X5 35d - Exhaust fluid

[X5dieselfan]

all these new worries about fluids and refills and more time at dealer make me long for simpler times. My old 1991 SAAB 900 got 32 mpg on the highway and never/never broke down - even if it did require lots and lots of maintenance...

[Diesel Guy]

OK. After the 1 gallon top off.........the DEF warning light went off. Now the wiper fluid light is on. I saw the BMW wiper concentrate at the parts counter this afternoon. I've always used the RainX wiper fluid before.........is there any known risk to using this in the X5?

[bigx5er]

You should be fine with any wiper fluid. I always run Prestone winter wiper fluid in my X5, no issues at all. I can't imagine how much BMW branded fluid would cost.

How much did you pay for the exhaust fluid at BMW?

[XXX555]

Originally Posted by bigx5er

You should be fine with any wiper fluid. I always run Prestone winter wiper fluid in my X5, no issues at all. I can't imagine how much BMW branded fluid would cost.

How much did you pay for the exhaust fluid at BMW?

I believe I've read that its $9.00 and it has a special design bottle to more easily fit directly into the reserve nozzle. Fraction of the cost at a diesel truck stop...

Merry Christmas!

[ard]

Eh, I'd just stick with any mild solvent based fluid... doesn't rainx have silicones in it?

[FunfDreisig]

Originally Posted by ard

Eh, I'd just stick with any mild solvent based fluid... ...

You spend thrift I use pure (and free) rain water

Funf Dreisig

p.s. Actually all our water is rain water. So we don't really have the option to use water full of minerals and other junk

[Euro118d]

Hello all...first post. Thank you for the excellent information, special thanks to Diesel Guy for the "DEF and SCR links".

I may have a unique 2010 X5 35d but I wanted to share a little info, at 600 miles I got my first CEL no torque under 2K rpms, limp mode. Hot-Film Air Mass Meter replaced part 13-62-7-805-415, returned in 5 days, a new 528xi was the loaner so no worries.

Today the DEF light no start in 996 miles came on at 800 miles. Yes it is cold in the NYC metro area, but it sits in a 45 degree garage all night. I will bring it in for service on Monday. So will it be a) DEF not filled when it was delivered b) leak c) bad sensor or d)other.

I will report back next week.

Thanks again!

[Redridge]

anyone know how much a gal of DEF costs from the dealer?

[darkside4.8]

TO ALL EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH DEF:
i urge you to state your problems and concerns to BMW NA customer service.
after a lengthy discussion with a very willing and helpful Amelia over there today, i learned that BMW does not have any parameters for what is normal regarding this fluid and its consumption, especially regarding cold temps and short trip driving. the fact is, as of right now, the DEF is our problem until enough instances arise to cause BMW to examine the issue.
i ended up having my def fill-up good willed, but probably not next time.
if your fluid does not make it the full 10k between scheduled services (or 1 year) REPORT THIS PROBLEM. we all went gaga for this new diesel technology, and if you're like me you're paying through-the-roof interest rates (because they dont know how it will be on the resale end). why should we be punished because of where we live or how we drive?
I especially urge those in cold climates experiencing issues to call in.
BMW needs to step up and deal with this.

[ICX5]

Originally Posted by darkside4.8

ended up having my def fill-up good willed, but probably not next time.
if your fluid does not make it the full 10k between scheduled services (or 1 year) REPORT THIS PROBLEM. we all went gaga for this new diesel technology, and if you're like me you're paying through-the-roof interest rates (because they dont know how it will be on the resale end). why should we be punished because of where we live or how we drive?
I especially urge those in cold climates experiencing issues to call in.
BMW needs to step up and deal with this.

My 09 35d just had its first dealer oil change at 6,000 miles, while in for this service, it also had remaining Adblue drained and fully filled. Vehicle was built December 2008 and as stated in the manual (or maybe I read this somewhere else), the fluid is good for one year. So if you have not fully depleted the Adblue in one year, dealer may drain and refill (what my dealer did, can't speak to others).

I guess most importantly, there was no charge for servicing the Adblue, in fact, no mention of it until I saw the service paperwork when I was picking up the vehicle.