document_0900452a81793dcc.book Seite 225 Mittwoch, 21. März 2007 5:42 17
Checking and topping up fluids
225
Countries with warm climate
Checking coolant level
The coolant level can be checked at a glance.
The coolant concentration must not be reduced by adding plain
water, even in the summer or in warm climates. The concentration
of the anti-freeze additive must always be at least 40%.
Countries with cold climate
If greater anti-freeze protection is required in very cold climates, the
proportion of the anti-freeze additive G12+ can be increased. A
concentration of 60% offers protection down to about -40 °C. The
concentration of the antifreeze additive must not be more than 60%,
otherwise this would reduce the antifreeze protection. In addition,
the cooling effect will be adversely affected.
Fig. 215 Engine
compartment: Mark-
ings on radiator expan-
sion tank
Vehicles for export to countries with a cold climate (such as Sweden,
Norway and Finland) are supplied with antifreeze protection down
to about -35 °C. The concentration of the antifreeze additive for
these countries should always be at least 50%.
– Switch off the ignition.
– Read off coolant level on radiator expansion tank
⇒ fig. 215. When the engine is cold it should be between
the “MIN” and “MAX” marks. When the engine is hot it
may be slightly above the “MAX” mark.
Caution
• It is advisable to have the cooling system checked before the
winter season to make sure that the antifreeze concentration is
adequate for the conditions to be expected. This applies particularly
if you intend to take the car into a colder climate zone. If necessary,
have the anti-freeze concentration increased to 50 - 60% as required.
The coolant level should be checked with the engine switched off.
The coolant level is monitored by a warning lamp in the instrument
cluster ⇒ page 32. However, we recommend that it should be
checked occasionally.
• Use only anti-freeze additive G12+, an additive meeting the spec-
ification “TL-VW 774 F ”. Other additives may give considerably infe-
rior corrosion protection. The resulting corrosion in the cooling
system can lead to a loss of coolant, causing serious damage to the
engine.
Coolant losses
Any loss of coolant normally indicates a leak in the cooling system.
In this case the cooling system should be inspected by a qualified
workshop without delay. It is not sufficient merely to top up the
coolant.
• The coolant additive G12+ can be mixed only with additives G11
and G12.
If there are no leaks in the system, a loss of coolant can only occur
if the coolant boils and is forced out of the system as a result of
overheating.
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