Buying Coolant at the Gas Station

Gas stations are often the first point of contact when you quickly need coolant for a refill. Just like motor oil from the gas station, the right coolant seems to be readily available and can be topped up quickly. However, there’s a lot that can go wrong. Not everyone checks whether the coolant from the gas station is actually suitable for their vehicle. Moreover, shelves at gas stations are often filled with unfamiliar brands. An original BMW coolant is usually hard to find there, and if available, it’s typically much more expensive. So why do so many drivers still buy their coolant at gas stations instead of online or from other local retailers with better prices? Despite obvious advantages, this is easy to explain. How you can save money when buying coolant at a gas station, what to watch out for, and how you can make things easier is explained in the following content.

Why coolant from the Gas Station is so popular

Everyone knows the moment: the vehicle display flashes a warning that the coolant needs to be refilled. Every driver takes this seriously because everyone understands the importance of coolant. Without it, engine overheating can quickly occur, often leading to engine damage. So what do most drivers do? They head to the nearest gas station and quickly buy some coolant. But very few people consider which coolant they can actually use and what the labels on the bottles mean. There are significant differences in color, ingredients, and compatibility in the coolant market. Anyone buying coolant at the gas station should be well-informed about the necessary specifications and check if it’s a quality product.

Gas Station or Internet – Which Is Better?

The major pros and cons of buying coolant at a gas station or online are clear. At the gas station, you have immediate availability but pay a much higher price. Online, you’ll find lower prices and great options for comparison. This allows customers to save money and have the product delivered directly to their home. However, you have to wait at least one day. So time is the key argument whether you choose the gas station or the online shop. Below are the main pros and cons of each purchasing option.

➫ Buying Coolant at the Gas Station

Advantages	Disadvantages
✓ Immediately available	× Higher price
✓ Production date can be compared	× OEM products usually unavailable
	× No price comparisons
	× Usually not the same coolant as already in the system

➫ Buying Coolant Online

Advantages	Disadvantages
✓ Lower prices	× Not immediately available
✓ Easy comparison between sellers	× Production date not always visible
✓ OEM coolant available	× Possible shipping costs
✓ Bulk discounts possible
✓ Assistance in finding the right product

G13 Coolant from the Gas Station

Those looking for G13 coolant at a gas station typically won’t find the original VW G13 coolant. Instead, gas stations offer products from other manufacturers.

Our photo shows a G13 coolant commonly found at gas stations: Castrol Radicool SF. It doesn’t clearly state that it’s a typical G13 coolant or that it’s suitable for specific vehicles.

As with other coolants, you must check specifications or approvals. These details reveal which vehicles the product is suitable for and whether it corresponds to G12 or G13 standards.

On the blue label of the Castrol coolant, specifications like MB 325.3 and VW TL 774-F are listed. Therefore, this concentrate is suitable for Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz cooling systems. Check your vehicle manual under “coolant” and verify if any label markings match. If so, the coolant is likely suitable.

A closer look at VW TL 774-F reveals that it aligns with the G13 standard. In this case, you’d have a G13-standard coolant.

Price Comparison Between Gas Station and Internet

In our case, Castrol Radicool SF costs exactly €7.49 for a 1-liter bottle. The original VW G13 coolant, as used in factory fill, costs around €9.00 for a 1.5-liter bottle online. While the price difference isn’t dramatic, keep in mind that you’re comparing a replacement product with an original G13-standard coolant. This distinction matters.

G12 Coolant from the Gas Station

Besides the G13 standard, many drivers also look for G12 coolant at gas stations. In our example, Castrol Radicool NF was next to the Radicool SF at the gas station.

Although it looks nearly identical, it adheres to a completely different coolant standard. Radicool NF concentrate meets standards such as BMN N 600 69 0, VW TL-774C, and MB 325.0.

As mentioned earlier, don’t just look for G12 coolant—verify which standard your cooling system truly requires.

Taking a closer look at Castrol Radicool NF under VW standards reveals that VW TL-774C corresponds to the G11 coolant standard. So this is not a G12 coolant, and no G12 coolant was found in this case.

However: VW G13 coolant is an evolution of the G12 formula. It is mixable with G12+, G12++, and could be used in emergencies.

The Conclusion

Many drivers turn to gas stations as their first source when they need coolant. Especially when prompted by a vehicle warning, it feels like there’s little choice.

The advantages of gas stations are mainly in the immediate availability. However, our real-world example showed that the right coolant isn’t always available. Every driver should consult their vehicle manual to determine which coolant is required.

Even better is to prepare in advance and buy a bottle online as a backup. There, you’ll usually find the concentrate or pre-mixed product at a better price. Additionally, original coolants from automakers are available online, making mixing safer.

If you’re buying G12 or G13 coolant quickly at a gas station and are willing to accept the higher price, always pay close attention to the specifications. Besides G12 and G13, gas stations may also sell G11 or other coolant types. Make sure the product matches your car’s requirements.