLine) 3.0L Turbo I-65.80 sec14.40 sec300 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine Standard axle: Hypoid axle oil G1 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque 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

Brake FluidDOT 4
Clutch FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilStandard axle: Hypoid axle oil G1
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.2-3.0
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity3.0-3.2
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity2.5-3.2
Manual Transmission FluidBMW MTF-LT-5
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity2.5-3.0

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts11
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugM12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Driveshaft Flange to TransmissionM8 Bolts: 33.0, M10: 58.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 310.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 310.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerBMW
Spark Plug TypeM14X1.25
Spark Plug Gapnon-adjustable in
Spark Plug Torque20.0 - 24.3 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

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

Service checks

Pressure Test21.7 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief17-23 psi
Pressure Test29 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief26-30 psi

Brakes

Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementStamped on rotor

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

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
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

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 2016 model year registers 9 complaints, 1 recall, and 1 investigation, figures that mirror the 2015 model exactly and represent a significant reduction from the 2008-2010 peak when annual complaints reached 19 and recalls climbed to 12. Following 2016, the federal record shows improved stability through 2017-2019 with complaint volumes dropping to between 2 and 5 annually, before volatility returns in 2020-2021 with complaints rising back to 7-9 and recalls spiking to 7-10. This positions 2016 at the beginning of a relatively calm mid-generation arc, offering lower exposure to safety actions than both the early production years and the 2020-2021 period. With zero crash-related and zero fire-related complaints reported for this specific year, and Power Train concerns representing the plurality of complaints at 3 filings, the data indicates manageable risk levels without specifying root causes for the recall or investigation. Given its placement in a trough of regulatory activity between two higher-risk periods, 2016 represents a favorable acquisition year for a used X6.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
241
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
9
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 9 complaints on record, top 7 components.

Power Train3
Steering1
Engine & Engine Cooling,Electrical System1
Electrical System1
Suspension1
Wheels,Unknown Or Other1
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V823000Child SeatReported 18/11/2019

BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2015-2019 X6 sDrive35i, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6M vehicles equipped with rear seat lower anchor bars used in securing child restraint seats. The lower… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will weld a reinforcing bracket to the lower anchor bars and the vehicle body, free of charge. Owner notification began January 17, 2020…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 241 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B0101222026-01-21EngineN63TU1 CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT SVC CAMPAIGN: OIL CONSUMPTION DIAGNOSIS/REPAIR
B5108192024-01-16Electrical SystemThe basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
B6113052024-01-11Electrical SystemThe electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process…
B3601212024-01-08SteeringAt low outside temperatures (below 40 degrees F) and slow driving speeds (i.e. when…
B6127232023-12-08Electrical SystemWhen using the Key Reader to retrieve CBS information from the customer key, no current…

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. 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 2016 X6 take?

Refer to the appropriate Motologic service procedures for drain and refill procedure. of Use engine oil meeting BMW specification LL-01 or equivalent., per the factory manual.

Does the 2016 X6 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the X6 get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined mpg.