Freeze Protection, Checking and Adding Coolant Additive
Freeze Protection, Checking and Adding Coolant Additive
• From MY 2008, only coolant additive (G 12 plus-plus) conforming to TL VW 774 G may be used.
• Coolant additive G12 plus conforming to TL VW 774 and G12 plus-plus conforming to TL VW 774 G can be used in vehicles through MY 2007.
• Coolant additive (G 12 plus-plus) may be mixed with (G 12 plus) only. Both are purple.
• Coolant additives with the note "conforms to TL VW 774 G" or "conforms to TL VW 774 F" prevent freezing and corrosion damage, scaling and also raise the boiling point of the coolant. For these reasons, the cooling system must be filled with radiator freeze and corrosion protection fluid all year round.
• Especially in countries with tropical climates or when vehicle is driven under heavy load, the coolant improves the engine reliability by its increased boiling point.
• Freeze protection must be guaranteed to approximately -25 °C (approximately -35 °C in countries with an arctic climate).
• The coolant concentration must not be reduced by adding distilled water, even during the warmer season. The coolant additive ratio must be at least 40%.
• If climate conditions make greater freeze protection necessary, the amount of (G 12 plus-plus) can be increased up to 60% (Freeze protection to approximately -40 °C). Adding more coolant reduces the freeze protection and reduces the cooling efficiency.
• Use a refractometer (T10007) to determine the actual freeze protection.
• Do not use the old coolant if the radiator, heat exchanger, cylinder head or cylinder head gasket were replaced.
Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required
• Refractometer (T10007) or
• Refractometer (T10007 A)
• Read the bright/ark boundary to obtain an accurate reading for the following tests. Place a drop of water on the glass to improve the readability of the bright/dark boundary. The bright/dark boundary can be clearly recognized on the "WATERLINE".
- Check the concentration of the coolant additive using the refractometer (T10007) (read the Operating Instructions) or refractometer (T10007 A) (read the Operating Instructions).
The refractometer scale - 1 - applies to coolant additives G 11; G 12; G 12+ and G 12++.
The scale - 2 - is designed only for coolant additive G13.
• The freeze protection must be ensured down to approximately -25°C.
• If the climate requires more freeze protection, the portion of G 12+ or G 12++ can be increased. Increase only up to 60% (freeze protection down to approximately -40 °C) otherwise the freeze protection will be diminished and the cooling effect is reduced.
- If there is not enough freeze protection, coolant must be drained and topped off with coolant additive G 12++. Refer to => [ Coolant Level, Checking and Adding Coolant Additive ] Coolant Level, Checking and Adding Coolant Additive.
• Observe waste disposal regulations!
Use distilled water for mixing. Tap water or well water does not have the necessary quality to assure the functionality of the coolant.
- Check the freeze protection after the road test.