Help with Coolant

Anyone who reads my blog knows that I've had a "low coolant" issue since delivery a week ago. A recent trip to the dealership showed the coolant lever to be full (the engine was warm). This morning I check on a cold engine and the level is below the "Minimum" mark.

I'd prefer to just take care of this myself without having to go back to the dealership. Can I just use some Zerex antifreeze that I've had in the garage for several years. It's not contaminated in any way. In fact, I don't think it's even been opened. Or should I just get some distilled water at Walmart and add a little of that?

Here's the background if you're interested. BLOG.

i would NOT mix coolant. some are not compatible.

if you need to top off you can add a little distilled water ( a cup or two will not throw off the freeze point enough to be a huge worry). i would only top it off with bmw coolant

Originally Posted by mbroadway

Anyone who reads my blog knows that I've had a "low coolant" issue since delivery a week ago. A recent trip to the dealership showed the coolant lever to be full (the engine was warm). This morning I check on a cold engine and the level is below the "Minimum" mark.

I'd prefer to just take care of this myself without having to go back to the dealership. Can I just use some Zerex antifreeze that I've had in the garage for several years. It's not contaminated in any way. In fact, I don't think it's even been opened. Or should I just get some distilled water at Walmart and add a little of that?

Here's the background if you're interested. BLOG.

You should contact your dealer as there should be NO COSTS to own, in those first 4 year/50K.

Originally Posted by mbroadway

Anyone who reads my blog knows that I've had a "low coolant" issue since delivery a week ago. A recent trip to the dealership showed the coolant lever to be full (the engine was warm). This morning I check on a cold engine and the level is below the "Minimum" mark.

I'd prefer to just take care of this myself without having to go back to the dealership. Can I just use some Zerex antifreeze that I've had in the garage for several years. It's not contaminated in any way. In fact, I don't think it's even been opened. Or should I just get some distilled water at Walmart and add a little of that?

Here's the background if you're interested. BLOG.

What are you thinking?

Originally Posted by Froglet

You should contact your dealer as there should be NO COSTS to own, in those first 4 year/50K.

+1, have the dealer make this right for you.

Clearly, they have checked the level before delivery & maybe since you brought it in for them to look at. Something else is causing this. If you start draining fluid & adding fluid there's no reason to believe that will solve the problem & it may make matters worse.

Originally Posted by Orient330iNYC

i would NOT mix coolant. some are not compatible.

if you need to top off you can add a little distilled water ( a cup or two will not throw off the freeze point enough to be a huge worry). i would only top it off with bmw coolant

BMW coolant is G48. The Zerex G-05 meets that spec. Don't use anything with high-phosphate or high-silicon content.