I have a 2009 Mini Cooper S, with about 25,000 miles.

I noticed my coolant level is about an inch below the 'Min line'. No, I'm not TOO worried about it, but I would still like to fill it to the Min line. I don't want to go too much because of issues I've been reading about when filling it too high. None the less...

What Coolant should I be using? The original coolant is green, but I heard it's fine to put the MINI/BMW blue coolant in there (it is blue, right?). I also read that Zerex G-05 is good too:

http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/Zerex_CoolantChart.pdf

Any thoughts? I assume most I'll have to mix with 50/50 Distilled Water?

 

The MINI coolant is not overly expensive at about 19 bucks a gallon from the dealership & mixes 50/50 -- So I just opted for the MINI coolant.

If you don't mind waiting the dearler should fill it under warranty.

 

My dealer is about 130 miles away. I have my next service in about 3,000 miles. Every time I check the coolant level, its visible in the container, but always a little below Min. Granted, I don't know the level when I'm actually driving. But I assume it's safe to say, that the level that it's at now, is fairly safe for another couple thousand miles. But I may just get some Coolant to have on hand anyway.

 

If it were me, I'd just add some distilled water and be done. i don't know where you live, but even if adding just distilled water reduces the mix ratio in the expansion tank to 40-60 it's still good to -30F....

(and no I'm not talking about adding a gallon of water...lol)

 

Water! Water is the best coolant. The problem is that it is very corrosive on the parts of engine and hoses it comes in contact with that is why they make coolant to help cut down on that. But I agree with ron-s mini just get the MINI stuff becuase it is probably the stuff that is already in there.

 

If you have a BMW dealer nearby, you could also pick up some BMW coolant. It's the same stuff as the MINI branded coolant.

Or you could order it online here: http://new.minimania.com/web/Item/NMD7600/InvDetail.cfm

 

Jeez, he's just adding some make up... Water would be fine...lol

 

yeah grab some distilled. done