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BMW maintenance schedule

Enter the VIN, or choose the fuel, engine size and year, to see the service intervals for that BMW engine: engine oil, timing chain or belt, brake fluid, transmission, coolant and spark plugs. Each line says how firm the figure is and where it comes from.

Last updated October 10, 2026

The short answer

Are these BMW intervals for US cars?
Yes. They come from BMW's US owner's manuals and maintenance guides wherever BMW publishes them, and otherwise from US dealers and parts makers; each line says which and links to it. Where a figure depends on driving conditions, it's the normal schedule; the severe schedule (towing, short trips, dust, extreme heat) is shorter.
How often does a BMW need an oil change?
Every 12 months or 10,000 miles on 14 of the 16 BMW engines we hold, per BMW's own schedule. Many BMW models use an oil-life monitor, which can call for a change sooner; enter the VIN for your engine.
How often does a BMW need an oil service in the US?
The car decides: BMW uses Condition Based Service, which tracks engine oil, brakes, brake fluid and a vehicle check and shows when each is due. BMW's 2025 US maintenance booklet then counts its other items in oil services, the second at approximately 20,000 miles and the third at approximately 30,000, so a US oil service comes round at roughly 10,000-mile steps. The checker's oil line comes from UK figures that allow up to 18,000 miles, so the US steps are shorter. The same booklet treats coolant and most transmissions as long-life fills, changed only during repairs.
Is BMW maintenance free on a newer car?
BMW USA says every new BMW starts with BMW Ultimate Care for the first 3 years or 36,000 miles, and its plan terms say the work is performed by an authorized BMW center. On a used car still inside that window, the scheduled work was already paid for, so ask for the record of it.

Sources: BMW 2025 US maintenance booklet · BMW USA, BMW Ultimate Care

Free. We decode the VIN with NHTSA's public decoder to get the make, model year and engine size, then match the engine in our tables.

Or choose the make and engine yourself:

Free · no signup · the engine size is in the owner's manual and on the original window sticker

BMW engines and their schedules

16 BMW engines sold in the US, with the models each is in and the normal-schedule intervals, each linked to its source. Enter the VIN above to see just yours.

BMW maintenance FAQs

Can I look up a BMW maintenance schedule by VIN?▾

Yes. Paste the 17-character VIN into the box above. We decode it with NHTSA's free public decoder to get the model year, fuel and engine size, then match that engine in our tables. It's free and there's no signup.

Does my BMW have a timing belt or a timing chain?▾

It depends on the engine. Of the 9 BMW engines whose timing drive we've confirmed, 9 use a chain and 0 a belt. A belt has a replacement interval; enter the VIN above to see the one for your engine.

How do I check a used BMW was serviced on schedule?▾

Compare this schedule with the car's actual record. Our BMW service history check returns the manufacturer's own dealer records for one car by its VIN: the dates, the mileage at each visit and the work done. It costs $14.99, and nothing is charged if no records are found.

Is this data guaranteed?▾

No. Every line is labeled with where it comes from, and the maker's own figures are marked. None of it has been confirmed against your car, and the owner's manual for your model year is the final word.

BMW service history check, $14.99

The manufacturer's own dealer records for one BMW by VIN: the dates, the mileage at every visit and the work done. No records found means no charge.

BMW problems by model

Owner complaints, recalls and warranty extensions from NHTSA, by model and year.

Maintenance schedule checker

Every make the tool covers, by VIN or by engine.

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