Get Coolant Guide for Volkswagen California Van Fourth Generation (2024-2025)

Do not work on the cooling system unless you are familiar with the task, aware of the applicable safety procedures

and have the correct equipment, service fluids and suitable tools. Failing to carry out work correctly can cause serious

injuries → . Have all necessary work carried out by a suitably qualified workshop.

Information on warning and indicator lamps that light up can be found in the troubleshooting sections at the end of

the chapter (→ Coolant).

WARNING

Coolant is toxic. Serious or fatal injuries can be caused by contact with coolant, particularly if coolant is swallowed.

● Seek immediate medical attention after swallowing coolant.

● Seek medical attention if you experience health problems after working with coolant.

● Always keep coolant out of the reach of children and only in the closed original container.

● Never store coolant in empty food containers, bottles or any other non-original containers as people finding these

containers may then drink the coolant.

● Avoid regular contact with coolant to prevent damage to the skin.

● Protect your skin, face and especially your eyes when working with coolant.

● Do not eat, drink or smoke when working with coolant.

● Wash your skin with soap and water after working with coolant.

WARNING

Coolant can freeze at extremely cold outside temperatures, causing the vehicle to break down. This may mean that

heating in the vehicle no longer works. Vehicle occupants with inadequate winter clothing could then freeze to

death.

● Make sure that the coolant additive is always adapted correspondingly to the ambient temperature.

● Use only coolant additives that have been approved by the manufacturer.

Coolant and coolant additives can pollute the environment. Spilt service fluids must be collected then

disposed of properly and in an environmentally responsible way.

Coolant specification

The cooling system is filled at the factory with a mixture of specially prepared water and at least 40% coolant additive

G12evo (TL 774-L).

The proportion of coolant additive mustalways be at least 40% to protect the cooling system. If greater frost

protection is required in very cold climates, the proportion of anti-freeze additive can be increased. However, the

percentage of coolant additive should not exceed 55 %, as this would reduce the frost protection and the cooling

effect.

The coolant additive is dyed purple. The mixture of water and coolant additive provides anti-freeze protection down

to -25°C (-13°F), protects the alloy parts in the cooling system against corrosion, prevents limescale deposits and

significantly increases the boiling point of the coolant.

When refilling the coolant, a mixture of distilled water and at least 40% G12evo coolant additive must be used in

order to obtain the optimum corrosion protection →

WARNING

Insufficient anti-freeze in the coolant system can cause the engine to break down and cause serious injuries.

● The amount of correct coolant additive used must be sufficient for the lowest ambient temperature that you

expect the vehicle to be exposed to.

● Coolant can freeze at extremely cold outside temperatures, causing the vehicle to break down. Vehicle occupants

with inadequate winter clothing could then freeze to death as the heating will also no longer function.

NOTICE

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If the liquid in the coolant expansion tank is not purple, the correct coolant has been mixed with another, unsuitable

coolant additive. Failure to observe this warning can result in serious malfunctions or damage to the engine and

cooling system.

● In this case, have the coolant changed immediately.

● Never mix genuine coolant additives with other coolants that have not been approved.

Coolant and coolant additives can pollute the environment. Collect any service fluids that escape or are

spilled and dispose of them correctly and with respect for the environment.

Checking the coolant level and refilling coolant

Preparations

1. Park the vehicle on a firm and level surface.

2. Allow the engine to cool down →

3. Open the bonnet.

The coolant expansion tank is identified by the red symbol on the cap→ Fig. 1.

Fig. 1 In the engine compartment: coolant expansion tank

cap

WARNING

Escaping hot steam or hot coolant and hot components can cause serious burns.

● Never open the bonnet if you can see or hear steam or coolant coming out of the engine compartment.

● Always wait until you can no longer see or hear steam or coolant coming from the engine compartment.

WARNING

The cooling system is under pressure when the engine is hot. If due care is not taken when opening the cap, coolant

can spray out and cause serious burns or fatal injuries.

● Never open the cap of the coolant expansion tank when the engine is hot.

● Always protect your face, hands and arms from hot coolant or steam with a large, thick cloth if you have to open

the cap of the coolant expansion tank.

● Turn the cap of the coolant expansion tank slowly and very carefully anticlockwise while exerting slight

downwards pressure on the cap.

Checking the coolant level

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Fig. 2 In the engine compartment: mark on the coolant

expansion tank (illustration).

The coolant may be above the marked area when a new vehicle is delivered or after repairs to the cooling system.

This is normal. The coolant does not have to be sucked off.

The coolant level cannot be checked accurately in all models as the coolant expansion tank may be partially

concealed. If the coolant level cannot be read exactly, please seek assistance from a suitably qualified workshop.

1. When the engine is cold, check the coolant level at the side markings of the coolant expansion tank→ Fig. 2.

The coolant level must be between the markings.

2. Add coolant if the fluid level in the coolant expansion tank is below the minimum marking “min”.

When the engine is warm, the engine coolant level may be slightly above the upper mark.

3. Do not add coolant if there is no longer any coolant visible in the coolant expansion tank→

Refilling coolant

1. Unscrew the lid carefully →

2. Only refill with new coolant that is compliant with the specifications (→ Coolant).

If in an emergency you do not have access to coolant in the required specification, add only distilled water

initially. Then have the correct mixture ratio with the coolant additive restored by a correspondingly qualified

workshop as soon as possible.

3. Add coolant up to the upper level marking. After adding the coolant, the coolant level must be between the

markings on the coolant expansion tank → Fig. 1.

4. Close the cap tightly.

5. Check the coolant level after one day. If the level in the coolant expansion tank again drops below the “min”

mark, go to a suitably qualified workshop and have the cooling system checked.

NOTICE

Coolant expands when it is heated. If coolant is topped up above the marked area, excess coolant may escape and

cause damage to the vehicle.

● Do not fill coolant above the top edge of the marked area of the coolant expansion tank.

NOTICE

If there is no longer any coolant in the coolant expansion tank, air may have entered the cooling system. This could

cause damage to the engine.

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● Do not carry on driving.

● Do not add any coolant.

● Seek expert assistance.

NOTICE

Using water other than distilled water can cause corrosion in the engine due to the chemical components contained

in it. This can lead to engine failure.

● Use only distilled water for refilling.

● Have the fluid in the cooling system replaced completely by a suitably qualified workshop if you have not added

distilled water.

NOTICE

Use of the incorrect service fluids can cause serious malfunctions and result in engine damage.

● When refilling or replacing service fluids, ensure that you pour the correct service fluids into the appropriate

openings.

Troubleshooting

Coolant

The warning lamp flashes red. The engine coolant temperature is too high or the coolant level is too low.

Do not drive on! The engine could otherwise be damaged.

1. Stop the vehicle as soon as possible and when safe to do so (→ Parking).

2. Switch off the engine.

3. Allow the engine to cool down.

4. Check the coolant level at the coolant expansion tank (→ Coolant).

5. Do not drive on or leave the engine running if the warning lamp does not go out even though the coolant level

is correct.

6. Seek expert assistance.

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Emergency top-up of the cooling system

The vehicle must not be moved if large quantities of coolant have been lost. Failure to observe this can lead to engine

damage.

Work on the cooling system should always be carried out by a correspondingly qualified workshop.

The cooling system can be topped up if it is not possible to visit a correspondingly qualified workshop.

This description of emergency filling applies only to the engine codesDMZA, DNAA, DNAB and DNAC.

You can find information abut the engine code here (→ Type plate).

Requirements when filling the cooling system

✓ The vehicle must be stopped on a firm and level surface.

✓ The engine must have cooled down (→ Coolant).

✓ The cooling system is not damaged(water loss).

✓ A tool that is not included in the vehicle toolkit.

✓ A sufficient quantity of coolant is available, in an emergency water filtered through a clean cloth.

Emergency filling of cooling system

The actions should only be carried out in the specified order:

1. Open the bonnet (→ In the engine compartment)

2. Open the coolant expansion tank.

3. Fill the cooling system up to the upper seam on the coolant expansion tank until the coolant level remains

constant (→ Coolant).

4. Wait around 5 minutes and add more coolant if necessary.

5. Switch on the ignition.

6. The automatic coolant bleeding process begins. This process takes around 5 minutes.

7. When automatic coolant bleeding is complete, refill the coolant up to the seam on the coolant expansion tank

(→ Coolant).

8. Start the engine and switch off the air conditioning system (→ Manual air conditioning system).

9. Drive the vehicle at an engine speed above 2,000 rpm for around 30 minutes to get the engine to operating

temperature.

10. Switch off the vehicle and allow it to cool down. Once it has done so, adjust the coolant level to around 3 cm

(around 1 in) above the upper marking. Set the air conditioning system to your preferred temperature.

Have the cooling system checked, repaired and filled with engine coolant of the correct specification by a

correspondingly qualified workshop immediately.

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Coolant for Your Volkswagen California Van Fourth Generation (2024-2025)

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