How To Choose The Right Coolant For Your Car

►If you’re a DIYer, chances are that you’ll be opening up the cooling system at some point. Water pumps and thermostats are regular maintenance, but other failures from bad plastic bits and upgrades to more robust pieces are just as likely to force you to get familiar with your engine’s preferred coolant type. So, what does your car need and why? What color is your coolant supposed to be, and does that really matter?


00:00 - Introduction To Coolant Types
00:30 - What is Coolant?
01:05 - What is Glycol?
01:22 - What Chemicals are in Coolant
01:40 - The 4 Types of Coolant
02:07 - HOAT Coolant Type - G05 & G48 - Volkswagen
02.30 - Si-Oat Coolant Type - G12, G12+, G12++ G40, GG40, G13, Mercedes Benz, BMW LC18
03:29 - What Coolants Can Be Used Together?
03:55 - Pre-2014 Mercedes Benz Coolant Type - G48
04:24 - 2015 & Up Mercedes Benz Coolant Type - G40
04:42 - Do Not Mix G40 - Mercedes Benz
04:58 - BMW Coolant Types - G48
05:12 - New BMW Coolant Type - HT12
05:28 - Volvo Coolant Type - G48
06:11 - Volkswagen & Audi Coolant Types
06:43 - VW 94-96 Coolant Type - G11
06:52 - VW 96-2000 Coolant Type - G12
07:02 - VW 2000-05 Coolant Type - G12+
07:17 - VW 05-08 Coolant Type - G12++
07:30 - VW 08-22 Coolant Type - G13
07:41 - VW 22-Present Coolant Type - G12evo
08:00 - G40 Coolant Compatibility
08:18 - Conclusion

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[quocanhphanho]

Video needs an excel sheet for compatibility/which one is usable together, so we can cross check easier

[VanquishMediaDE]

You can use BMW G48 (Blue) Coolant for Lancia, Ferrari, Alfa, Fiat and Maserati

[skylinefever]

My family learned the hard way that OEM coolants can be different back in 1998. Back then, every GM and Ford took a certain green antifreeze, and the antifreeze in Hondas was colored green. What we didn't know was that Honda green antifreeze had no silicates, and silicates destroy water pumps in Hondas.

I do not know what results other coolant mixes get. However, I refuse to find out. I use OEM or the nearest equivalent from a good brand.

Green or blue antifreeze in Japanese cars is sometimes called P-OAT, short for phosphate OAT.

[debbydatesman]

Thanks for all the info. Prestone says their coolant is ok for all engines. Can it be used in Volvos and newer Mercedes? If no why?

Thanks!!!

[ramadhanisme]

So the g48 is safe to use for older car such as e34 ot e38?

[biztwobiz]

Whew, now that was a mouth full. BUT, GREAT detailed info!! Got to give it to VW, they can make anything more difficult!! Including coolant. Lol Merci

[steveb]

Water wetter on the table but no mention 😅

[bmwlane]

Holly $hit....I wish mfg would just agree on one

[Kiss__Kiss]

Thank you, FCP Euro. This is a great video Idea, as some of us have/own/park different manufacturers in our garages.

[Got_Boost]

Nice good too know before I poured the zerex into my VW
Now i have piece of mind that I don’t have to worry if it’s okay to mix with the previous coolant the owner had..
Zerex for the win😁

[yassineelhassiah]

By mistake I added like 500 ml of yellow coolant to the blue one that was already in the car ? Is can create any damage to the engine or it’s okey ?

[kkhalifah]

My Triumph motorcycle had the Triumph HD4X HOAT coolant as the factory fill. 2 years later Triumph switched to the Triumph D2035 OAT coolant, and issued strict instructions to flush the cooling system thoroughly before switching as these two cannot mix because they will react chemically with each other.

Nowadays I'm fearful of even mixing different brands of coolants. The lesson I learned here is to stick to one coolant type and brand all the way.

[LightSpinAngler]

Good to know BMW coolant is pretty easy, just buy G48! Cheaper and same BASF formula. Unless you have a new model, but even then still you said the HT-12 is compatible. I’ve seen other sources say the new stuff is actually GREEN 🤔

[jackrubysflowers]

the timing of recent videos is hilarious with my P1 coolant leaks... that said, would love some chapters or timestamps

[loganmarriott]

You covered Audi as VAG, is the information the same for Porsche ?

[BrotherRobb]

5:26 did he mean HT12 rather than G48? Is HT12 the 2017 or newer models?

[SuperAspari]

What about the notorious ‘Land Rover Only’ pink antifreeze? No mention of this?

[bobk]

I believe you are incorrect about G30 being an Si-OAT coolant. G30 has no silicates. G30 appears to be a straight OAT coolant.

[gmans]

Thank You. Will probably have to watch this a couple of times. Currently doing a mini resto on an late 80's Volkswagen 1.8. The Cooling system will get an overhaul so what say you going forward should be my Coolant Choice?

[mpowerd]

What about running 100% distilled water and water wetter for live and anti corrosion? Any compatible with OEM spec besides redline?