So I go to leave work yesterday evening and upon starting my car get a warning message that my coolant level is too low! Having just had the car at the dealer Tuesday morning for an oil change, I was pretty annoyed that they had not checked that basic fluid levels while they had the car. Well, after stopping at the grocery on the way home, the warning message has not come back. Even this morning, another cold start, no message. Anyone ever have a similar issue? I assume I simply need to top off my coolant but was just curious why the message never came back after the single warning. Thanks for any insights.

Ken

 

You probably just need to have the coolant topped off. How many miles/km has your car driven? If it happens again I'd have the water pump checked or replaced on warranty.

 

Thanks, the water pump or some other leak is my real concern, especially as with the approach of Hurricane Dennis, I may be forced to get out of town (New Orleans) this weekend. My car has 12,900 miles on it.

 

The dealer must have forgot to check the coolant level. With these cars nowadays, the servicemen do not bother if there is no warning from the obc or their own plug-in handheld.

Just physically check the level and top up should it be required and you'll be fine. The obc sometimes acts up on the oil and coolant level warning.

 

They can be so freakingly alarming when they come on for no rhyme or reason - I had mine with a "Low Oil Pressure - do not drive or risk damage to engine.....", for a moment, I though emergency service might need to tow my ride to the workshop

 

Thats probably because you don't rev your rpms enough. This car's meant to be driven!!!

 

If you do have to top it off, use only distilled water and if you add coolant, use only BMW coolant. Tap water contains crud (calcium carbonate, etc.) that can damage your aluminum and composite components. Non-BMW coolant can cause corrosion.

 

Oh oh..... :'(

 

Thanks, good tips. With the tap water we have here in New Orleans (comes right out of the Mississippi River), I know not to put that in anything, including me! Actually have an appt. for first thing tomorrow for the dealer to top off and double check everything else.

 

I had the same problem. Turned out to be a electrical problem. The switch in the tank was broken. They replaced the switch and a few other parts and it's working perfectly now.