[SM335i]

Hey guys, I went to check my coolant today and based on the diagram on the coolant tank and what I read, it seems a bit low.. I never got the "low coolant" light and my temps stay at 210-230 at some hot highway runs. I dont know if I should add coolant?

EDIT: its a 2010 BMW 335 xDrive

[F32Fleet]

Tap the bobber to make sure it isn't stuck then add distilled water if needed. Would worry about adding antifreeze unless your expansion tank is empty and at that point you have larger issues.

[GoRomeo]

That seem very low to me. Im surprised you dont have "low coolant light" on yet. Push it down couple times make sure is not stucked like mentioned above. Coolant bobber should reach about an inch above reservoir when full.

[SM335i]

Originally Posted by Socom

Tap the bobber to make sure it isn't stuck then add distilled water if needed. Would worry about adding antifreeze unless your expansion tank is empty and at that point you have larger issues.

It isnt stuck.. There is antifreeze on the bottom, I can see it.. I went out and bought some coolant + distilled water, gonna add it until the bobbler is sticking out a bit. What are some larger issues that this can lead to?

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

That seem very low to me. Im surprised you dont have "low coolant light" on yet. Push it down couple times make sure is not stucked like mentioned above. Coolant bobber should reach about an inch above reservoir when full.

Yeah, no light, car operates fine, I'm surprised myself, but there is coolant seen on the bottom of the tank, which is hard to tell by the photos!

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by SM335i

It isnt stuck.. There is antifreeze on the bottom, I can see it.. I went out and bought some coolant + distilled water, gonna add it until the bobbler is sticking out a bit. What are some larger issues that this can lead to?



Yeah, no light, car operates fine, I'm surprised myself, but there is coolant seen on the bottom of the tank, which is hard to tell by the photos!

I see. On the side of the expantion tank tells you the right coolant levels to follow. When cold and when hot. I just added coolant to mine few days ago since was a bit low or even level with expansion tank neck. I bought a quart of coolant from dealership for about $7.00 dlls. Summer is here and we want to make sure coolant is at the right level.

[SM335i]

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

I see. On the side of the expantion tank tells you the right coolant levels to follow. When cold and when hot. I just added coolant to mine few days ago since was a bit low or even level with expansion tank neck. I bought a quart of coolant from dealership for about $7.00 dlls. Summer is here and we want to make sure coolant is at the right level.

Yeah I studied the little diagram on the side and hence for my assumption of low coolant, but I can still see it on the bottom floating around. Should one see the bottom of the expansion tank or should it be filled with coolant that you just see coolant when you pop the cap off?

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by SM335i

Yeah I studied the little diagram on the side and hence for my assumption of low coolant, but I can still see it on the bottom floating around. Should one see the bottom of the expansion tank or should it be filled with coolant that you just see coolant when you pop the cap off?

Forget about if you see coolant or not . Just follow the guidelines and thats it... Make sure needle goes about an inch over the expantion tank when COLD. TIP: Never check coolant when HOT its dangerous.

[SM335i]

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

Forget about if you see coolant or not . Just follow the guidelines and thats it... Make sure needle goes about an inch over the expantion tank when COLD. TIP: Never check coolant when HOT its dangerous.

Yeah, I've added coolant before to my previous cars, I'm just confused why its not throwing the light even though it looks a bit short on coolant....any ideas of how it measures the coolant level?

[SM335i]

Another question...I just checked my coolant again and the coolant in my 335 is like light green-ish/blue-ish ..the one I bought from the dealer is mostly blue.. am I ok adding that??

EDIT: realized the BMW coolant is 100% coolant, if I mix it with some water it should become lighter

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by SM335i

Yeah, I've added coolant before to my previous cars, I'm just confused why its not throwing the light even though it looks a bit short on coolant....any ideas of how it measures the coolant level?

That stick that is in the coolant tank has a sytrofoam float with electrical contacts on it that measures the level of the liquid in the tank. When it gets too low, the float bottoms out, the electrical connection is made and triggers the warning light.

[SM335i]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

That stick that is in the coolant tank has a sytrofoam float with electrical contacts on it that measures the level of the liquid in the tank. When it gets too low, the float bottoms out, the electrical connection is made and triggers the warning light.

Thank you for the info!

I filled it up, it took about 12 oz of coolant mix