BMW 3 Series Oil Type & Capacity
GarageDex's oil-spec data shows the BMW 3 Series takes 0W-12 engine oil, about 5.6-7.2 qt with a filter change, on 2025-2026 models. Older ones take a different grade - 2023-2024 models use 0W-20 (6.1-7.6 qt) - so check your year in the table below.
Oil by model year
| Model years | Oil type | Capacity | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 | 0W-12 | 5.6-7.2 qt | Shop 0W-12 |
| 2023-2024 | 0W-20 | 6.1-7.6 qt | Shop 0W-20 |
| 2022 | 0W-20 | 5.6-7.6 qt | Shop 0W-20 |
| 2021 | 0W-20 | 5.6-7.6 qt | Shop 0W-20 |
| 2020 | 0W-20 | 5.6-7.6 qt | Shop 0W-20 |
| 2019 | 0W-20 | 5.6-6.9 qt | Shop 0W-20 |
| 2018 | 0W-20 / 0W-30 | 5.1-6.9 qt | Shop 0W-20Shop 0W-30 |
| 2017 | 0W-20 / 0W-30 | 5.1-6.9 qt | Shop 0W-20Shop 0W-30 |
| 2014-2016 | 0W-20 / 0W-30 | 5.3-6.9 qt | Shop 0W-20Shop 0W-30 |
| 2012-2013 | 0W-30 | 5.3-6.9 qt | Shop 0W-30 |
| 2009-2011 | 0W-30 / 5W-30 | 6.9-7.7 qt | Shop 0W-30Shop 5W-30 |
| 2006-2008 | 0W-30 | 6.9 qt | Shop 0W-30 |
| 2005 | 5W-30 | 6.6-6.9 qt | Shop 5W-30 |
| 2004 | 0W-30 | 6.9-7.9 qt | Shop 0W-30 |
| 2003 | 0W-30 | 6.6-6.9 qt | Shop 0W-30 |
| 2000-2002 | 0W-30 | 6.9 qt | Shop 0W-30 |
| 1998-1999 | 0W-30 | 5.3-6.9 qt | Shop 0W-30 |
| 1994-1997 | 10W-30 | 5.3-6.9 qt | Shop 10W-30 |
| 1992-1993 | 10W-30 | 4.5-6.9 qt | Shop 10W-30 |
| 1991 | 10W-30 | 4.5-5.3 qt | Shop 10W-30 |
| 1986-1990 | 10W-30 | 4.5 qt | Shop 10W-30 |
Capacity is with a filter change and can vary by engine - open your exact year below for the per-engine figures and our sources. Shop links go to Amazon, and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Every 3 Series year
Frequently asked
What kind of oil does a BMW 3 Series take?
GarageDex's oil-spec data shows the BMW 3 Series takes 0W-12 engine oil, about 5.6-7.2 qt with a filter change, on 2025-2026 models. Older ones take a different grade - 2023-2024 models use 0W-20 (6.1-7.6 qt) - so check your year in the table below.
How many quarts of oil does a BMW 3 Series take?
About 5.6-7.2 qt with a filter change on 2025-2026 models, and 6.1-7.6 qt on 2023-2024 models. Capacity varies by engine, so check your exact year for the per-engine figure - and finish on the dipstick rather than pouring in the full amount.
Does the oil type change by year on the BMW 3 Series?
Yes. We record 21 different factory specs across the years we cover - 2025-2026: 0W-12; 2023-2024: 0W-20; 2022: 0W-20. Use the table above and confirm against your owner's manual.
Sources. The oil grade and capacity for 41 of 41 model years is checked against a cited source, most often AMSOIL lookup guide - 2026 BMW 3 Series, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo (B48B20O2), AMSOIL lookup guide - 2026 BMW 3 Series, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo (B58B30M2) and AMSOIL lookup guide - 2025 BMW 3 Series, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo (B48B20O2). Each year page lists its own sources.
Last verified 2026-06-21. Maintained by Matan B., who runs GarageDex. How we verify.