Hi everyone, I am getting a "coolant low" message and assume (hope) I just need to top it off. The manual says "Not all commercially available additives are suitable for your BMW. Ask your BMW center for suitable additives."

Does anyone know what can and cannot be used?

Thanks in advance.

 

I would not use generic coolant.

The BMW OEM isn't that expensive @ $20 per gallon NON diluted.

 

Just pick up some distilled water at the grocery store or Pentosen Coolant at NAPA. Thats the only thing I would put in my car othen then BMW coolant. But you can just top it off with just distilled water until you can figure out whats leaking.

 

+1

Generic coolant NOT made for the BMW can prematurely eat your rubber gaskets etc. I correct myself. It will MOST LIKELY eat the rubber gaskets causing more of a problem.

 

i grabbed this off the TIS, see attachment. its a list of all approved BMW Coolants so you dont void warranty.

 

Great, I appreciate the info. Thanks everyone.

 

ooops...... I had added penzoil to mine.....

 

Your problem here is mixing coolants. Some types whilst perfectly OK on their own do not mix well with each other.

I suspect a decent quality longlife coolant designed for modern engines will be fine but it may not mix with what's in there. So for topping up best to stick with the genuine stuff. Just bought some at £6.30 + tax for 1.5 litres undiluted (mix 50/50 with distilled water).

 

NAPA has OEM brand for sale under Prestone brand. It comes in a gold bottle. I even called Prestone and they said they are the manufacturer of the BMW coolant as well as many others. I think it was $12 for a gallon bottle.

 

btw I hate to be the bearer of possibly unpleasant news, but do check your cooling system for leaks. You may already know - common issue with our car - return hoses, expansion tanks etc can fail. Seems to happen more in cold weather

PS most auto parts stores should be able to tell you which coolant is approved for use in BMW