Coolant Spec (manual vs reservoir)

[FPV]

Hi everyone. Can someone pls clarify for me with regards to coolant spec. About to embark coolant flush: Manual states G13 and reservoir has G12. Which info is correct?
Thanks

[Lucas_R]

Age of car and type of car will help. G13 is the newer version of G12. So theoretically you can use either, but G13 is the current spec and G12 is older. I think it was around 2015 when they switched over to G13.

[FPV]

Age of car and type of car will help. G13 is the newer version of G12. So theoretically you can use either, but G13 is the current spec and G12 is older. I think it was around 2015 when they switched over to G13.

2013 Passat 1.8l Wagon

[Lucas_R]

2013 Passat 1.8l Wagon

It *should* be G12 spec being a 2013 model, but check your owners manual and the coolant bottle under the bonnet should also say what spec it needs.

G12 is cheaper than G13 also.

[FPV]

Thanks Lucas_R. Called a VW dealership and was advised that their new premix G12 supersedes the G13. They don't sell the G13 anymore ????

[Lucas_R]

Thanks Lucas_R. Called a VW dealership and was advised that their new premix G12 supersedes the G13. They don't sell the G13 anymore ????

First ive heard of a new G12?? The ingredients in the G13 were kinder to the environment so strange they would go back to a G12. Sounds iffy.

[FPV]

First ive heard of a new G12?? The ingredients in the G13 were kinder to the environment so strange they would go back to a G12. Sounds iffy.

I agree

[ope126]

First ive heard of a new G12?? The ingredients in the G13 were kinder to the environment so strange they would go back to a G12. Sounds iffy.

G12evo (is the latest) and has been out for a while.

[Jaffs]

G12evo is what I was sold about a year ago for my Mk6 GTI (and I noted the same thing as the OP with what is on the reservoir vs the manual).

[Lucas_R]

G12evo (is the latest) and has been out for a while.

G12evo is what I was sold about a year ago for my Mk6 GTI (and I noted the same thing as the OP with what is on the reservoir vs the manual).

I wish I knew that about 3 weeks ago when I bought this to do a flush on my car: MEYLE Original Antifreeze Coolant Purple G13 1.5L | Sparesbox

Seems odd that no one seems to sell the G12evo in Australia. VAGParts, RunAutoParts, Sparesbox etc none of them sell it. The only place I can find (apart from VW dealership, but who wants to deal with their crap) who sells it is this random place VW G12evo Engine Coolant 1.5 Litre (G13)

G13 will have to do for me - it will be better than the 6-7 year old coolant thats in there now anyway.

[jasiano]

BUMP

just checked on the wife's new Tig manual after noticing the coolant level was creeping towards the 'min' level on the expansion tank. Specifies G12Evo spec coolant which none of the local dealers actually have (so I'm guessing they'd put G13 maybe if they needed?), but noticed Penrite have a G12Evo spec product now:

PURPLE OEM COOLANT PREMIX | Penrite Oil

should be fine right? I always wonder why Penrite's coolant have such a low boiling point (108dec) which is not much higher than water... In my own Ford hot hatch I run Nulon coolant that goes up to 128deg instead....

[FarQ]

G12evo = VW TL774L
G13 = VW TL774J
G12++ = VW TL774G

G12evo has superseded all other coolants for VW and can be mixed with the other VW coolants.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10208466-0001.pdf

I rang VW spare parts and all they sell now is G12evo G12E050A2. I guess if you use the penrite purple, it wont be that pinkish colour that the VW coolant looks like.

[Flipper Dog]

Thanks for the linked TSB.
"When mixing G12Evo with G11, G12, G12+, G12++ or G13 the coolant becomes brown, this is normal and does NOT necessitate a coolant system drain and fill." That would explain why my coolant colour turned brown after a dealer service last year.

[FarQ]

Just picked up a bottle from the stealership (Melbourne city vw). Surprised it was only $17.60

[Lucas_R]

Thanks for the linked TSB.
"When mixing G12Evo with G11, G12, G12+, G12++ or G13 the coolant becomes brown, this is normal and does NOT necessitate a coolant system drain and fill." That would explain why my coolant colour turned brown after a dealer service last year.

Either that or the silica bag that is inside many modern VW/Audi coolant overflow bottles burst which does the same thing. This happened earlier this year on my wife's car and the coolant became a horrible rusty/brown colour and the coolant overflow bottle was stained by it. I had to buy a new coolant overflow bottle, and flush the coolant system many many times over a few weeks to clean all of the contaminated coolant out.

After I was satisfied the system was sufficiently flushed, I refilled (using a vacuum filler) with fresh G13 coolant and it has remained its vibrant pink colour since.