which coolant

lightning20 · 08-05-2009, 04:00 PM

Just had my light come on saying the coolant was low i don't live near a bmw dealership i think the nearest one is about 100 miles away so i need to know which type of coolant to buy. I searched and most just said to add water in but i think it would be better for a 50/50 mix but i don't know what kind to get i have a auto zone and a schucks near me also a wal mart so anything that can be found in those stores.

lightning20 · 08-05-2009, 05:00 PM

bump it up someone has to know

Healey3000 · 08-05-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightning20

Just had my light come on saying the coolant was low i don't live near a bmw dealership i think the nearest one is about 100 miles away so i need to know which type of coolant to buy. I searched and most just said to add water in but i think it would be better for a 50/50 mix but i don't know what kind to get i have a auto zone and a schucks near me also a wal mart so anything that can be found in those stores.

Hi,

Depending on how much you need to add, distilled water is fine and you won't go that far off the 50/50 ratio. By the way, I wouldn't assume it's a 50/50 ratio for this car as BMW coolant can be different.

As for coolant, don't use anything but original. If the E90 is anything like my E34 (and I'll bet it is), it it vital to use the original stuff only. The additives are carefully blended to protect the metal alloys in the engine.

Let me put it this way - you're better off being off-ratio by adding distilled water than by using some other brand to top off. You can mail-order the OEM coolant for future use.

Hope that helps,
Adnan

lightning20 · 08-05-2009, 06:23 PM

alright thanks guess i will use water for now but will order some coolant for next time thanks for the reply

voltron1011 · 08-06-2009, 12:29 PM

I always have a jug of distilled-water in my garage for when one of my vehicles needs the coolant topped off.

adelphi_sky · 08-06-2009, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voltron1011

I always have a jug of distilled-water in my garage for when one of my vehicles needs the coolant topped off.

Doesn't your service center top off all your fluids for free? At least that's what mine told me. They said just bring it in and they'll top off all the fluids. Can't imagine them fretting over a quart of coolant.

David 12 · 08-06-2009, 10:41 PM

If memory serves, a fifty-fifty mix of Zerex G-05 and distilled water is ok to use.

08-05-2009, 04:00 PM	#1
lightning20 First Lieutenant 10 Rep 343 Posts Drives: 07 335i sedan Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Oregon iTrader: (3)	which coolant Just had my light come on saying the coolant was low i don't live near a bmw dealership i think the nearest one is about 100 miles away so i need to know which type of coolant to buy. I searched and most just said to add water in but i think it would be better for a 50/50 mix but i don't know what kind to get i have a auto zone and a schucks near me also a wal mart so anything that can be found in those stores.
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08-05-2009, 05:00 PM	#2
lightning20 First Lieutenant 10 Rep 343 Posts Drives: 07 335i sedan Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Oregon iTrader: (3)	bump it up someone has to know
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08-05-2009, 06:23 PM	#4
lightning20 First Lieutenant 10 Rep 343 Posts Drives: 07 335i sedan Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Oregon iTrader: (3)	alright thanks guess i will use water for now but will order some coolant for next time thanks for the reply
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08-06-2009, 12:29 PM	#5
voltron1011 Colonel 119 Rep 2,909 Posts Drives: 2011 135i, FJR-1300 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wiesbaden iTrader: (2)	I always have a jug of distilled-water in my garage for when one of my vehicles needs the coolant topped off. __________________ '06 E90 325i (Delivered May '05) 6-spd manual, Nav, Xenons, 18' 162's, sport-suspension, 15mm RE spacers, NURBURGRING: http://www.e90post.com/forums/album.php?albumid=3270
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08-06-2009, 10:41 PM	#7
David 12 Major 127 Rep 1,048 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X5 50i BSM, M Sport Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Omaha iTrader: (0)	If memory serves, a fifty-fifty mix of Zerex G-05 and distilled water is ok to use.
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