Engine coolant

Introduction
In this section youll find information about:
Warning light and engine coolant temperature gauge
Engine coolant specifications

Never do any work on the coolant system unless you

know exactly how to carry out the job,
have the correct technical information and the proper tools, supplies, and operating fluids, and
are familiar with the necessary safety precautions !
If you are uncertain in any way, have the work done by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Serious personal injury may result from improperly performed work.

More information:
Trailer towing
Preparations for working in the engine compartment
Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications

WARNING
Engine coolant is poisonous!
Always keep the coolant in its original container stored in a safe place.
To reduce the risk of poisoning, never store engine coolant in empty food or beverage
containers or in any other containers that might mislead someone into drinking from them.
Always keep engine coolant out of reach of children.
Always make sure there is enough of the correct coolant additive to provide proper
antifreeze protection at the coldest temperatures that can be expected where the vehicle will
be used.
At extremely cold temperatures, the coolant could freeze, causing the vehicle to break
down. The heater would also not work, and vehicle occupants could be without protection at
subfreezing temperatures.

Coolant and coolant additives can pollute the environment. Collect leaking operating fluids and
dispose of them properly in accordance with applicable environmental laws and regulations.
Applicable only in the United States
Warning light and engine coolant temperature gauge

Fig. 170 Engine coolant temperature gauge in the instrument cluster: A Engine cold; B Normal temperature
range; C Warning zone.

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS .
If the indicator in the engine coolant temperature gauge is located in the cold range (A), the engine
has not reached operating temperature. High engine speeds and heavy engine loads should be
avoided.
Under normal driving conditions, the needle should be in the middle of the gauge. The temperature
may go higher when the engine is working hard, especially in hot weather.
When the ignition is switched on, several warning and indicator lights come on briefly for a function
check. They go out after a few seconds.
The following table explains what to do if the engine coolant warning light does not go out a few
seconds after the engine is started or lights up or starts flashing while driving.

Temperature
Lights gauge needle Possible cause Proper response
up
fig. 170
Stop!
Pull off the road and stop as soon as you
can do so safely. Stop the engine and let it
cool down until the temperature needle is in
the normal range again. Check the engine
coolant level and add coolant if needed.
If the engine coolant level is correct or the
(C) Engine coolant problem continues after adding coolant and
Warning zone temperature too high. driving a short distance, do not drive any
farther. Contact the nearest authorized
Volkswagen dealer or authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility.
If the coolant level is correct, the
overheating may be caused by a radiator
fan fault. Check the fuses and replace as
necessary.
 Temperature
Lights gauge needle Possible cause Proper response
up
fig. 170
Check the engine coolant level after the
engine has cooled down and add engine
coolant if low.
If the engine coolant level is correct or the
problem continues after adding coolant, do
(B) Engine coolant level too not drive any farther. Contact an
Normal range low. authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
These instructions apply only when the
coolant temperature stays in the normal
range. Stop immediately if the needle goes
into the red warning zone (C).
Stop!
Get assistance from an authorized
Engine coolant system
Volkswagen dealer, an authorized
malfunction.
Volkswagen Service Facility, or another
qualified workshop.
Do not drive at high engine speeds or with
(A)
heavy engine loads until the engine warms
Cold range
up.

Flashes Possible cause Proper response

Engine coolant system malfunction.

Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer
or an authorized Volkswagen Service
Facility.

When the ignition is switched on, several warning and indicator lights come on briefly for a function
check. They go out after a few seconds.

WARNING
Failure to heed warning lights and instrument cluster text messages can cause the vehicle to
break down in traffic and result in a collision and serious personal injury.
Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.
Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.
Applicable only in Canada, Mexico, the AGCC, and South Korea
Warning light and engine coolant temperature gauge

Fig. 171 Engine coolant temperature gauge in the instrument cluster: A Engine cold; B Normal temperature
range; C Warning zone.

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS .
If the indicator in the engine coolant temperature gauge is located in the cold range (A), the engine
has not reached operating temperature. High engine speeds and heavy engine loads should be
avoided.
Under normal driving conditions, the needle should be in the middle of the gauge. The temperature
may go higher when the engine is working hard, especially in hot weather.
When the ignition is switched on, several warning and indicator lights come on briefly for a function
check. They go out after a few seconds.
The following table explains what to do if the engine coolant warning light does not go out a few
seconds after the engine is started or lights up or starts flashing while driving.

Temperature
Lights gauge needle Possible cause Proper response
up
fig. 171
Stop!
Pull off the road and stop as soon as you
can do so safely. Stop the engine and let it
cool down until the temperature needle is in
the normal range again. Check the engine
coolant level and add coolant if needed.
If the engine coolant level is correct or the
(C) Engine coolant problem continues after adding coolant and
Warning zone temperature too high. driving a short distance, do not drive any
farther. Contact the nearest authorized
Volkswagen dealer or authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility.
If the coolant level is correct, the
overheating may be caused by a radiator
fan fault. Check the fuses and replace as
necessary.
 Temperature
Lights gauge needle Possible cause Proper response
up
fig. 171
Check the engine coolant level after the
engine has cooled down and add engine
coolant if low.
If the engine coolant level is correct or the
problem continues after adding coolant, do
(B) Engine coolant level too not drive any farther. Contact an
Normal range low. authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
These instructions apply only when the
coolant temperature stays in the normal
range. Stop immediately if the needle goes
into the red warning zone (C).
Stop!
Get assistance from an authorized
Engine coolant system
Volkswagen dealer, an authorized
malfunction.
Volkswagen Service Facility, or another
qualified workshop.
Do not drive at high engine speeds or with
(A)
heavy engine loads until the engine warms
Cold range
up.

Flashes Possible cause Proper response

Engine coolant system malfunction.

Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer
or an authorized Volkswagen Service
Facility.

When the ignition is switched on, several warning and indicator lights come on briefly for a function
check. They go out after a few seconds.

WARNING
Failure to heed warning lights and instrument cluster text messages can cause the vehicle to
break down in traffic and result in a collision and serious personal injury.
Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.
Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

NOTICE
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.

Engine coolant specifications

Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS .
The engine cooling system is filled at the factory with a mixture of specially conditioned water and at
least 40 percent of Volkswagen engine coolant additive G 13 (TL-VW 774 J). This engine coolant
additive is pink.
This mixture provides antifreeze protection down to -13 F (-25 C). It also helps to protect the light
alloy parts in the engine cooling system against corrosion. In addition, the mixture helps prevent
calcium deposits and increases the boiling point of the engine coolant.
To protect the engine, the mixture must always contain at least 40% coolant additive even in warm
weather or climates where antifreeze protection is not needed.
If more antifreeze protection is needed for climate conditions, the percentage of coolant additive can
be increased. However, the coolant additive percentage must never be more than 60%; otherwise,
antifreeze protection is reduced and the ability of the mixture to cool the engine is also reduced.
When adding engine coolant, use a mixture of distilled water and at least 40% coolant additive G 13
or G 12 plus-plus (TL-VW 774 G) for optimum corrosion protection .
Do not mix G 13 with G 12 plus or G 11. Mixing these coolant additives together significantly reduces
corrosion protection . and can lead to engine damage that is not covered by any Volkswagen
Limited Warranty

WARNING
Too little antifreeze protection in the engine cooling system can cause engine failure and
severe injuries.
Always make sure there is enough of the correct coolant additive to provide proper
antifreeze protection at the coldest temperatures that can be expected where the vehicle will
be used.
At extremely cold temperatures, the coolant could freeze, causing the vehicle to break
down. The heater would also not work, and vehicle occupants could be without protection at
subfreezing temperatures.

NOTICE
Never mix original Volkswagen engine coolant additives with other additives not approved by
Volkswagen. Mixing Volkswagen coolant additives with coolant additives made by other
manufacturers can seriously damage the engine and the engine cooling system.
If the fluid in the engine coolant reservoir is any color but pink, then G 13 was mixed with a
different engine coolant. If this is the case, the engine coolant must be replaced immediately.
Otherwise serious malfunctions or engine damage can occur!

Engine coolant and engine coolant additives can pollute the environment. Collect leaking
operating fluids and dispose of them properly in accordance with applicable environmental laws and
regulations.
 WARNING
Hot steam and hot engine coolant can cause serious burns.
Never open the hood if you see steam or coolant escaping from the engine compartment.
Always wait until you no longer see or hear steam or coolant escaping from the engine.
Always let the engine cool down completely before carefully opening the hood. Hot
components will burn skin on contact.
When the engine has cooled down and you are ready to open the hood:
Firmly apply the parking brake and shift the transmission into Park (P) (automatic) or
Neutral (manual only).
Take the vehicle key out of the ignition.
On vehicles with Keyless Access, make sure that the remote control vehicle key is out
of range of the vehicle and that the vehicle cannot be started by depressing the starter
button page 227.
Always keep children and others away from the engine compartment and never leave
them unsupervised.
The engine coolant system is under pressure when the engine is hot. Never unscrew the
coolant expansion tank cap when the engine is hot. Hot coolant can spray out and cause
severe burns and other serious injuries.
Turn the cap slowly and very carefully in a counterclockwise direction while applying
light downward pressure on the top of the cap.
Always protect your face, hands, and arms from hot escaping coolant or steam by
covering the cap with a large, thick rag.
Never spill fluids on the engine or exhaust system when refilling. Spilling fluids onto hot
parts of the engine or exhaust system can cause a fire. Under some conditions, the ethylene
glycol in engine coolant can catch fire.

NOTICE
Use distilled water only when adding coolant! All other types of water contain chemical
compounds that can cause extensive corrosion damage to the engine. This can even lead to
engine failure. If you have added non-distilled water, take the vehicle immediately to an
authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility to have the
coolant system drained, flushed, and refilled completely with the proper coolant.
Refill engine coolant only up to the top edge of the marked fill range . Excess engine
coolant may be forced out of the engine cooling system when it gets hot and cause damage.
In the case of significant engine coolant loss, refill engine coolant only when the engine is
completely cooled down. Significant engine coolant loss is a sign of leaks in the cooling
system. Have the engine cooling system checked immediately by an authorized Volkswagen
dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Otherwise the engine may be damaged!
When changing or topping off operating fluids, make sure that you pour the fluids into the
correct reservoirs. Serious malfunctions and engine damage can result if you pour operating
fluids into the wrong reservoir.