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Engine coolant -> Warning light and engine coolant temperature gauge for Your Volkswagen Passat SUV Sixth Generation (2005-2010)

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.