X5 35d - Exhaust fluid

[FunfDreisig]

Originally Posted by ard

....Also, I suspect something is wrong with vehicles that are using excess fluid: a defect that is wasting the fluid. Almost impossible to prove, but I think worth pressing. (Save your reciepts for the settlement in 2 years!)....

I find it hard to believe that a properly running 35d needs ALL of the DEF replenished every 4K miles. At least I hope not, since we have nearly 5K on our 35d

FWIW There have already been two reports of DEF tanks being replaced. In one case the report included language that implied that the smaller active tank was leaking. The other report was that the sensor in the larger tank was busted.

Funf Dreisig

[MINIz guy]

I'd like the chime in here. We just got our 35d back after 2 days, and this is the explanation of the exhaust fluid being low.

Found Active Tank was possibly frozen.
PUMA case: 283858xx (I don't know if saying the whole number will show some private information.)
Ran short test and found CC message 492 stored for active tank needs topped off. Checked levels and found active to be at 100% and passive to be a 67%. Contacted PUMA and was instructed that the active tank may freeze in sustained cold and thus read incorrectly that active is empty and that from time to time the active tank might need to be topped off manually during the colder months. This is normal operation and can be referred to in the owners manual.

[Craig]

Originally Posted by MINIz guy

I'd like the chime in here. We just got our 35d back after 2 days, and this is the explanation of the exhaust fluid being low.

I've had mine for a year and never had a problem with freezing. I do leave mine in my garage at night...

Craig

[XXX555]

Originally Posted by Diesel Guy

so I picked up a gallon of DEF on my way out of the shop this afternoon.

I opened the DEF spout with the orange tool in the trunk, and using a funnel, it gulped down the entire gallon with no problem. I could hear the fluid going into the tank, and I'm sure I could have put more into the tank if I had a second jug.

I'll go out for errands after dinner, and see if the warning lamp goes away.

+1

[ard]

Is this system fit for use in the geographic area in which BMW is selling it?

Is fluid being USED at an accelerated rate? OR is it just a 'reading/sensor' issue?

Originally Posted by Diesel Guy

so I picked up a gallon of DEF on my way out of the shop this afternoon.

I opened the DEF spout with the orange tool in the trunk, and using a funnel, it gulped down the entire gallon with no problem. I could hear the fluid going into the tank, and I'm sure I could have put more into the tank if I had a second jug.

I'll go out for errands after dinner, and see if the warning lamp goes away.

Make that a REALLY nice dinner with the $200 you saved!

A

[darkside4.8]

so now i have to worry about a crucial fluid in my car freezing in cold climate thus leaving me with this issue?
had i known about this absurd issue and BMW's policies regarding it i may very well have gone for the 4.8.
i feel cheated.

[Diesel Guy]

Make that a REALLY nice dinner with the $200 you saved!

Perhaps not.......the Mrs. doesn't know about the $600 clear bra I put on last Friday.........that's between me and Santa...........

[k80jr]

I had ours into the dealer at 18k for exhaust fluid. It was first refilled at 12k. When I drove it home after the first fill, the warning message went away before I got home. After driving it home from the dealer this time we still had the no start warning. Finally after 5 days of driving(about 300 miles) the message went away. The dealer did not charge for the refill. I'm wondering how long it will be before we get the warning again. It is telling me that the oil needs to be changed in about 3500 miles. Interesting......

[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?