VOLKSWAGEN CC 2012 Owners Manual

Engine coolant

WARNING
Engine coolant is poisonous!
Always keep the coolant in its original container stored in a
safe place.
To reduce the risk of poisoning, never store engine coolant in
empty food or beverage containers or in any other containers
that might mislead someone into drinking from them.
Always keep engine coolant out of reach of children.
Always make sure there is enough of the correct coolant ad-
ditive 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.
Coolant and coolant additives can pollute the environment. Col-
lect leaking operating fluids and dispose of them properly in accord-
ance with applicable environmental laws and regulations.
Warning light and engine coolant temperature gauge

Fig. 167 Engine coolant temperature gauge in the instrument cluster:
A Engine cold; B Normal temperature range; C Warning zone.

If the indicator in the engine coolant temperature gauge is located in
the cold range (A), the engine has not reached operating tempera-
ture. 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 tempera-
ture warning light ~ does not go out a few seconds after the engine
is started or starts flashing while driving.

Flashes
Temperature
gauge
needle
⇒ fig. 167
Possible
cause Proper response

Flashes
Temperature
gauge
needle
⇒ fig. 167
Possible
cause Proper response
~
(C)
Warning
zone
Engine coolant
temperature
too high.

Flashes
Temperature
gauge
needle
⇒ fig. 167
Possible
cause Proper response
(B)
Normal range
Engine coolant
level too low.
Check the engine coolant
level after the engine has
cooled down and add en-
gine coolant if low.
If the engine coolant level
is correct or the problem
continues after adding
coolant, do not drive any
farther. Contact an au-
thorized Volkswagen deal-
er or authorized
Volkswagen Service Facili-
ty.
These instructions apply
only when the coolant
temperature stays in the
normal range. Stop imme-
diately if the needle goes
into the red warning zone
(C).
–
Engine coolant
system
malfunction.

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 mes-
sages 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

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 addi-
tives together significantly reduces corrosion protection ⇒  and can
lead to engine damage that is not covered by any Volkswagen Lim-
ited 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 ad-
ditive 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. Other-
wise serious malfunctions or engine damage can occur!
Engine coolant and engine coolant additives can pollute the envi-
ronment. Collect leaking operating fluids and dispose of them proper-
ly in accordance with applicable environmental laws and regulations.

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