dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility and have the cooling system checked. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer
or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
6. If there is no engine coolant available that conforms to the specification, do not use any other engine coolant additive in an emergency
⇒
.
NOTICE
Coolant expands when it heats up. If coolant is topped up above the marked level, excess coolant may leak out and cause damage to the vehicle.
Do not refill the system with engine coolant above the upper edge of the marked area of the engine coolant tank.
NOTICE
If there is no more engine coolant in the coolant expansion tank, air can get into the cooling system. This could result in damage to the electric drivetrain.
Do not continue driving.
Do not top up the coolant.
See an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance.
NOTICE
The chemical components contained in water that is not distilled can cause considerable corrosion damage in the engine. This can cause electric drivetrain
malfunctions.
Only use distilled water for refilling the system!
If you have added water that is not distilled, have the fluid in the cooling system changed completely by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
NOTICE
The use of incorrect fluids can cause serious malfunctions and damage to the electric drivetrain.
When filling or changing fluids, make sure the correct fluids are added to the corresponding reservoirs.
Troubleshooting
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒
and
Safety precautions for working in the hood space .
Engine coolant
The red warning light blinks. The coolant temperature is too high or the coolant level is too low.
Do not continue driving! This could result in damage to the electric drivetrain.
1. Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so ⇒ Parking.
2. End drive-ready mode.
3. Let the electric drive system cool down.
Engine cooling system
1. Check the engine coolant level ⇒ Checking and filling engine coolant .
2. If the warning light does not go out even though the coolant is at the correct level, do not drive any further; deactivate the vehicle's drive system immediately.
3. Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance.
together with
High-voltage coolant system malfunction
The warning lights blink red.
Do not continue driving!
1. Stop the vehicle immediately as soon as it is safe to do so ⇒ Parking.
2. End drive-ready mode.
3. Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility immediately for assistance.
Brake fluid
Introduction
Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air over the course of time. Too much water in the brake fluid causes damage to the brake system. Water lowers the boiling
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point of the brake fluid. If the water content in the brake fluid is too high, vapor lock may form in the brake system during heavy braking and full braking. Vapor lock
reduces the braking efficiency, increases the braking distance considerably, and can lead to a total failure of the brake system. Your own safety and the safety of
others on the road depends on your brake system functioning correctly at all times.
WARNING
Brake fluid is poisonous. Contact with brake fluid, especially swallowing brake fluid, may result in serious or fatal injuries.
If you swallow brake fluid, seek urgent medical help.
If you have health problems after working with brake fluid, seek medical help.
Always store brake fluid out of the reach of children and only within the sealed original container.
Never use empty food cans, bottles, or other containers to store brake fluid, because someone could drink the brake fluid by mistake.
Avoid regular contact with brake fluid to prevent damage to your skin.
Protect your skin, face, and particularly your eyes when working with brake fluid.
Do not eat, drink, or smoke when working with brake fluid.
Wash your skin with soap and water after working with brake fluid.
NOTICE
Spilled or leaking brake fluid will damage the vehicle's surfaces. The vehicle's paint, plastic parts, and tires may be damaged.
Immediately wipe up any spilled or leaking brake fluid that comes into contact with vehicle components.
Then rinse all vehicle parts with plenty of water.
Brake fluid can pollute the environment. Collect spilled brake fluid and dispose of it correctly.
Brake fluid specifications
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒
and
Safety precautions for working in the hood space .
Volkswagen has developed a special brake fluid that is optimized for the vehicle's brake system. For optimum performance of the brake system, Volkswagen
recommends only using brake fluid that complies with the VW standard 501 14.
Before using brake fluid, check that the brake fluid specification on the bottle matches the vehicle requirements.
Brake fluid that complies with the VW standard 501 14 can be obtained from an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
If brake fluid that meets this specification is not available and another high-quality brake fluid must therefore be used, brake fluid that complies with the specification
DIN ISO 4925 or the US Standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4 CLASS 6 can be used.
Not all brake fluids that comply with the requirements of DIN ISO 4925 or US Standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4 CLASS 6 have the same chemical composition. Some
of these brake fluids can contain chemicals that can destroy or damage components of the vehicle brake system over time.
To help ensure that the brake system functions correctly over the long term, Volkswagen recommends using a brake fluid that expressly conforms to the
VW standard 501 14.
Brake fluid that complies with the VW standard 501 14 meets the requirements of DIN ISO 4925 or the US Standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4 CLASS 6.
Checking the Brake Fluid
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒
and
Safety precautions for working in the hood space .
Preparations
1. Parking the vehicle on a level, secure surface.
2. Open the hood.
Checking the Brake Fluid Level
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Fig. 163 In the hood space: Cap on the brake fluid reservoir.
The brake fluid reservoir can be recognized by its cap fig. 163.
The brake fluid level cannot be checked precisely on all models because the hood or engine components may obstruct the view of the fluid level in the reservoir. If
you cannot read the brake fluid level clearly, see an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance. Volkswagen
recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
The brake fluid level must always be between the MIN and MAX markings on the brake fluid reservoir
⇒
.
The brake fluid level decreases slightly when the vehicle is being used as the brake pads wear and the brakes automatically adjust themselves.
WARNING
A low brake fluid level or unsuitable brake fluid may cause the brakes to fail or may reduce braking efficiency. Accidents and serious or fatal injuries could result.
Have the brake system and brake fluid level checked regularly.
Be sure to use the correct brake fluid.
Only use brake fluid that expressly complies with the VW standard 501 14.
If brake fluid that complies with the VW standard 501 14 is not available, in exceptions only use a high-quality brake fluid that complies with
DIN ISO 4925 CLASS 6 or US standard FMVSS 116 DOT 4.
Changing brake fluid
Have the brake fluid changed regularly. An authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility can provide information about the interval for
changing the vehicle brake fluid. Only have brake fluid added that meets the required specifications. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized
Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
WARNING
Vapor lock may occur in old brake fluid due to absorbed moisture during hard braking, reducing braking efficiency and potentially causing total brake failure.
Accidents and serious or fatal injuries could result.
Have the brake fluid changed regularly.
Only have new brake fluid added.
Troubleshooting
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒
and
Safety precautions for working in the hood space .
Brake fluid level
The red warning light turns on. The brake fluid level is too low.
Do not continue driving! This could result in the brake failing.
1. Stop the vehicle immediately as soon as it is safe to do so ⇒ Parking.
2. Check the brake fluid level.
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3. If the brake fluid level is too low, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
12 V vehicle battery
Introduction
The 12 V vehicle battery is a component of the electrical system and supplies vehicle safety systems with energy if there is high-voltage system malfunction. During
maintenance procedures, the 12 V vehicle battery is checked and replaced if necessary.
You may only perform procedures on the electrical system yourself if you are familiar with the necessary activities and the general safety precautions, and if the
correct operating equipment and fluids and suitable tools are available. Work performed incorrectly can result in serious injuries ⇒
. Have all work performed by
suitably qualified professionals. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Information about warning and indicator lights can be found in the troubleshooting section at the end of the chapter ⇒ Troubleshooting.
Battery switch-off in an accident with triggering of the airbag
In vehicles with a 12 V vehicle battery in their vehicle interior or luggage compartment, the electrical connection to the 12 V vehicle battery is pyrotechnically
disconnected in an accident with airbag deployment. This prevents a short circuit. For more information on the installation location of the vehicle battery, refer to
section → page , Checking the 12 V vehicle battery acid level .
Detailed warnings for the 12 V vehicle battery
Always wear eye protection.
are forbidden. A highly explosive mixture of gases forms when charging the 12 V vehicle battery.
V vehicle battery. Always heed the Owner's Manual.
Battery acid is highly corrosive. Always wear protective gloves and eye protection.
Fire, sparks, open flame, and smoking
Always keep children away from battery acid and the 12
WARNING
Performing work on the 12 V vehicle battery and the electrical system can cause serious injuries, fires, or electric shocks. This could result in serious injuries.
Always read and follow the warning information on the 12 V vehicle battery.
Before performing any work on the 12 V vehicle battery, switch off the ignition and all electrical equipment and disconnect the 12 V battery negative
cable.
Always keep children away from battery electrolyte and the 12 V vehicle battery.
When handling 12 V vehicle batteries, always protect your hands, arms, and face from spraying battery acid.
Always wear eye protection and safety gloves.
Never short circuit the battery terminals.
WARNING
When work is carried out on the 12 V vehicle battery, a highly explosive, flammable gas mixture builds up. Sparks could form and ignite the flammable gas that
is released by the 12 V vehicle battery. This can result in serious injury or death.
Always keep fires, sparks, open flames, and lit cigarettes far away from the 12 V vehicle battery.
Avoid creating sparks when working with wires and electrical equipment or when discharging static electricity.
WARNING
A drained 12 V vehicle battery can freeze at temperatures around 0 °C (+32 °F). Acid may leak out of 12 V vehicle batteries that have frozen and thawed again
and cause damage to the vehicle in the long run.
Never charge a frozen or thawed 12 V vehicle battery.
Always replace the 12 V vehicle battery if it freezes.
WARNING
California Proposition 65 Warning.
This product can expose you to chemicals including lead and lead components, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth
NOTICE
UV rays can damage the battery housing.
Do not expose the 12 V vehicle battery to direct sunlight for a long period of time.
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2024 VW ID.4 Owner's Manual