Car says coolent is too low
07-28-2009, 08:28 AM
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Just got a call from the wife and she said the car gave a message that the coolant is too low. Not sure what would have happened to the coolent, hope I don't have a gasket problem, I'm out of warranty.
Is there a special type of coolent that I need to buy or just go to any parts store and top up under the hood?
Is there a special type of coolent that I need to buy or just go to any parts store and top up under the hood?
07-28-2009, 08:56 AM
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Originally Posted by D33ZNUT5' post='956813' date='Jul 28 2009, 12:28 PM
Just got a call from the wife and she said the car gave a message that the coolant is too low. Not sure what would have happened to the coolent, hope I don't have a gasket problem, I'm out of warranty.
Is there a special type of coolent that I need to buy or just go to any parts store and top up under the hood?
Is there a special type of coolent that I need to buy or just go to any parts store and top up under the hood?
Pretty simple.
07-28-2009, 09:06 AM
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Originally Posted by D33ZNUT5' post='956813' date='Jul 28 2009, 12:28 PM
Just got a call from the wife and she said the car gave a message that the coolant is too low. Not sure what would have happened to the coolent, hope I don't have a gasket problem, I'm out of warranty.
Is there a special type of coolent that I need to buy or just go to any parts store and top up under the hood?
Is there a special type of coolent that I need to buy or just go to any parts store and top up under the hood?
I used the everyday stuff.
07-28-2009, 09:07 AM
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known issue/warning...most dealerships will do a complimentary top off when you stop by the service department....had one about 9 months into my e60 (brand new)
07-28-2009, 09:19 AM
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Originally Posted by vaca' post='956836' date='Jul 28 2009, 12:56 PM
I would suggest getting the BMW coolant from a dealer, only $20 or so for a gallon and mix it 50/50 with distilled water and use that to top off the overflow tank.
Pretty simple.
Pretty simple.
07-28-2009, 10:49 AM
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I had the same issue, and I just added 16 oz of tap water to it (for $0/gallon). I figured w/the amount of antifreeze in the system, adding 16 oz of straight water won't dilute it enough to cause any issues (maybe I'm 47/53 now instead of 50/50).
07-28-2009, 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by D33ZNUT5' post='956813' date='Jul 28 2009, 11:28 AM
Just got a call from the wife and she said the car gave a message that the coolant is too low. Not sure what would have happened to the coolent, hope I don't have a gasket problem, I'm out of warranty.
Is there a special type of coolent that I need to buy or just go to any parts store and top up under the hood?
Is there a special type of coolent that I need to buy or just go to any parts store and top up under the hood?
07-28-2009, 12:49 PM
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Originally Posted by stoic1' post='957045' date='Jul 28 2009, 02:40 PM
I had this happen to my 545i just recently. Before this though I also received a message twice saying the fluid was low in the expansion tank. Concerned, I took my car to an independent garage (out of warranty) where I found out that I had a coolant leak on the back side of the engine block (valley pan gasket). The leak wasn't very bad, but considering how hot its been in Texas I didn't want to take any chances and bit the bullet and had the problem fixed. After having the car in the shop for 3 days and about $1800 later the car is running fine.