The expansion tank on my 2007 525xi is a little low when cold. I want to top it up to the "cold full" mark. Does this car take a special type of antifreeze, or will any "works well with any type of antifreeze" I buy at the local China-Mart work?

Sorry for a somewhat basic post, but I've done a few quick searches and didn't come up with an answer.

Thanks!

 

BMW antifreeze...

 

Any brand coolant (anti-freeze in winter will be fine in a BMW. Most, if not all, coolants now-a-days are phosphate free and compatible with aluminum engine components. BMW coolant would be my last choice as it is not of the long lasting type and should be replaced every two years. Use an extended life coolant and go ahead and mix it with the BMW coolant. Unless of course you just like the blue color and higher cost of the BMW coolant.

 

Try this as an additional source of information.

http://www.whitfieldoil.com/download...ationChart.pdf

 

Well, in mine, the fluid is blue and I've never seen any blue antifreeze in stores. My opinion is that it is not a good idea to mix different formulations, so I'd try and get some matching fluid from BMW.

That said, if you only have to top off a little bit, why not just put in some distilled water? Unless you live in a harsh cold climate, you probably would not hurt anything with that approach.

Finally, you might want to inspect the coolant lines and water pump for signs of leaks. It may require pulling off the belly pan to view the lines coming out of the radiator.

 

Many modern coolants are amine-, borax-, nitrite-, and phosphate-free. Some are also silicate-free, but BMW's coolant contains some amount of silicates, presumably for protection of the aluminum in the block and head(s). It also appears to be a "Hybrid Organic Acid Technology" (HOAT) formula, suggesting it could be good for up to five years.

Coolants for our Honda and for our old Subaru are also blue, but I doubt they're the same formula. Personally, I like changing my vehicles' coolant every three years. It's a bit aggravating to have to periodically hunt down the various manufacturers' "recommended" coolants, but, compared to what I spend on the car payments, taxes, registration, insurance, safety inspections, emissions tests, fuel, engine oil and filters, tires, and other maintenance and repair items, the small additional cost for the recommended fluids is something I've decided to accept.

HTH,
Jim / crewzer

 

Don't use any type of antifreeze.
The correct type approved for BMW is G11 or the succesor - G48.

 

+1 Any coolant will work...they're really the same thing. Glycol is glycol. Unless you like the blue or red color lol. Really doesn't matter. BMW claims their coolant is "special" because it lubricates the hoses....I know this is BS so I don't fall for it. Now oil is completely different story...

 

Pay attention, different types of coolant do not mix, otherwise the coolant can up-foam and the cooling of the engine is endangered.
More info: http://donsnotes.com/home_garden/auto/antifreeze.html

 

We're talking about coolants sold in the U.S. here. The BMW coolant...if he even has that will mix just fine. In fact I still have a 1999 E39 I've been using a standard coolant on and never had one single cooling/heating issue on that M52 engine. And I've been doing the same in every BMW for the past 10 years. All BMW owners I know have also been doing this. So I have to disagree with you and suggest a different route.