2017-2020 Volkswagen Golf 4 Door Checking and refilling -> Engine coolant User Manual
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Checking and refilling -> Engine coolant for Your Volkswagen Golf 4 Door Seventh Generation (2017-2020)

The engine oil level should never be in range ⇒ Fig. 211Ⓐꢀ. Otherwise oil can be drawn in by the crankcase ventilation system and enter the atmosphere via  
the exhaust system.  
Engine coolant  
Introduction to the subject  
In this chapter you will find information on the following subjects:  
⇒ Warning light and engine coolant temperature gaugeꢀ  
⇒ Engine coolant specificationsꢀ  
⇒ Checking engine coolant level and topping offꢀ  
Never do any work on the coolant system unless you  
know exactly how to carry out the job,  
have the correct technical information and the proper tools, supplies, and operating fluids, and  
are familiar with the necessary safety precautions ⇒ ꢀ!  
If you are uncertain in any way, have the work done by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.  
Serious personal injury may result from improperly performed work.  
WARNING  
Engine coolant is poisonous!  
Always keep the coolant in its original container stored in a safe place.  
To reduce the risk of poisoning, never store engine coolant in empty food or beverage containers or in any other containers that might mislead someone  
into drinking from them.  
Always keep engine coolant out of reach of children.  
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.  
Coolant and coolant additives can pollute the environment. Collect leaking operating fluids and dispose of them properly in accordance with applicable  
environmental laws and regulations.  
Warning light and engine coolant temperature gauge  
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first ⇒ Introduction to the subjectꢀ  
For more information, please see ⇒ Warning light and engine coolant temperature gauge ꢀ.  
Engine coolant specifications  
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first ⇒ Introduction to the subjectꢀ  
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.  
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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.  
NOTE  
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.  
Checking engine coolant level and topping off  
Fig. 213 Coolant expansion tank in the engine compartment.  
Fig. 214 Coolant expansion tank cap in the engine compartment.  
Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first ⇒ Introduction to the subjectꢀ  
If the coolant level drops too low, the engine coolant level/temperature warning light comes on.  
Preparations  
Park the vehicle on level ground.  
Always let the engine cool down ⇒ ꢀ.  
Open the engine hood  
⇒ In the engine compartmentꢀ.  
There is a symbol on the cap of the engine coolant expansion tank ⇒ Fig. 214ꢀ.  
Checking engine coolant level  
When the engine is cold, check the engine coolant level relative to the marking on the side of the expansion tank ⇒ Fig. 213ꢀ.  
If the coolant level in the tank is below the minimum mark (min), add coolant. When the engine is warm, the engine coolant level may be slightly above the  
upper edge of the marked range.  
Adding engine coolant  
Always protect face, hands, and arms from hot escaping coolant or steam by covering the cap with a large, thick rag.  
Carefully unscrew the cap ⇒ ꢀ.  
Add only new engine coolant according to Volkswagen specifications (⇒ Engine coolant specificationsꢀ) ⇒ ꢀ.  
Only refill coolant if there is coolant in the expansion tank. If there is no coolant visible in the expansion tank, the engine could be damaged. If you cannot see  
any coolant in the expansion tank, do not drive the vehicle. Seek professional assistance.  
If you can see coolant in the expansion tank, refill coolant until the level remains stable.  
The engine coolant level must be inside the marks on the side of the expansion tank ⇒ Fig. 213ꢀ. Do not fill above the top edge of the filling range! ⇒  
ꢀ
294  
Screw the lid tightly.  
Even in an emergency, do not use any other kind of coolant additive if engine coolant that meets Volkswagen specifications ( ⇒ Engine coolant specificationsꢀ)  
is not available! Instead, add distilled water only⇒ ꢀ. As soon as possible, have the correct coolant ratio restored using engine coolant that meets  
Volkswagen specifications ⇒ Engine coolant specificationsꢀ.  
WARNING  
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 ⇒ Starter buttonꢀ.  
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.  
NOTE  
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 ⇒ Fig. 213ꢀ. 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!  
Do not refill engine coolant if there is no coolant in the expansion tank. Air could enter the cooling system. Do not drive the vehicle! Seek expert  
assistance. Failure to do so can result in engine damage.  
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.  
Brake fluid  
Fig. 215 In the engine compartment: Brake fluid reservoir cap (cap design may vary depending on vehicle equipment).  
Brake fluid absorbs water from the air over time. Too much water in the brake fluid will damage the brake system. Water also lowers the boiling point of the brake  
fluid. Too much water in the brake fluid can cause vapor lock during heavy brake use or hard braking. Vapor lock reduces braking performance, increases stopping  
distances and can even cause total brake failure. Your safety and the safety of others depends on brakes that are working properly at all times ⇒ ꢀ.  
Brake fluid specifications  
Volkswagen has developed a special brake fluid that is optimized for the brake system in your Volkswagen. Volkswagen recommends that you use brake fluid that  
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