this is the first time this has come on... can i just fill it up? or should i get it serviced... flush out and refill? it came on for a little bit... then i had to stop for gas... and it didn't come back on... and today it came back on... can i just purchase any type of coolant to fill it up? any help would be appreciated
Can we get some more info please? What year? What Model? How many miles? Ever have it flushed before?
A 2007 with 50k Miles and an unknown service history then it seems. I'd opt for a flush and fill just to be proactive.
Sounds like a good idea. Recommended maintenance interval on coolant is two years, especially with MINI's aluminum engine parts.
i called the dealership with my vin and talked to the service center to see if they can tell me anything... they said it was never brought in to have coolant serviced... i also read in a manual that the service is usually tracked by the key when needed... i guess since the 2007 doesn't have a gauge... he also mentioned that it has lifetime coolant... and it's very long lasting... like nothing would need to be done until about 100k-150k if at all... and he suggested that i may have a coolant leak and to check for that... otherwise, just fill it up with coolant... he said the light on the dash means coolant low
is there an alternative to using the coolant purchased from the dealership? maybe i can find it at a nearby autozone or something
I'm sorry, your Service Adviser is just plain wrong about a lifetime fill on the coolant. Inspection 2 (Major service) Includes services from Oil Change and Inspection 1 plus: change Air Filter, Engine Coolant, flush Brake fluid, and mileage. Model dependent add on's include: Spark Plugs (100K), Belt change (100k cooper 60K S) and Oxygen Sensor (100K). Besides, these "lifetime" fill items that MINI claims to have is a fallacy if you want to keep the car for some time.
my plan is to take it to the dealer this week sometime, but i'm worried about the coolant warning... will it be ok for a few days of driving to and from work? or should i top the coolant off...
Get some distilled water from the drug store and top it off. Where do you live, there may be a better alternative than the dealer around.
thank you for your advice... is it a matter of locating the coolant tank, and removing the cap, fill it up to max, and close the cap? and also to make sure the engine is cool
Don't drive it low on coolant. Add water to bring it up. Distilled is good. Perrier is better. :wink:
Open the hood. The coolant tank is a clear plastic bottle with a black cap. It is in front on the right hand side as you face the car. Do not take the cap off with the engine hot.
There are marks on the coolant tank - Full hot and full cold. I've always waited until everything was "cold" before opening the tank.
after work yesterday, i checked the coolant level since the engine wasn't hot... it was a little difficult to see the line so i gave the container a few taps to see if i can see the moving liquid... that's when i was able to see that it was a little below the halfway point between min and max... afterward i drove the car home and the light never came on... this morning i drove to work... and the light didn't come back again... definitely strange... i'm located in dallas, tx. i feel a little bit better since the warning lamp isn't on anymore... but unless someone suggests something better, i'll be getting some distilled water and fill it up to max today.
There is no coolant level sensor on your car bluejae, you are likely seeing a coolant temperature warning. I would recommend having the car looked at by either the dealer or an indy shop with mini specific experience.
Remember overheating is a DEATH SENTENCE for any motor. Keep an eye on it and get it taken care of soon. Oh and the dealership saying "lifetime fill on the coolant" really means when your 5 year loan is up you trade it in for a new one. :lol::lol::lol::lol: