so i started my car today and this is what came up and wont go away...
"fluid loss in steering or hydraulic system"

my warranty is out and i dont want a big bill from the dealer. is there any way i just have to put more fluid in or something?? please help

 

did you check the fluid level?

 

no i didnt.. i was hoping i would get some good advise what to do and plus i dont know where to look...

 

the resorvoir looks something like this.

unscrew the cap and check the level on the dipstick

 

And have the system checked for leaks! This stuff doesn't evaporate. Low fluid level can damage expensive components quickly.

 

I would get the same warning last winter, but only when it was really cold and right after making a LH turn for some reason. The fluid level was low so I topped it off with CHF-11S hydraulic fluid and the problem has never reoccurred. There could possibly be a leak, but if I have one it is very, very slooooooooow.

 

Yes check the level. It's true that the fluid doesn't evaporate and you shouldn't have to top it off. But I have a car that had a really slow leak and it literally takes years to go from full to low, so I just check it once a year.

Make sure you get the proper fluid if you are going to top it off.

 

I got the same message, first time was when I was parked on a hill. My fluid was low, topped it off with some red line and no problems since. Seems it does evaporate very slightly over long periods of time. My car is an 05.

Scary message though huh...

I got the message on the way to work and almost pulled over to call a flat bed. But the car steered OK so I just kept going and checked the fluid that night.

 

yea it was. i didnt know what to do. so i though i will drive home and consult e60.net right away.. lol..
thanks guys for all the info. i guess i will goto bmw on saturday and get the fluid.
do you guys know where i should go? or what type to get?

 

Check the manual, I think it's ATF but it's too cold in the garage for me to get my lazy ass up and look...