As I started my engine today to go to work my coolant light went on but went away as I drove to work. I monitored the temps while driving to work and they were normal. I quickly took at look under the hood and checked the coolant and it wasn't topped up but it wasn't empty as well ( I didn't have much time as I was running late for work). What do you think my problem is? If my coolant is too low can I just go to my closest Canadian Tire and purchase a bottle of coolant and pour it in or do I need to flush out the previous one first? What is a good brand of coolant for my car? Sorry I am not knowledgeable with cars whatsoever.


2004 Audi A4 1.8 turbo Quattro Automatic 89,xxxkms

 

You appear to be just a bit low on coolant. What color is your coolant. If it is pink, it is a specific coolant manufactured for Audi/VW and you cannot mix it with any other antifreeze......G12 I believe. You can probably get away with adding a cup of distilled water and locate coolant at your dealer or parts place after that. Were you parked on a slope as that may have been the initial problem as well.

 

yes, pink = G12, usually when adding you mix with distilled water (atleast i did). If you mix the G12 with any other coolant it can cause it to jelly.

 

So when I drove home last night the coolant light never turned on even on the drive to the gym. However, this morning when I started the car again the coolant light turned and didn't turn off for about 20 seconds of driving. Would you guys recommend a coolant flush? Or should I just buy a bottle of G12 and pour it in? Are there any specific brands of G12 coolant you recommend?


G-rae - Yes I was parked on an uphill. I'm not 100% sure what color the coolant is because it was late at night, but it was a light color and pink does seem to fit the description.

 

No to the coolant flush. As long as it's G12 it will be compatible, only a couple of brands due to it being VW/Audi specific. It just needs to be topped up. My coolant level sits directly half way between the "Add" and the "Full" line, right where the top of the tank joins the bottom of the tank. Above that mark and it just spits it out. Your sensor is very accurate and you parking on an angle may be the culprit, until you get back to level again. The coolant you buy will have to be mixed 50/50. Good to have a bottle on hand in your trunk.

 

Your coolant goes up when warm, when its colder and goes down so your sensor tells you to refill.

You probably have a leak.

G12 only, mix it with distilled water as mentionned before, let the car run a little to take the air out, but cap back.

If you overfill, when it becaomes warm it will overflow.

 

Just top it up.....if the light comes on later in the week, then start looking for a leak or take it into a garage as you may not know where to look for some of the leaks that occur on this engine. It is not a new car and it may never have been topped up and coolant does evaporate at a slow rate. I have topped mine up near the full mark when hot and even though it has expanded.....spits it out until it is half way between the marks. I have no leaks and after a summer of driving in the US southwest where temps were 114 degrees....I had to top up the coolant when I returned home.

 

Thanks guys!

Lemme know if I've got this correctly. 1) Go buy a bottle of G12 (any brand is compatible) and a bottle of distilled water 2) Mix them 50/50 then pour it into the tank near the full mark?


Yes I'm very elementary at cars, sorry for the stupid questions guys.

 

yes, i bought the G12 at the stealership for 20$, i dunno if thats the same for everyone thou.

 

Okay thanks, I'm going to do this over the weekend. Thanks for all the replies guys, really appreciate it. Any recommended brand(s)?