Specifications and filling volumes (BMW 3 Series E46)

Types and volumes of lubricants and fluids used
Fuel
Petrol engines
316i	unleaded, not worse than AI 95
318i	unleaded, not worse than AI 95
320i	unleaded, not worse than AI 98³⁾
323i	unleaded, not worse than AI 98³⁾
325i	unleaded, not worse than AI 98³⁾
328i	unleaded, not worse than AI 98³⁾
330i	unleaded, not worse than AI 98³⁾
M3	unleaded, not worse than AI 98³⁾
³⁾ It is possible to refuel with AI 95 gasoline with a slight decrease in engine power. AI 91 can be used only in exceptional cases.
Diesel engines
Diesel fuel according to DIN EN 590 Cetane number not less than 49
Do not use biodiesel (methyl ester of rapeseed oil)
The cetane number characterizes the ability of diesel fuel to self-ignite.
Operation in winter conditions
winter diesel fuel, which, depending on its brand, ensures uninterrupted engine operation at temperatures down to -15°C or down to -22°C.
Fuel filter heating
The vehicle is equipped with a fuel filter heating device. Thanks to this, fuel designed for use at temperatures down to -15°C can be used at temperatures down to approximately -25°C.
If, at an air temperature below -25°C, the fuel has become so thick that the engine will not start, it is enough to let the car stand for some time in a heated room.
Various additives that increase its fluidity should not be mixed with diesel fuel.
When the outside air temperature drops below -9°C summer kerosene can be added to diesel fuel (in % of the total volume)
From -9 to -15°C	10%
From -15 to -25°C	30%
Below -25°C	50%
When the outside air temperature drops below -20°C winter add viscosity reducer or kerosene to diesel fuel (in % of total volume)
From -20 to -26°C	10%
From -26 to -31°C	30%
Below -31°C	50%
Fuel tank capacity
approximately	63 l
including reserve	8 l
Windscreen washer reservoir
Without headlight washer	5.3 l
With headlight washer	5.6 l
Engine oil (Please also refer to the materials in the section Automotive chemicals, oils and lubricants).
Type: bMW certified long life oils - long life p/n 07 511470 407 (in extreme cases A3 according to ACEA for petrol engines or A3 and B3 for diesel engines)
Viscosity SAE OW-30: CASTROL Formula SLX, DEA Ultec Syn-T, ESSO Ultron (Fuel Economy), SHELL Helix Ultra, VEEDOL Syntrhon.
Viscosity SAE OW-40:ARAL Super Tronic, AVIA SYNTH, BMW Super Power Spezial, BP VISCO 7000, MOBIL 1, SHELL Helix Ultra.
Viscosity SAE 5W-30: AGIP TECSINT, ARAL Super Tronic, BMW Super Power Plus, CASTROL TXT, DEA Viscobil S1, FINA FE 2000 5W-30, LIQUI MOLY Profi Synthol, MOBIL 1, MOBIL 1 Rally Formula, SHELL Helix Ultra, VALVOLINE Syn Power, VEEDOL Spezial R Plus.
Viscosity SAE 5W-40: AGIP Extra HTS, ARAL Super Tronic, AVIA SYNTH, BMW Super Power, BP Visco 5000, DEA Viscobil S1, ELF Synthese, ESSO Megatron, FINA First, FINA Motortronic RS, LIQUI MOLY Synthoil High Tech, MOBIL 1, MOBIL 1 Rally Formula, MOTUL Synergie, SHELL Helix Plus, SHELL Helix Ultra, TOTAL Activa 9000, TOTAL quartz 9000, VALVOLINE Syn Power.
Diesel engine 320d
Any engine oils that meet both ACEA A3-96 and ACEA B3-96 standards. Viscosity: OW-X, 5W-X and 10W-X. Here X stands for any value, such as 30, 40 or 50.
Volume, with filter replacement
316i, 318i	4.0
320i, 323i, 328i	6.5
320d	5.0
The difference between the "max" and "min" marks on the measuring rod	1 liter
Cooling system	a mixture of soft water (60%) and antifreeze concentrate (40%)
Antifreeze concentrate	Aral Antifreeze Extra, DEA Kuhlerfrostschutz, GlycoShell, Glysantin Protect Plus, Mobil Frostschutz 600
System volume
316i, 318i	6.0
320i, 323i, 328i	8.4
330i
M3
320d	7.0
330d
The amount of antifreeze added to the cooling system to ensure the required frost resistance (at the same time drain the same amount of coolant), l
Below is an indication of how much antifreeze should be added to provide the desired freeze resistance. Example: Measurement on the 316i, 318i engine shows protection down to -10°C. In this case, 2.0 l of coolant must be drained from the system and 2.0 l of pure concentrate must be added instead. This will provide engine protection down to -35°C.
The values given in the table are valid at a coolant temperature of approximately +20°C.
Manual gearbox
Type	transmission oil MIL-L-2105 or API-GL-4, viscosity SAE 80 (If the oil filler cap has a yellow or green sticker, use BMW special oil; if the sticker is orange, use ATF-Dexron, approved by BMW)
Volume	about 1.1 l
Automatic transmission
Type	ATF ESSO EGL 71 141 or VW-ET No. G052 162 A2 (light yellow)
Volume
When replacing	3.0 l
Total	5.3 l
Rear axle gearbox
Type	for hypoid gears SAE 75W-90 (AGIP HLX, ARAL gearbox oil BS, AVIA hypoid 75W-90 EP, BMW rear axle gearbox oil Synthetik OSP, CASTROL SAF-XO, DEA Dearon BHS, FINA Potronic MS and –MX, MOBIL Gearlube VS 600, BP Energear SHX, ELF Tranself BM 75W-90, SHELL gearbox oil OLS-BMW, MOTUL Hypo Synt, ESSO NLS 75W-90)
Volume	0.9 l
Steering	ATF brands Aral Getriebeol ATF 22 D-22 144, BP Autran LTF, Shell ATF Dexron II D-21-631, Mobil ATF 220 D-20104, Total Dexron II D-21298, Esso ATF D-21 065;
Brake system	1.0 l, DOT 4 (BASF Hydraulan 413, DOT 4; Castrol GT LMA, DOT 4; Shell Brake Fluid, DOT 4)
Air conditioning system
Oil	4.3 – 4.8 oz (129-144 ml)
Coolant	34.4 – 36.0 oz (1032-1080 ml)
Lubrication of drive shafts
Type of lubricant	Special grease
Lubricant volume	80 gr
Battery Terminal Grease	Bosch Ft 40 v 1
Lubrication of door hinges and locks	consistent grease, for example, "Optimol-Optitemp TT 1"
Ribbed V-belts
318i	6 RK x 1733 (5 RK x 950)
320d	5 RK x 2030 (5 RK x 836)
320i, 323i, 328i	6 RK x 1538 (5 RK x 863)
Tire size // Wheel rims
316i, 318i, 320d	195/65 R 15 91 V // 6.5 J x 15
320i	205/60 R 15 91 V // 6.5 J x 15
323i	205/55 R 16 91 V // 7 J x 16
325i	205/55 R 16 W // 7 J x 16
328i	225/50 R 16 92 W* // 7 J x 16
330i, 330d	205/50 R17 W // 7J x 17
Spare wheel	T 125/90 R 15 96 M // 3.5B x 15
*) the use of snow chains for tires of the specified sizes is not permitted
Air pressure in front/rear tires, bar
Half load
316i, 318i, 320d	1.8//2.2
320i	2.0//2.4
323i, 325i, 328i	2.2//2.6
Full load
316i, 318i, 320d	2.2//2.7
320i	2.4//2.9
323i	2.6//3.1
325i, 328i	2.7//3.2
Spare wheel	4.2
Nominal air pressure values for all factory-installed normal tire sizes (summer tires, all-season tires) are indicated on the sticker on the driver's door pillar.
Tire speed category
S	180 km/h
T	190 km/h
H	210 km/h
V	240 km/h
W	270 km/h
Y	over 270 km/h
ZR	over 240 km/h
Word "reinforced" at the end of the tire marking means reinforced performance.
Spark plugs
NGK	BKR 6 EQUP, BKR 6 EK
BOSCH	FGR 7 DQP, F7 LDCR
Interelectrode gap	0.7 – 0.8 mm
spark plugs with four mass electrodes	0.9 – 1.0 mm (not regulated)
Size under the key	16 mm
Battery
Type	Maintenance-free
Voltage	12V, negative ground
Capacity (starting current)
316i, 318i	50 Ah (265 A)
320i, 323i, 328i, 330i	75 Ah (380 A)
320d	85 Ah (410 A)
330d	95 Ah (450 A)
Single Lock Remote Control Battery	CR 2016
Tightening forces of threaded connections
Tightening torques for fasteners are also given in the text of the Chapter and in some illustrations*.
Oil drain plugs in the oil pan 4-cylinder engine	30 Nm
Automatic transmission oil filler plug	15 Nm
Spark plugs	25 Nm
Wheel mounting bolts	100 Nm