Coolant level low warning
 

This morning I was leaving the house and the engine coolant level warning popped up on my HUD. I drove to the gas station and opened up the reservoir expecting to see some fluid around the min level. To my surprise the reservoir was almost completely empty and took half a gallon of Peak. There was some white crust around the reservoir knob.

I don't have any coolant on my driveway. Any clues as to what else may have happened? I'm guessing that they didn't fill it during the CPO flip, and it's not one of those things that I just check regularly.

Is Peak compatible with the BMW coolant???????????????????

I always add distilled water when I don't have precisely the same stuff available....

+1 Now that the system has been contaminated with different coolant, now would be a good time to do a cooling system flush at the dealer or indy.

Nothing really to worry about with contamination. I'm at the dealer and it looks like it needs a new radiator. Good thing I still have 3 days of warranty left on the truck.

Wow, lucky.

In your case the contamination is a non-issue...but agree 100% with d'roo if others are reading...

Yep, I agree whole heartedly as well. It's one of those situations where BMW coolant is not available at every service station along the highway. In speaking with the SA just now, it's a no brainer to put whatever possible into the reservoir to prevent the engine from overheating first and foremost. Then next preference is obviously the BMW mix, but he said that Peak blue bottle is the next best. It's not recommended, but it's much better to use Peak than let your engine overheat.

I simply cannot believe that these radiators are plastic. When he showed me where the leak was coming from, it looked like a broken piece of tupperware.

That SA is an idiot.

WATER is the best thing.

Peake (or other possibly incompatible coolants) will contaminate the system and require a flush...simple water and you are good to go, later you siphon some out when you get the right stuff.

Agreed. I won't put anything else in my system when mine goes low

Guys, keep in mind that this was an emergency. I'm agreeing that the BMW coolant is the way to go for regular fluid checks. I had a cracked radiator, so getting something into it was more important than which brand. The Peak blue bottle is a 50/50 pre-mix, thus why it's the "next best thing". You guys are talking about distilled water as if that's something that a regular garage carries. I'd be curious as to whether Peak or a mineralized water like Poland Spring would do more damage over time.

My question to him was "when in a pinch like this, what's the next best anti-freeze to BMW" and he mentioned Peak blue bottle since it's the pre-mix.

LI have no idea. I'd definitely drain the system. Which you already are doing