In cold climent best coolant mix bmw 325i e90

[Big325i]

I need some help this weekend I am going to replace my radiator 2006 bmw 325i e90 sedan n52 I am going to use prestone antifreeze I live in Ohio so it gets really cold in the winter and pretty warm in summer should I use 1gal of straight antifreeze then one 50/50 antifreeze I was figuring that would be around 25% water 75% antifreeze any help would be great thanks

[greenohawk69]

When I lived in WI, I just used the BMW coolant and I didn't have any problems.

[floydr]

I need some help this weekend I am going to replace my radiator 2006 bmw 325i e90 sedan n52 I am going to use prestone antifreeze I live in Ohio so it gets really cold in the winter and pretty warm in summer should I use 1gal of straight antifreeze then one 50/50 antifreeze I was figuring that would be around 25% water 75% antifreeze any help would be great thanks

Pure antifreeze is not recommended (by pretty much everyone). 50/50 is the most usual recommendation and should be highly effective in any temp you're likely to get in Cleveland, winter or summer.

But normal prestone is not recommended for BMWs. The "standard" prestone is not a low-phosphate, low-silicate forumula. Zerex G-05 meets the BMW standards. There are others, but they're a bit less available. There are several threads around; or you might have to Google for Glysantin g48.

[Pilgrim]

Optimal mix is 50/50. More antifreeze is not better.

[legoman67]

50/50 with BMW coolant.

[marvinstockman]

Sorry to be rude, but what does your owner's manual say?

Also, if you use a 75/25 mix, you may overheat, as the heat capacity of antifreeze is not as great as that of water.

[legoman67]

yup, concentrated coolant is horrible at transfering heat by itself. Its purpose is to raise the boiling point and lower the freezing point of the water that is transfering the heat.