What brand of coolant do you use on your A4 B8?

[doowopaudi]

Hey everyone,

My coolant level is low and has been low for some time and I was thinking of heading to the dealer to get it topped off, but figured I should look to see what brand you guys were using, if any, from your local auto parts store.

I'm thinking of going over to AutoZone to check them out, but thought I'd post here. I did find this thread in AudiWorld when performing my search, but it doesn't really delve into aftermarket brands you can find at a local auto parts store.

Looking forward to your suggestions. Thanks!

[bakedziti]

Doesn't help your aftermarket brand search, but I ordered G13 from ECS when I changed my turbo. I knew I needed it, but didn't feel like driving to the dealer, so I ordered it. Curious to see what other members suggest.

[JoshDub]

I use g12(++?) Or is it G13 now?

[doowopaudi]

I do believe G13 is the new standard, according to ECS tuning. But I'm wondering whether there's an aftermarket equivalent available at a local auto parts store.

[Wagonholic]

Pentosin Pentafrost. Literally the same stuff at OEM. (Pentosin makes the OEM coolant) Available at basically any parts store. But to be honest, it's not that much cheaper than the dealer.

[treginginco]

I just bought a gallon of G13 at the dealer for $20.

[treginginco]

And yes...... G13
Is the new standard

[blbroo]

$9.25 for 1.5 liters at rmeuropean. Site has great prices and a lot of options for our car.

[doowopaudi]

Thank you for your responses.

After further research on the Pentosin brand, I came across two Pentosin products that can be used on our B8's (and any Audi 2006+)


Pentafrost E - (Violet) This one is the latest Pentosin product that can be used in our B8's.
http://www.pentosin.net/specsheets/Pentofrost_E.pdf

Pentafrost++ - (Pink) This can also be used but has been replaced with Pentosin E.
http://www.pentosin.net/specsheets/Pentofrost_++.pdf

Both can be found at your local auto parts. I found both of these for under $15 online and in stock, so I'm planning on driving over and picking one up.

I had called the dealer before 6pm, which is when they close) and asked for a quote and they quoted me $30 but didn't mention the size. I imagine it's for a gallon. Since I only need to top off, i plan on simply buying the 1.5 Liter container for under $15. The parts associate said that I wouldn't need to dilute with water if I was simply topping off.

What do you guys think?

[MacFady]

If you go dealer coolant, you can knock a few bucks off by getting it at VW. Why is your coolant low?

[doowopaudi]

If you go dealer coolant, you can knock a few bucks off by getting it at VW. Why is your coolant low?

It's just under the "Min" mark and I read that it naturally evaporates over time, so I imagine that is why. I guess I should check for leaks, but I don't think I have any.

[blbroo]

It's just under the "Min" mark and I read that it naturally evaporates over time, so I imagine that is why. I guess I should check for leaks, but I don't think I have any.

Mine was the same at 96000 miles. Took about a 1/3 of a liter to top it off.

[doowopaudi]

Fixed.

[skis4hire]

There are a variety of options as multiple people have posted for *replacing* the coolant in the engine during a drain/fill.

If you're topping off - I would use only the OEM fluid or distilled water. I don't have a great reason for this except then you're guaranteed to have no problems and a single bottle is not very expensive.
If you stay out of the mountains I imagine you can get away with significantly more DI in your coolant system being in California - so you could just fill up with DI water and not buy any coolant.
Default 50/50 mix is good to -37C, and the back of the bottle says 40/60 G13/Water is good to -24C (-11F)

Another interesting page:
http://www.cabby-info.com/cooling.htm

[b6Hate4]

Fixed.

Nice transmission!

[o1turbo30v]

Prestone "any make, any model", $8 at Walmart. Been using it for over 15 years in all my VAG cars.

[o1turbo30v]

OP, look under your intake manifold, the leak is probably coming your water pump assembly.

[backslide]

I use whatever Audi uses lol.

Sent from my Nexus 5

[Chanman94]

Just remember there's some coolants you can't mix with the OEM.

[doowopaudi]

Curious to know how, since it's a closed system kept under pressure.

Good question. It doesn't make sense to me either how that can happen. I found this thread that suggests the dealer believes it's normal for the level to go down without any leaks.
See post #14.

[inNout]

Pentosin G12 Coolant For Aluminum Engines (1.5 Liter) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GRNS6Y..._9noBwbA42A819

This is what i plan on ordering to top off my reservoir.

[doowopaudi]

Pentosin G12 Coolant For Aluminum Engines (1.5 Liter) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GRNS6Y..._9noBwbA42A819

This is what i plan on ordering to top off my reservoir.

AutoZone should have it for about $14. By the way, read above. Pentosin++ has been replaced by Pentosin E.

[BrewDude]

I use this stuff in my MK4 R32:



http://www.hstuning.com/product_info...oducts_id=3709

Is it equivalent to G12 or G12+. Concentrated so all you do is add distilled water to get to the ratio you need. There is a G13 equivalent also made by Motul but I haven't found it yet stateside.

[integroid]

If you were just topping off you could of saved yourself the headache and just used distilled water. 1 gallon is typically under $1.00.

[elscotto80]

I know the manual does not call for a coolant flush, but are any of you all completing this and if so what interval? I would imagine it would be good practice but did not see much when I searched.



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[Fox Fader]

Prestone "any make, any model", $8 at Walmart. Been using it for over 15 years in all my VAG cars.

Correct. That's all I've used in bikes and cars for years. I even called Prestone to be certain if it was ok in the Audi and he said it's totally fine.

If you were just topping off you could of saved yourself the headache and just used distilled water. 1 gallon is typically under $1.00.

This is the route I would have gone.

[doowopaudi]

If you were just topping off you could of saved yourself the headache and just used distilled water. 1 gallon is typically under $1.00.

Darnit. Wish I had known. I was under the impression that the mix ratio had to be exact, but in the event that it couldn't be exact, topping off with coolant would be the best thing.

Oh well, at least I didnt blow $30+ on a 5 liters of that stuff.

Thanks for the input, nonetheless.

[booost]

I just noticed I'm at the low coolant mark so I ordered 1.5L of Pentosin 8113106 Pentofrost E Multipurpose Antifreeze Concentrate which I assume I need to dilute 1:1 in distilled water.

[doowopaudi]

I just noticed I'm at the low coolant mark so I ordered 1.5L of Pentosin 8113106 Pentofrost E Multipurpose Antifreeze Concentrate which I assume I need to dilute 1:1 in distilled water.

Cancel your order! Simply add distilled water. No need to have the exact ratio mixture when topping off. Save your money.

[booost]

Cancel your order! Simply add distilled water. No need to have the exact ratio mixture when topping off. Save your money.

IDK man, water boils at just over my coolant operating temp, also it can get below freezing here in the winter. Why not just do a 50-50 ratio?

[doowopaudi]

Ah ok. Then do what I did. Top off with the pentafrost e. Dealer told me there was no need to mix for top offs. Try giving your dealer a call and see what they say.

[uberwgn]

My local Advance Auto Parts has quite an array of Pentosin products now.

NAPA also sells Pentosin but a lot of times they don't know it...

[Shimmy]

i've always used OEM coolant ever since I read that certain coolants could possibly harm rubber seals, gaskets, etc. IMO, it wasn't worth my time to research and figure out which off name brands would work.

I typically check on the fluids here and there so I've never had to "run to the store" in an emergency to get the car up to levels.

I think we're talking a $20-$30 for a container of OEM VAG coolant?

[integroid]

IDK man, water boils at just over my coolant operating temp, also it can get below freezing here in the winter. Why not just do a 50-50 ratio?

a 49-51% ratio wont make any noticeable difference in freezing temps or boiling temp. Water is evaporating to begin with so if anything, the ratio of coolant is to high if you are barely below the low mark.

[Crucible35]

Yup....gotta be careful when mixing coolants. I have been told by a few mechanics that if you mix coolants together they can seize. I felt it best to stick with OEM for top offs but if I was going to do a full coolant flush....you could use any of the above mentioned. Adding distilled water is fine provided that you're not in deep freeze temps.
You should check your water pump for leaks (Known issue)....I had three water pumps on my 2009 A4. From 2009-2011, seemed like everyone who had a drop in coolant level had a pump replacement.

[JeriQo]

It's just under the "Min" mark and I read that it naturally evaporates over time, so I imagine that is why. I guess I should check for leaks, but I don't think I have any.

mines on the same level. can i just pour g13 in there?

[elscotto80]

Bringing this back. Anyone have a process or tips on completing a coolant flush and the refill process to remove air from the system?

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[A4 Centaur]

You can just drain the coolant from the lower drain on the drivers side and then re-fill with fresh coolant from the tank after closing the drain. That's what I did. Probably not complete but got fresh stuff in there.

[JBAeroEngineer]

mines on the same level. can i just pour g13 in there?

sure can.

[JeriQo]

sure can.

should i do 50-50 distilled?
i have a gallon of G13 and i dont feel like running to the store and getting a gallon of distilled water