What Coolant/Antifreeze??

mistry · 02-02-2009, 03:48 AM

Driving home yesterday I had a message pop up saying my coolent level was low. (never had this on any other car before).

Anyway I was wondering is the BMW specific coolant any different to the stuff in Halfords/Petrol stations?

doughboy · 02-02-2009, 04:07 AM

As long as its suitable for aluminium engines, you should be OK. Check the spec in the manual.

For the sake of a few quid, might be on the safe side to just buy a bottle from the dealers if you are still in warranty.

mistry · 02-02-2009, 04:19 AM

I guess your right, for a few quid. It's just that the dealers is 25 mins drive. (but that could be a nice excuse to get out and play if it carries on snowings) lots of car parks on the way.

Joyrida · 02-02-2009, 04:34 AM

Get it from a stealer, its like 10-15 squid but its better than buying the wrong coolant / antifreeze. There are many stories of incorrect coolants damaging the engine, these may just be stories, but best to stay safe.

The actual coolant is blue in colour.

Too much snow this morning.. had to leave the 335i at home and used the old mans 1.1i fiesta. Glad I did cos I passed many beemers stuck in hedges on the way to work !

PhilR · 02-02-2009, 04:35 AM

Happened to me this morning as soon as I started the car - "Coolant Too Low" message. I pulled into TESCO garage 1/2 mile from my house and bought a £1.99 bottle of "Summer Antifreeze". I am guessing the summer bit means it's weak as pi££ and hence only £1.99.

Anyway added about 1/6 of the bottle. Car due a service in 900 miles so will be replaced with some decent stuff in a few weeks.

MO_1 · 05-09-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhilR

Happened to me this morning as soon as I started the car - "Coolant Too Low" message. I pulled into TESCO garage 1/2 mile from my house and bought a £1.99 bottle of "Summer Antifreeze". I am guessing the summer bit means it's weak as pi££ and hence only £1.99.

Anyway added about 1/6 of the bottle. Car due a service in 900 miles so will be replaced with some decent stuff in a few weeks.

Do you have to drain the coolant befor you can add more?

Also is it ok just to add water?

PhilR · 05-11-2009, 03:24 AM

No need to drain the coolant just to top it up if only a little fluid is required.

If it's only just below the min level then I imagine adding a little water will be OK. It will reduce the freezing temp slightly although.

On a recent service my coolant was tested to -37C (as per the service report) which appears to be the manufacturers target for coolant performance.

Dr Dave · 05-14-2009, 02:34 PM

It would be permissible to add water only if only a small amount of topping up is required - it would be better than adding the wrong type of antifreeze to the engine.

I personally wouldn't touch Tesco Antifreeze/Coolant!

02-02-2009, 03:48 AM	#1
mistry Captain 49 Rep 827 Posts Drives: F11 530D Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: South West iTrader: (1)	What Coolant/Antifreeze?? Driving home yesterday I had a message pop up saying my coolent level was low. (never had this on any other car before). Anyway I was wondering is the BMW specific coolant any different to the stuff in Halfords/Petrol stations?
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02-02-2009, 04:07 AM	#2
doughboy Major General 1578 Rep 8,971 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Comp 6MT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	As long as its suitable for aluminium engines, you should be OK. Check the spec in the manual. For the sake of a few quid, might be on the safe side to just buy a bottle from the dealers if you are still in warranty.
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02-02-2009, 04:19 AM	#3
mistry Captain 49 Rep 827 Posts Drives: F11 530D Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: South West iTrader: (1)	I guess your right, for a few quid. It's just that the dealers is 25 mins drive. (but that could be a nice excuse to get out and play if it carries on snowings) lots of car parks on the way.
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02-02-2009, 04:34 AM	#4
Joyrida Private 0 Rep 91 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Uk iTrader: (0)	Get it from a stealer, its like 10-15 squid but its better than buying the wrong coolant / antifreeze. There are many stories of incorrect coolants damaging the engine, these may just be stories, but best to stay safe. The actual coolant is blue in colour. Too much snow this morning.. had to leave the 335i at home and used the old mans 1.1i fiesta. Glad I did cos I passed many beemers stuck in hedges on the way to work !
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02-02-2009, 04:35 AM	#5
PhilR Second Lieutenant 9 Rep 283 Posts Drives: E93 330d M Sport Auto Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Teesside / Surrey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2002 Mercedes CLK 3 ... [0.00] 2007 Audi Q7 S Line ... [0.00] 2006 (56) 330d M Sp ... [0.00]	Happened to me this morning as soon as I started the car - "Coolant Too Low" message. I pulled into TESCO garage 1/2 mile from my house and bought a £1.99 bottle of "Summer Antifreeze". I am guessing the summer bit means it's weak as pi££ and hence only £1.99. Anyway added about 1/6 of the bottle. Car due a service in 900 miles so will be replaced with some decent stuff in a few weeks.
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05-11-2009, 03:24 AM	#7
PhilR Second Lieutenant 9 Rep 283 Posts Drives: E93 330d M Sport Auto Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Teesside / Surrey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2002 Mercedes CLK 3 ... [0.00] 2007 Audi Q7 S Line ... [0.00] 2006 (56) 330d M Sp ... [0.00]	No need to drain the coolant just to top it up if only a little fluid is required. If it's only just below the min level then I imagine adding a little water will be OK. It will reduce the freezing temp slightly although. On a recent service my coolant was tested to -37C (as per the service report) which appears to be the manufacturers target for coolant performance.
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05-14-2009, 02:34 PM	#8
Dr Dave Zummerzet Zyder Drinker! 116 Rep 5,541 Posts Drives: '06 330D Le Mans Blue Join Date: May 2009 Location: Somerset iTrader: (3) Garage List 2006 330d M Sport [0.00]	It would be permissible to add water only if only a small amount of topping up is required - it would be better than adding the wrong type of antifreeze to the engine. I personally wouldn't touch Tesco Antifreeze/Coolant!
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