What is the color of BMW 5 Series antifreeze?
2 Answers
BMW 5 Series antifreeze is green in color. Antifreeze is a type of coolant containing special additives, primarily used in liquid-cooled engine cooling systems. It offers excellent performance in preventing freezing in winter, boiling in summer, and providing year-round protection against scale and corrosion. Composition of antifreeze: The main components of antifreeze are: 50% pure water, 40% methanol, and 10% other substances. Types of antifreeze: Antifreeze is generally categorized into three types: ethanol-water type, glycerol-water type, and ethylene glycol-water type. Can antifreeze be mixed? It is necessary to use the same brand of antifreeze. Different brands of antifreeze may have varying production formulas, and mixing them could lead to chemical reactions between multiple additives, rendering them ineffective. How to choose antifreeze: The basic indicators of antifreeze are the freezing point and boiling point. In the market, antifreeze is available with freezing points of -15℃, -25℃, -30℃, -40℃, etc. Generally, it is advisable to choose a product with a freezing point at least 10℃ lower than the lowest temperature in your region.
As a veteran BMW driver with over a decade of experience, the coolant in a BMW 5 Series is typically blue. Having owned several generations of the 5 Series, from the E60 to the current G30, I can confirm that the coolant has mostly been this color. This isn't arbitrary—blue indicates it's a high-performance ethylene glycol mixture, specifically designed to prevent freezing in winter and engine overheating in summer. During routine maintenance, I always advise friends to check the coolant reservoir—if the color fades, becomes cloudy, or shows impurities, it may indicate contamination or the need for replacement. The BMW manual recommends changing the coolant every two years or 30,000 kilometers—don’t overlook this, as neglecting it can lead to issues with the water pump or engine block. Also, be careful to match the correct type when adding coolant—using the wrong color or brand can cause corrosion, leading to costly repairs. Remember, sticking to the factory-specified blue coolant helps extend engine life.
