Antifreeze – Anti-Freeze Protection

GENERAL INFORMATION

The engine cooling system is filled year-round with a mixture of water, antifreeze and AUDI corrosion protection components. This mixture protects the system components against freezing and corrosion, prevents lime deposits, and raises the boiling point of the coolant. Due to expansion of the coolant when heated, excess pressure builds up in the system, which also increases the boiling point. Fluid pressure is limited by the pressure relief valve in the expansion tank cap, which opens at 1.2 – 1.5 bar. A higher boiling point is required for reliable operation of the engine cooling system. If the boiling point is low, heat stagnation may occur, reducing circulation efficiency and engine cooling.

Vehicles with chassis numbers up to «8LVA006233» (production end of 1996) use AUDI G11–A8C antifreeze as standard. To top up the system, G11–A8C or another antifreeze marked “according to TL–VW 774 C” may be used. This antifreeze is identified by its green color.

Starting with chassis number «8LVA006234», standard antifreeze is G

12. To top up the system, G12 or another antifreeze marked “according to TL–VW 774 D” may be used. This antifreeze is identified by its red color.

CAUTION

Do not mix G11 and G12, as this may cause severe engine damage. The mixture turns brown. It must be removed immediately. Engines with the cooling system filled with G11 antifreeze can be switched over to G12.

12. To do this, completely drain the coolant from the cooling system. Then fill the system with clean water and run the engine for 2 min. After that, drain the water from the system and blow it out with compressed air through the expansion tank to ensure complete removal of water. Close the cap and fill the system with a new mixture of water and antifreeze G

12. Only use a water/«G12» AUDI (red) mixture, even in warm weather. Water must be clean and must not contain lime. In summer, the antifreeze content in the coolant must not be lower than 40 %. Therefore, when adding water to the system, antifreeze must also be added.

Coolant mixture, l

Protection down to –25°C G12 2 L Water 3 L Protection down to –35°C G12 2.5 L Water 2.5 L Filling volume 5 L

In our climate, frost protection must be ensured down to –25°C, preferably to –35°C. The antifreeze proportion must not exceed 60 % (protection down to –40°C). Otherwise, the degree of protection is reduced and engine cooling deteriorates.

CAUTION

Depending on vehicle equipment, the coolant fill capacity may differ from the values given.