N54 Oil and Filter Change

Fits all US N54 cars

E90/E92/E93 335i and 335xi, E82/E88 135i, E60/E61 535i and 535xi, E89 Z4 sDrive35i and 35is, E71 X6 xDrive35i, F01/F02 740i and 740Li.

Oil fill: 6.50 L
Cover torque: 25 Nm
Filter tool: 11 9 240

What you replace

Oil filter element

11 42 7 953 129

Superseded 11 42 8 683 196.

Filter kit Inspection kit

Filter cover seals

11 42 8 637 820

Housing gasket

11 42 8 637 821

New seals every time.

Sump drain plug seal

New seal.

Engine oil

BMW Longlife-01 or Longlife-01 FE.

Steps, torque values and part rules come from BMW's repair instructions for N54 engine oil service. Part numbers come from BMW's parts catalog up to 2020. Check yours by VIN.

Tools

Oil filter cover tool

11 9 240

Spin-on cap on the housing.

Drain pan

Housing drain and sump oil.

Steps

Warm up and cover belt drive

Warm to at least 70 degrees C, then cover the alternator and belt drive in the engine bay.
Open filter cover
1. Oil filter cover tool 11 9 240
2. Filter housing cap
3. Filter housing
Generic layout: yours may differ.
On the filter housing cap, use tool 11 9 240 to open the cover and let it drain into your pan.

Caution: hot oil. Wear heat-resistant gloves.
Drain the sump
1. Sump drain plug
2. Oil level sensor
Generic layout: yours may differ.
Expose the level sensor opening in the underbody if needed, then open the sump plug and drain.

Caution: car on jack stands or a lift before you go underneath. That one is our shop rule, not BMW's.
New plug seal

Fit the new seal and refit the plug to the correct torque.

Caution: the seal is single-use. Plug torque: send us your VIN and we'll send yours.
Filter and seals
1. Oil filter element
2. Filter cover
3. Cover seal
Generic layout: yours may differ.
Fit the new element and cover seals, oil the seals, tighten the cover to 25 Nm.

Caution: the cover seals are single-use at an oil service.
Refill and level

Refill with 6.50 liters.
- Idle until the oil pressure light goes out.
- Hold about 1100 rpm for three minutes on level ground.
- Top up if needed, then check the housing and plug for leaks.
Caution: overfilling causes engine damage.