Help! (Low coolant warning)

[mariopino]

I have a 2006 325i. Last night when I started the car the "low coolant" warning icon appeared. I checked the expansion tank and it looked empty. It's Sunday night, dealers are closed, and the only coolant I can get is Prestone 50/50 for any make, any model. Is it safe for me to add this coolant? According to the manual I should only add the special BMW coolant. Am I going to damage the engine by adding the Prestone? Is it normal for the coolant to get down so low? I had the car in for my first oil change service about 6,000-7,000 miles ago, I had assumed that they had checked the level. I don't leak it in the garage, what could be going on?

[SeanInLA]

I have a 2006 325i. Last night when I started the car the "low coolant" warning icon appeared. I checked the expansion tank and it looked empty. It's Sunday night, dealers are closed, and the only coolant I can get is Prestone 50/50 for any make, any model. Is it safe for me to add this coolant? According to the manual I should only add the special BMW coolant. Am I going to damage the engine by adding the Prestone? Is it normal for the coolant to get down so low? I had the car in for my first oil change service about 6,000-7,000 miles ago, I had assumed that they had checked the level. I don't leak it in the garage, what could be going on?

I don't know much about coolant but my first thought is to add distilled water. It should mix without issue. BUT ONLY if you live where it won't freeze (32 deg F) at night. Then ask BMW to replace the coolant under warranty to bring it back to spec. If they complain remind them it's much cheaper to fix that then to replace the engine due to lack of coolant.

Just my 2 cents. Because BMW could claim the Prestone did damage - where they can't complain about water.

[Mad Dragon]

Th Prestone 50/50 is fine. It's definitely better than topping it off with water.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showpost.php?p=10112531&postcount=4

[SeanInLA]

Th Prestone 50/50 is fine. It's definitely better than topping it off with water.

Are you sure that perstone meets this requirement from your link?

"Note: Do not mix BMW Anti-Freeze/Coolant with different antifreezes which contain nitrites and/or phosphates and a high silicate formulation."


I think there are multiple Prestone formulas?
Which one should he get?
What does someone look for on the label to meet this requirement?
I would agree that a mix is MUCH better then water, just how do you know what is compatible?

[SeanInLA]

Also do a search on this forum for prestone.

I found this..."Coolant with Phosphates and Nitrates (like prestone) in it will work to conduct electricity and corrode your engine."

I am too new of a member to post links. But it's easy to find.

[NinetyEight740]

just add whatever you can get your hands on. They wont void your warranty over you topping coolant with wrong product. If it were me i would just add some water and be done with it.

[mariopino]

Could I safely drive the car for 160 miles with low coolant? If I could do that, then I could buy BMW coolant at the dealership. How urgent is the matter? The expansion tank is empty, but I still see a little bit at the bottom. From the time that the yellow low coolant light (an icon of a radiator) appears, how many miles could I safely drive. I hate to miss work tomorrow because of this problem.

[SeanInLA]

Could I safely drive the car for 160 miles with low coolant? If I could do that, then I could buy BMW coolant at the dealership. How urgent is the matter? The expansion tank is empty, but I still see a little bit at the bottom. From the time that the yellow low coolant light (an icon of a radiator) appears, how many miles could I safely drive. I hate to miss work tomorrow because of this problem.


Not very safely. The level of coolant in the expansion tank may not be what is in the system. Watch the temp guage to the engine and if it gets HOT you know you have trouble. And if your car is under warranty MAKE BMW fill it and create a work order. Losing coolant in a new car could spell trouble and you need to fix the source. If there is a leak in the engine it will be a very expensive repair bill. Maybe go in to work a few hours late after you stop by the dealer for some fluid. Otherwise, I see you live in San Diego, maybe add a little water. Then tomorrow add the exact same amount of coolant. Then you will be at the proper 50/50 mix.

[brokenbimmer]

Just put the cheapest 50/50 coolant you can find. I had the same thing happen a couple of months ago, and called the dealer. They said add any 50/50 except extended life, because the new extended life coolants contain some new chemical that is not good for my BMW.

All the Prestone antifreezes at my store had extended life on them, so I bought some Peak 50/50. I called the dealership service department back, and they gave it the OK. They'll check it again at my first service, in about 5500 more miles.

[E92Vancouver]

I have a 2006 325i. Last night when I started the car the "low coolant" warning icon appeared. I checked the expansion tank and it looked empty. It's Sunday night, dealers are closed, and the only coolant I can get is Prestone 50/50 for any make, any model. Is it safe for me to add this coolant? According to the manual I should only add the special BMW coolant. Am I going to damage the engine by adding the Prestone? Is it normal for the coolant to get down so low? I had the car in for my first oil change service about 6,000-7,000 miles ago, I had assumed that they had checked the level. I don't leak it in the garage, what could be going on?

Just got the low coolant level warning light. My car is 18 months old and has 10,000 miles on it. It has never been in for a service. I swung by the dealer and they topped it up for free. Apparently, evaporation of the fluid in hot weather is normal.

[Grumpa72]

Just got the low coolant level warning light. My car is 18 months old and has 10,000 miles on it. It has never been in for a service. I swung by the dealer and they topped it up for free. Apparently, evaporation of the fluid in hot weather is normal.

I have owned dozens of cars and hot weather evaporation has never been an issue.

Anyhow, I did a Google search and here is what came up:

http://www.valvoline.com/zerex/pdf/Zerex_CoolantChart.pdf?coaid=1B5D1AEA1AFC

Using this chart and the legend will tell you which one to use. I have had good luck with Zerex products in other cars and will use it in my 07 328 when the time comes.

Btw, they are using the G-05 in their chart for BMWs and it sure ain't the green stuff. If I had to get somewhere and nothing else was available, I would use pure water. Fwiw, you can run 100% in a car and get adequate cooling. The coolant is there primarily to prevent freezing. Assuming you aren't in someplace really cold right now, you should be able to safely add distilled water, or even tap water if distilled isn't available

[Bemu2800CS]

+1 for the pure water, it will also keep lower temp because it conducts heat better than anti-freeze. Dont trust the tempgauge though, they have built in dampeners and will show same temp over a range of 20-30 degrees C.

[chunjaepoopy]

Same issue happened to me, a couple weeks after a service at 28k miles.

I did the same as E92Vancouver did - went to dealer, had coolant topped off (it's blue-green???).

Asked the SA if it's common, he said it is...and gave me some bland explanation about coolant is mainly alcohol, will evaporate, etc.

I'll wait to see if the problem comes back; I'll be checking the coolant level periodically to see if there are any major changes.

[Go88]

Same thing, Coolant level low at 18 months old and 15,000 miles. Wasn't an emergency to get to the dealer. Stopped in and they topped it off. Glad to know this is "normal" for BMW

[MUrhino]

Just happened to me too, except I have an '06 325i with about 58,000 mi on her. I also live in dusty, dry, South Texas. Good information. Sounds like a 50/50 mix will work, or some distilled water if nothing else is available. Needless to say I'm not worried about freezing, but my light has been coming on for about a week. I need to get some more in there ASAP! Since the bottom is buttoned up, how hard is it to see the sight gauge from the top? Granted I haven't popped the cap yet, so I don't know if there is a dipstick or something in there. I don't mind working on my own cars, but I'm not sure what I can and can't do on my own with a bimmer. Thanks!

[sergio e92]

hello people im a new member in this site i have an e92 328i 2008..i woke up a week ago finding this low coolant thing in front of me..i went to many dealers and till now nobody could find from where the waste of water is happening..im filling it everyday and its annoying me..does anyone passed through this before?

[tonyclifton61]

Hello,

The low coolant light recently came on in my BMW 323i (2007). I am having issues reading the dipstick even with the diagram. I put 2.5 cups of coolant / distilled water in the tank. How much does the tank hold?

right now the top of the dipstick is about flush with the top of the screw cap.

Thanks

Matt

[love2xlr8]

Hello,

The low coolant light recently came on in my BMW 323i (2007). I am having issues reading the dipstick even with the diagram. I put 2.5 cups of coolant / distilled water in the tank. How much does the tank hold?

right now the top of the dipstick is about flush with the top of the screw cap.

Thanks

Matt

Check your OM and also look at the diagram imprinted on the filler cap. Full level is achieved when the dipstick rises ABOVE cap level. Screwing down the cap lowers it back into the reservoir.