BMWs have specific coolant requirements (nitrite and phosphate free) to prevent build-up and corrosion of aluminum components, so not just any off-the-shelf antifreeze will do.
leak in radiator. leak in radiator hoses. leak in water pump. damaged or broken radiator seal.
Where does coolant go in a car BMW?
Open the hood and locate the coolant reservoir. In most BMW models, this small black tank is to the left of the engine, but this isn’t always the case. Double-check your owner’s manual if you’re not sure what to look for. Slowly turn the cap counterclockwise so that excess pressure to be released incrementally.
Dashboard warning light: When coolant/antifreeze is low, your vehicle may notify you on its dashboard.
Rising temperature gauge: A rising temperature gauge may be due to an increase in your engine’s temperature.
Can I put any coolant in my BMW? – Related Questions
Is it OK to drive with low coolant?
Coolant helps pull heat away from the engine. So, without enough coolant, the engine could overheat or seize up. Continued use of an overheated engine could lead to permanent damage, such as pistons welding to the cylinders.
Can I put water instead of coolant in my BMW?
While you can drive the car for a short time using water in place of the coolant, it won’t effectively protect your engine. This means its essential to get the problem that caused a low coolant level fixed as soon as possible, and the radiator filled with a 50/50 ratio of coolant to water.
What does the coolant light look like on a BMW?
This yellow warning light will come on when coolant levels are running low, to remind you to top them up. Avoid making any long journeys without enough coolant: you should stop and top up as soon as possible, otherwise you risk causing serious damage to your car.
How do I check the coolant level in my BMW?
How much does BMW coolant cost?
The average cost for a BMW 328i coolant change is between $276 and $315. Labor costs are estimated between $151 and $191 while parts are priced at $124.
The ZEREX G-48 coolant is ideal for BMW cars. Designed for both diesel and gasoline engines, the coolant has low-silicate, pH, anti-phosphate technology that protects all metals, like aluminum against corrosion.
Can I just add coolant to my car?
If the coolant level is low, add the correct coolant to the reservoir (not the radiator itself). You can use diluted coolant by itself, or a 50/50 mixture of concentrated coolant and distilled water. When the coolant rises to the cold fill line, replace the cap and tighten it until you feel it click.
What happens if you put wrong coolant in your car?
Using the wrong engine coolant can gradually lead to corrosion and damage to the water pump, radiator, radiator hoses and cylinder gasket. This can lead to damage to the engine in the worst case.
Does BMW coolant need to be mixed with water?
They need to be combined to create the good coolant. You can purchase ready-made mixtures of coolant that already have water added, or you can purchase full-strength antifreeze which needs to be diluted with distilled water before being added to the engine system.
How often does a BMW need coolant?
How often should you change coolant in a BMW? Typically, you should have your BMW coolant flush completed every 30,000 miles or every two years. There are some instances where your vehicle can go without a flush for a longer period of time.
What color coolant does a BMW take?
This new green-colored coolant was introduced in 2018 and is used instead of the older blue-colored coolant. Green is backwards compatible with blue and can be used on cars before 2018.
Genuine BMW Coolant (Antifreeze), Green, 1 Gallon Jug.
Frost Protection
Quarts of BMW Coolant
Quarts of Distilled Water
-34F/-37C*
5
5
Can I mix coolant with tap water?
No, you should use distilled water or better yet, de-ionized water. The reason for this is that tap water has minerals that can deform deposits inside the radiator and the cooling system passages of your engine. And over a long period of time they can lead to over-heating.
Can a car run on water instead of coolant?
A car will not overheat if you use water instead of coolant, but it is not recommended to use water as a coolant because it can freeze and cause serious damage to your engine. Antifreeze has a lower boiling point than water, so it stops water from overheating in high temperatures.
Can I just put water in my coolant tank?
While topping up with water will help you get safely to the nearest garage and identify any issues, it shouldn’t be relied upon. Adding a little water to coolant shouldn’t do any real damage but adding too much will lower its boiling point and stop the coolant from working as efficiently.
Is coolant the same as antifreeze?
Engine coolant, also known as antifreeze, is mixed with water to keep the radiator from freezing in extreme cold and overheating in extreme heat. There are many different types of coolant, so it’s important to know what variety is right for your car or truck.
Does coolant affect AC?
Coolant can affect airflow because it regulates how cool air enters the A/C unit. If there’s not enough coolant entering the car, then too much hot air will enter instead, causing an increase in both humidity and temperature levels.