Procedures
Draining and Filling
Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required
• Refractometer (T10007)
• Drip Tray (V.A.G 1306) or Drip Tray for VAS 6100 (VAS 6208)
• Spring Type Clip Pliers (VAS 5024 A)
• Cooling System Charge Unit (VAS 6096)
• Adapter (V.A.G 1274/8)
Draining
• Drained coolant must be stored in a clean container for disposal or reuse.
• Follow disposal regulations.
Hot steam may escape when opening the expansion tank cap.
• Wear protective goggles and protective clothing to prevent damage to eyes and scalding.
• Cover the cap with a cloth and open very carefully.
- Open the coolant expansion tank cap.
- Remove the noise insulation.
- Place the drip tray (V.A.G 1306) or drip tray for VAS 6100 (VAS 6208) underneath.
- Open the spring clamp - arrow - and disconnect the coolant hose.
If the quick acting coupling at the lower radiator connection is pulled off, a large amount of coolant flows onto the bumper.
Filling
• The water portion of the coolant influences the effectiveness of the coolant.
• Volkswagen has decided to define the water quality used in the cooling system based on the different mixtures, country and regional requirements.
• For this reason, we recommend using distilled water for older models when adding coolant or filling the coolant for the first time.
• On newer models (from MY 10), distilled water is required.
Only use distilled water for mixing with G12 plus-plus. Using distilled water provides optimum corrosion protection.
• On vehicles from MY 08, only coolant additive G 12 plus-plus conforming to TL VW 774 G may be used.
• On vehicles through MY 07, coolant additive G 12 plus conforming to TL VW 774 F and G 12 plus-plus conforming to TL VW 774 G may be used.
• G 12 plus-plus may be mixed with the previous coolant additive G12 plus. Both are colored purple.
• Coolant additives marked with "Conforms to TL VW 774 G" or "Conforms to TL VW 774 F" prevent freezing and corrosion damage and scaling and they increase the boiling point. For this reason the system must be filled all year round with frost and corrosion protection additives.
• Because of its high boiling point, the coolant improves engine reliability under heavy loads, particularly in countries with tropical climates.
• Protection against frost must be assured down to approximately -25 °C (-13 °F) (in arctic climatic countries down to approximately -35 °C (-31 °F)).
• The coolant concentration must not be reduced by adding water even in warmer seasons and in warmer countries. The coolant additive portion must be at least 40%.
• If for climatic reasons a greater frost protection is required, the amount of coolant additive can be increased, but only up to 60% (frost protection to about -40 °C (-40 °F)), as otherwise frost protection is reduced again and cooling effectiveness is also reduced.
• The refractometer (T10007) is recommended for determining freeze protection density.
• If the radiator, heater core, cylinder head or cylinder head gasket is replaced, do not reuse the old coolant.
Recommended Mixture Ratios:
• 1 The quantity of coolant can vary depending upon the vehicle equipment.
- Connect the coolant hose to the connection and secure it using the spring type clamp.
- Install the noise insulation.
Filling using the Cooling System Charge Unit (VAS 6096) :
- Install the adapter (V.A.G 1274/8) onto the expansion tank.
- Fill the coolant circuit using the cooling system charge unit (VAS 6096). Refer to the operating instructions for the cooling system charge unit VAS 6096.
Filling without the Cooling System Charge Unit (VAS 6096) :
- Slowly fill the coolant up to the top mark - arrow - of the hatched area on the expansion tank.
- Install the expansion tank cap.
- Turn off the heater and air conditioning.
- Start the engine and maintain an engine speed of about 2000 RPM for approximately 3 minutes.
- Let the engine run until the fan starts.
Hot steam may escape when opening the expansion tank cap.
• Wear protective goggles and protective clothing to prevent damage to eyes and scalding.
• Cover the cap with a cloth and open very carefully.
- Check the coolant level and fill as necessary.
• With the engine at operating temperature, the coolant level must be at the top mark - arrow - of the hatched area.
• With the engine cold, the coolant level should be located approximately in the center of the hatched area.