Low engine coolant warning after 15k miles

Now that I took delivery of my X3, I see the coolant reservoir is opaque (of course). I've owned vehicles with translucent reservoir but all my BMW's were opaque (or close to it).

Wait. Why buy something that BMW will provide for free during the warranty period?

Originally Posted by 02420X3

Wait. Why buy something that BMW will provide for free during the warranty period?

I don't want to be in 'East Timbuktu' with a low coolant warning, no easy way to check how low it is and possibly needing some significant amount.

Had the low coolant message once. I don't recall how many miles were on the odometer, but it was some time ago. I now have 46K on the X3 and haven't seen the low coolant warning again. BTW.....my two previous BMW's (325i and an M3) both lost small amounts of coolant on a regular basis. Never found a leak and had the system pressure checked. I simply added a cup or two as needed and didn't worry about it.

Interesting that there is no coolant "temp" gauge or any way to read it in iDrive that I found. Maybe with coding, not sure. This is the first BMW I've owned without a gauge. Although some BMW coolant temp gauges pointed to the middle and didn't move until something was really wrong, it make me feel better having a gauge. I guess it wasn't really much more useful than a display indicator is today.

At the dealer picking up some accessories and mentioned low coolant to service manager. He said not to worry and it happens and gave me a one liter bottle (like an oil bottle) of BMW antifreeze. Easier than carrying a gallon. He said mixture is 50:50 with water and when I mentioned picking up some distilled water at the market, he said it's not necessary and 'nobody uses distilled water anymore'. Really? Well, I'll pick some up anyway .

Same issue here, but just after 4,000 miles from brand new. Got the car to the dealer and they added 1.5 oz and the warning light hasn't returned. Up to 7,000 miles and no issue yet.

Same here. My 2012 X3 28i has 7400 miles on it and yesterday I got the low coolant message after starting up in the parking garage at work. It was a very cold day and I was quite surprised that a cold engine would give that check message. Today the check message did not appear, but I guess I should take it to the dealer for a top up. Seems really odd for this to occur on such a new vehicle and with no evidence of any leaking.

My 2.0 D gave me warning @40000 km of low coolant level. It turned out to be leakage in an emission control pre-heater.

Originally Posted by datrobmw

...It was a very cold day and I was quite surprised that a cold engine would give that check message...

I suspect you're most likely to see such a message when the engine and ambient temp are cold, since the coolant level rises after warmup.

15k, 25k (dealer performed pressure test), 27.7k

4-5-2013 4th low coolant warning 29.2k !

Going back to dealer to have them take another look. I do not see any drips on garage floor.

This is such a frequent occurrence, you'd think BMW would overfill a bit to avoid it or provide a small coolant bottle for top-up . I added a few cups of coolant around 12K miles and haven't had to add any since - now at 25K miles.

Originally Posted by Coder

This is such a frequent occurrence, you'd think BMW would overfill a bit to avoid it or provide a small coolant bottle for top-up . I added a few cups of coolant around 12K miles and haven't had to add any since - now at 25K miles.

My SA provided a liter container of the BMW coolant when I inquired about it.

2 months and 10 days since last fill of coolant, today I checked out of curiosity (before the low coolant light comes up), and it's low. I added 2 small cups of coolant and 2 small cups of water to have it back to the min level.

I do notice that X3's coolant cap takes no effort at all to open (compared to my E90 which is very tight), I wonder if it's being evaporated (that's why it's not showing up on pressure test?).
I did not touch coolant on E90 for 2 years and it's still the same level.

Originally Posted by fb88

2011

anyone has this happen?

I didn't get a light, but the last time I was in for service they noticed the leak and replaced some parts. Take yours in.

The low coolant indication showed up on our 2011 35 around 7K miles. Added about a pint of BMW coolant (you could probably just use distilled water, given the small amount) and, at 25K miles, haven't seen any other indications. Would seem to support the "expansion" theory. A number of other threads have discussed this topic. Very few reports of real leaks, although they do happen.

Originally Posted by Coder

...(you could probably just use distilled water, given the small amount)...

My understanding is that many dealers do not use distilled water when topping off but,... YMMV.

This seems to be common in modern turbo engines. My '06 VW GTI (2.0T) and my '11 335i (N55) both required a 6 - 10 ounce top up at the 10k - 20k miles mark. I expect the same from the '14 X3 35i I just ordered, since it is the same N55 engine that is in my 335i. Maybe it's a German thing?

After multiple low coolant warnings every 2,000 miles, dealer found and replaced the leaking coolant expansion tank.

Originally Posted by fb88

dealer found and replaced the leaking coolant expansion tank.

Same problem I had, glad you took yours in.