[lukavergille]

Hello, my radiator started leaking and i have to change it. Went to BMW dealership to buy the coolant but they are out of stock . So there is no way for me to buy the OEM coolant as there is only one BMW dealership in my country…
Started looking for Zerex G-48 and G-05, as i read on forums they are substitutes for OEM coolant but couldn't find them either.
My one option is Valvoline HT-12 (green) which says BMW approved, would it be okay to use this coolant or should i search for other options?
Any advise on which Coolants can be used other than ones mentioned above?

[Hoa]

OEM BMW coolant is G-48. It's blue in color

[Qsilver7]

Actually, there are two types of coolant that is approved by BMW. And we have multiple colors now, too…not just the original BMW blue.

We can use G48 or HT-12:

[lukavergille]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Actually, there are two types of coolant that is approved by BMW. And we have multiple colors now, too…not just the original BMW blue.

We can use G48 or HT-12:

Thank you, detailed response as always. Highly appreciated!

[Qsilver7]

[Unspec]

Am I blind or do I not see F10 on that list?

[Trian]

Originally Posted by Unspec

Am I blind or do I not see F10 on that list?

I can only guess that it is "Other vehicles......"

[Unspec]

Originally Posted by Trian

I can only guess that it is "Other vehicles......"

Which means we should only use blue.

I wonder why there's this strange distinction between 5/6/7 even though they're basically the same cars with the same engines.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Unspec

Which means we should only use blue.

No...if that was the case...then you could never take your car to a BMW dealership because they only use HT-12 (green) now.

You can see in the chart that G48 & HT-12 is compatible...they both are nitrate free so it means you can use either the new (green) HT-12 or the old (blue) G48 coolant.

Originally Posted by Unspec

I wonder why there's this strange distinction between 5/6/7 even though they're basically the same cars with the same engines.

I think the only reason the F10/F11 was not listed is because at the time the chart was released...the F10/F11 was at the end of production or had ceased production. the F chasis 6 & 7 series were still being produced. Take note that they don't have any E nomenclature models listed (which were not being produced at the time the chart was released).

[Unspec]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

No...if that was the case...then you could never take your car to a BMW dealership because they only use HT-12 (green) now.

You can see in the chart that G48 & HT-12 is compatible...they both are nitrate free so it means you can use either the new (green) HT-12 or the old (blue) G48 coolant.



I think the only reason the F10/F11 was not listed is because at the time the chart was released...the F10/F11 was at the end of production or had ceased production. the F chasis 6 & 7 series were still being produced. Take note that they don't have any E nomenclature models listed (which were not being produced at the time the chart was released).

Ah, missed the compatibility infographic.

As for the 6/7 thing - I don't think this is true. The F gen 7 series ended with the 2015 MY. The F gen 5 series ended with the 2016 MY - meaning, the 7 series stop being produced before the 5 series.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Unspec

As for the 6/7 thing - I don't think this is true. The F gen 7 series ended with the 2015 MY. The F gen 5 series ended with the 2016 MY - meaning, the 7 series stop being produced before the 5 series.

Thanks for the info that the f01 7 series EOP (end of production) ended with the 2015 model year. That data point makes the supposition even more feasible...because neither the F01/F12 7 series & the F10/F11 5 series is listed 9when I go back and look at the chart). The F gen 6 series models continued on with the 4dr GC until the 2019 model year. Then BMW changed the 5GT to the 6GT.

The top chart that mentions the F gen models (that used the old blue G48 coolant) have production dates that end sometime in 2018...then the chart showing the new HT-12 coolant...also have production dates in 2018 upward...so again, this would seem to exclude the F gen 5 & 7 since their EOP was in 2015 & 2016 respectively.

[StradaRedlands]

Would mixing G48 and HT12 be okay? Like topping off HT12 with a half gallon or so of G48?
Asking for a friend...

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Would mixing G48 and HT12 be okay? Like topping off HT12 with a half gallon or so of G48?
Asking for a friend...

See the big green ✅ (check mark) between the G48 & HT-12…whereas the others coolant types have a big red ❌. I interpret this as G48 & HT-12 being compatible…how do you interpret the diagram? BMW uses a nitrate free coolant…and both G48 & HT-12 are nitrate free.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

See the big green ✅ (check mark) between the G48 & HT-12…whereas the others coolant types have a big red ❌. I interpret this as G48 & HT-12 being compatible…how do you interpret the diagram? BMW uses a nitrate free coolant…and both G48 & HT-12 are nitrate free.

Based on the pictogram, I'd say both are usable in the vehicle. And am working on the presumption that they can be mixed. But am hoping for confirmation from random people on the internet!

[Unspec]

It's a valid point. Just because they're interchangeable doesn't necessarily mean they're inter-mixable. I'd just go with whatever is currently in your car, and if you want to switch, drain the old one first.