I have seen the directions that are an excerpt from an official BMW service note on checking level.
formatting link
It shows a drain and a fill hole (on at least these older models). I would like to do a partial drain and refill as a preventive on my 115k mile 540iA trans (ZF model A5S 560Z), but I cannot find the fluid for sale anywhere.
Here is a nice chart for these older transmissions:
formatting link
Mine is supposed to use Shell LA 2634. BMW part number is 83 22 9 407
765 which is "conveniently" packaged in 5 liter bottles. Convenient because a fluid change without torque converter takes 5.5 liters...
If they are filled with BMW branded / labeled coolant then they are. That is what is inside the bottle with the fancy silver BMW label. Valvoline / Zerek G 48. You didn't really think that BMW manufactured their own coolant did you?
No, but did you really think that the BMW consumer packs available in the US was the same stuff they use in their European and African factories? No Sir. BMW may even derive income from sponsership, which a recomended brand of fluid printed in a manual effectively is unless there is something very special and unique in the specification. The coolant is nothing special AFAIK.
I can assure you that Valvolene is near non-existant as a brand in Europe and is certainly not used as a factory fill in Europe where most of your BMW's are assembled. BMW probably put their coolant needs out to tender every few years and the cheapest supplier gets the deal.
Suitable fluid would be Mobil1 synthetic ATF. It will not be commonplace on store shelves but should be available to order if you can find someone who can be bothered to do so. As indeed should the fluids from Shell and Esso etc. Best place to order these would be at a specialist oil distributor who should be more co-operative. OTOH why not just order two jugs from your BMW spares outlet.
You may find that 5 litres is enough. OTOH if you have to jump through hoops to order it then buy 10 litres and accept that as the cost of the fluid change.
Actually, BMW coolant is sold in Europe by BASF as Glysantin G 48. It's also made in the US under license by Valvoline and sold as Zerex G 48. It is NOT available thru any retail channels that I know of other than BMW dealers.
You state that G-48 is almost certainly not to the same formulation today than it was much over 10 years ago. I don't have any proof either that it is or isn't the same formulation. However, according to Valvoline's technical bulletin for its Zerex G 48, its been the same since at least 2003. (see
formatting link
and go to Zerex G-48).
I agree there are some, if not alot, of car that have over 100,000 miles on it and never changed its coolant. If that's your thing, cool. For me, the cost of changing the coolant every couple of years is cheap insurance even at $25-30/gallon. Then again, I plan on using Saab "blue" stuff the next time I change coolant.
Btw, your'e right, changing coolant probably has zero effect on plastic radiators, etc.
As for the other fluids like transmission and differential, I recently changed my manual tranny fluid and rear differential with Royal Purple and it sure made by car shift nice and smooth, especially when its cold. At $6-8 per quart (you'll need 2 of each), its relatively cheap and easy to do. If you haven't done so, try it! You might like it.
There you go, BASF make it in Europe. In fact Glysantin an organic acid technology additive licensed to many coolant brands such as Mobil. These coolants meet the standards as laid down by various motor manufacturers.
They are not compatible with green/blue/purple or pink coolants though. OAT coolants are red or orange in colour. You can mix brands no problem but do not mix red/orange coolants with the more common conventional SCA glycol coloured coolants.
My 100,000 mile 8 year old Land Cruiser was factory filled with organic acid tech glycol coolant [Toyota Forlife] and it is still good. I do intend to change it soon though.
Is the Mobil version not available in the US?
Stick "borate free coolant" or "organic acid coolant" into Google and see how many brands make equivilent coolants. Any of these can substitute the BMW product. Nothing critically unique and essential in a particular brand for BMW, just the type. You can identify the type by the colour.
"cheap insurance" must be imprinted into American brains while they sleep at night in a form of acute brainwashing :-)
Then again, I plan on using
Just remember that if red or orange coolant was previously used then a couple of flushes with clean water and ideally with a flushing buffer chemical is recommended before refilling with a different *type* of coolant such as the common blue or green.
My Range Rover has only done 20,000 miles and I will consider changing the GM box's fluid at 100,000. I have just changed the Land Cruisers transmission fluid for the second time with Dexron ATF at 100,000 miles. Changes like new. No better, no worse. Also changed the tranfer box and both axles for the second time and the brake fluid for the third time so let it not be said that I do not believe in appropriate vehicle maintenance.
Opps, meant to say changing MANUAL TRANSMISSION FLUID with Royal Purple made by car shift nice and smooth. However, since my car also has a limited-slip differential, changing the differential fluid made the car rear wheels spin "easier" too (or least that's what it feels like).....
...and you base this recomendation on what? I have been unable to find any direct evidence from either BMW or the transmission manufacturer (ZF) that any fluid is acceptable to use in these transmissions except Shell LA 2634. Some of the synthetic ATF manufacturers claim their juice is good for applications calling for LA 2634, but do not go as far to state that they are compatable with it. So if doing a partial drain/refill (which is what you are doing when you do a standard transmission filter /service since the fluid remains in the TC) you would be mixng fluids of unknown compatability.
Why? I already told you , this stuff is like liquid gold...
AFAIK any lifetime fluid such as sold by any of the major brands are compatible. There are very few transmissions that require such fluid. ZF, GM and Mercedes are the only ones that are common. Just did a search and it seems Texaco also has a suitable fluid. If you are not confident that these will be adequate, don't use them. It's as simple as that. Go to your Shell or BMW agent and order what you want and is available.
Ummm, yes it is. BASF AG and Valvoline cooperatively developed Glysantin coolants. Whether you buy it in the US or you buiy it in europe, the stuff in the BMW bottle is Glysantin G 48.
Yes, BASF, Valvoline, doesn't matter... same stuff.
Wrong. Glysantin G 48 is not an OAT coolant and it is blue in color. G lysantin G 30 is an OAT coolant and is red. BMW coolant is G 48 (blue). I have never seen any recomendation to use G 30 (or any other OAT coolant for that matter) in any BMW, ever.
No. You are dead wrong. You should not be using OAT coolants in a BMW. Here in the US there are a lot of brands of OAT coolants (orange mostly) and a lot of the green crap. It is a lot harder to find the correct (blue) coolant in stores.
That's typical. Can't make your point without dragging out anti-American sentiment. If it's cheap insurance in the US, it's probably cheap insurance anywhere else.
SAAB branded coolant is G 48, same exact stuff from the same exact factories as BMW brand coolant. Blue coolant is not common. It is G 48 which is not anything like the truly commmon green crap.
But I'll throw this in. Draining your battery, flushing through with distilled water and replenishing with new electrolyte at about 3 years old is likely to extend its life. Does anyone bother?
Apparently it is a hybrid OAT coolant which has a slightly different chemistry but is miscible as far as I can tell. The colour is not an infallible guide to type. Some OAT coolants vary in colour, for instance Honda sometimes use an OAT coolant that is dark green.
Well I have just gone out with a torch to check on what is in my year old BMW engine and it is red. Approved coolants according to my car manual for both diesel and petrol BMW engines of all sizes are listed as Aral Antifreeze Extra Caltex CX DEA Kuhlerfrostschutz Elf Special Fina Termidor Glyco Star Glysantin Protect Plus/G48 Gusofrost LV505 Mobil Frostshutz 600 Havolene AFC (BD04) Motul Inugel Expert Total multiprotect Veedol Antifreeze NF OMV Kuhlerfrostshutz Castrol NF BP anti-frost X2270A or BP Napgel C2270-1 Esso Antifreeze Extra Fuchs Fricofin Total Elf Glacelf MDX Texaco Havolene HELAC extended life coolant or TELC Valvolene G-48
Plenty of choice there for you. I have not checked but it may be that some of those are OAT coolants but most are Hybrid OAT. Certainly I can find no evidence that the G48 coolant is much different to the newer OAT coolants except that in addition to being nitrite, amine, phosphate and borate free, OAT is also silicate free but really who cares. The fact is that all those coolants are approved not just BMW and Valvolene as you thought. There are probably many other suitable coolants available where you are.
Like I said, mine was factory filled with bright red fluid. I checked. Check yours, it might be blue or red perhaps.
You are paranoid as well as hypocritical. Elswhere in this topic you complain of the price of a small quantity of oil. Some 4.5 litres more than needed for your service. You certainly don't seem to think that it is cheap insurance.
Like I said, my BMW is filled with red, probably Castrol which is the sponsored recommendation. There is a list above of approved coolants which I suspect is far from comprehensive or complete but is accurate.
Well I just checked and the factory fill in mine is red and I list the approved coolants printed in my book for BMW engines. It appears to be a bit more comprehensive than you have printed in your handbooks.
You appear very naive. They have recommend Castrol oil for a long time but that does not mean that Castrol is the only blender to produce a suitable oil.
A cursory search has found equivalent oil available from 'Bavarian Autosport' in the USA in 1litre cans for US$14.95. I make no actual recommendation so feel free not to use it. Bavarian Autosport do recommend the stuff for what that's worth.
MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.