- Hood is open. The hood release on your BMW 3-Series can be found underneath the dashboard. When you hear the BMW hood pop open, pull the lever. The hood safety latch at the front of your 3-Series needs to be released next.
- The hood should be raised and locked open.
- the Coolant Reservoir’s location. The BMW’s coolant reservoir (tank) can then be found. Here, you may check the coolant level and top it out if necessary. The coolant expansion tank is found on the driver’s side of the engine in a 3-Series. Slowly remove the cover. Only after the engine has cooled should you open the cap.
- Remove cap to check the coolant level in a BMW 3-Series. Observe the low and high levels in the coolant reservoir tank. You must replenish coolant if the level falls below the minimal level, or your 3-Series risked overheating. The floating gadget is used by the BMW 3-series to gauge the coolant level.
- Add antifreeze and engine coolant. Use only the BMW-recommended coolant type.
In This Article...
What sort of coolant will work with a BMW?
No matter what type of car you drive, whether it’s a BMW, Porsche, Mercedes Benz, Audi, Mini, or Volkswagen, your car circulates a solution of water and coolant to dissipate the heat generated within the engine and prevent it from completely melting down (one notable exception are older Porsche models that are air and oil cooled and did not use water or coolant, but instead circulated a large amount of oil to dissipate the heat).
A Spectrum of Colors
Which coolant type is best for your BMW, Porsche, Mercedes Benz, Audi, or Volkswagen out of the many available options? The answer is the kind that was initially installed in your car. Your coolant may be green, pink, blue, yellow, or even clear depending on the manufacturer. All coolants are naturally transparent, and dye is used to give them color. It has no impact on the coolant’s chemical properties that each producer adds their own colour blend. Because the water in Europe is substantially harder than the water in the United States, European manufacturers prefer coolant that is phosphate-free.
Inorganic Acid Technology (IAT), Organic Acid Technology (OAT), and Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT) are the three most common coolant types available today. A HOAT coolant is used by your BMW, Porsche, Mercedes Benz, Audi, or Volkswagen.
In order to protect aluminum surfaces, silicate is added to OAT coolants to create HOAT coolants. The cylinder heads and radiators, as well as other parts of your BMW, Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Audi, and Volkswagen engine and cooling systems, are constructed of aluminum.
Silicate and phosphate corrosion inhibitors are not used in OAT coolants. These coolants are made to last for 150,000 miles and have a long service life (or 5 years). It should be mentioned, nevertheless, that German Auto Center and the majority of manufacturers advise cleansing or replacing the coolant every two years.
The metal (Iron) components of the engine and cooling system are protected by traditional coolants, which are IAT coolants and use silicate and phosphate corrosion inhibitors. IAT coolants shouldn’t be utilized because the majority of the iron components in your BMW, Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Mini, Audi, and Volkswagen have been replaced with aluminum and other lighter composites.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that modern German performance cars, whether you drive a Porsche, Mercedes Benz, Mini BMW, Volkswagen, or Audi, will last you for many miles and years if you maintain them properly. German Auto Center in Austin is the place to go for German auto repairs. We will be pleased to help you!
Does BMW require specialized coolant?
In addition to controlling engine temperatures, the quality of your BMW coolant is essential for lubricating the water pump, guarding against corrosion and buildup, providing anti-freeze during the winter, and, in some models, assisting in cooling for engine and gearbox oil coolers. Not just any antifreeze will do; BMWs have special coolant needs (nitrite and phosphate free) to prevent build-up and corrosion of metal components. Along with BMW coolant, we also sell coolant additives like Red Line Water Wetter, which lower combustion chamber temperatures and elevate boiling points in order to prevent detonation and banging.
Can I use water in my BMW instead of coolant?
Your radiator system becomes more contaminated when you use water. Although using water instead of low coolant is significantly better for the engine, you should switch the water out as soon as you can for the proper coolant for your car.
Any remaining coolant in the radiator is diluted when water is added to it. Preventing corrosion, raising the boiling point of water, and reducing the freezing point of water are just a few of the crucial jobs that coolant does. While using water in place of the coolant will allow you to drive the automobile for a brief period of time, your engine won’t be adequately protected.
This means that the radiator needs to be filled with a 50/50 mixture of coolant and water as soon as the issue that led to a low coolant level is resolved.
Why is the coolant in my BMW low?
You should take your automobile to the automotive service shop as soon as possible for an inspection and maintenance if your coolant is low because it could be an indication of a larger issue. Some of the causes of a possible coolant shortage in your car include the following:
- reservoir leak or overflow tank
- a radiator leak
- radiator hose leak
- water pump leak
- cracked or compromised radiator seal
- defective head gasket
How does a BMW’s coolant light appear?
To keep your engine from overheating, coolant fluid absorbs the heat from your engine and distributes it through the radiator.
When coolant levels are low, this yellow warning light will illuminate to prompt you to top them off.
Avoid taking any lengthy trips without enough coolant; instead, stop as soon as you can and top it off to prevent major damage to your vehicle. Before topping off, let the engine to cool. Get your car serviced if this light appears frequently to be sure there isn’t a leak.
Can a BMW be operated with the coolant light on?
It can startle you when the coolant light on your BMW illuminates. Any sign that your BMW isn’t operating properly should raise suspicions. If this occurs to you, you should immediately pull over and stop driving even though this normally indicates that the coolant level has fallen too low. Refilling your coolant could be a simple remedy, or you might need professional assistance to fix your BMW.
Is water need to be added to BMW coolant?
To make the best coolant, they must be mixed. You can purchase antifreeze that is full strength and needs to be diluted with distilled water before being applied to the engine system, or you can purchase ready-made combinations of coolant that already have water added.
What is the price of BMW coolant?
A BMW 328i coolant change typically costs between $276 and $315. While materials are priced at $124, labor costs are projected to range from $151 to $191.
Why is blue coolant used by BMW?
To maintain your cooling system operating at its peak, use only German OEM engine antifreeze, component number 82141467704. (82 14 1 467 704). Because they don’t include nitrites, amines, phosphates, or borates, BMW exclusively suggests specific coolants. BMW cooling systems typically do not work with off-the-shelf coolant from a neighborhood parts store, and mixing various coolant formulas is not advised (in a pinch you should use distilled water).
The well-known blue coolant, which has been in use since the 1990s, is only permitted for vehicles with model years up to 2018. Internally, it is referred to as the G48 formula and is exclusive to BMW/MINI vehicles. In comparison to other forms of coolant, the blue coolant formula is a hybrid that extends coolant service life and is less harmful to the environment. On vehicles manufactured in 2018 and later, BMW replaced it with a new formulation that contains silicate and offers superior immediate corrosion protection. BMW does not advise using the older blue formula for vehicles created after January 2018.
For increased corrosion resistance, anti-freeze defense, and water pump lubrication in street cars, we advise combining distilled water in a 1:1 ratio with the mixture. Reduce the amount of antifreeze in your coolant mixture if you want more cooling properties, but only in warmer climates where freezing is impossible (see chart below). We advise monitoring the freezing point of the coolant mixture if you want to use antifreeze and water ratios other than 1:1.
Red Line Water Wetter can also be added if high temperatures could lead to engine banging or pre-ignition.
- BMW # 82141467704, genuine German OEM antifreeze
- optimum cooling, freeze prevention, lubrication of the water pump, and corrosion resistance
How can I determine whether my automobile needs coolant?
1. When the engine is operating, the temperature gauge displays a higher temperature than usual. 2. Antifreeze puddles and spills under your car (orange or green fluid) 3. Your vehicle’s hood is making a grinding sound. 4. The antifreeze/coolant liquid starts to contain flecks or pieces of rust. 5. The engine is producing steam or an odor akin to maple syrup that is boiling.
Do I have to wait to drive after adding coolant?
After adding coolant, how long should I let the engine run? The most crucial thing, he continues, is “your own safety.” The engine, hood, and any leaking coolant can all cool down by waiting for at least 15 minutes.
Can I replace coolant on my own?
Step back as the pressure releases, then slightly loosen the reservoir cover. The cap should then be fully removed. Add the proper coolant to the reservoir if the coolant level is low (not the radiator itself). Use diluted coolant alone or combine concentrated coolant and distilled water 50/50.
When my coolant level is low, can I drive?
Electric cars, hybrid cars, diesel engines, and gasoline engines all inherently produce heat. Some of this heat is directed into the interior of your automobile when you turn on the heater for comfort. However, there are other ways to control the majority of the heat.
Your car relies on a liquid known as antifreeze, sometimes known as engine coolant, to guarantee that the engine maintains an ideal working temperature. Driving with insufficient coolant could cause your engine to overheat, which is usually bad for your engine, your car, and your trip!
How frequently should I add coolant?
Ideally, you should check your engine coolant twice a year, before summer and winter. However, the advise may differ depending on the car brand.
Manufacturers’ recommendations differ when it comes to emptying and replacing the coolant completely, though depending on how old your automobile is, this might be after a minimum of 30,000 miles.
Your coolant must be changed immediately if you observe any corrosion or discoloration.
Why does the coolant level decrease?
The majority of the time, leaks in the cooling system, such as those in the hoses, radiator, or radiator cap, are the cause of your car’s coolant level lowering. A rising temperature gauge, a sweet smell (antifreeze smell), issues with your car’s heater, or higher fuel usage could be signs of this.
If your coolant level dips, always go to a professional to get it fixed. Simply topping off your coolant should never be used as a temporary fix for leaks.
Why do I have low coolant but no leaks?
When coolant is being lost yet there isn’t a leak in sight, numerous parts could be to blame. It can be a manifold leak, a broken cylinder head, a blown head gasket, or damaged cylinder bores. Another option is a hydraulic lock.
Check these parts for fractures, damage, or faults if the antifreeze disappears for no apparent reason. If any of these problems persist for too long, the engine could be destroyed. If the mechanic does not discover any signs of exhaust gases in the coolant, you can rest easy. It indicates that the liquid has not yet gotten to the engine.