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BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

30250 messages,  Last post on Mar 24, 2013 at 11:51 AM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Sedan

Messages Page 2167 of 3026

#21656 of 30250 Dumb antifreeze question by hgeyer

Jan 26, 2003 (8:54 am)

My low-coolant warning light went on the other day on my 2002 330i. I stopped by the local dealer and picked up a gallon of BMW-spec anti-freeze. I mixed it 50:50 with water and used about 1/4 gallon to top off my car.
 
I decided to check my wife's Toyota Sienna and noticed that she's about 1/4-1/2 gallon low as well. I would like to add some of the mix that I made with my BMW anti-freeze to her car.
 
Common sense tells me that this should be OK, but I thought I'd check with some experts. I really don't want to have to go buy some Prestone and have a second 1/2 gallon laying around my garage.
 
Thanks.

#21657 of 30250 Anti-freeze by kdshapiro

Jan 26, 2003 (9:18 am)

If it were my car, I would just add it. Don't know about mixing it with water though. Is that what BMW recommends?

#21658 of 30250 Anti-freeze by hgeyer

Jan 26, 2003 (9:29 am)

You're supposed to mix it 50:50 with water for "normal" operating temperatures, 60:40 for extreme hot/cold conditions. Instructions are on the back of the container.

#21659 of 30250 Cold Weather driving by hippo168

Jan 26, 2003 (9:31 am)

Some people suggest warming up the car, but some are against it. I do warm up my car before driving in cold weather.
 
-It usually takes a couple minutes (compare to almost 10 with my old 89 Accord), wait till the rpm drops a little bit; by that time, the temp gauge will slowly start to move up as well.
 
-Start driving, but keep the rpm low(er), i.e. upshift earlier, until the temp gauge is at the normal operating range. Don't red-line it right away.
 
Any other suggestions?

#21660 of 30250 hgeyer by kdshapiro

Jan 26, 2003 (9:36 am)

The coolant on my 330 was low. I bought some Prestone and added it straight out of the container until the gauge was fully extended.
 
I probably added maybe a quart of straight anti-freeze. Interested about mixing it with water though. I've never done that.

#21661 of 30250 Winter Warm Ups by riez

Jan 26, 2003 (12:29 pm)

Thought I read in Consumer Reports and some other sources that have studied the issue that starting the car up and then letting it idle for 5-10 minutes was NOT recommended. That is hard on the car. Better to just start it up and drive it gently until it warms up. Key is no jackrabbit starts, overreving, hard shifting, etc. Watch the gauges and after a few miles and minutes she'll be ready for more normal use.
 
One thing to remember is to NOT use the heater initially. One, you essentially just get cold air for first 5 minutes or so anyway so it isn't doing much for the front windows or interior temperature. Second, it bleeds heat from the car's engine, making it take longer to warm up.
 
Better solution: Dress warmly. Wear gloves. Carefully scrape windows off from outside. Never use windshield wipers to remove ice or snow. AND (most important?) buy a BMW with both heated seats and heated steering wheel! My wife is jealous of my 540i6's heated steering wheel. She wants one so bad in her 323ia. But ya can't get in 3 Series.
 
Go RAIDERS!

#21662 of 30250 Cleaning dash, doors and seats by cecilt1

Jan 26, 2003 (12:32 pm)

What do people use to clean the dash, entire door, shifter area, armrest and seats? Picked up an '01 330i with leather seats and want to clean it all up. Thanks

#21663 of 30250 antifreeze caution by nerd

Jan 26, 2003 (12:50 pm)

Do NOT mix the red/orange color (long life) antifreeze with the green color (standard) antifreeze! They are not compatible. The red antifreeze uses carboxylate chemistry to inhibit corrosion, and the green antifreeze uses the classical silicate chemistry. Even Texaco, who developed the carboxylate chemistry, will tell you not to mix them. Some manufacturers (like Ford for the engine in my Mazda pickup) specifically say not to use the red antifreeze.
 
I recommend that you check your owner's manual to determine which antifreeze to use. BMW uses the red, at least that is what is in my wife's 325Ci.
 
If you want to convert a vehicle to the red antifreeze, I would confirm that the manufacturer approves its use. Then, ensure that the cooling system is flushed thoroughly before adding the red.

#21664 of 30250 antifreeze by kdshapiro

Jan 26, 2003 (1:03 pm)

I looked down the filler tube with a flashlight, the color seemed to be green. Can anybody confirm 02 330 has red or green anti-freeze.

#21665 of 30250 Nerd/KD by hgeyer

Jan 26, 2003 (1:18 pm)

The BMW anti-freeze that I put in is definately Green/Blue. The anti-freeze that was in there is not red!
 
When I bought the stuff at the dealer, I confirmed that there is only one type of anti-freeze for all BMWs (I was aware of differing types, but unfamiliar with the details).

Messages Page 2167 of 3026

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