[iqraceworks]

I had a coolant hose pop off on my last night, draining all of the coolant out of the car. The hose issue is an easy fix, but the closest BMW dealer is a long drive.

Is there anything else I can use that is compatible with the BMW blue coolant? Or is the OEM BMW coolant the only thing I can use? I've seen some Peak brand blue antifreeze at the local auto stores....will that work?

Thanks!

[mecheng77]

Volvo coolant if a dealer is nearby or Pentosin
Both are identical

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by iqraceworks

I had a coolant hose pop off on my last night, draining all of the coolant out of the car. The hose issue is an easy fix, but the closest BMW dealer is a long drive.

Is there anything else I can use that is compatible with the BMW blue coolant? Or is the OEM BMW coolant the only thing I can use? I've seen some Peak brand blue antifreeze at the local auto stores....will that work?

Zerex G-05

[TunafishE93]

Any other coolant.. They are all compatible now.

[iqraceworks]

Originally Posted by TunafishE93

Any other coolant.. They are all compatible now.

Not sure that's correct......

[TunafishE93]

I am sure that correct. After the whole dexcool ordeal where if you put in the wrong coolant it would jell up the system. Aftermarket coolant is now universal.

[Unknown_Car]

Originally Posted by TunafishE93

I am sure that correct.

I agree also. I know few ppl that use AutoZone coolant (green) and not a problem with years of driving.

[iqraceworks]

Sure....if you flushed the entire coolant system and block, anything will probably work........but I probably have half of the OEM blue coolant still in the system, so I don't want to dump in green/yellow/orange coolant and mix it with the blue. Not all types/colors are compatible with each other....that's why they are different colors.

[gbalthrop]

Originally Posted by TunafishE93

Any other coolant.. They are all compatible now.

Originally Posted by iqraceworks

Not sure that's correct......

The "Active Ingredient" in "BMW" Coolant, other than distilled H2O, is Ethylene Glycol. The Color/Dye used does NOT matter. Corrosion Inhibitors are also used, but generally NOT specified on labels or other Specs available -- just proprietary mumbo-jumbo -- another way to steal a buck from superstitious, uninformed purchasers.

My concept is to drain & flush the cooling system every 3 or 4 years, and refill with fresh DISTILLED Water and 50% Ethylene Glycol. In my opinion it is more important to drain/refill periodically (AND use DISTILLED H2O) than believe the ad hype about "Lifetime Coolant", only to realize that "Lifetime" is ~ 10 years.

I have used Prestone (most generally-available brand at reasonable price) Ethylene Glycol, using that drain/flush procedure for 50+ years and NEVER had a cooling system: Radiator, Water Pump, etc. issue. Old, Belt-driven water pump bearings wear out eventually, and the pulley shaft begins to wobble slightly and the seal wears, causing a slow leak, but THAT is NOT due to Coolant brand used. My 2007 328xi has nearly 135,000 miles on the Original Coolant Pump, and all it has seen during my ownership is Prestone Ethylene Glycol.

My suggestion: Just drain/flush your existing coolant and refill with Prestone or whatever Ethylene Glycol (of WHATEVER Color ;-) & 50% DISTILLED Water.

ANYONE who has actual, RELIABLE facts, specifications, or scientific theory that differs from the above (as opposed to ad hype & Web Legend ;-), please enlighten us.

George

[TunafishE93]

Agree with the distilled water also.

[gjm120]

I think G-48 is BMW compatible, but, enough questions about mixing coolants so why take the chance? Not much money saved vs buying BMW branded.

Not saying this is gospel, but.....

https://blog.fcpeuro.com/how-to-pick...t-for-your-car

[iqraceworks]

Originally Posted by gjm120

I think G-48 is BMW compatible, but, enough questions about mixing coolants so why take the chance? Not much money saved vs buying BMW branded.

Not saying this is gospel, but.....

https://blog.fcpeuro.com/how-to-pick...t-for-your-car

It's not a money issue....it's an availability issue. The closest BMW dealer is quite a drive from me.....I was hoping to find something at a local autoparts store that would work.

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by iqraceworks

It's not a money issue....it's an availability issue. The closest BMW dealer is quite a drive from me.....I was hoping to find something at a local autoparts store that would work.

Gotcha. From what I've read, I'd be more comfortable using G-48 has recently become easier to find.

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

Originally Posted by iqraceworks

I had a coolant hose pop off on my last night, draining all of the coolant out of the car. The hose issue is an easy fix, but the closest BMW dealer is a long drive.

Is there anything else I can use that is compatible with the BMW blue coolant? Or is the OEM BMW coolant the only thing I can use? I've seen some Peak brand blue antifreeze at the local auto stores....will that work?

Thanks!

Zerex G-05, Zerex G-48, Rowe Hightec AN, and Pentofrost NF are all equivalent substitutes.

Pentofrost is expensive though. I've only seen it in 1L containers.

[jbachert]

Bought this at my local Advance Auto.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...rchTerm=PEBB53

They sell it in "all the flavors"....just buy the correct one for the brand car.

https://peakauto.com/peak-antifreezes-coolants/


https://peakauto.com/products/antifr...ded-life-blue/

[mweisdorfer]

I use Amsoil Coolant with their Coolant Booster.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by TunafishE93

Any other coolant.. They are all compatible now.

Kind of not really. BMW uses HOAT derived coolant. So, depending on what the OP has lying around he needs to know if it's IAT, HOAT or OAT and mix according to coolant type.

I'd just amazon some BMW coolant or zerex G5. Easy that way. likely, the Zerex will show up faster.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by TunafishE93

Any other coolant.. They are all compatible now.

Kind of not really. But we appreciate your random picture of who-knows-what. BMW uses HOAT derived coolant. So, depending on what the OP has lying around he needs to know if it's IAT, HOAT or OAT and mix according to coolant type.

I'd just amazon some BMW coolant or zerex G5. Easy that way. likely, the Zerex will show up faster.

[gbalthrop]

Originally Posted by tlow98

Kind of not really. BMW uses HOAT derived coolant...

Originally Posted by tlow98

Kind of not really. But we appreciate your random picture of who-knows-what. BMW uses HOAT derived coolant...

REALLY, one should understand WHAT OAT and HOAT (Organic Acid Technology & Hybrid Organic Acid Technology) are all about.

They are attempts to extend Coolant Change Intervals. Coolant Change (Drain & Refill) is required to remove coolant which has oxidized with formation of ACIDS which corrode metal. That is what "Corrosion Inhibitors" are all about. Corrosion Inhibitors have their own environmental impact (silicates, phosphates, etc.) and different countries/continents have taken different approaches in what Corrosion Inhibitors they use and the "Marketing Justification" for whatever they choose to use ("kinda rationalization" ;-)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antifreeze

GM had EXTREME issues with "DEX-COOL" which was the "Latest & Greatest" ~ 25 years ago.

SIMPLE CONCLUSION (for us simple types ;-):

JUST DRAIN/REFILL COOLANT every 3 to 4 years. NO Coolant is "Lifetime" -- Acid Happens.

George

[nsjames]

oreily's tends to carry the whole pentosin lineup.

[mainbearing]

BMW blue coolant is equivalent to VW G11 or Pentofrost NF. The blue coolant protects Non-Ferrous metals.
http://www.pentosin.net/f_antifreeze.asp

VW got away from G11 (does not protect ferrous metals???) and tells you NOT to mix G11 with the later G12-G13 coolants. So be careful what you put in there.

BWM lists 2EHA and sebacic acid with added silicates, isn't that just Dexcool plus silicates? Does Dexcool protect only non-ferrous metals?

[iqraceworks]

I just ended up picking up a couple gallons of the Zerex G48 blue coolant that's supposed to work for BMW/Volvo/Mercedes. Hopefully it will be fine to top my system off with.....right?