Why Does My BMW Need a Coolant Flush?

Remember that the coolant or antifreeze in your BMW is the life-blood of your car. It helps to maintain the proper temperature of the radiator and numerous engine components. Coolants has very specific formulations that include lubricants and anti-corrosion additives, which get used up over time and thus requires routine maintenance.

Depending on your vehicle’s age and model, expect to schedule a coolant flush every 2 years or 30,000 miles. Newer models may come with ‘extended-life coolant’ that may last up to 100,000 under normal driving conditions. Always check your owner’s manual for the recommended BMW Routine Maintenance schedule, specific to your model BMW.

We all know that ‘normal driving conditions’ rarely exist in the real world. We often can be stuck in traffic for extended periods of time, or experience ‘extreme weather’ that is outside the norm. Due to these situations that are beyond our control, our BMW may need service before the recommended time/mileage marker. Below are a few symptoms that require immediate service to avoid potential catastrophic damages.

If your BMW’s engine is exceeding the normal temperature range, it is vitally important to stop driving it and get it towed to a service station asap. Driving your BMW while it is overheating can cause expensive damages such as, cylinder head gasket failure, engine block failure or cylinder head warping.

If your BMW is leaking coolant, you will notice a fluorescent, sweet smelling stain under your car. Be aware, coolant/antifreeze is toxic and should be cleaned up immediately, before it harms young children, pets, or wildlife that may be attracted to its sweet smell.

The coolant system is a closed system, so there should never be overflow or leaks in evidence. If you see or smell coolant/antifreeze, be sure to check the Heating & A/C components, the radiator, and all hoses & gaskets within the cooling system. Please have a technician diagnosis and service your BMW for any coolant leaks.

Driving your BMW with low coolant is a recipe for disaster. If the indicator light comes on for low coolant, you should definitely get that taken care of right away. You can add coolant yourself, but make sure to only use the specific coolant recommended in your owner’s manual. However, if you prefer to schedule a service, be sure to mention that your Low Coolant indicator light is on.

There can be several reasons why the heater in your BMW is not blowing hot air, but let’s focus on just coolant related reasons here. 

If coolant is leaking from a faulty heater control valve , then the reduced amount of coolant can cause the engine to overheat. A service technician will need to replace the valve and perform a Coolant Flush. This will purge any contaminants from the cooling system.

A clogged or damaged Heater Core can make the interior of your BMW smell sickly-sweet (that’s the coolant), which may intensify when the heater is running. With routine cooling system maintenance, the Heater Core can last the life of your vehicle. But if you skip routine maintenance, or the Heater Core gets damaged in an accident or by road debris, it may need to be replaced and a Coolant Flush Service performed.

Your BMW Owner’s Manual may indicate a coolant flush or a coolant fill at certain time/mileage intervals. It is wise to follow the manual’s suggestions, unless damage or other factors prompt a service to happen more frequently. What’s the difference between a Coolant Flush and a Coolant Fill?

A Coolant Flush service drains all the coolant from the vehicle and then washes the cooling system with either just distilled water or a mixture of distilled water + a cleaning agent. This flushing process removes contaminants, scale, rust, and any foreign particles. Finally, the system then is refilled with fresh, factory recommended coolant.

A Coolant Fill is simply draining out the old coolant, and refilling the system with fresh, factory recommended coolant.

All off-the-shelf coolant/antifreeze is not created equal, and may actually harm your BMW if you use the wrong formula. Be sure to use   Genuine BMW Coolant ,   or a high-end BMW specific compatible formula. If you have questions, consult your owner’s manual, or speak to a qualified BMW Technician for recommendations.

Distilled water should always be used to get the correct 50/50 mix of coolant/water. Never use regular tap water, since it contains minerals and additives that should not be in your BMW’s cooling system.

Taylor Co European Auto Service   uses only the latest tools, specifically designed to diagnose European vehicles. Our technicians are trained and certified to provide quality service for your BMW, whether it is a vintage model or brand new.

If you have any concerns about your vehicle or you need to take care of an overdue service item, be sure to give us a call and we will be happy to answer any of your questions. Let us show you the positive difference we can make to your European vehicle’s repair/maintenance experience.

Visit our   website   or call our shop at (909) 455-9558 to schedule an appointment to have a Coolant Flush Service for your BMW.