Get Maintenance Procedures -> Cooling System Guide for Volkswagen Routan SUV First Generation (2009-2014)

The washer fluid reservoir will hold a full gallon of fluid Cooling System

when the “Low Washer Fluid Light” illuminates.

WARNING!

•

When working near the radiator cooling fan, dis-

connect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition

switch to the OFF position. The fan is temperature

controlled and can start at anytime the ignition

switch is in the ON position.

Commercially available windshield washer solvents

are flammable. They could ignite and burn you. Care

must be exercised when filling or working around

the washer solution.

You or others can be badly burned by hot engine

coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If

you see or hear steam coming from under the

hood, do not open the hood until the radiator has

had time to cool. Never try to open a cooling

system pressure cap when the radiator is hot.

After the engine has warmed, operate the defroster for a

few minutes to reduce the possibility of smearing or

freezing the fluid on the cold windshield.

Coolant Checks

Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every

12 months (before the onset of freezing weather, where

applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or

rusty in appearance, the system should be drained, Cooling System – Drain, Flush and Refill

flushed and refilled with fresh coolant. Check the front of If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or contains a

the A/C condenser for any accumulation of bugs, leaves, considerable amount of sediment, clean and flush with a

etc. If dirty, clean by gently spraying water from a garden reliable cooling system cleaner. Follow with a thorough

hose vertically down the face of the condenser.

rinsing to remove all deposits and chemicals. Properly

dispose of the old engine coolant (antifreeze).

Check the coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle rub-

ber, cracking, tears, cuts and tightness of the connection Refer to the “Warranty and Maintenance Booklet” for the

at the bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system for proper maintenance intervals.

leaks.

Selection Of Coolant

With the engine at normal operating temperature (but Use only the manufacturer’s recommended engine cool-

not running), check the cooling system pressure cap for ant (antifreeze). Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genu-

proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of ine Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further

engine coolant (antifreeze) from the radiator drain cock. information.

If the cap is sealing properly, the engine coolant (anti-

freeze) will begin to drain from the coolant recovery

bottle. DO NOT REMOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE

CAP WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.

CAUTION!

CAUTION! (Continued)

•

This vehicle has not been designed for use with

Propylene Glycol based engine coolant (anti-

freeze). Use of Propylene Glycol based engine

coolant (antifreeze) is not recommended.

•

Mixing of engine coolant (antifreeze) other than

specified Hybrid Organic Additive Technology

(HOAT) engine coolant (antifreeze), may result in

engine damage and may decrease corrosion pro-

tection. If a non-HOAT engine coolant (antifreeze)

is introduced into the cooling system in an emer-

gency, it should be replaced with the specified

engine coolant (antifreeze) as soon as possible.

Do not use water alone or alcohol based engine

coolant (antifreeze) products. Do not use addi-

tional rust inhibitors or anti-rust products, as they

may not be compatible with the engine coolant

(antifreeze) and may plug the radiator.

Adding Coolant

Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine

coolant (antifreeze) that allows extended maintenance

intervals. This engine coolant (antifreeze) can be used up

to five years or 102,000 miles (170 000 km) before

replacement. To prevent reducing this extended mainte-

nance period, it is important that you use the same

engine coolant (antifreeze) throughout the life of your

vehicle. Please review these recommendations for using

Hybrid Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) engine

coolant (antifreeze).

•

(Continued)

When adding engine coolant (antifreeze), a minimum NOTE: Mixing engine coolant (antifreeze) types will

solution of 50% recommended Volkswagen Genuine decrease the life of the engine coolant (antifreeze) and

Parts Antifreeze/ Coolant Five Year/100,000 Mile For- will require more frequent engine coolant (antifreeze)

mula HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technology), or changes.

equivalent, in water should be used. Use higher concen-

trations (not to exceed 70%) if temperatures below Ϫ34°F

The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of engine

(Ϫ37°C ) are anticipated.

Cooling System Pressure Cap

coolant (antifreeze), and to ensure that engine coolant

Use only high purity water such as distilled or deionized (antifreeze) will return to the radiator from the coolant

water when mixing the water/engine coolant (antifreeze) recovery bottle.

solution. The use of lower quality water will reduce the

The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any

amount of corrosion protection in the engine cooling

accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.

system.

Please note that it is the owner’s responsibility to main-

tain the proper level of protection against freezing ac-

cording to the temperatures occurring in the area where

the vehicle is operated.

rules for your community. To prevent ingestion by ani-

mals or children, do not store ethylene glycol-based

engine coolant (antifreeze) in open containers or allow it

to remain in puddles on the ground. If ingested by a child

or pet, seek emergency assistance immediately. Clean up

any ground spills immediately.

WARNING!

•

The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on

the cooling system pressure cap are a safety pre-

caution. Never add engine coolant (antifreeze)

when the engine is overheated. Do not loosen or

remove the cap to cool an overheated engine. Heat

causes pressure to build up in the cooling system.

To prevent scalding or injury, do not remove the

pressure cap while the system is hot or under

pressure.

Coolant Level

The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for

determining if the engine coolant (antifreeze) level is

adequate. With the engine cold, the level of the engine

coolant (antifreeze) in the coolant recovery bottle should

be between the ranges indicated on the bottle.

•

Do not use a pressure cap other than the one

specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or en-

gine damage may result.

The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is

no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for

engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point or replacing en-

gine coolant (antifreeze). Advise your service attendant

Disposal of Used Coolant

Used ethylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze) is

a regulated substance requiring proper disposal. Check

with your local authorities to determine the disposal

of this. As long as the engine operating temperature is

satisfactory, the coolant bottle need only be checked once

a month.

•

Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.

Check engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point in the

radiator and in the coolant recovery bottle. If engine

coolant (antifreeze) needs to be added, contents of

coolant recovery bottle must also be protected against

freezing.

When additional engine coolant (antifreeze) is needed to

maintain the proper level, it should be added to the

coolant bottle. Do not overfill.

Points To Remember

•

If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are

required, or if the level in the coolant recovery bottle

does not drop when the engine cools, the cooling

system should be pressure tested for leaks.

NOTE: When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles/

kilometers of operation, you may observe vapor coming

from the front of the engine compartment. This is nor-

mally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high

humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-

ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine

coolant (antifreeze) to enter the radiator.

Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at

50% HOAT engine coolant (antifreeze) (minimum)

and distilled water for proper corrosion protection of

your engine which contains aluminum components.

If an examination of your engine compartment shows no

evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be

safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.

Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery

bottle overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.

Maintenance Procedures -> Cooling System for Your Volkswagen Routan SUV First Generation (2009-2014)

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