X3 Coolant and Wiper Fluid

What are the brand names of the Coolant and Wiper Fluid that everyone uses for their X3?


Thanks everyone!

coolant i use only bmw, windshield fluid anyone that dosnt contain rainx

I've come to like the yellow Prestone De-Icer Windshiled Washer Fluid for the winter months. Their calims about peventing icing and re-freezing of the fluid are true. For the summer month, I just use a generic brand.

Originally Posted by DougS

I've come to like the yellow Prestone De-Icer Windshiled Washer Fluid for the winter months. Their calims about peventing icing and re-freezing of the fluid are true. For the summer month, I just use a generic brand.

De-Icer Windshiled Washer Fluid what's that

ab

Originally Posted by beemerfan

What are the brand names of the Coolant and Wiper Fluid that everyone uses for their X3?
Thanks everyone!

Ain't nothing like the real thing baby (Marvin Gaye)............

The original BMW factory wiper fluid. Actually have had the car 18 months and only had to fill up the wiper fluid once.

Can't beat the smell and AAA content of the factory stuff

Hard to get - but my dealer gets in a few cases now and then, for customers who want the factory stuff.

I just had an eye opening experience at my BMW dealer who was "diagnosing" a windshield washer fluid leak in my 2004 X3. I was presented with an estimate of over $700 to "replace the connector" AND to replace the carpet in the vehicle because the failure of the connecter caused the washer fluid to leak into the passenger compartment and soak the carpet. Disregarding the obvious question about why a vehicle was designed in such a way that an entirely external apparatus could foul the interior, I told them that I had checked and found that this was a common problem with the 2004 X3. They agreed, but said that it was the result of "using the wrong concentration washer fluid." Curiously BMW acknowledges that they make no note in the user manual or anywhere else about using a particular fluid or fluid concentration. They agreed to cover the cost of the fluid reservoir parts IF I had the carpet replaced at my expense and paid for all labor. If I only wanted the fluid reservior repaired, I would have to foot the entire bill of just over $500.00. The really interesting thing is that I've used nothing but dealer supplied fluid.

Originally Posted by mathjak107

coolant i use only bmw, windshield fluid anyone that dosnt contain rainx

Ditto that with emphasis on not using Rainx. It might be OK for airplanes but never, never use it on a car windshield. It makes visibiity worse in two ways: The raindrops slide up the windshield thus obscuring more of it. And when the wipers wipe, a film is left that creates huge headlight glare. I know there are many fans of Rainx out there (and that there will by some flames in reply), but this was my experience, and maybe they don't live in the rainy Northwest. Also, you can never get the stuff off. Silicone has it's uses but not on your windshield!

Since the original post is from Seattle, I can tell you that you can find a Mr. Clean brand of washer fluid at Shucks, rated to -30F. Works fine. I went with the coldest rating I could find after the day my washers froze up on Snoqualmie pass at +14F. Haven't seen such cold temps since so I can't say how good it actually is.

Originally Posted by JG

Can't beat the smell and AAA content of the factory stuff

I love the smell too! What AAA stands for?
WOW another old thread resurrected....

A follow-up to my note about the washer fluid leak in my X3. I went to the dealership and went over the car with the service technician. It turns out that the fluid in the reservoir under the hood reaches the rear window washer via a plastic line that runs through the passenger compartment. Between the two front seats on the passenger side is a connecter that links the front part of the line to the rear part. According to the technician this connecter is designed to pop open if the fluid freezes to prevent the line tiself from rupturing(thus the comment about my using the wrong concentration fluid). I told him that the fluid in the reservoir was fluid that they put it at the last servicing, so why was it the wrong concentration? He said that the "free" maintenance package only covers one bottle of the washer fluid and they dilute it with water to fill the reservoir. He also said that when they encounter the popped connector they always use electrical tape around it to prevent it from popping again! So, if I have this straight, BMW designed the system specifically to flood the interior with washer fluid at a known point, rather than risk having the line rupture at some arbitrary point. AND their service procedure ensures that it won't pop at the designed point again; instead it ruptures the line itself. FIRST LESSON LEARNED: Ask for undiluted washer fluid at service intervals and pay for the extra fluid needed. SECOND LESSON LEARNED: The foam beneath the carpeting of the X3 is an excellent sponge, but an expensive one! THIRD LESSON LEARNED: Next time buy a Mercedes, where the REAL German engineers work.

Originally Posted by W. McCollum

Next time buy a Mercedes, where the REAL German engineers work.

uh-uh, another unhappy camper. I've never heard of this issue before....
Mercedes....ha!

Originally Posted by W. McCollum

I just had an eye opening experience at my BMW dealer who was "diagnosing" a windshield washer fluid leak in my 2004 X3. I was presented with an estimate of over $700 to "replace the connector" AND to replace the carpet in the vehicle because the failure of the connecter caused the washer fluid to leak into the passenger compartment and soak the carpet. Disregarding the obvious question about why a vehicle was designed in such a way that an entirely external apparatus could foul the interior, I told them that I had checked and found that this was a common problem with the 2004 X3. They agreed, but said that it was the result of "using the wrong concentration washer fluid." Curiously BMW acknowledges that they make no note in the user manual or anywhere else about using a particular fluid or fluid concentration. They agreed to cover the cost of the fluid reservoir parts IF I had the carpet replaced at my expense and paid for all labor. If I only wanted the fluid reservior repaired, I would have to foot the entire bill of just over $500.00. The really interesting thing is that I've used nothing but dealer supplied fluid.

That is why I keep all paper work and document everything. I would contact BMWNA--I dont think they can afford any bad publicity at this point in the economy.

Originally Posted by X3-terrestrial

I love the smell too! What AAA stands for?
WOW another old thread resurrected....

Alcohol level.............probably should have said XXX.

This thread is way old!

Originally Posted by W. McCollum

A follow-up to my note about the washer fluid leak in my X3...(..) .

Ref. X3 I had exactly the same problem as you. My wife drives an X3 and rang me the other day to tell me the driver and rear footwell were flooded with water, at the same time as the washer fluid tank, which had been filled up at at BMW dealer 2 weeks ago, was completely drained. I couldn't figure out whether the 2 events were related until I smelt the fluid on the floor...then I saw your note and it all made sense.
I don't have any intention to replace the carpet (no cash to do so either).. took some work, but loads of towels and my wife's hair drier dried it up just fine !
Fixing the issue is going to be another problem , though. Will have a go at it myself this weekend but reckon it's not going to be as simple as it looks.
A bit surprised that BMW screwed up on the engineering design of this particular car, since I've had , and still have, brilliant 3-series models which have never given me any cause for concern at all...

Originally Posted by Enmosh

.... the driver and rear footwell were flooded

Ah, Enmosh is from the U.K., so that's right - the tubing for the rear washer is routed on the left hand side (as you face the vehicle).

Not sure why this seems to happen when the tank has recently been topped up at a dealership.

It doesn't get that cold in the U.K. for the fluid to freeze.

Maybe they have changed the formulation and some additive is making that connecting piece expand or contract?

Originally Posted by JG

Ain't nothing like the real thing baby (Marvin Gaye)............

The original BMW factory wiper fluid. Actually have had the car 18 months and only had to fill up the wiper fluid once.

Can't beat the smell and AAA content of the factory stuff

Hard to get - but my dealer gets in a few cases now and then, for customers who want the factory stuff.

Originally Posted by X3-terrestrial

I love the smell too! What AAA stands for?
WOW another old thread resurrected....

Originally Posted by JG

Alcohol level.............probably should have said XXX.

This thread is way old!

can someone describe the smell of the fluid?
I've noticed a rather strong odor in my X3 the past few days, almost an alcohol type smell.
was going to pop the hood when I get home and check the reservoir but figured I'd ask here as well.

Windshield washer fluid: any generic blue stuff that's good to -20F. I happen to like blue!

WWF consumption: 600 miles/gallon.

interesting..... My washer light went off today, and I had a puddle on the drivers side floor board... hmmm

Same problem here. Filled up the tank and the next morning it was empty. Luckily I had placed a tin oil drainage under the car to catch some of the fluid so I would know I was not crazy. (Also to protect the carpet in my garage, that I use to work on the cars!)

I'm gonna try some good old DAP silicone that I bought today and seal up the grommets and pumps in the tank.

Wow, this is an old thread!

Had my X3 in for 30K service about a week ago. 2 days later the windshield washer fluid light came on. I assumed they screwed up and forgot to add fluid. Now I've got to look and see if I have a leak somewhere, though I hadn't noticed any fluid or odor in the cabin.

This thread started in '06! The plastic washer fluid tanks can and do crack over time so that might be the cause of fluid loss too.

I went in and pulled the fluid tank and what I found was one of the pumps was not securely in place. Instead of the silicone I just took two twisty ties and wrapped them around both of the pumps and the bottom parts of the tank, and pulled them tight to secure the seal for the pumps. That did the trick because I have not lost any fluid in a week.

Didn't work. Took alot longer -now a really slow leak, but a leak none the less. So now I will go in and try the silicone route.

Manual states that the coolant is lifetime, thoughts on this? If not, i'd use OEM fluid. As for wiper, I've always been a fan of RainX (I know some previous disagreed), but I am not sure how it will work with the supposed heated headlight washers...

So just FYI if you find your washer fluid leaking out under the hood, it could be the pumps themselves leaking. My wife's 2006 X3 washer fluid leaked out within a week of being filled and i noticed the leaking coming from the pump closest to the engine which feeds the windshield sprayers. I ordered a new OEM pump and grommet/strainer and replaced easily in 15 minutes. Here is a little guide i put together on the process, hope it helps someone as this problem seem pretty prevalent in these cars. You can usually get both parts for < $50. There are several other threads about this on this forums too so just search for them.

Do It Yourself Guide To Replacing BMW X3 Washer Pumps

Hope it helps, you can definitely save yourself some $$$...