Are BMW's Antifreeze and Coolant the Same Thing?
2 Answers
BMW's antifreeze and coolant are the same thing, and not just for BMW—currently, the antifreeze and coolant in most vehicle models are the same. Strictly speaking, antifreeze is not entirely equivalent to coolant. Coolant can be simply understood as water used to cool the engine, with its main functions being to protect the engine's cooling system, improve heat dissipation, enhance engine efficiency, and extend its service life. BMW is a German luxury car brand, with its lineup including the i, X, Z, and four pure numeric models, as well as the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 series, along with the M series, which is based on improvements to these models.
I've been driving a BMW for many years. In our cars, antifreeze and coolant are essentially different names for the same thing, but strictly speaking, antifreeze is a key component of coolant. Coolant primarily consists of antifreeze (like ethylene glycol), water, and other additives. In BMW engines, it prevents freezing in winter and overheating or boiling in summer. BMW-specific coolant must meet certain standards, such as BMW G48 specifications. Never use other brands casually, as prolonged use can corrode the radiator or water pump. I once used a non-genuine one by mistake, which caused the temperature warning light to come on and cost a lot to repair. I recommend checking and replacing the coolant every two years or as per the manual, while also paying attention to color changes (BMW originals are usually blue or green) to protect engine performance. It's also essential to have technicians test the pH level during regular maintenance to avoid oxidation.
