Get Checking and refilling -> Coolant Guide for Volkswagen E Golf 4 Door Second Generation (2017-2020)

Coolant

Introduction to the topic

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

safety procedures and have the correct equipment, service fluids and suitable tools. Failing to

carry out work correctly can cause serious injuries → . The work should be carried out by a

qualified workshop if you are uncertain. Volkswagen recommends using a Volkswagen dealership

for this purpose.

Information on warning and indicator lamps that light up can be found in the troubleshooting

sections at the end of the chapter (→ Coolant, FAQ).

WARNING

Coolant is toxic.

●

Coolant should only be kept in sealed original containers in a safe place.

Never store coolant in empty food containers, bottles or any other non-original containers

as people finding these containers may then drink the coolant.

●

Coolant must be stored out of the reach of children.

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.

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

collected and 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 G 13 (TL-VW 774 J).

The proportion of coolant additive must always 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 60%, as this

would reduce the frost protection and the cooling effect.

The coolant additive is dyed purple. The mixture of water and a coolant additive offers 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% coolant additive G 13 or

G 12 plus-plus (TL-VW 774 G) (both of which are dyed purple) must be used in order to obtain the

optimum corrosion protection →

.

Mixing G 13 with the coolant additives G 12 plus (TL-VW 774 F), G 12 (dyed red) or G 11 (dyed

blue-green) will significantly decrease the level of corrosion protection and should therefore be

avoided →

.

NOTICE

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

Volkswagen.

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

collected and disposed of properly and in an environmentally responsible way.

Checking the coolant level and refilling coolant

Fig. 1 In the engine compartment: markings on the coolant expansion tank (illustration).

Fig. 2 In the engine compartment: coolant expansion tank cap (illustration).

The warning lamp for the coolant will light up if the coolant level is too low.

Preparations

—Park the vehicle on a firm and level surface.

—Allow the engine to cool down →

.

—Open the bonnet (→ In the engine compartment, Operation).

—The coolant expansion tank is identified by the symbol on the cap → Fig. 2 .

Checking the coolant level

—Check the coolant level at the side markings of the coolant expansion tank when the electric

drive is cold → Fig. 1 . The coolant level must be between the marks.

—Refill coolant if the liquid 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

maximum (“MAX”) mark.

Adding coolant

—Always protect your face, hands and arms from hot coolant or steam by placing a suitable

cloth on the cap of the coolant expansion tank.

—Unscrew the cap carefully →

.

—Refill only new coolant according to the Volkswagen specification (→ Coolant, Refilling) →

.

—Only refill coolant if there is still a remaining quantity of coolant in the expansion tank. If this

is not observed, the engine could be damaged. If you cannot see any coolant in the expansion

tank do not drive on. Seek expert assistance.

—If there is still a remaining quantity of coolant in the coolant expansion tank, refill coolant until

the level remains stable.

—The coolant level must be between the marks on the coolant expansion tank → Fig. 1 . Do not

fill above the top edge of the marked area →

.

—Screw the cap closed tightly.

—If in an emergency you do not have access to coolant with the required specification, do not

use any other coolant additive (→ Coolant, Standards/Directives)! Instead, initially refill with

distilled water →

only. Then add the correct proportion of the specified coolant additive as

soon as possible (→ Coolant, Standards/Directives).

WARNING

Hot steam and hot coolant 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 escaping steam or coolant.

Always allow the electric drive to cool down completely before carefully opening the

bonnet. Hot components can burn the skin.

When the electric drive has cooled down, the following points should be noted before

opening the bonnet:

●

Switch on the electronic parking brake and move the selector lever to position P or move

the gear lever to the neutral position.

●Apply the handbrake firmly and move the selector lever to position P.

●

Deactivate the vehicle’s drive system and remove the vehicle key from the ignition lock if

necessary.

Always keep children away from the engine compartment and never leave unsupervised.

●

The cooling system is under pressure when the engine is hot. Never open the cap of the

coolant expansion tank when the engine is hot. Coolant may spray out and cause serious

burns and other injuries.

●

Turn the cap slowly and very carefully anticlockwise while exerting gentle downward

pressure on the cap.

●

Always protect the face, hands and arms from hot coolant or steam with a large, thick

cloth.

When filling, do not pour any service fluids onto the electric drive. The spilt service fluids

can start a fire. In certain circumstances, the ethylene glycol in the coolant can catch fire.

NOTICE

●

Refill only with distilled water. All other types of water can cause corrosion in the engine

due to the chemical components contained in the water. This can also lead to engine failure.

If any other type of water is refilled, the fluid in the cooling system should be completely

replaced immediately by a qualified workshop.

●

Do not fill coolant above the top of the marked area → Fig. 1 . Otherwise the excess coolant

will be pressed out of the cooling system when the engine is hot and could cause damage.

If a large amount of coolant has been lost, do not refill the coolant until the engine has

cooled completely. Heavy coolant loss is an indication of leaks in the cooling system. The

cooling system should be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible. Failure to do

so can result in engine damage.

●

Do not refill coolant if there is no more coolant in the coolant expansion tank. Air could have

entered the cooling system. Do not drive on! Seek expert assistance. Failure to do so can

result in engine damage.

When refilling service fluids, please ensure that you pour the correct service fluids into the

correct openings. The use of incorrect service fluids can result in serious malfunctions and

damage to the electric drive.

Troubleshooting

Coolant

The indicator lamp flashes red.

Engine coolant temperature too high or engine coolant level too low.

The coolant temperature in the engine coolant circuit or the coolant temperature in the high-

voltage coolant circuit is too high. The coolant level of the engine coolant circuit or of the high-

voltage coolant circuit is too low.

Do not continue driving!

Stop the vehicle as soon as possible and when safe to do so.

—Deactivate the vehicle’s drive system.

—Allow the electric drive to cool down until the warning lamp goes out.

—Check the engine coolant level at the coolant expansion tank (→ Coolant, Refilling).

If the engine coolant level is too low:

—Adding coolant (→ Coolant, Refilling)

If the warning lamp does not go out, seek expert assistance.

—Check coolant level at the coolant expansion tank of the high-voltage coolant circuit 2 .

If the coolant level in the high-voltage coolant circuit is too low:

Do not refill coolant.

—Inform a qualified workshop immediately.

and display --.- in the instrument cluster

The indicator lamp flashes red.

Fault in the engine cooling system.

—Stop the vehicle as soon as possible and when safe to do so.

—Seek expert assistance.

lights up together with

The indicator lamps flash red.

Stop the vehicle immediately

Fault in the high-voltage coolant circuit.

—Deactivate the vehicle’s drive system.

—Seek expert assistance.

Checking and refilling -> Coolant for Your Volkswagen E Golf 4 Door Second Generation (2017-2020)

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