engine coolant VOLKSWAGEN CC 2012 User Guide

Checking engine coolant level and topping off

Fig. 168 Coolant expansion tank in the engine compartment.

Fig. 169 Coolant expansion tank cap in the engine compartment.

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. 168.
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 specifica-
tions (⇒ Engine coolant specifications) ⇒ .
The engine coolant level must be inside the marks on the side of
the reservoir ⇒ fig. 168. 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 addi-
tive if engine coolant meeting Volkswagen specifications (⇒ page 456,
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:
– Apply the electronic parking brake and shift the transmis-
sion 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 re-
mote control vehicle key is out of range of the vehicle and
that the vehicle cannot be started by depressing the 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 en-
gine 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 counterclock-
wise direction while applying light downward pressure on the
top of the cap.
– Always protect your face, hands, and arms from hot escap-
ing coolant or steam by covering the cap with a large, thick
rag.
Never spill fluids on the engine or exhaust system when re-
filling. 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 author-
ized 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 ⇒ fig. 168. 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. Signif-
icant engine coolant loss is a sign of leaks in the cooling sys-
tem. Have the engine cooling system checked immediately by an
authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Ser-
vice 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 malfunc-
tions and engine damage can result if you pour operating fluids
into the wrong reservoir.

WARNING
Improper use of operating fluids and equipment can cause ac-
cidents, serious personal injuries, burns and/or poisoning.
Always store vehicle care products in a safe place in original
containers that are securely closed.
To reduce the risk of poisoning, never use empty food or
beverage containers that might mislead someone into drinking
from them.
Always keep vehicle care products out of the reach of chil-
dren.
Always read and heed all the instructions and all WARNINGS
on the package before using vehicle care products.
When using products that give off harmful fumes, always
work outdoors or in a well ventilated area.
Never use fuel, turpentine, engine oil, nail polish remover or
other volatile fluids for vehicle care. They are poisonous and
highly flammable. They could cause fires and explosions!
NOTICE
Only refill with suitable operating fluids. When changing or
topping off fluids, make sure that you pour the fluids into the
correct reservoirs. Adding incorrect fluids will cause serious
malfunctions and engine damage! Under no circumstances
should you mix up operating fluids. Otherwise serious malfunc-
tions and engine damage can occur!
Accessories and other things installed in front of the cooling
air intakes impair the efficiency of the engine coolant. The en-
gine can overheat under high outside temperatures or under
high engine loads!
Leaking operating fluids can pollute the environment. Collect
leaking operating fluids in suitable containers and dispose of them
properly in accordance with applicable environmental laws and regu-
lations.