Just tell me what to buy. Power steering fluid and antifreeze. Sorry.

Like you I was confused ...After much much research ..I ended up with zerex g05 and Mobil 1 synthetic ATF ...Looking at specs on the oil was the closest I found to the spirax ..Valvoline works too but always have used Mobil 1 ...Like everything else you will get a number of different responses and most will be just fine

I know redline is everyone's favorite and another good choice

The g05 is not lifetime but I think it is the superior product to use with our wet liners that is easly obtained ..Just change it every year or two and you will be fine

Just my thoughts

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This is what the product information says - ZEREX™ G-05 is

compatible with other premium brands of coolant commonly

available. ....One alternative that some Indies on here use is peak global lifetime which doesn't change the color of what's in there and is also compatible with everything

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Use distilled water btw

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For power steering, any synthetic ATF meeting Dexron III or Dexron VI standards will work, including the one mentioned above. I use Zerex G05, too, but it needs to be changed at least every two years since the nitrites that protect the liners wear out quickly. I use Valvoline Dexron VI in the power steering.

Some nitrite free ELC coolants work fine, too, using an organic replacement for the nitrites.

 

I use BMW coolant and mix with distilled water. Any Dexron III steering fluid will work. If I flushed all of mine out I'd switch to the porsche pentosin, but pentosin doesn't mix with regular fluid.

 

Curt- Check the specs on that BMW coolant and make sure it works for wet liners, which BMWs do not have. If it is G48, there are no nitrites or ELC organic substitute for wet liner protection and it is not really suitable for Ferraris. Mercedes switched coolants from G05 to G48 for their factory coolant (no wet liners in their engines, either), but I am not sure about BMW.

 

Thanks I'll check..

 

vrsurgeon,

Did you find anything out about this? I too have been using BMW coolant for the last six years. I do a full drain including the block every two years.

Is there something I/we could add to the coolant to minimize any wet liner issues?

Thanks!

 

Per the bottle in the attic..

Ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, sebacic acid, sodium hydroxide, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, corrosion inhibitors, defoamers, silicates, and dyes

Some sites say its G48.. no indication on the bottle.

 

While I was doing research and getting professional opinions (e.g. Brian) although it does have some anti cavatation properties it does Have the same ridged specs / approvals for desiels as g05 ..So that lead me to believe that it is truly better for our cars ....Quoting Brian ...He said he seen some engines that user did not use good anti cavatation properties lead to problem in lining ..He is also likes g05..

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After rereading my post I see I was clear ... Although g48 has some anti cavatation properties based on the product info , I believe based on research and some facts that g05 is truly better for our engines ...The only drawback​ it has to be changed more frequently...

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Brian and I discussed this in detail. G05 works fine as long as it is changed at least every other year because the nitrites degrade fairly quickly. One of the new ELC (extended life coolants) with an organic substitute, and possibly also molybdate, for the nitrites is technically superior, especially the Shell Rotella Ultra ELC, and might stretch to 5 years. Problem was it is most widely available in premix and Brian was not too keen on paying coolant prices for water.

I've attached a document I dug up on coolants after Brian and I spoke for those of you on the lunatic fringe of needing to know, and a spec sheet for the Shell Rotella Ultra ELC. This coolant contains both an organic additive corrosion inhibitor and molybdate for cylinder liner protection. 50/50 mix is not as big a deal for us amateurs. Just costs a bit more.

I change my coolant every two years, and so far have stuck to the G05.

Turns out NAPA now carries the Shell Rotella Ultra Concentrate in 1 gallon sizes for about $21.50, the Zerex G05 is $19 from Amazon, so not much difference.
https://www.napaonline.com/p/SHU550024730
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Hi guys is the Shell Rotella Ultra ELC the best coolant to use still based on some of the feedback here?

 

I change my coolant every year, not every two. It is probably unnecessary, but I want to minimize the chances of corroding my heat exchanger.

 

You definitely don't want that to happen! It is a huge PIA to change. I did it a couple of months ago and I'm still having nightmares!
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I use BMW blue and change annually. Hopefully I am fine with that in my 360!

 

When I used to race, all we used was distilled water + Redline Water Wetter. Never needed antifreeze since we didn't race or store cars in in freezing temps. That said, I would like to see a comprehensive and definitive list of acceptable replacements for fluids you can't find exact spec for anymore.