Volkswagen only utilizes antifreeze that is Audi/VW G13 or G12 certified. Both the owner’s manual and the expansion tank should be stamped with the precise type that your specific model employs.
The color of Volkswagen coolant is always pink or purple. If you’re topping off, choose the same color that your car already has. If you want to change colors, properly flush the coolant system first before applying the new color.
Concentrated Volkswagen coolant is available. You must diluted it with distilled water to a 50/50 concentration before using it in your engine. Do not use standard tap water for this.
For optimum engine health, make sure to maintain the proper coolant concentration and regularly check your coolant pH.
In This Article...
How is coolant handled by Volkswagen?
You should only use G11 or G12 authorized anti-phosphate, anti-amine, and anti-phosphorous coolant in your Volkswagen, depending on what the owner’s manual instructs you to use. Look for the recombined coolant type on your expansion tank as well. Never fill your Volkswagen with regular store-bought coolant, especially if it contains ethylene glycol, which will interfere with the system.
Your VW’s coolant system will respond negatively to inferior coolant. Additionally, parts of the cooling system made of metal, rubber, and plastic might become corroded by poor quality coolant. Bulging coolant lines and white, calcified residue pouring out from under the hose clamps will make this clear. You won’t be able to observe the damage occurring internally. The radiator core will begin to accumulate deposits, which will impede the flow of coolant. This will eventually result in significant mechanical issues.
Can I fill my VW with ordinary coolant?
So what kind of antifreeze do you put in your VW? It is strongly advised that you only use antifreeze that has been approved by Audi/VW under G13 or G12. Regular store-bought antifreeze frequently contains compounds that can damage gaskets and other system components.
What color is VW G12 coolant?
Propylene glycol, often known as ethylene glycol, and additional ingredients make up engine coolant. G11, G12, and G13 are the three different varieties of antifreeze. What are the three’s distinctions then? G11 is a silicate base with inorganic additions that is either blue or green. G11 coolant is often used in automobiles made before 1996, although due to its poor heat transfer quality, some vehicles made up to 2016 may also use it. The useful life of this coolant is three years.
Carboxylate and ethylene glycol are the main components of the red or pink G12 coolant. It has an operating temperature range of 90 to 110 degrees and is utilized in high-performance engines. The service life of G12 coolant is 4-5 years. The G12, G12+ (Red), and G12++ coolants are the three different types (Purple). G13 coolant is a hybrid that contains silicate and organic ingredients in the right amounts. The lifespan of this coolant is five years.
How frequently should Volkswagen coolant be changed?
How frequently should a Volkswagen have its coolant changed? Typically, every 30,000 miles or every two years, you should have your Volkswagen coolant flushed.
What happens if you use antifreeze that is the incorrect color?
The performance of the car can be hampered if the wrong coolant is used or if several types are mixed together. Additionally, the radiator’s corrosion may worsen. It’s crucial to remember that color alone cannot accurately identify the type of coolant you should use. The radiator, water pump, radiator hoses, cylinder gasket, and other components can suffer corrosion and other issues as a result of using the incorrect coolant. Having a qualified auto mechanic handle your vehicle’s maintenance is the greatest method to guarantee that you obtain the right coolant.
Can the improper coolant hurt the engine?
The performance of the specific additive packages can be hampered by mixing various engine coolants or by using the incorrect coolant, which can lead to increased corrosion of the radiator. The engine coolant needs to be changed more frequently as the cooling system’s protective layers gradually get thinner and more porous. Using the incorrect engine coolant can progressively cause corrosion and damage to the cylinder gasket, water pump, radiator, and radiator hoses. In the worst situation, this may result in engine damage.
In my VW, can I use Prestone coolant?
Yes. OAT coolant/antifreeze Prestone also has anti-corrosion components to safeguard your cooling system. It works well in all types of vehicles, provides equivalent levels of security, and causes no harm.
Can I mix coolant for a Volkswagen?
Although coolants can be combined as shown in the chart, it is always best practice to change the coolant because mixing coolants reduces their ability to defend against corrosion. As shown in the chart, while adding or topping off fluid levels, coolants might be mixed.
Can G13 and G12 coolant be combined?
- G11 does not mix well with G12, however it does with G12+, G12++, and G13.
- G12+ blends well with G12++ and G13, as well as G11 and G12, but the corrosion protection is reduced.
- G13 mixes nicely with G12++, as well as G11, G12, and G12+, however the corrosion protection is reduced.
- G12++ mixes nicely with G13, as well as G11, G12, and G12+, although the corrosion protection is reduced.
- G11 blends well with G12+, G12++, or G13 but not G12
Can pink and purple coolant be combined?
It appears that automakers are choosing antifreeze and coolant colors at random for their vehicles. In cars all across the world, coolant that is green, orange, pink, red, and blue circulates through radiator hoses.
It’s crucial to avoid mixing the incorrect coolant, or the incorrect types of coolant combinations, the next time you top off your coolant level because of all this diversity.
You might be wondering if mixing coolant brands is possible. Maybe there are times when you buy several brands of coolant but are confused if they are safe for your engine.
Do not worry. It’s common for drivers to experience that. Like you, many drivers are on the road. I’ve been in a similar situation before. I therefore made the decision to write this article to provide some clarification.
The quick answer is yes, as long as they are the same type of coolant, you can combine various coolant brands and mixtures. The color doesn’t matter as much since it’s only a dye. It’s ideal to match that as well, though, because each coolant has unique additive packages that support corrosion resistance, performance, and coolant flow.
This article will examine coolant brands in more detail and inform you if it is okay to mix various coolant types. But first things first, before we proceed:
What automobiles utilize G13 coolant?
VW Coolant G13
- The VW model years from 2008 to the current used this coolant.
- Compatible with all cooling systems from 1980-percent.
- All G11, G12+, and G12++ coolants are compatible.
- Audi VW TL 744-J G13 coolant/antifreeze type, OEM approved.
- Additionally, Porsche, Lamborghini, Bentley, Skoda, and Seat employ this coolant.
Can I substitute G12 coolant for G13?
However, G13 is not good for older cooling systems with copper/brass radiators and heater cores (it doesn’t blend well with the lead solder). Instead, use antifreeze that meets G11 or G12 specifications.
G12 coolant: What does that mean?
Ethylene glycol and carboxylate are the foundation of G12, a pink or scarlet coolant. It has a service life of four to five years and doesn’t contain silicates. 1996 through 2001 model years using G12 coolant. This coolant has a boiling temperature of 118 C, or 245 F, and a freezing point of -50 C, or -58 F.
G12 coolant has a fifty to sixty percent ethylene glycol content, which enables it to function as effectively as possible. Additionally, it has about 5% distilled water in it. There are other ingredients, such as a dye for increased visibility.
The negative to G12 coolant is that it doesn’t prevent rust. It doesn’t begin to combat rust until after the process has begun. However, it is efficient in eliminating corrosion that has already begun to build.
Possibly mixing G12 and G12+
Although it is generally recommended to use deionized or demineralized water to dilute antifreeze, Coolant Concentrate G12, G12+ is formulated to be able to cope with varying water qualities and is compatible with hard water. Other coolants and Coolant Concentrate G12, G12+ can be safely used together as they are entirely miscible. It is advised to flush and drain cooling systems that include traditional mineral coolants first before recharging with diluted Coolant Concentrate G12, G12+ since Coolant Concentrate G12, G12+ uses an inhibitor type that is considerably different from that used in those classic mineral coolants. Failure to do so could drastically reduce the product’s performance and lifespan.
What distinguishes pink coolant from blue coolant?
Don’t combine them; pink has a longer shelf life (5 years) For some reason, combining the two negates the benefits of the pink, thus you will still only have a two-year life span. Blue is considered normal. Since 5 liters of pink premix only cost about 12 pounds, it is advisable to simply perform a full coolant drop.
Volkswagen coolant lifespan
Similar to oil, coolant ultimately degrades, loses strength, and “gets dirty.” Flushing VW coolant antifreeze every 4 to 5 years (50,000 to 60,000 miles) is crucial for preventing corrosion and extending engine life.