Mixing coolant/anti freeze brands

A

Adamski

Lifer
 Edinburgh
I've had a look on the search about which is the correct coolant to use, and the best I've come up with IS THIS

I need to top up my coolant, and intent to add a little water, but would prefere to add some ready mixed coolant/anti freeze from my local car parts store. However, can anyone confirm whether or not mixing different anti freeze/coolant brands is/isn't advisable?
 
I had a holed radiator the year before last in my Skoda VRS, it happened over christmas, and was replaced under warranty, even though it looked like a stone had hit it. I needed to keep it topped up before being fixed, and It was then that I realised that not all coolants are the same, and for the newer VAG engines a G12 ( i think) coolant was required, rather than a G10 etc etc, or even the Halfrauds stuff. I don't think it wise to just put any old cheap stuff in, but I am sure that there will be some specific grade needed for your system. I used a product from Comma, which was one of the very few products that met the specific requirements. I did also deduce that it was not wise to mix the different grades.
 
Adamski - I needed to top mine up recently and spent hours trying to figure it out. The manual is useless, and I didn't want to put the wrong thing in - gave up and just went to the stealers. Unfortunately i apparentlt only comes in 1.5l bottles, so I think it cost me about £20 :headbang:

However, it's the right stuff. And I now know it's blue not pink, so when I run out in 2015 I'll try and do it myself :D
 
Bing said:
Adamski - I needed to top mine up recently and spent hours trying to figure it out. The manual is useless, and I didn't want to put the wrong thing in - gave up and just went to the stealers. Unfortunately i apparentlt only comes in 1.5l bottles, so I think it cost me about £20 :headbang:

However, it's the right stuff. And I now know it's blue not pink, so when I run out in 2015 I'll try and do it myself :D
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Thanks Allan - good call :thumbsup: - I'll give it a little distilled water for now and go down to the stealers next time I'm in Dundee. Would prefer to spend £20 on the right stuff than cause future problems later on down the line.
 
I've always wondered about this. Do dealers mix it with distilled water when they change the coolant or just use the hosepipe? :D
 
molar said:
I've always wondered about this. Do dealers mix it with distilled water when they change the coolant or just use the hosepipe? :D
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Suspect they use hose-pipe :(

Going slightly off topic - is that the Gatecrasher lion in your signature? Visited there on many occassions prior to the main club burning down :cry: Also attended a couple of crasher festivals.... Those were the days :)
 
Adamski said:
molar said:
I've always wondered about this. Do dealers mix it with distilled water when they change the coolant or just use the hosepipe? :D
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Suspect they use hose-pipe :(
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I suspect so too! I still bought some distilled water to top mine up with though when I had a small coolant leak. I mixed it with BMW Antifreeze Part Number 81 22 9 407 454. I got it from a local dealer for £7.62+VAT, comes in a 1.5L bottle and mixed it at a ratio of 50/50. Better to be safe than sorry!

Adamski said:
Going slightly off topic - is that the Gatecrasher lion in your signature? Visited there on many occassions prior to the main club burning down :cry: Also attended a couple of crasher festivals.... Those were the days :)
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Yes it is and yes they were! I think I must have spent most of my student loan there. I have all of the Cd's and still play them regularly...except not while driving my z4. I can't figure out the easiest/cheapest way to connect my iPod with the Carver/CD changer combo so just haven't bothered.
 
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