Engine coolant -> Engine coolant specifications for Your Volkswagen Beetle 4 Door Third Generation (2012-2019)

Flashes Possible cause  
Proper response  
Stop!  
Pull off the road and stop as soon as you can do so  
safely. Stop the engine and let it cool down until the  
temperature is in the normal range again. Check the  
engine coolant level and add engine coolant if  
needed..  
Engine coolant temperature too If the engine coolant level is correct or the problem  
high.  
continues after adding coolant and driving a short  
distance, do not drive any farther. Contact the  
nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized  
Volkswagen Service Facility.  
If the coolant level is correct, the overheating may  
be caused by a radiator fan fault. Check the fuses  
and replace as necessary..  
Check the engine coolant level after the engine has  
cooled down and add engine coolant if low..  
If the engine coolant level is correct or the problem  
continues after adding coolant, do not drive any  
farther. Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer  
or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.  
These instructions apply only when the coolant  
temperature stays in the normal range.  
Engine coolant level too low.  
Stop!  
Engine coolant system  
malfunction.  
Get assistance from an authorized Volkswagen  
dealer, an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility,  
or another qualified workshop.  
Do not drive at high engine speeds or with heavy  
engine loads until the engine warms up.  
When the ignition is switched on, several warning and indicator lights come on briefly for a function  
check. They go out after a few seconds.  
Depending on equipment, the engine coolant temperature may be displayed in the Volkswagen  
Information System MFI menu.  
WARNING  
Failure to heed warning lights and instrument cluster text messages can cause the vehicle to  
break down in traffic and result in a collision and serious personal injury.  
Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.  
Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.  
NOTICE  
Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in vehicle damage.  
Engine coolant specifications  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
..  
The engine cooling system is filled at the factory with a mixture of specially conditioned water and at  
least 40 percent of Volkswagen engine coolant additive G 13 (TL-VW 774 J). This engine coolant  
additive is pink.  
This mixture provides antifreeze protection down to -13 °F (-25 °C). It also helps to protect the light  
alloy parts in the engine cooling system against corrosion. In addition, the mixture helps prevent  
calcium deposits and increases the boiling point of the engine coolant.  
To protect the engine, the mixture must always contain at least 40% coolant additive even in warm  
weather or climates where antifreeze protection is not needed.  
If more antifreeze protection is needed for climate conditions, the percentage of coolant additive can  
be increased. However, the coolant additive percentage must never be more than 60%; otherwise,  
antifreeze protection is reduced and the ability of the mixture to cool the engine is also reduced.  
When adding engine coolant, use a mixture of distilled water and at least 40% coolant additive G 13  
or G 12 plus-plus (TL-VW 774 G) for optimum corrosion protection ⇒ꢀ  
Do not mix G 13 with G 12 plus or G 11. Mixing these coolant additives together significantly reduces  
.
corrosion protection ⇒ꢀ  
and can lead to engine damage that is not covered by any Volkswagen  
Limited Warranty.  
WARNING  
Too little antifreeze protection in the engine cooling system can cause engine failure and  
severe injuries.  
Always make sure there is enough of the correct coolant additive to provide proper  
antifreeze protection at the coldest temperatures that can be expected where the vehicle will  
be used.  
At extremely cold temperatures, the coolant could freeze, causing the vehicle to break  
down. The heater would also not work, and vehicle occupants could be without protection at  
subfreezing temperatures.  
NOTICE  
Never mix original Volkswagen engine coolant additives with other additives not approved by  
Volkswagen. Mixing Volkswagen coolant additives with coolant additives made by other  
manufacturers can seriously damage the engine and the engine cooling system.  
If the fluid in the engine coolant reservoir is any color but pink, then G 13 was mixed with a  
different engine coolant. If this is the case, the engine coolant must be replaced immediately.  
Otherwise serious malfunctions or engine damage can occur!  
Engine coolant and engine coolant additives can pollute the environment. Collect leaking  
operating fluids and dispose of them properly in accordance with applicable environmental laws and  
regulations.  
.
Hot steam and hot engine coolant can cause serious burns.  
Never open the hood if you see steam or coolant escaping from the engine compartment.  
Always wait until you no longer see or hear steam or coolant escaping from the engine.  
Always let the engine cool down completely before carefully opening the hood. Hot  
components will burn skin on contact.  
When the engine has cooled down and you are ready to open the hood:  
– Firmly apply the parking brake and shift the transmission into Park (P) (automatic) or  
Neutral (manual only).  
– Take the vehicle key out of the ignition.  
– On vehicles with Keyless Access, make sure that the remote control vehicle key is out  
of range of the vehicle and that the vehicle cannot be started by depressing the starter  
button..  
– Always keep children and others away from the engine compartment and never leave  
them unsupervised.  
The engine coolant system is under pressure when the engine is hot. Never unscrew the  
coolant expansion tank cap when the engine is hot. Hot coolant can spray out and cause  
severe burns and other serious injuries.  
– Turn the cap slowly and very carefully in a counterclockwise direction while applying  
light downward pressure on the top of the cap.  
– Always protect your face, hands, and arms from hot escaping coolant or steam by  
covering the cap with a large, thick rag.  
Never spill fluids on the engine or exhaust system when refilling. Spilling fluids onto hot  
parts of the engine or exhaust system can cause a fire. Under some conditions, the ethylene  
glycol in engine coolant can catch fire.  
NOTICE  
Use distilled water only when adding coolant! All other types of water contain chemical  
compounds that can cause extensive corrosion damage to the engine. This can even lead to  
engine failure. If you have added non-distilled water, take the vehicle immediately to an  
authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility to have the  
coolant system drained, flushed, and refilled completely with the proper coolant.  
Refill engine coolant only up to the top edge of the marked fill range . Excess engine  
coolant may be forced out of the engine cooling system when it gets hot and cause damage.  
In the case of significant engine coolant loss, refill engine coolant only when the engine is  
completely cooled down. Significant engine coolant loss is a sign of leaks in the cooling  
system. Have the engine cooling system checked immediately by an authorized Volkswagen  
dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Otherwise the engine may be damaged!  
When changing or topping off operating fluids, make sure that you pour the fluids into the  
correct reservoirs. Serious malfunctions and engine damage can result if you pour operating  
fluids into the wrong reservoir.