sachal007

Hi guys as you know i recently joined the forum, been a volvo guys my entire life. does anyone know how to check the coolant level on 2006 530i. I was sitting at a red light and there was a car in front of me. I noticed some white smoke by my hood, not sure if it was coming from the car's exhaust tht was in front of me or my car. I pulled over checked the engine oil level, but didnt know how to check to see if coolant is at a proper level.

Plus is there any way to tell when the car is running at an optimal level. On cars that i have had they had oil temp gauge, but this is the first car i cant seem to find the temp gauge.



thank you for helping the new kid on the block

Dutch 530i

Was it raining? If it was the rain hits the hot pipes behind the grill when you are sitting in traffic and evaporates. No probs there.
To check coolant just un-screw the black cap on the resevoir (to the left when you open the bonnet). There you should see a sort of stick/indicator floating just over the top of the resevoir, by about half a centimeter.

stoic1

Let me add to this by saying, check the coolant when the engine is cold. The reason is twofold, one is this will give the most accurate level of what your coolant is. Number two there is a risk of getting scalded by escaping steam or coolant when the engine is hot.

Anzafin

You can monitor the coolant temp in a "hidden menu". Sure it's not as easy as if we got an actual temp gauge, but anyway...

Here are the instructions to open the "hidden menu".
It says in the instructions that the ACC must be turned on but the engine still off to access the menu, but at least I'm able to get into the menu even if the car is running.

- Antti -

sachal007

thank you guys!!!! i really appreciate it, but those hidden instructions are pretty overwhelming

Diamond

You can open the resevoir tank on the left side of the engine (facing the windwhield)-