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Model specific boards => Golf mk6 => Topic started by: Aidy06 on 20 September 2009, 16:57

Title: COOLANT LEVEL LOW
Post by: Aidy06 on 20 September 2009, 16:57
Just got a message on my car saying coolant level low, the needle is still in the middle though. When i got home i checked the coolant and it's below the min line, ive only had my car for 4months from new so it shouldn't have ran out that fast should it?
Title: Re: COOLANT LEVEL LOW
Post by: simonpolly on 20 September 2009, 17:03
Maybe it was low when you picked it up,also we are coming to the end of the summer ,i`ve had mine 2 months and my coolant is half way between min and max,i`ve done close to 1500 miles
Title: Re: COOLANT LEVEL LOW
Post by: Aidy06 on 20 September 2009, 17:10
Whats the best coolant to top it up with?
Title: Re: COOLANT LEVEL LOW
Post by: simonpolly on 20 September 2009, 17:16
It tells you on it i think its g20 or something like that,just look on header,its pink and vw sell it,can`t remember off the top of my head,               ITS G12 BUY IT FROM VW NOT VERY EXPENSIVE AND YOU WON`T USE MUCH.
Title: Re: COOLANT LEVEL LOW
Post by: Rhyso on 20 September 2009, 17:26
yep its now called G12++ and is about £5 for a litre or so from your local stealer

keep an eye on the level though as you may have a very small leak

top it up to between min and max and keep an eye on it - the system will find its own level but if it drops dramatically over a couple of days then get it checked out ASAP

oh and the needle in the middle is for your coolant temperature  :wink:  any higher than 90 stop driving immediately!!
Title: Re: COOLANT LEVEL LOW
Post by: Aidy06 on 20 September 2009, 17:32
yep its now called G12++ and is about £5 for a litre or so from your local stealer

keep an eye on the level though as you may have a very small leak

top it up to between min and max and keep an eye on it - the system will find its own level but if it drops dramatically over a couple of days then get it checked out ASAP

oh and the needle in the middle is for your coolant temperature  :wink:  any higher than 90 stop driving immediately!!
Seems strange though how it's so low, surely it cant have a leak at 4months old? I turned engine off and back on and the warning light went out, it hasn't come back on since. I need drive 30miles to work tomorrow aswell  :shocked:
Stealers dont open till 9am but there is one right by my work, just hope i can make it there in 1 piece  :laugh:
Title: Re: COOLANT LEVEL LOW
Post by: Rhyso on 20 September 2009, 17:36
yep its now called G12++ and is about £5 for a litre or so from your local stealer

keep an eye on the level though as you may have a very small leak

top it up to between min and max and keep an eye on it - the system will find its own level but if it drops dramatically over a couple of days then get it checked out ASAP

oh and the needle in the middle is for your coolant temperature  :wink:  any higher than 90 stop driving immediately!!
Seems strange though how it's so low, surely it cant have a leak at 4months old? I turned engine off and back on and the warning light went out, it hasn't come back on since. I need drive 30miles to work tomorrow aswell  :shocked:
Stealers dont open till 9am but there is one right by my work, just hope i can make it there in 1 piece  :laugh:

it can happen mate hence why you get a 3 year warranty  :wink:

you should be fine though I'd make sure you have breakdown cover  :lipsrsealed: :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: COOLANT LEVEL LOW
Post by: simonpolly on 20 September 2009, 17:42
Or go and knock on a neighbours door with a modern Vw they are bound to have some,i brought a bottle for my touran,its still 90% full and i`ve had the touran for 4 years
Title: Re: COOLANT LEVEL LOW
Post by: Aidy06 on 20 September 2009, 17:48
I'll have to buy some in the morning, just hope its not a leak. Last thing i need, i have break down cover  :wink: Do you need to dilute it or what? Ive never, ever changed coolant before  :laugh:
Title: Re: COOLANT LEVEL LOW
Post by: simonpolly on 20 September 2009, 17:53
Just pour it in neat,you won`t use that much anyway and the more it is diluted the less protection you get from the coolant freezing in a very cold winter.
Title: Re: COOLANT LEVEL LOW
Post by: Exonian on 20 September 2009, 18:50
Before chucking in loads of coolant make sure it is the right type!
VW change the specs from time to time and if you do need a warranty claim and they find the wrong type of coolant in there you know what they're going to say. That might seem an odd thing to say but I've been driving VWs for over 20 years and the colour of the antifreeze changes from time to time over the years. I think it's red stuff at the moment.

Also you should make sure you have the correct mixture of antifreeze to water. Read the instructions on the bottle as a really wrong mixture can also be damaging IIRC.

Don't forget you've got a years VW breakdown cover too.  :smiley:
Title: Re: COOLANT LEVEL LOW
Post by: simonpolly on 20 September 2009, 18:55
Its the g12
Title: Re: COOLANT LEVEL LOW
Post by: Aidy06 on 20 September 2009, 18:59
I'll just ask in stealers what i need, its pink at the moment thats in ive just checked
Title: Re: COOLANT LEVEL LOW
Post by: simonpolly on 20 September 2009, 19:04
Its g12 i checked earlier
Title: Re: COOLANT LEVEL LOW
Post by: Aidy06 on 20 September 2009, 19:09
Thanks pal, were does it tell you? On the tank or in the manual?
Title: Re: COOLANT LEVEL LOW
Post by: simonpolly on 20 September 2009, 19:13
On the tank,my mk6 golf gti and 2.0ltr fsi touran both use the same,i knew it was G something or other so i went and looked its G12.
Title: Re: COOLANT LEVEL LOW
Post by: Aidy06 on 21 September 2009, 08:31
Light came on again this morning whilst on the M61, turned around and went straight to stealer. They just topped it up with water, said keep my eye on it and if it drops again book it in
Title: Re: COOLANT LEVEL LOW
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on 23 September 2009, 18:34
Just pour it in neat,you won`t use that much anyway and the more it is diluted the less protection you get from the coolant freezing in a very cold winter.

Hmmmm . . . you really shouldnt do that.  If the coolant to water ratio ever exceeds 60:40, then you dramatically lower the cooling efficiency.  Ideally, you should pre-mix it with water in equal measures.
Title: Re: COOLANT LEVEL LOW
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on 23 September 2009, 18:38
Its the g12

It may say 'G12' on the expansion bottle, but as Rhyso correctly stated, it is actually 'G12 plus plus' (or 'G12++')
Title: Re: COOLANT LEVEL LOW
Post by: simonpolly on 23 September 2009, 18:58
Its the g12

It may say 'G12' on the expansion bottle, but as Rhyso correctly stated, it is actually 'G12 plus plus' (or 'G12++')
If you go to the service counter and ask for G12 antifreeze for a gti mk6 golf will they give the correct stuff ? or do you have to say "hello i`m a complete idiot and assume you are to,can i have some g12++ ,or is there a funny handshake i need to give to ?) :rolleyes:
Title: Re: COOLANT LEVEL LOW
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on 23 September 2009, 19:06
Its the g12

It may say 'G12' on the expansion bottle, but as Rhyso correctly stated, it is actually 'G12 plus plus' (or 'G12++')
If you go to the service counter and ask for G12 antifreeze for a gti mk6 golf will they give the correct stuff ? or do you have to say "hello i`m a complete idiot and assume you are to,can i have some g12++ ,or is there a funny handshake i need to give to ?) :rolleyes:

If it is in a grey bottle, rather than the older white bottle, then it will be the very latest G12++.

And be careful where you do your funny handshake - you might spill it! :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: COOLANT LEVEL LOW
Post by: simonpolly on 23 September 2009, 19:11
On a more serious note what is the difference ? :undecided:( also do i have to continue rolling up one trouser leg when i greet the service staff ?) :embarassed:
Title: Re: COOLANT LEVEL LOW
Post by: Teutonic_Tamer on 23 September 2009, 19:16
On a more serious note what is the difference ? :undecided:( also do i have to continue rolling up one trouser leg when i greet the service staff ?) :embarassed:

I dunno what the actual difference is, but the actual specs have changed.

And I tend not to roll up my trousers - otherwise I'll end up pole vaulting!  :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: COOLANT LEVEL LOW
Post by: simonpolly on 23 September 2009, 19:20
Right i think i got it,ask for G12++,give the funny handshake but leave trouser leg rolled down :grin: :grin: