[E90F30er]

It's occurred to me that I can't remember when this is ever checked? There's no warning on the dash / iDrive and the Condition Based Service doesn't include this. Adding screenwash is a piece of cake and checking / replacing engine oil / brake fluid is done by BMW Service as part of CBS. ?

[G82Dude]

Ummm, you should check it! It's normally done as part of a service - or a visual inspection at the very least - or they say it's needs to be done. Not sure on the frequency of replacement though.

[Icekube]

the antifreeze used (the green stuff) should be replaced every 2 years....

[E90F30er]

I have 9 maintenance items listed: MOT, MOT emissions, vehicle check, microfilter, engine oil, brake fluid, spark plugs, front brake pads, rear brake pads.

No engine coolant / antifreeze, battery state, screenwash (probably not as important!). Not sure if power steering fluid and clutch / automatic transmission fluid is required too?

[wallsmk2]

I'm not 100% certain, but I think coolant is filled for life. I guess that means it's probably a good idea to change after the warranty period. However, if you've had your water pump go and dump all the coolant you've already had a partial change. Just pick up a hydrometer and check a couple of times a year to make sure it's the correct concentration.

[Icekube]

http://bioengr.ag.utk.edu/Extension/...es/engcool.htm

Most antifreeze products sold for the past several years have been the traditional "green" coolant. This type is good for two to three years and up to 30,000 miles. The green antifreeze contains silicates, phosphates and / or borates as corrosion inhibitors to keep the solution alkaline. As long as the solution remains alkaline, corrosion is controlled and the system is protected. Over time, the corrosion inhibitors will be depleted and the corrosion protection is lost. It is for this reason that green antifreeze should be changed every two years or so

BMW uses green coolant

[wallsmk2]

Pretty sure mine is blue.

[mistryn]

I just got into the habit weekly check oil/screenwash/coolant/tyre pressure and ps fluid. I try to avoid relying on warnings electronic sensors because sometimes it might be too late and damaged caused

[StarSailor]

Originally Posted by wallsmk2

I'm not 100% certain, but I think coolant is filled for life. I guess that means it's probably a good idea to change after the warranty period. However, if you've had your water pump go and dump all the coolant you've already had a partial change. Just pick up a hydrometer and check a couple of times a year to make sure it's the correct concentration.

This is correct - it is a lifelong thing.

The anti-freeze concentration should be checked as part of the routine service schedule, though.

[NEFARIOUS]

I don't see any signs of leak, but I do have the level lower from time to time (not "low coolant indicator" low but just a slight variance to add 1/2 a cup of distilled water every 3 months low). Blue coolant, 06 330xi, 73K miles.

[Subzero2003]

Mine recently got changed....when my water pump failed.

Apart from that, it was never looked at as far as I know. I know my old E46 needed it changed every 2 years.

[mob17]

Mike Miller says:

Engine Coolant: Every 2 years
Power Steering Fluid: Every 30k miles
Manual Gearbox Oil: Every 30k miles
ATF: Every 60k miles
Diff Oil: Every 30k miles
Brake Fluid: Every year

[Phil325i]

Originally Posted by mob17

Mike Miller says:

Engine Coolant: Every 2 years
Power Steering Fluid: Every 30k miles
Manual Gearbox Oil: Every 30k miles
ATF: Every 60k miles
Diff Oil: Every 30k miles
Brake Fluid: Every year

+1 (though I think brake fluid every two years is fine).

What people (and BMW) overlook about coolant is that it's not just about preventing freezing, but coolant additives inhibit internal corrosion of the alloy passageways inside the block and head.

These additives will deteriorate over time so, as usual, the BMW 'lifetime fill' mantra is bollocks.

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by E90F30er

I have 9 maintenance items listed: MOT, MOT emissions, vehicle check, microfilter, engine oil, brake fluid, spark plugs, front brake pads, rear brake pads.

No engine coolant / antifreeze, battery state, screenwash (probably not as important!). Not sure if power steering fluid and clutch / automatic transmission fluid is required too?

The 'vehicle check' service item is supposed to be a full check of the entire car, including all fluids.

[Jase 320d]

Originally Posted by mob17

Mike Miller says:

Engine Coolant: Every 2 years
Power Steering Fluid: Every 30k miles
Manual Gearbox Oil: Every 30k miles
ATF: Every 60k miles
Diff Oil: Every 30k miles
Brake Fluid: Every year

Mike miller smokes crack

Never in carnation is brake fluid yearly, its every 2 years

Gearbox and power steering fluid are for the life of the vehicle (although it wouldnt hurt to refresh at 100k miles imo)

Also BMW coolant is a bluey/green and apparently its a 15 year product

[tc535i]

Would an acidity dip strip be able to tell you if the coolant has become out of spec?

[StarSailor]

Originally Posted by Jase 320d

Mike miller smokes crack

Never in carnation is brake fluid yearly, its every 2 years

Gearbox and power steering fluid are for the life of the vehicle (although it wouldnt hurt to refresh at 100k miles imo)

Also BMW coolant is a bluey/green and apparently its a 15 year product

Thank god for that - Mike Miller had me a little surprised!

[Icekube]

Originally Posted by Jase 320d

Mike miller smokes crack

Never in carnation is brake fluid yearly, its every 2 years

Also BMW coolant is a bluey/green and apparently its a 15 year product

the coolant that dumped out of my thermostat was 100% green (mine had full BMW service history till I bought it) and was duly replaced with green coolant.

the only coolant that is for any longer than 5 years is the Red/Orange stuff (like VAG G13) other colours of coolant have much shorter lifespans.

brake fluid depends on the type of fluid used, and how hard its used, 1 yearly for a performance car is not exactly extreme. for a sedate rep mobile, 2 years will be sufficient.

[Jase 320d]

I got the coolant from BMW using my vin number. It was more blue than green


I think a year is overly excessive

[doughboy]

Who is Mike Miller?

[Jase 320d]

Internet scare moungerer who prays on insecure owners who think their cars are ticking time bombs due to reading internet threads

Then makes money from them by changing parts un-necessarily

I read on another thread he recommends radiator replacement at 60k miles

Its a very lucrative business

[mob17]

Originally Posted by Jase 320d

Dealership are scare moungerers who pray on insecure owners who think their cars are ticking time bombs due to hearing of high maintenance costs of BMWs.

Then Dealers make money from them by offering free maintenance.

I read on another thread he recommends radiator replacement at 60k miles

New car sales is a very lucrative business

Fixed for you.

A few questions. Have you actually read his document, or just rely on what people have said what he recommends on the internet? I have the latest copy if you're interested.

He doesn't sell anything. He gives all his information for free. What he recommends isnt some magic Mike Miller therapy. Its actually very similar to the old school BMW maintenance schedule, i.e Inspection I, Inspection II. So infact its NOT mike millers schedule (most people say that for ease), its just the old fashioned BMW way, before the free maintainence was introduced.

For eg, oil changes. New BMW say ~18k, Old School BMW (mike miller) is 7.5k-10k. BMW recently changed the interval to 10k, what does that tell you. Also there is no such thing as lifetime.

For anyone who is still unsure, just read his document and then make your own decision. No need to read internet threads about it, you can come to a conclusion yourself by reading his document. By the way, following mike millers suggestion is only recommended if you're keeping your car past 100k miles. If not then there's no need. He himself says this, for anyone who hasn't actually read his document.