Get Engine coolant Guide for Volkswagen Passat SUV Sixth Generation (2005-2010)

Engine coolant

ꢀIntroduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Warning light and engine coolant temperature gauge

Engine coolant specifications

Checking engine coolant level and topping off

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.

More information:

ꢀ

Trailer towing

Preparations for working in the engine compartment

Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications

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.

Applicable only in the United States

Warning light and engine coolant temperature gauge

Fig. 181 Engine coolant temperature gauge in the instrument cluster: A Engine cold; B Normal temperature

range; C Warning zone.

ꢀPlease first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

If the indicator in the engine coolant temperature gauge is located in the cold range (A), the engine

has not reached operating temperature. High engine speeds and heavy engine loads should be

avoided.

Under normal driving conditions, the needle should be in the middle of the gauge. The temperature

may go higher when the engine is working hard, especially in hot weather.

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.

The following table explains what to do if the engine coolant warning light _¿does not go out a few

seconds after the engine is started or lights up or starts flashing while driving.

Temperature

Lights

up

gauge needle

Possible cause

Proper response

⇒ꢀfig. 181

ꢀ 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 needle is in

the normal range again. Check the engine

coolant level and add coolant if needed

If the engine coolant level is correct or the

problem 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.

(C) Engine coolant

Warning zone temperature too high.

ꢀ

If the coolant level is correct, the

overheating may be caused by a radiator

fan fault. Check the fuses and replace as

necessary

Temperature

gauge needle

Lights

up

Possible cause

Proper response

⇒ꢀfig. 181

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

(B) Engine coolant level too

Normal range low.

authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

These instructions apply only when the

coolant temperature stays in the normal

range. Stop immediately if the needle goes

into the red warning zone (C).

ꢀ Stop!

Get assistance from an authorized

Volkswagen dealer, an authorized

Volkswagen Service Facility, or another

qualified workshop.

Engine coolant system

malfunction.

–

Do not drive at high engine speeds or with

heavy engine loads until the engine warms

up.

(A)

Cold range

–

Flashes

Possible cause

Engine coolant system malfunction.

Proper response

Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer

or an authorized Volkswagen Service

Facility.

ꢀ

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.

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.

Checking engine coolant level and topping off

Fig. 183 Coolant expansion tank in the engine compartment.

Fig. 184 Coolant expansion tank cap in the engine compartment.

ꢀPlease first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS

If the coolant level drops too low, the engine coolant level/temperature warning light lights up.

Preparations

ꢀ

Park the vehicle on level ground.

Always let the engine cool down ⇒ꢀ

Open the engine hood ⇒ꢀ

.

There is a ₎symbol on the cap of the engine coolant expansion tank ⇒ꢀfig. 184.

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. 183.

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

.

specifications ) ⇒ꢀ

The engine coolant level must be inside the marks on the side of the reservoir . Do not fill above

the top edge of the filling range! ⇒ꢀ

.

ꢀ

Screw the lid tightly.

ꢀ

Even in an emergency, do not use any other kind of coolant additive if engine coolant meeting

Volkswagen specifications (⇒ꢀpage 296, Engine coolant specifications) is unavailable! Instead, add

distilled water only ⇒ꢀ . As soon as possible, have the correct coolant ratio restored using engine

coolant that meets Volkswagen specifications ,Engine coolant specifications.

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 ⇒ꢀpage 205, 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.

Engine coolant for Your Volkswagen Passat SUV Sixth Generation (2005-2010)

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