coolant light/service

[askari]

hey guys,

this morning, got the low coolant light, then the little service icon came up.. turned the car off and back on again and everything dissappeared.

just bought the car used a couple of weeks ago and it had the service done.

its a 2011 128i with about 33,000km's on it..

its weird, something i should be worried about?

New to bmw, not sure if this is one the quirks.. was getting late for work so have not checked the coolant yet, but its got me worried now..

[Dackelone]

Sounds like your coolant is low! Time to check it when the engine is bone cold!!

[Greenkirby21]

Ya, I would just stop by the dealership if its near your area. They filled up my coolant in 2 minutes

[zkeeper]

Let us guess...even though serviced, the coolant is low. It can happen even with service done, or perhaps not checked completely. These Bimmers can eat rad fluid over time with higher head temps...and loose, what?, maybe a pound maybe two in a month. I keep a gallon of BMW fluid, a small jar to mix 50/50 and a gallon of distilled water, and small funnel in the garage--and check our Bimmers every month--in this heat we have had especially. Just make a habit to check air, rad, oil indicator on a regular basis. Most folks I talk to around here just laugh, and never think about it...until a light goes on. At least its something we can still do...good luck with it.

[wolfe]

zkeeper, what do you mean by a pound or two? are you talking pressure or volume of coolant?

I just checked mine for the first time in about 9 months, and had to add about 450ml of coolant to get it back to the full mark. Had me kind of concerned so I'd be really interested to see how much you've had to add to the 128i.

[Dackelone]

Checking & adding engine coolant DIY

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...ht=coolant+diy

[wolfe]

Thanks Dackelone, sounds like yours used a bit of coolant too, although you've got the turbos. I topped my 128i up to full and it took nearly half a liter, just wondering if this is within the 'normal' range for other owners.

[DriveHard]

Originally Posted by wolfe

Thanks Dackelone, sounds like yours used a bit of coolant too, although you've got the turbos. I topped my 128i up to full and it took nearly half a liter, just wondering if this is within the 'normal' range for other owners.

1/2 liter... not an issue

happens every year the temp changes from hot to cold..

everything everyone else said + the little float gets sometinmes hungup on the rather thick BMW blue coolant and it takes a moment to trigger the level sensor for some reason..

you are all good...

[wolfe]

That's reassuring to know, thanks.

[zkeeper]

Yup, am a writing idiot...and for someone who writes for a living??? Sorry, had air pressure on the mind, and was writing about coolant--go figure.

Re: coolant, I maybe different than other owners, but I check the coolant each month, light or no light. Using a small clean jelly jar with lid, I find I ad 1-2 inches [50/50 BMW coolant to distilled water] or so in the summer time. Makes me feel I am servicing my own car.

RE: tires...now there is something I was referring to and should not have..but most guys here do NOT check air pressure very often. I find that the tires do go down a pound or so a month-maybe more, but have not put pencil to chart re: seasons and ambient temps. I need to do that. But I find the alloy wheels do leach air more...so I check it and love feeling its where it should be. Sorry for confusion.

[wolfe]

Got it, thanks!

[Lucky1]

I get the same thing (coolant icon + service on startup). It also tells me service required in 10,000kms. I've got 81,000kms on the odometer. My coolant bob is about 1/2inch or more below the top of the cap. Is there any actual service that needs to be done (ie rad/coolant flush) or does this service light come on every time the coolant gets a little low?

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

I get the same thing (coolant icon + service on startup). It also tells me service required in 10,000kms. I've got 81,000kms on the odometer. My coolant bob is about 1/2inch or more below the top of the cap. Is there any actual service that needs to be done (ie rad/coolant flush) or does this service light come on every time the coolant gets a little low?

Never mind my previous comment, it wasn't the coolant light it was the brake fluid light. It 01/2012 as the date on it so I assume its just a scheduled maintenance thing. They flushed my brake fluid when I installed the BMW performance brake kit a few months ago so I guess they didn't reset this indicator.

Double checked and coolant level in my car should also be fine. Weird system for checking it though

[1Fasst1]

Does everyone use BMW coolant or can you use European formula of other brands ?Seems like only so many companys would produce coolant, not like each car manufacturer its own coolant.