This damn "G12" crap... not easy to find. My coolant is very low and I just so happen to have a gallon of the (also red in color) Toyota Super Long Life coolant in my garage. Can I top this bad boy off or will it turn into jelly? I've tried researching this but was unable to find anything solid...

 

This is the best info I've found so far, starting at post#12, and specifically post#15

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66815

 

upon further investigation it appears that neither G12 nor the toyota stuff contains silicates.

 

you should not mix coolants, however if the coolant is old, just drain it and put new stuff in. as long as its the same type and the type the car requires it doesnt have to be g12. manufacture fluid is generally not needed. its overpriced and newer development have surpassed the additives in the g12 anyway. trannys and diff are really the only thing you should stick with the manufact.

if you dont wanna do all that just put distilled water in it. unless you live in a really cold area you dont need anything more that 60/40 water/antifreeze

 

I have the MSDS for both. They look like they are similar in chemical composition. The only thing that raises question is the difference in pH (8.4 vs 7.6) and density (1.068 vs 1.08). I'm not sure if these differences matter or not... any chemists in the house?!

MSDS for G12+:
http://www.mpmoil.nl/pdf/en/producten/vb-86000c.pdf

MSDS for Toyota Super Long Life:
http://www.worldpac.com/msds/pdfs/WP-146.pdf

 

Don't mix the coolants, you can buy Pentosin which is the same as G12, it is sold at autozones or online www.ecstuning.com www.purems.com