NOTICE
Using a cleaning agent that contains acid may result in damage and cause the spray nozzles to malfunction.
Never top up the windshield washer fluid tank using a cleaning agent that contains acid, e.g. vinegar-based cleaners.
NOTICE
Mixing different windshield cleaners can cause the components to flocculate and the spray nozzles to clog.
Only use suitable alcohol-based windshield cleaners.
Never mix different windshield cleaners together.
NOTICE
When you top up the windshield washer fluid, if you use a damaged screen or do not use a screen at all, dirt particles may get into the windshield washer fluid
tank. The spray nozzles may become clogged.
Take the screen out only to clean it.
Replace a damaged or missing screen.
Engine coolant
Introduction
Only perform work on the engine cooling system if you are familiar with the necessary activities and the general safety precautions, and if the correct operating
equipment, fluids and suitable tools are available. Work performed incorrectly can result in serious injuries ⇒
. Have all work performed by suitably qualified
professionals if necessary. 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.
WARNING
Engine coolant is poisonous. Contact with coolant, especially swallowing coolant, may result in serious or fatal injuries.
If you swallow coolant, seek urgent medical help.
If you have health problems after working with coolant, seek medical help.
Always store engine coolant out of the reach of children and only within the sealed original container.
Never use empty food cans, bottles, or other containers to store engine coolant, because someone could drink the engine coolant by mistake.
Avoid regular contact with coolant to prevent damage to your skin.
Protect your skin, face, and particularly your eyes when working with coolant.
Do not eat, drink, or smoke when working with coolant.
Wash your skin with soap and water after working with coolant.
WARNING
In extremely low temperatures, the coolant can freeze and the vehicle could break down. This can cause the heating to stop working in the vehicle. Vehicle
occupants could die of exposure if they do not have sufficient warm clothing.
Make sure the coolant additive is always adjusted according to the ambient temperature.
Only use coolant additive approved by the manufacturer.
Coolant and coolant additives can pollute the environment. Catch any leaking operating fluids and dispose of them correctly according to environmental
regulations.
Engine coolant specifications
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒
and
Safety precautions for working in the hood space .
The cooling system is filled at the factory with a mixture of specially prepared water and at least 40% coolant additive G12evo (TL 744-L).
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To protect the engine cooling system, there must always be at least a 40% proportion of coolant additive. If greater freeze protection is needed due to the climate,
the proportion of coolant additive can be increased. However, the proportion of coolant additive must not exceed 55 %, because otherwise the freeze protection will
be reduced and the cooling effect will be decreased.
The engine coolant additive can be recognized by its violet color. The mixture of water and coolant additive provides freeze protection down to -25 °C (-13 °F),
protects the aluminum alloy parts of the cooling system from corrosion, prevents limescale deposits, and increases the boiling point of the coolant.
If the engine coolant is being topped up, a blend of distilled water and at least 40% of the G12evo engine coolant additive must be used to ensure optimum
corrosion protection ⇒
.
CAUTION
In extremely low temperatures, the coolant can freeze and the vehicle could break down. This can cause the heating to stop working in the vehicle. Vehicle
occupants could die of exposure if they do not have sufficient warm clothing.
Make sure the coolant additive is always adjusted according to the ambient temperature.
Only use coolant additive approved by the manufacturer.
NOTICE
The coloring of the engine coolant results from the mixture of the purple coolant additive and distilled water. If the fluid in the coolant expansion tank is not
purple, but for example brown, the engine coolant has been mixed with another non-suitable coolant. Serious malfunctions or damage to the electric drivetrain
and cooling system could occur.
Only use coolant additive approved by the manufacturer.
If the coolant turns brown, have it changed immediately by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Volkswagen
recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Never mix original Volkswagen coolant additives with coolant additives that are not approved by Volkswagen when topping up.
Engine coolant and coolant additives can harm the environment. Catch any leaking operating fluids and dispose of them correctly according to environmental
regulations.
Checking and filling engine coolant
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. Let the electric drive system cool down ⇒
3. Open the hood.
.
The coolant expansion tank is identified with the
red symbol on the cap fig. 161.
Fig. 161 In the hood space: Cap on the coolant expansion tank (general example).
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WARNING
Escaping hot steam or hot coolant and hot components may cause serious burns.
Never open the hood if you can see or hear steam or coolant escaping from the hood space.
Always wait until you can no longer see or hear steam or engine coolant escaping from the hood space.
WARNING
The motor cooling system is under pressure when the electric motor is hot. If the cover is opened carelessly, coolant may spray out and cause serious burns or
fatal injuries.
Never open the cap on the coolant expansion tank when the electric drivetrain is hot.
Always protect your face, hands and arms from hot coolant or steam with a large, thick cloth if you need to open the cover of the coolant tank.
Slowly and very carefully turn the cap on the coolant expansion tank counterclockwise while pressing down lightly on the cap.
Checking the coolant level
Fig. 162 In the hood space: markings on the engine coolant expansion tank (general example).
When new vehicles are delivered or after repairs to the cooling system, the coolant level may be above the marked area. This is normal. The coolant does not need
to be extracted.
The coolant level cannot be checked exactly for every model, because the view of the fluid level in the coolant expansion tank may be obstructed. If you cannot rea
off the engine coolant level accurately, contact a suitably qualified professional. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
1. When the electric motor is cold, check the coolant level using the markings on the side of the coolant expansion tank fig. 162. The coolant level must be
between the markings.
2. If the fluid level in the coolant expansion tank is below the minimum mark (“min”), have coolant added. When the electric drivetrain is warm, the engine coolant
level may be slightly above the upper marking.
3. If no coolant is visible in the coolant expansion tank, do not add coolant
⇒
.
Filling the coolant
1. Carefully unscrew the cap ⇒
.
2. Only add new coolant that conforms to the Volkswagen specification ⇒ Engine coolant specifications.
If there is no engine coolant available that conforms to the required specification, initially only top up with distilled water. Then have the correct mixture ratio
using the specified coolant additive restored as soon as possible by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Volkswagen
recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility ⇒
.
3. Top up the engine coolant to the upper fill level marker. After topping up the engine coolant, the coolant level must be between the markings on the coolant
expansion tank fig. 162.
4. Install the cap securely.
5. Check the coolant level after one day. If the level of the engine coolant tank drops below the “min” minimum marking again, contact an authorized Volkswagen
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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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2024 VW ID.4 Owner's Manual
