Coolant: Service and Repair
Engine Cooling System:
The cooling system is sealed and generally requires little attention.
The cooling system has been filled at the factory with a permanent coolant which does not need to be changed. The coolant consists of a mixture of water and the manufacturer's coolant additive G 12 A8D - antifreeze on a glycol base with anti-corrosion additives (40% for USA models; 50% for Canadian models). This mixture assures the necessary frost protection and protects alloy components in the engine's cooling system from corrosion and scaling. It also raises the boiling point of the coolant.
Do not reduce the concentration of the coolant in the summer by adding plain water. The proportion of coolant additive must be at least 40% but not more than 60% to maintain antifreeze protection and cooling efficiency.
For year-round driving, antifreeze is added at the factory for temperatures down to:
-13°F (-25°C) USA
-31°F (-35°C) Canada.
Always heed all WARNINGS!
Never use any coolant additive other than VW G 12 A8D additive (check label) for your vehicle. This coolant additive is available at VOLKSWAGEN dealers.
Other types of antifreeze can, above all, significantly reduce corrosion protection. The resulting corrosion can cause a loss of coolant and therefore serious engine damage.
When adding coolant additive to your cooling system, please remember:
Under no circumstances may G 12 A8D be mixed with other coolant additives (for example G 11).
You can recognize G 12 A8D in the expansion tank by its red color. If the liquid in the expansion tank is brown, G 12 A8D has been mixed with another coolant additive. In this case, your vehicle's coolant must be changed as soon as possible.
Note
Mixing coolant additives can result in serious malfunction or engine damage!
Checking the Engine Coolant Level:
The coolant expansion tank is located on the right side in the engine compartment.
WARNING! To reduce the risk of being burned, never open the hood if you see or hear steam or coolant escaping from the engine compartment. Wait until no steam or coolant can be seen or heard before carefully opening the hood.
Always heed all WARNINGS.
The correct coolant level is important for proper functioning of the cooling system.
Therefore, check the coolant level regularly:
- preferably at every fuel filling when you check the oil.
To obtain an accurate reading, the engine must be switched off.
Since the expansion tank is transparent, the cap need not be removed to check the coolant level.
The coolant level must be between the reference lines when the engine is cold and can be slightly above the upper line if the engine is warm.
The expansion tank in your vehicle is equipped with an electric coolant level checking device.
When the coolant level is too low, the warning light will blink until the coolant level has been restored to normal.
Coolant Losses:
Coolant losses may indicate a leak in the cooling system. In the event of coolant losses, the cooling system should be inspected immediately by your authorized VOLKSWAGEN dealer. It is not enough merely to add coolant.
In a sealed system, losses can occur only if the boiling point of the coolant is exceeded as a result of overheating.
Adding Coolant:
WARNING
The cooling system is under pressure and can get very hot. Reduce the risk of scalding from hot coolant by following these steps.
^ Turn off the engine and allow it to cool down.
^ Protect face, hands and arms escaping fluid and steam by covering the cap with a large, thick rag.
^ Turn the cap slowly and very carefully in a counter-clockwise direction while applying light, downward pressure on the top of the cap.
^ To help avoid being burned, do not spill antifreeze or coolant on the exhaust system or hot engine parts. Under some conditions, the ethylene glycol in engine coolant can catch fire.
If, in an emergency only water can be added, the correct ratio between water and antifreeze must be restored as soon as possible.
It you have lost a considerable amount of coolant, then you should add cold antifreeze and cold water only when the engine is cold.
Do not fill coolant above the upper reference line.
Note
Coolant pollutes the environment and could cause an engine fire. Excess coolant will be forced out through the pressure relief valve in the cap when the engine become hot.
Screw cap on again tightly.
WARNING
Antifreeze is poisonous. Always store antifreeze in its original container and well out of the reach of children. If you drain the coolant, it must be caught and safely stored in a proper container clearly marked "poison."
Drained coolant should not be reused. Always dispose of used coolant observing all environmental regulations.
Radiator Fan:
The electric radiator fan is controlled by thermo-switches that switch on and off depending on coolant and engine compartment temperatures.
WARNING
^ Never touch the radiator fan. It is temperature controlled and can switch on suddenly - even when the ignition is off and the ignition key has been removed.
^ The radiator fan switches on automatically when the coolant reaches a certain temperature and will continue to run until the coolant temperature drops.
Always heed all WARNINGS.