Get Checking and Filling -> Cooling system Guide for Audi Q8 SUV First Generation (2018-2026)

Checking and Filling

The amount of coolant additive that needs to be

mixed with water depends on the climate where

the vehicle will be operated. If the coolant addi-

tive percentage is too low, the coolant can freeze

and damage the engine.

Cooling system

Coolant

The engine cooling system is filled with a mixture

of purified water and coolant additive at the fac-

tory. This coolant must not be not changed.

Coolant

additive

Freeze protec-

tion

The coolant level is monitored using the  indi-

cator light. However, you should occasionally

check the coolant level.

Warm

regions

min. 40%

max. 45%

min. -13 °F

(-25 °C)

Cold

regions

min. 50%

max. 55%

max. -40 °F

(-40 °C)

Messages

The following messages may appear, depending

on the vehicle equipment:

Note

– Before the start of winter, have an author-

ized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service

Facility check if the coolant additive in your

vehicle matches the percentage appropriate

for the climate. This is especially important

when driving in colder climates.

 Turn off engine and check coolant level. See

owner's manual

The coolant level is too low.

Do not continue driving and turn off the ignition.

Check the coolant level ðpage 264.

– If the G12evo coolant additive is not availa-

ble in an emergency, do not add any other

additive. You could damage the engine. If

this happens, only use distilled water and

restore the correct mixture ratio with the

specified coolant additive as soon as possi-

ble.

– If the coolant level is too low, add coolant

ðpage 264. Only continue driving once the in-

dicator light turns off.

 Coolant temperature: too high. Let engine

run while vehicle is stationary

Let the engine run at idle for a few minutes to

cool off, until the indicator light turns off.

– Only refill with new coolant.

– Radiator sealant must not be mixed with

the coolant.

– If the indicator light does not turn off, do not

continue driving the vehicle. See an authorized

Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility

for assistance.

– You can continue driving if the permitted

G12evo coolant additive was not added.

However, go to an authorized Audi dealer or

authorized Audi Service Facility immediately

to have the coolant replaced to reduce the

risk of engine damage.

 Coolant system: malfunction! Please turn

off engine

Do not continue driving, shut off the engine, and

turn off the ignition. See an authorized Audi deal-

er or authorized Audi Service Facility for assis-

tance.

– Due to the risk of engine damage, the cool-

ing system should only be refilled by an au-

thorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi

Service Facility. An authorized Audi dealer or

authorized Audi Service Facility can also pro-

vide you with important information about

the recommended coolant additive.

Coolant additive

The coolant additive is made of anti-freezing and

corrosion protection agents. Only add the follow-

ing coolant additives mixed with distilled water.

Coolant additive

G12evo

Specification

TL 774 L

263

Checking and Filling

►

Make sure that the fluid level remains stable.

Add more coolant if necessary.

Turn the cap to the right to tighten it until you

feel resistance a second time.

Checking coolant

WARNING

– The engine/motor compartment in any vehi-

cle is a potentially dangerous area. Shut off

the engine, turn off the ignition, and allow

the engine to cool before working in the en-

gine compartment. Always follow the infor-

mation found in ðpage 255, General infor-

mation.

Fig. 165 Engine compartment - Coolant expansion tank

(diagram):

cover with release button;

markings

– Never open the hood if you can see or hear

steam or coolant escaping from the engine

compartment. This increases the risk of

burns. The cooling system is under pressure.

When you no longer see or hear steam or

coolant escaping, you may open the engine

compartment with caution.

Observe the safety precautions ðpage 255, Gen-

eral information.

Checking the coolant level

►

Park the vehicle on a level surface.

Turn off the ignition.

Open the hood ðpage 257.

Check the coolant level in the coolant expan-

sion tank ðpage 258, fig. 162 using the outer

markings 2 ðfig. 165. The coolant level must

be between the markings 2 when the engine is

cold. When the engine is warm it can be slight-

ly above the upper marking.

– When working in the engine compartment,

remember that the radiator fan can turn on

even if the ignition is turned off, which in-

creases the risk of injury.

– Coolant additive and coolant can be danger-

ous to your health. For this reason, store the

coolant in the original container and away

from children. There is a risk of poisoning.

►

When you add coolant to the expansion tank,

please refer to ðpage 263, Cooling system.

Adding coolant

Note

Requirement: there must be a residual amount of

Coolant loss that results in the coolant expan-

sion tank becoming nearly empty primarily in-

dicates that there are significant leaks in the

cooling system, which can lead to further

damage.

coolant in the expansion tank ð

If you must add coolant, use a mixture of distilled

water and the specified coolant additive. Only

use non-distilled water in emergency situations.

Always use clean water only.

– Do not add coolant if the expansion tank is

empty. Air could enter the cooling system

and increase the risk of damage. If this is

the case, do not continue driving. See an au-

thorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi

Service Facility for assistance.

►

Allow the engine to cool.

►

Place a large, thick towel on the coolant expan-

sion tank cap.

►

Push the release button 1 ðfig. 165 on the

cap and carefully turn it to the left until you

– If there is any coolant remaining, add addi-

tional coolant. Drive to an authorized Audi

dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility

immediately to have the malfunction cor-

rected. If the  indicator light turns on

again, do not continue driving and turn off

the ignition. See an authorized Audi dealer

feel resistance ð

Push the release button again and remove the

cap completely.

Add coolant mixed in the correct ratio

ðpage 263 up to the MAX marking.

►



264

Checking and Filling

Messages

or authorized Audi Service Facility for assis-

tance.

The following messages may appear, depending

on the vehicle equipment:

– If there is too much coolant in the expan-

sion tank after adding coolant, drive to an

authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi

Service Facility as soon as possible to have

the coolant level corrected.

 /  Brakes: stop vehicle and check brake

fluid level

Stop the vehicle and check the brake fluid level.

See an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi

Service Facility for assistance.

– Using non-distilled water increases the risk

of engine damage. Its chemical components

may cause significant corrosion damage in

the engine.

Changing the brake fluid

– If you had to add a large amount of non-dis-

tilled water (more than 0.5 liter), then im-

mediately drive to an authorized Audi dealer

or authorized Audi Service Facility to have

the coolant changed.

Brake fluid should be changed at regular inter-

vals. Have the brake fluid changed by an author-

ized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facili-

ty. The authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi

Service Facility will inform you of the replace-

ment intervals.

Brake fluid

WARNING

– If the brake fluid level is below the MIN

marking, it can impair the braking effect and

driving safety, which increases the risk of an

accident. Do not continue driving. See an au-

thorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi

Service Facility for assistance.

– If the brake fluid is old, bubbles may form in

the brake system during heavy braking. This

could impair braking performance and driv-

ing safety, which increases the risk of an ac-

cident.

Fig. 166 Engine compartment: cap on brake fluid reservoir

Observe the safety precautions ðpage 255, Gen-

eral information.

– The brake fluid in your vehicle must meet

the standard VW 501 14 and is available at

an authorized Audi dealer or authorized

Audi Service Facility. If this brake fluid is not

available, another high-grade brake fluid of

equivalent quality may be used, and it must

meet the U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Stand-

ard (FMVSS) 116 DOT 4, Class 6.

Checking the brake fluid level

The brake fluid reservoir is located under a cover

on the driver’s side.

►

Park the vehicle on a level surface.

►

Slide the cover that is located below the wind-

shield wipers on the driver's side toward the

windshield and remove the cover.

Read the brake fluid level on the brake fluid

reservoir ðpage 258, fig. 162. The brake fluid

level must be between the MIN and MAX mark-

– Reusing brake fluid or using brake fluid that

is not permitted for your vehicle will signifi-

cantly impair the braking performance and

can even result in a failure of the brake sys-

tem. The manufacturer of the vehicle is not

liable for failures or damage resulting from

this. It will also not be covered by the war-

ranty.

►

ings ð

The brake fluid level is monitored automatically.



265

Checking and Filling -> Cooling system for Your Audi Q8 SUV First Generation (2018-2026)

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