1.

0 Requirements concerning engine coolant

Pure water is unsuitable as a coolant not just because of the lack of protection against freezing-up. Good functioning
of the cooling system is only guaranteed once a suitable anti-freezing and anti-corrosive agent, or antifreeze for
short, has been added.
The cooling system of BMW vehicles must only be filled with the anti-freezing and anti-corrosive agents approved for
this purpose. The filling and maintenance instructions to be found in the Repair Instructions and operating
instructions must be observed.
Antifreeze agents must meet the following requirements:
- They must guarantee operability of the cooling system in winter (anti-freezing protection by lowering the freezing
point) and in summer (prevent boiling and boiling over of the coolant).
- They must protect metal components that come into contact with the coolant (grey cast iron, steel, aluminium
alloy, brass, copper and solder) against corrosion and cavitation.
- They must be neutral with respect to rubber and plastic parts in the coolant circuit.
- They must guarantee the consistency of the above-mentioned quality criteria.
To create these coolant properties, the anti-freezing and anti-corrosive agents must be mixed to the correct ratio with
water.
Prescribed mixture for coolant:
- 50 % antifreeze for anti-freezing protection down to -38 °C
The original coolant mixture poured into the cooling system at the factory has this antifreeze-to-water ratio.
If the proportion of antifreeze is less than 40 % (i.e. the water content is higher than 60 %), not only the degree of
protection against freezing, but also protection against corrosion is reduced. When the water content is too high, this
can lead to premature overheating in very hot weather or hot climates and as a consequence lead to coolant being
ejected out of the system and damage to the engine through overheating.
This means that it is essential that an anti-freezing and anti-corrosive agent is added even in the tropics.
Too high a concentration, more than 55 %, leads to deterioration of the cooling properties (heat transfer) and
protection against freezing-up is modified in the opposite direction, i.e. it also deteriorates.
The amounts of antifreeze required for providing protection against freezing-up are stated as percentage figures on
the containers.
However, it is not only necessary to comply with the mixture ratio specified; the minimum requirements for the quality
of the water must also be adhered to:
• Appearance: colourless, clear
• Sediment, without suspended matter
• pH value: 6.5-8.0
• Total hardness, max.: 20° dH (German hardness grade) or in new measuring unit:
• Total hardness, max.: 3.6 mmol Ca 2+/ ltr.
• Chloride content: max. 100 mg/ltr.
• Sulphate content: max. 100 mg/ltr.
Potable tap water usually fulfils these requirements. Local water utilities can provide information about the quality of
the water they supply. If necessary, the water must be treated (e.g. softened) or distilled water must be used.
The quality of regenerated sea water (as found in the Gulf states) is inadequate!

SBS 1.0 Requirements concerning engine coolant BMW AG - TIS 12.11.2007 18:56
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 2.0 Change interval, changing and testing coolant, disposal, cleaning the cooling system

Change interval, changing and testing coolant

Regular checks of the coolant composition as part of Inspection I and II. As the anti-corrosion characteristics of the
coolant decrease with time, the change interval of 4 years (3 years for M-Power vehicles) must be observed. The
antifreeze concentration in the coolant must be checked each year before the cold season begins. The composition
of the coolant must also be checked after the coolant level has been topped up.
An areometer or densimeter (antifreeze tester) is required for setting and checking the concentration.
It is permissible to mix various brands of the approved agents.
Ongoing technical development means that the coolant does not need to be changed on the vehicles listed below.
- E65 from 09/2003
- E60, all models since market introduction
- E85 since market introduction
- Vehicles with Service interval indicator (SIA) with petrol engines from 03/2003
- Vehicles with Service interval indicator (SIA) with diesel engines from 09/2003
- M vehicles from 09/2003
Disposal
The instructions laid down in the safety data sheets published by the manufacturers of anti-freezing and anti-
corrosive agents and the statutory regulations of the individual countries must be complied with.
Cleaning the cooling system
If the cooling system is soiled, e.g. by oil residue etc., it may be necessary to clean the system with a suitable
cleaner.

SBS 2.0 Change interval, changing and testing coolant, disposal, cleaning the coolin BMW AG - TIS 12.11.2007 18:56
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 3.0 Approved anti-freezing and anti-corrosive agents

With the protection of the environment in mind, BMW has been filling all of its vehicles with nitrite- and amino-free
anti-freezing and anti-corrosive agents since mid-1986 as standard practice.
The use of anti-freezing and anti-corrosive agents that contain nitrites and amines is no longer permissible.

Trade name BMW part number Container size

BMW Antifreeze 81 22 9 407 454 1.5-litre can
BMW Antifreeze 81 22 9 407 455 60-litre barrel
BMW Antifreeze 81 22 9 407 456 205-litre barrel
BMW Antifreeze 81 22 9 407 755 Tanker (truck)

Trade name Manufacturer/Supplier

Addinol Antifreeze Super Addinol Lube Oil GmbH
Aral Antifreeze Extra Aral AG
AVIA Antifreeze APN AVIA Mineralöl AG
BMW Antifreeze BMW AG
BP anti-frost X 2270A BP Schmierstoff GmbH, Hamburg
Caltex CX Engine Coolant Caltex
Castrol ANIT-FREEZE NF Castrol International
Fridex G48 Velvena s.a.
Glacelf Plus Total
GlycoShell Shell International
Glyco Star Bremin Mineralöl GmbH & Co.
Glysantin G48-24 Engine Coolant UNICO Ltd.
Glysantin Protect Plus / G48 BASF
GUSOFROST LV 505 Chemische Industrielle Gesellschaft
Mobil Frostschutz 600 Mobil Schmierstoff GmbH
Havoline AFC (BD04) ChevronTexaco/Arteco
Mobil Frostschutz 600 ExxonMobil
OMV Kühlerfrostschutz OMV AG
Total Thermofreeze Plus Total

SBS 3.0 Approved anti-freezing and anti-corrosive agents BMW AG - TIS 12.11.2007 18:55
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 4.0 Coolant additives

BMW does not approve the use of coolant additives that e.g. provide additional protection against corrosion or are
aimed at sealing hairline cracks.
Due to the poorer transfer of heat from the cylinder head to the coolant, this can lead to heat accumulation and hot
spots , which in turn can lead to cylinder head gaskets burning through and cracking of the cylinder head .
We cannot provide warranty for any consequences and effects the use of such additives may have.

SBS 4.0 Coolant additives BMW AG - TIS 12.11.2007 18:56

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