Low coolant level word to the wise (which I was not)

[mtthmpsn]

So I'm kicking myself. After a 8 hour plane flight from Germany, an hour in customs, and an hour into my drive home from NYC in 95+ degrees, the low coolant warning came on ('06 X5 3.0). I was exhausted and only had 40 minutes til home so said to myself I'll just keep and eye on the temp gauge and find a gas station if it warmed up at all. 20 minutes later, all was good, no change in temp and almost home. Must be a small leak - just a little low. Wrong.

10 minutes after that, Bing! Temperature spikes, I get the warning and I pull over. Walk a half mile to a gas station for coolant, half mile back, and it immediately drains right on the ground. Still too far to tow it home I find a reputable shop nearby. Cracked radiator. Needs new radiator, expansion tank, a hose, and thermostat. I would have done it myself, but needed the car ASAP. I think I got a good deal on labor ($250), but not on the parts ($800+).

Anyhow, I was stupid. If I filled it up when I got the warning, it may have just been just a DIY expansion tank replacement when I got home. I'm sure most of you are bright enough to not make my mistake, but for those of you that even slightly consider driving with the low coolant warning, Don't do it!