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 normal tap water for this.
Check the pH of your coolant frequently. For the best engine health, make sure you maintain the proper coolant concentration.
In This Article...
Can I fill my VW with ordinary coolant?
What sort of antifreeze do you put in your Volkswagen then? 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.
Can I use G13 coolant instead of G12?
The G13 is made using glycerin yet has the same great cooling and antifreeze capabilities as the G12++. Compared to glycol, glycerin is far less damaging to the environment. The G13 is also very good at cooling and guarding against rust and chalk buildup.
Can G12 and G13 coolant be combined?
- G11 does not mix well with G12, however it does with G12+, G12++, and G13.
- G12++ mixes nicely with G13, as well as G11, G12, and G12+, although the corrosion protection is reduced.
- G12+ blends nicely with G12++ and G13, as well as G11 and G12, although the corrosion protection is reduced.
- G11 blends well with G12+, G12++, or G13 but not G12
- G13 mixes nicely with G12++, as well as G11, G12, and G12+, however the corrosion protection is reduced.
VW G12 coolant: what is it?
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.
What happens if I fill my automobile with the wrong coolant?
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 you drive while the coolant is low?
Electric cars, hybrid cars, diesel engines, and gasoline engines all inherently produce heat. Some of this heat is directed into the interior of your automobile when you turn on the heater for comfort. However, there are other ways to control the majority of the heat.
Your car relies on a liquid known as antifreeze, sometimes known as engine coolant, to guarantee that the engine maintains an ideal working temperature. Driving with insufficient coolant could cause your engine to overheat, which is usually bad for your engine, your car, and your trip!
What automobiles utilize G13 coolant?
VW Coolant G13
- The VW model years from 2008 to the current used this coolant.
- compatible with every cooling system built after 1980.
- 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 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.
G13 coolants are what kind?
2013 saw VW establish the G13 specification for coolant and antifreeze. What distinguishes it from the G11, G12, G12+, and G12++ predecessors? Continue reading to definitively determine the differences.
Let’s quickly review the various VW specifications. Their antifreeze specification has changed throughout time, with the most recent (G13) being established in 2013.
The G13 is colored purple or violet and has the same superb cooling and antifreeze performance as the G12++. The primary distinction is that glycerin, not glycol, is used in the manufacturing process. Compared to glycol, glycerin is far less damaging to the environment. One is a byproduct of the creation of biodiesel, and the other is made from mineral oil.
G13 production is thought to result in 11% fewer CO2 emissions than antifreeze with glycol.
The G13 is great for cooling, protecting against corrosion, and preventing chalk deposits in addition to providing protection against freezing.
Silicate additives for use in radiators with aluminium
G13 has certain silicate additives to provide further aluminum healing protection. Contrary to certain prior OAT-technology-based specifications (Organic Acid Technology). G13 is perfect for long-term usage in all contemporary radiators, notably those made of aluminum, cast iron, and magnesium alloys thanks to silicate additions.
On the other hand, older cooling systems with copper/brass radiators and heater cores are not the ideal candidates for G13. Lead solder doesn’t function well with it. Instead, use antifreeze that meets G11 or G12 specifications.
How to upgrade to G13 from an older type of antifreeze
G13 antifreeze is backwards compatible with contemporary radiator types. However, if you’re switching from a different kind of coolant, we advise completely cleansing your cooling system. Thus, the cooling system is kept clean.
Can’t get your cooling system to flush? To learn which varieties you can blend without risk, consult this table. Wolf supplies coolants that are G11, G12+, and G13 specific.
Miscibility of several coolant types:
Note: To achieve a protection temperature of 36C, dilute antifreeze with distilled or deionized water to a 50/50 proportion. Your new antifreeze and cooling system could be harmed by ordinary tap water because it has a range of pH, mineral, and chemical contents.
Summary:
- The G13 is made using glycerin yet has the same great cooling and antifreeze capabilities as the G12++.
- Compared to glycol, glycerin is far less damaging to the environment.
- The G13 is also very good at cooling and guarding against rust and chalk buildup.
When should I replace the coolant in my VW?
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.
The pink antifreeze is what?
HOAT phosphate (P-HOAT) This coolant is available in pink or blue. Phosphated HOAT combines organic acids and phosphates to stop corrosion. This coolant is suitable with the models from carmakers including Hyundai, KIA and Honda.
Can G12 and G12+ be combined?
While it is generally advised to dilute antifreeze with deionized or demineralized water, Coolant Concentrate G12, G12+ is made to be adaptable to various 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.
Can I simply top off my car’s coolant?
Add the proper coolant to the reservoir if the coolant level is low (not the radiator itself). Either diluted coolant alone or a 50/50 blend of concentrated coolant and purified water are acceptable. Replace the cap and tighten it until you hear a click when the coolant reaches the cold fill line. Zip up the hood.
Rising Temperature Gauge Inclining Towards Red
After a while of driving, you get used to where your temperature gauge is when everything is in order. One of the most telling signs that anything is amiss with your cooling system is if it begins to lean toward red. If you see this while driving, stop, then lift the hood. By doing this, you’ll be able to start identifying the issue and help the engine cool.
Heater Not Working or Supplying Hot Air
The leftover heat produced by your engine is used by the heater in your automobile. You can have issues with your interior heating system if your cooling system fails. This may indicate a problem with your cooling system if there is a continuous flow of hot air or if there is no heat at all.
Poor Fuel Economy
Fuel will burn efficiently if your engine is running at the right temperature, resulting in reduced usage. However, you will notice low fuel efficiency and increasing emissions as the temperature rises.
A Sweet Smell
Coolant smells strongly of sweet things. In the cabin, you could smell it if it leaks as a result of the high temperatures. Knowing this fragrance can help you identify a cooling system issue before you sustain serious damage.
How long can I keep using the incorrect coolant?
Chemical bonds between organic and inorganic materials make up hybrid coolant. A hybrid coolant typically contains silicates, nitrites, oxygen, and glycol as its chemical constituents. These substances boost a car’s gas emissions while enhancing engine efficiency.
Coolants cannot be mixed on your own. Physical mixing is just mixing two coolants together, whereas chemical mixing involves combining the right minerals in a closed environment.
However, hybrid coolants enable you to travel 30,000 miles or more in total. This distance is merely a guess. It still depends on how often you use the automobile and how well the engine is maintained.
Because healthy gas emissions are combined with engine performance efficiency, most auto owners favor hybrid coolants.
Can I substitute water for the coolant?
Due to its narrow range of boiling and freezing points and inability to safeguard the engine of your car, water cannot substitute for antifreeze on its own. Additionally, it doesn’t absorb heat as well. You can use the water in your coolant rank in a true emergency.
Is antifreeze the same as coolant?
Antifreeze, commonly referred to as engine coolant, is combined with water to prevent the radiator from freezing in extremely cold weather and overheating in extremely hot weather. Knowing which type of coolant is best for your car or truck is crucial because there are numerous variations.