What do you use to top up?

[Vicki21]

Hi everyone,

I have some really basic questions that I hope someone can answer! I own a 03 mini cooper and I need to top some stuff up under the bonnet and am little worried about what to use.

What does every use to top up the following:

water (anything?!)
oil
coolant (my level is low and I don't know if I can top this up or have to take it to a garage?)

Thank you,

Vicki

[dunk71]

By water i presume you mean for the windscreen, which would be water and screenwash
Engine Oil for oil
Water to top up the coolant

[Vicki21]

Hi thanks Dunk,

Yeah I meant water for the screenwash, is there a particular type people use? (i don't want to use anything which could damage it)

Well obviously engine oil - I use a bmw grade for that (its the one recommended in the book) but just wondered if people use anything else.

And wouldn't adding water to the collant be bad for the engine?

I'm not stupid I just would like to know what other people use before I start putting stuff in the car which is either crap or is wrong.

Advice would be helpful.

Thanks.

Vicki

[DaFlake]

For windscreen, you can get a nice premix from an auto store. For summer they have ones that are good for bugs and for winter there are ones that won't freeze.

For engine oil, you will need a fully synthetic 0w-30 oil. Most people like to stay with Castrol Edge but you can mix as long as you keep it to a 30 weight. I use Royal Purple.

On coolant, I would not recommend water only. I would recommend you buy a premix coolant that you can add to the bottle. The problem with water only is that you will dilute your mix and during the winter this could lead to the water freezing. Once again, you can get this from Halfords or an auto parts store.

[mini33]

Screenwash you only need water if you don't get a ready mixed one - I buy Halfords premium version thats seems to work ok - its readymixed which is a bonus - I do add little bit of water as my bruv told me to but dont think u act need to. - Halfords Premium Ready Mix Screen Wash 5L from Halfords Price £5.99 Buy 1 Get 1 Free on Ready Mixed Screen Wash even more of a bonus its buy one get one free - but mini do seem to drink screen wash like bellow - well mine does anyway - may be also worth grabbing a rain x bottle also.

Enguine oil should say in your manual but if its anything like mne was its best to search other forums for whatever grade you need or if you can afford get a garage to do as they should know.

No dont add water to your collant - you need to have a look @ what colour the liquid is & get the same colour coolant as if you dont you can cause some damage to your mini - this can also be purchased from Halfords or a like then you have to top up when cold - If you haven't got a lot in there you need TO GET THAT DONE AS A PRIOTY IN THIS WEATHER to help keep the enguine cool - You want to top up just under the max line & DONT OVERFILL AS LIQUID EXPANDS WHEN HOT. If you have one of the cream non see through bottles then i would be extra careful as there very hard to see where the lines & i have to use a torch to see in mine!!
I may be wrong as i have only learnt from my bruv who i a mechanic but dont think it matter what grade it is but as long a its the same colour you should be ok - when was the last time it was topped up?? as the r53 are notoruious for coolant leaks - I have a r53 mcs that developed a leak - replaced hose which was what we thought it was but wans't it was my expansion/collant bottle that had a crack just below the max line - where you were meant to fill it to which i had to replace!!

Hope that helps xx

[DaFlake]

You need to stop listening to your brother. He is dead wrong. Color has nothing to do with it.....

Antifreeze Recycling FAQ

I highly recommend that you read this.

[BRG/Blk Cooper S]

In a rare case of unbelievable weirdness the best thing to do is pop into your BMW/MINI spare parts counter.....it's far more economical than you might think.

Screen-wash, I got a couple of bottles of the BMW one last week for £3.80 each and then made a 10lt mix by adding water from my Britta filter - Halfords charge around £5 for a 5lt pre-mix and personally I think their screen-wash is pants: its doesn't clean very well, smears on the windscreen at it dries and leaves residue all over the car. Just drove from London to Den Haag on a very hot day and my screen is very clean and car not covered in nasty, sticky residue

Coolant, same thing, I bought the BMW one it's aprox £8.....it's still unopened. As BMW now have changed their policy on the 4 year coolant flush it would really silly to put anything but BMW specified coolant in there - btw if you use the whole bottle you have a problem and need a mechanic - I've never needed to top mine up in 2 years of ownership. (No this isn't an invitation for all of the old-school to start bleeting about how BMW don't know what they are talking about re coolant changes - please all bite your tongues and just be satisfied that you are getting to cause unnecessary pollution.......I'm sure it will be illegal soon enough).

Oil........again, parts counter will sell you the same as what's currently in your engine and it will cost pretty much the same as Halfrauds.........who incidentally are one of the most morally bankrupt firms in the UK in regards to how they treat their suppliers........complete bullies plain and simple..

I also get my wiper blades from the BMW/MINI parts counter - again competitive price that makes going all the way to the orange H a pointless exercise..

Also...........
And I'm not trying in any way to be sexist here but I have seen women who have bought various consumables from the parts dept at my dealership have someone go out and show them (while smiling) what everything is and where it goes etc (I guess asking nicely & showing a genuine interest is probably the trick).
That has to be a far better option than some spotty little teen on minimum wage who knows pretty much nothing about cars let alone MINI's being let loose on your pride and joy.....and/or giving you any advice..


Good-luck..

[BRG/Blk Cooper S]

Quote: Originally Posted by DaFlake (original)

You need to stop listening to your brother. He is dead wrong. Color has nothing to do with it.....

Antifreeze Recycling FAQ

I highly recommend that you read this.

Good bit of info there, especially re environmental damage caused by incorrect disposal of coolant. You should make it a sticky..

[DaFlake]

Not a mod so I can't make it a sticky. However, that is a good idea.