Coolant Level Low - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

shaginwagon13 · 10-31-2012, 09:32 PM

Got the warning for low Coolant Level when I started my car tonight. I was wondering if a 50/50 mix is whats recommended and how to go about adding it? Do I need to bleed the line or does anyone have experience filling the coolant reservoir up?

335BBS · 11-01-2012, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaginwagon13

Got the warning for low Coolant Level when I started my car tonight. I was wondering if a 50/50 mix is whats recommended and how to go about adding it? Do I need to bleed the line or does anyone have experience filling the coolant reservoir up?

Its in the owners manual.

dt604 · 11-01-2012, 01:29 PM

Light popped on for me last week simple solution. Get a watter bottle fill about half wait note this is a 500ml nestle pure life bottle I am using. Fill water about under half way then put in the coolant from bmw. I bought this for about 26 bux with taxes and brian jessel bmw in van. Before I started pouring the coolant into the bottle I marked it with a black felt pen to now where I should stop. Shake it so it mixes. Pop your hood the coolant tank is on your bottom left side. The coolant cap will require a bit of force to unscrew by hand. Then slowly pour your coolant into the tank. Note that there two symbols to indicate your coolant is top or low there are two images on the container slightly faded but visable. After that twist on the cap close your hood call it a day.

Havok_2011 · 11-01-2012, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dt604

Light popped on for me last week simple solution. Get a watter bottle fill about half wait note this is a 500ml nestle pure life bottle I am using. Fill water about under half way then put in the coolant from bmw. I bought this for about 26 bux with taxes and brian jessel bmw in van. Before I started pouring the coolant into the bottle I marked it with a black felt pen to now where I should stop. Shake it so it mixes. Pop your hood the coolant tank is on your bottom left side. The coolant cap will require a bit of force to unscrew by hand. Then slowly pour your coolant into the tank. Note that there two symbols to indicate your coolant is top or low there are two images on the container slightly faded but visable. After that twist on the cap close your hood call it a day.

Sounds about right. But I would go to Maranello BMW (Say you are from Maxbimmer to get the discount) and buy the coolant, and then ask them about how to do it as well, you can offer the above explanation to see if they agree. They will be able to verify the above suggestion or offer alternatives.

dt604 · 11-01-2012, 02:35 PM

I youtube it, some guy was doing a demo on how to do it on an e92 328I

Bladerunner · 11-01-2012, 02:36 PM

I had the same light when I had my 328, the dealer filled it up for free. I bought a jug from them and they recommend 50/50 mix if I'm ever low again!

Wolf 335 · 11-01-2012, 06:14 PM

dealers will usually top fluids for free.

if mixing your own you should use distilled water

Zebra99 · 11-01-2012, 06:54 PM

I picked up a bottle of Fernbrook water (100% distilled) from Loblaws and purchased coolant from BMW for about $26.

50/50 or even 60/40 (coolant/water) is fine and just put e nought for the floater to pop up to the top.

Closer her up and done. Bleeding not required unless your changing out the fluid.

Cheers

shaginwagon13 · 11-01-2012, 10:12 PM

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help!

markham335i · 11-02-2012, 06:55 AM

thx for posting this, i got the same light!

shaginwagon13 · 11-02-2012, 09:38 AM

I'm heading to BMW today to get fluid. Just a question and this might sound stupid, but can I get Distilled water at the grocery store? I don't think I have ever bought it before and not sure where to pick it up from.

EDIT: Never mind, Zebra99 answered where to get it a couple posts up. Thanks!

dt604 · 11-02-2012, 12:32 PM

LOL distilled is just a fancy way of saying filtered or bottled water I would use bottle water

Zebra99 · 11-02-2012, 05:07 PM

Make sure it has 0 mineral content and 0 fluoride. Both corrode the insides and have negative effects on aluminum/metals.

Just annoying really, but thank-god it's an easy fix. Not like my old EG GSR drinking/smoking oil every two weeks lol!

P2 · 11-03-2012, 07:59 AM

I got the warning a few times too last week. Picked up a gallon of fluid at my local BMW, mixed some 50/50 with distilled (not filtered) water. Remember, to check the level when cold. Surprisingly, it took 3.5 cups.

You have to wonder why it was low. I'm going to check the level every week for a while to make sure nothing else is going on.

10-31-2012, 09:32 PM	#1
shaginwagon13 Captain Drives: BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Toronto Posts: 854 iTrader: (4)	Coolant Level Low Got the warning for low Coolant Level when I started my car tonight. I was wondering if a 50/50 mix is whats recommended and how to go about adding it? Do I need to bleed the line or does anyone have experience filling the coolant reservoir up? Last edited by shaginwagon13; 10-31-2012 at 10:54 PM.
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11-02-2012, 06:55 AM	#10
markham335i Lieutenant Drives: 07 335i Join Date: May 2010 Location: Toronto, Markham Posts: 523 iTrader: (0)	thx for posting this, i got the same light! __________________ Upgrades: <JB4, DCI, 19"bbs ch-r, 30%tint all around, bmw performance exhaust, upgraded angel eyes>.....Next upgrades (I would like): ams intercooler, KW v2 springs, BBK, turbo upgrade....etc....

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11-01-2012, 01:29 PM	#3
dt604 Private First Class Drives: 06 E90 325i sports pkg. Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: vancouver Posts: 175 iTrader: (0)	Light popped on for me last week simple solution. Get a watter bottle fill about half wait note this is a 500ml nestle pure life bottle I am using. Fill water about under half way then put in the coolant from bmw. I bought this for about 26 bux with taxes and brian jessel bmw in van. Before I started pouring the coolant into the bottle I marked it with a black felt pen to now where I should stop. Shake it so it mixes. Pop your hood the coolant tank is on your bottom left side. The coolant cap will require a bit of force to unscrew by hand. Then slowly pour your coolant into the tank. Note that there two symbols to indicate your coolant is top or low there are two images on the container slightly faded but visable. After that twist on the cap close your hood call it a day.

11-01-2012, 02:35 PM	#5
dt604 Private First Class Drives: 06 E90 325i sports pkg. Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: vancouver Posts: 175 iTrader: (0)	I youtube it, some guy was doing a demo on how to do it on an e92 328I

11-01-2012, 02:36 PM	#6
Bladerunner Lieutenant Drives: 2011 e92 335xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: mississauga Posts: 559 iTrader: (6)	I had the same light when I had my 328, the dealer filled it up for free. I bought a jug from them and they recommend 50/50 mix if I'm ever low again!

11-01-2012, 06:14 PM	#7
Wolf 335 First Lieutenant Drives: 335i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: GTA Posts: 355 iTrader: (0)	dealers will usually top fluids for free. if mixing your own you should use distilled water

11-01-2012, 06:54 PM	#8
Zebra99 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2008 335i E93 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Ontario Posts: 1,999 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i E93 [5.00]	I picked up a bottle of Fernbrook water (100% distilled) from Loblaws and purchased coolant from BMW for about $26. 50/50 or even 60/40 (coolant/water) is fine and just put e nought for the floater to pop up to the top. Closer her up and done. Bleeding not required unless your changing out the fluid. Cheers

11-01-2012, 10:12 PM	#9
shaginwagon13 Captain Drives: BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Toronto Posts: 854 iTrader: (4)	Thanks guys, I appreciate the help!

11-02-2012, 09:38 AM	#11
shaginwagon13 Captain Drives: BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Toronto Posts: 854 iTrader: (4)	I'm heading to BMW today to get fluid. Just a question and this might sound stupid, but can I get Distilled water at the grocery store? I don't think I have ever bought it before and not sure where to pick it up from. EDIT: Never mind, Zebra99 answered where to get it a couple posts up. Thanks!

11-02-2012, 12:32 PM	#12
dt604 Private First Class Drives: 06 E90 325i sports pkg. Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: vancouver Posts: 175 iTrader: (0)	LOL distilled is just a fancy way of saying filtered or bottled water I would use bottle water

11-02-2012, 05:07 PM	#13
Zebra99 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2008 335i E93 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Ontario Posts: 1,999 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i E93 [5.00]	Make sure it has 0 mineral content and 0 fluoride. Both corrode the insides and have negative effects on aluminum/metals. Just annoying really, but thank-god it's an easy fix. Not like my old EG GSR drinking/smoking oil every two weeks lol!

11-03-2012, 07:59 AM	#14
P2 Private First Class Drives: 2006 325i Silver/Black Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NW Chicago Land Posts: 188 iTrader: (0)	I got the warning a few times too last week. Picked up a gallon of fluid at my local BMW, mixed some 50/50 with distilled (not filtered) water. Remember, to check the level when cold. Surprisingly, it took 3.5 cups. You have to wonder why it was low. I'm going to check the level every week for a while to make sure nothing else is going on.