Hi!

After almost a year, my mini looks like needs some coolant it is way closer to the min line than to the max line. I checked my manual and it only says %0/50 water and coolant. Nothing else, i remember my Jetta's manual even said the specification of the coolant (Numbers and letters which i don't remember) I still have like 1.5lt from my old jetta and i would like to know if anyone knows the coolant specification for mini? Maybe i could use the one i gort from VW instead of buying a new bottle.

Any help will be welcomed! :smile:

 

Phosphate-free ethylene glycol mixed 50:50 with distilled water. Do not use the extended-life coolants. When all else fails, call the dealership; that's what I ended up doing when I needed to top mine off.

 

According to my SA, MINIs use extended life coolant from the factory, and he told me to top mine off with any other "good" extended life coolant (when the engine is cold, and keep it a bit under the "max" line), and NOT use a diluted mixture. I questioned this and asked another SA, and he concurred.

So according to them, it really doesn't matter what good brand (Xerex, Honda, Prestone), just don't add diluted standard coolant. Jimbo

 

Be carefull, some of the coolants arent compatible with each other and will make a mucky mess of goo in your radiator. I dont remember which ones but I think the orange one doesnt like the green one. Its best to find out exactly what is in there and add the same to top it off.

 

Like extended life coolant NOT being compatible with coolant you have to dilute? (which, according to my Toyota mechanic, U NEVER mix together.) I think the best thing to do is just get some BMW/MINI Xtended Life coolant and use that to top off. Pricey but U know you're replacing what's disappearing. Jimbo

 

ive been using Subaru's green coolant diluted 50/50 with distilled water.
Works fine for me... :smile: why Subaru? cause I still have a bottle left from
my WRX days....

 

Since I flushed and refilled my 1986 Toyota PU's system with non-dilutable Honda extended life coolant, it gets to operating temps much faster and runs consistently cooler, at least according to my gauge. BTW, the engine has 261K--with no rebuilds. Jimbo

 

My dealer gives my free,pre-mixed coolant.But I have a leak they can't find.
Once a month I have to top up from low to mid way.When my new tranny gets done,the tech. figures he can find the leak

 

In regards to contents, this is what's on the label of the MINI brand coolant:
Ethylene Glycol (107-21-1)
Diethylene Glycol (111-46-6)
Sebacic Acid (111-20-6)
Sodium Hydroxide (1310-73-2)
2-Ethylhexanoic Acid (149-57-5)
Corrosion Inhibitors, Defoamers, Silicates, and Dyes.

It's blue and you're suppose to mix it 50/50 w/ distilled water (or 60/40 in severe conditions). I didn't want to take a gamble, so I forked over about $17 for a gallon.

 

You could just use the Prestone universal coolant that they just came out with.

Supposed to work with all different kinds.

I think the techincal name of the coolant that goes in the MINI is GO-5. That is what the aftermarket coolant guide I get from zerex says. GO-5 is the same coolant that goes in new fords under the Super Gold tradename and goes in new chryslers where it is a pink color.

 

Your Jetta specifies VW coolant because VWs require a lubricant for the water pump that is found only in that specific type of coolant - the pink stuff. Use Prestone and your VW will need a water pump in a few months. I'm not sure about the MINIs requirements but I bought a jug of the premixed stuff from the dealer just in case I need it.