Low Coolant Warning...
01-04-2009, 02:55 PM
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I started my 08 535i this morning, after one day of sitting. (It has been unstarted for a couple of days in a row before)
11,000 miles.
After backing out of the garage, the low coolant level warning came up.
I drove to get some coolant, (about 4 miles), and when I restarted the car... no warning.
I didn't make much of it, and will manually check the coolant level tomorrow morning, but...
Has anyone else experienced such a thing, and what would make it happen if coolant level turns out to not be low?
TIA
11,000 miles.
After backing out of the garage, the low coolant level warning came up.
I drove to get some coolant, (about 4 miles), and when I restarted the car... no warning.
I didn't make much of it, and will manually check the coolant level tomorrow morning, but...
Has anyone else experienced such a thing, and what would make it happen if coolant level turns out to not be low?
TIA
01-04-2009, 03:02 PM
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I've had this before. If the level is border line already, cooler temps can cause a slight shrinkage, for the lack of a better term, in the coolant. Stop by the dealer, they should top it off for you. A couple of things to be aware of, some dealers don't give oil or coolant top offs for free despite the maintenance program. They argue that covers regularly scheduled services only. Mine and many others do it for free however. And also watch what the use. I had the warning several weeks ago and the dealer simply topped off with tap water. As the car is a lease, I didn't make a scene. Ideally they should use coolant or distilled water...
By the way, it happened on both my 2008 550 (at roughly 11k miles!) and my old 545.
By the way, it happened on both my 2008 550 (at roughly 11k miles!) and my old 545.
01-04-2009, 03:06 PM
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Originally Posted by kscarrol' post='759318' date='Jan 4 2009, 04:02 PM
I've had this before. If the level is border line already, cooler temps can cause a slight shrinkage, for the lack of a better term, in the coolant. Stop by the dealer, they should top it off for you. A couple of things to be aware of, some dealers don't give oil or coolant top offs for free despite the maintenance program. They argue that covers regularly scheduled services only. Mine and many others do it for free however. And also watch what the use. I had the warning several weeks ago and the dealer simply topped off with tap water. As the car is a lease, I didn't make a scene. Ideally they should use coolant or distilled water...
By the way, it happened on both my 2008 550 (at roughly 11k miles!) and my old 545.
By the way, it happened on both my 2008 550 (at roughly 11k miles!) and my old 545.
+1
happen to me at 6k/10 months old....stopped by the dealer and they topped it off for free. I asked what they used, my SA said it was a 1/2 n 1/2 mix of coolant and distilled water.
01-04-2009, 03:14 PM
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Originally Posted by ADD' post='759316' date='Jan 4 2009, 06:55 PM
I started my 08 535i this morning, after one day of sitting. (It has been unstarted for a couple of days in a row before)
11,000 miles.
After backing out of the garage, the low coolant level warning came up.
I drove to get some coolant, (about 4 miles), and when I restarted the car... no warning.
I didn't make much of it, and will manually check the coolant level tomorrow morning, but...
Has anyone else experienced such a thing, and what would make it happen if coolant level turns out to not be low?
TIA
11,000 miles.
After backing out of the garage, the low coolant level warning came up.
I drove to get some coolant, (about 4 miles), and when I restarted the car... no warning.
I didn't make much of it, and will manually check the coolant level tomorrow morning, but...
Has anyone else experienced such a thing, and what would make it happen if coolant level turns out to not be low?
TIA
Instead of telling your SA to merely add coolant/water mix, I would ask that they investigate possible coolant loss. That may require a pressure test and while they're at it they can ensure the level is up as required.
01-04-2009, 04:16 PM
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Originally Posted by luigi524td' post='759322' date='Jan 4 2009, 05:14 PM
While it was probably [as previously posted] contraction from very cold temps, it makes sense to have your car inspected to ensure there are no leaks - from something a simple as a loose hose clamp - or worse ... a failure in some area of the cooling system.
Instead of telling your SA to merely add coolant/water mix, I would ask that they investigate possible coolant loss. That may require a pressure test and while they're at it they can ensure the level is up as required.
Instead of telling your SA to merely add coolant/water mix, I would ask that they investigate possible coolant loss. That may require a pressure test and while they're at it they can ensure the level is up as required.
01-05-2009, 08:51 AM
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Originally Posted by ADD' post='759316' date='Jan 4 2009, 06:55 PM
I started my 08 535i this morning, after one day of sitting. (It has been unstarted for a couple of days in a row before)
11,000 miles.
After backing out of the garage, the low coolant level warning came up.
I drove to get some coolant, (about 4 miles), and when I restarted the car... no warning.
I didn't make much of it, and will manually check the coolant level tomorrow morning, but...
Has anyone else experienced such a thing, and what would make it happen if coolant level turns out to not be low?
TIA
11,000 miles.
After backing out of the garage, the low coolant level warning came up.
I drove to get some coolant, (about 4 miles), and when I restarted the car... no warning.
I didn't make much of it, and will manually check the coolant level tomorrow morning, but...
Has anyone else experienced such a thing, and what would make it happen if coolant level turns out to not be low?
TIA
Rob
01-05-2009, 10:42 AM
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Originally Posted by kscarrol' post='759318' date='Jan 4 2009, 04:02 PM
I've had this before......cooler temps can cause a slight shrinkage....
01-05-2009, 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by flyingpuck' post='759927' date='Jan 5 2009, 01:42 PM
Puck, that was TFF!!! What a great episode that was...
01-05-2009, 11:04 AM
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This can also happen when your fluid level is only slightly low, AND you go down a hill after starting or you have parked on an uneven spot. The sensor then detects fluid level below the minimum.