Coolant question

[Tchen811]

I have a 2004 330CI with about 10,300 miles on it. This morning the low coolant warning light came on and I check and indeed the coolant was low. My first question is that is it normal for the coolant to be low at 10,000 miles? Also, can I just buy any brand of coolant from the likes of Pep Boys? Or is it required to use some kind of BMW sanctioned brand? By the way, I live in Southern California if that helps.

 

[JGM3E3632]

BMW coolant is suppose to mix with anything. (BMW coolant is the only antifreeze that I use) Did the light come on while driving? Or did it come on when you first started the car? When the climate changes(gets colder) the level of coolant in system is less. Does the light go off after the car has reached optimal temperature? [bmwdance]

 

[Tchen811]

The light came on when I first drove in the morning and went off after a couple mins. However, when I checked the level later in the morning, I can still see the red rod, but it wasn't at the full position. Does it mean the coolant is low. This has never happened before and I don't believe last night was especially cold.

 

[JGM3E3632]

add coolant while the engine is cold to the line. You should be okay.

 

[codex57]

Mine did that. Also at approximately the 10,000 mile mark. Apparently, some cars do that and it's normal. I think you're supposed to get coolant without a certain ingredient, but I didn't know that and poured in a small amount of the AutoZone stuff. I imagine a little can't hurt too much.

 

[TheBry]

Same happened to me... and at just about the same mileage -- both coolant and oil were low (but at slightly different times) and the respective indicator lights came on. I topped off both and have been fine ever since. I'm at over 21,000 miles now. I've been driving a LOT. I took delivery in mid-March 2004 ;-)

 

[geneo]

if its a small amount low it will light when cold and go out when warm because of expansion i would use bmw coolant its not that much a gallon and it wont be needed that much so you will have it on hand as long as you dont see it on the ground you will be fine

 

[bmwhighrolla]

whats with the 330 i i see alot of peopple with problem that have these.. and their all new yet. is this the bmw quality of the e46 or is it just this model personally i will always stick to the e36 cuz thats the best body if you ask me how come you rarely see anything bout the m3 except people complaining about exhaust rasp??? did they make it that perfect? as long as the e36 m3 has been out i have never heard of problems i am sure there is some but i never heard em...
sorry to be off topic

 

[aNoodle]

whats with the 330 i i see alot of peopple with problem that have these.. and their all new yet. is this the bmw quality of the e46 or is it just this model personally i will always stick to the e36 cuz thats the best body if you ask me how come you rarely see anything bout the m3 except people complaining about exhaust rasp??? did they make it that perfect? as long as the e36 m3 has been out i have never heard of problems i am sure there is some but i never heard em...
sorry to be off topic

I could be going out on a limb here, who knows, but i think they went with a new hose connection. Gone are the clamps you have to tighten and make sure the metal is secure. With the E46, and who knows if this is true of the E36, i'm just wondering here, all the hoses are factory attached to snap-in connectors with o-rings. I had heard there is a breaking in period.