Low Coolant Level

Spitfirocks · 11-07-2010, 03:46 AM

Hey I read my manual and all, but it says buy coolant from a bmw dealership. I was wondeering if there is anyh coolant I can buy from a local pepboys or autozone which will suffice? Also, it doesn't state in the manula, but I'm guessing I. Mix 50/50 distilled water to coolant..?? Thank you very much!

FVM3 · 11-07-2010, 06:13 AM

if i were you, i wouldn't buy coolant from pepboys/autozone and drop into my car. Just buy from dealer.

J02 335i · 11-07-2010, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spitfirocks

Hey I read my manual and all, but it says buy coolant from a bmw dealership. I was wondeering if there is anyh coolant I can buy from a local pepboys or autozone which will suffice? Also, it doesn't state in the manula, but I'm guessing I. Mix 50/50 distilled water to coolant..?? Thank you very much!

Just buy a 50/50 mix of longlife or extended life coolant, thats all the BMW coolant is. The colour of the coolant makes no difference (as long as its longlife).

ENINTY · 11-07-2010, 07:20 AM

My advice is to get the BMW coolant. It's a few bucks more at the dealer than what you can get at an autoparts store. The story has been that BMW coolant is formulated to deal with the mineral properties of European sources of water (which are different in the US) and how the mixture reacts with the aluminum in BMW engines and cooling system components. This problem is not as prevelent in the US, but when I used to use Prestone in my E30 a long time ago, I had a thermostat housing failure around the 100K mark. Upon replacement of the housing I switched to BMW coolant and never had another coolant related issue for the next 150,000 miles.

PKumarM3 · 11-07-2010, 08:03 AM

buy a bottle of coolant (i went with BMW, safer than sorry). buy a gallon of distilled water. buy a big bottle of evian/poland spring.

drink the evian/poland spring. pour 50% coolant, 50% distilled water. let your car cool down. open coolant reservoir. pour 50/50 mix.

bottle up coolant, reuse when necessary.

Spitfirocks · 11-07-2010, 12:21 PM

Well every local dealer around LA is closed today. Is there anywhere else I can purchase it?

Guess ill drive the SS today

J02 335i · 11-07-2010, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spitfirocks

Well every local dealer around LA is closed today. Is there anywhere else I can purchase it?

Guess ill drive the SS today

Your not going to drive your car? Its low on coolant, not empty.

Bartman619 · 11-07-2010, 03:25 PM

......you live in the 818 area, just use distilled water.

Chriztofor · 11-07-2010, 06:06 PM

^ distilled water for top-off is fine, but do not run it with pure distilled water. Anti-freeze does more than protect against freezing. It also lubricates the water pump.

FYI, I used Peak 50/50, http://www.peakauto.com/antifreeze-p...ediluted.shtml I also plan on changing it every 2 years.

Chriztofor · 11-07-2010, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spitfirocks

Hey I read my manual and all, but it says buy coolant from a bmw dealership. I was wondeering if there is anyh coolant I can buy from a local pepboys or autozone which will suffice? Also, it doesn't state in the manula, but I'm guessing I. Mix 50/50 distilled water to coolant..?? Thank you very much!

One more thing. If you use 50/50 then you don't use distilled water. It is already diluted.

deadmn1337 · 11-09-2010, 12:48 PM

I'll have to look at what the name of it is but i get the OEM fluid from Ace Auto Parts in Huntington Beach. They carry it in stock.

06E90Rostik · 11-09-2010, 06:30 PM

Price-wise the BMW stuff costs about the same as your regular (meaning OTC) premium coolants.

1 gal of BMW undilluted (about $17) + 1 gal of distilled water (<$1) = $18
2 gals of Premium brand X diluted (about $9/gal) = $18

it comes down to having a peace of the mind when you get BMW stuff

11-07-2010, 03:46 AM	#1
Spitfirocks Lieutenant 40 Rep 565 Posts Drives: 335i 07 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (5)	Low Coolant Level Hey I read my manual and all, but it says buy coolant from a bmw dealership. I was wondeering if there is anyh coolant I can buy from a local pepboys or autozone which will suffice? Also, it doesn't state in the manula, but I'm guessing I. Mix 50/50 distilled water to coolant..?? Thank you very much!
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11-07-2010, 06:13 AM	#2
FVM3 Major General 273 Rep 5,751 Posts Drives: e92 m3, f30 328i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (2)	if i were you, i wouldn't buy coolant from pepboys/autozone and drop into my car. Just buy from dealer.
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11-07-2010, 07:20 AM	#4
ENINTY Banned 173 Rep 3,415 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Sport Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	My advice is to get the BMW coolant. It's a few bucks more at the dealer than what you can get at an autoparts store. The story has been that BMW coolant is formulated to deal with the mineral properties of European sources of water (which are different in the US) and how the mixture reacts with the aluminum in BMW engines and cooling system components. This problem is not as prevelent in the US, but when I used to use Prestone in my E30 a long time ago, I had a thermostat housing failure around the 100K mark. Upon replacement of the housing I switched to BMW coolant and never had another coolant related issue for the next 150,000 miles. Last edited by ENINTY; 11-07-2010 at 07:30 AM..
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11-07-2010, 08:03 AM	#5
PKumarM3 Air India 145 Rep 1,834 Posts Drives: 2018 Dodge Durango Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NJ iTrader: (8)	buy a bottle of coolant (i went with BMW, safer than sorry). buy a gallon of distilled water. buy a big bottle of evian/poland spring. drink the evian/poland spring. pour 50% coolant, 50% distilled water. let your car cool down. open coolant reservoir. pour 50/50 mix. bottle up coolant, reuse when necessary. __________________ PKumarM3
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11-07-2010, 12:21 PM	#6
Spitfirocks Lieutenant 40 Rep 565 Posts Drives: 335i 07 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (5)	Well every local dealer around LA is closed today. Is there anywhere else I can purchase it? Guess ill drive the SS today
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11-07-2010, 03:25 PM	#8
Bartman619 Captain 25 Rep 701 Posts Drives: Bimmer Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: SDCA iTrader: (2)	......you live in the 818 area, just use distilled water.
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11-07-2010, 06:06 PM	#9
Chriztofor Colonel 103 Rep 2,783 Posts Drives: '06 325i and '13 X5 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (1)	^ distilled water for top-off is fine, but do not run it with pure distilled water. Anti-freeze does more than protect against freezing. It also lubricates the water pump. FYI, I used Peak 50/50, http://www.peakauto.com/antifreeze-p...ediluted.shtml I also plan on changing it every 2 years. __________________ If no codes are being thrown use Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner (concentrate). It solves rpm fluctuating upon cold start-up. Also, for most BMW problems start off by scanning your car with the Peake Research Tool. It contains the actual BMW codes. If you want to register a newly installed battery for free (just buy a $10 cable) and google/download BMWLogger
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11-09-2010, 12:48 PM	#11
deadmn1337 Captain 39 Rep 656 Posts Drives: 2016 EB 435i Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Long Beach iTrader: (11)	I'll have to look at what the name of it is but i get the OEM fluid from Ace Auto Parts in Huntington Beach. They carry it in stock.
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11-09-2010, 06:30 PM	#12
06E90Rostik 2006 join date crew 182 Rep 1,482 Posts Drives: 2006 325i, 2011 335i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: CA, Sacramento iTrader: (10) Garage List 2011 335i [10.00] 2006 325i [0.00]	Price-wise the BMW stuff costs about the same as your regular (meaning OTC) premium coolants. 1 gal of BMW undilluted (about $17) + 1 gal of distilled water (<$1) = $18 2 gals of Premium brand X diluted (about $9/gal) = $18 it comes down to having a peace of the mind when you get BMW stuff
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