Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
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 -13°F (-25 °C)) (approximately -31°F (-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°F [-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 and workshop equipment 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 guaranteed down to approximately -13°F (-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 .
Follow all waste disposal regulations!
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.