2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF engine

Engine coolant

Warning light and engine coolant temperature gauge

Fig. 154 Engine coolant temperature gauge in the instrument cluster: A Engine cold; B Normal temperature
range; C Warning zone.

Flashes
Temperature
gauge needle
⇒ fig. 154
Possible cause Proper response
(B)
Normal range
Engine coolant level too
low.
Check the engine coolant level after the
engine has cooled down and add engine
coolant if low
If the engine coolant level is correct or the
problem continues after adding coolant, do
not drive any farther. Contact an
authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility.
These instructions apply only when the
coolant temperature stays in the normal
range. Stop immediately if the needle goes
into the red warning zone (C).
– Engine coolant system
malfunction.

If more antifreeze protection is needed for climate conditions, the percentage of coolant additive can
be increased. However, the coolant additive percentage must never be more than 60%; otherwise,
antifreeze protection is reduced and the ability of the mixture to cool the engine is also reduced.
When adding engine coolant, use a mixture of distilled water and at least 40% coolant additive G 13
or G 12 plus-plus (TL-VW 774 G) for optimum corrosion protection ⇒ .
Do not mix G 13 with G 12 plus or G 11. Mixing these coolant additives together significantly reduces
corrosion protection ⇒  and can lead to engine damage that is not covered by any Volkswagen
Limited Warranty.
WARNING
Too little antifreeze protection in the engine cooling system can cause engine failure and
severe injuries.
x Always make sure there is enough of the correct coolant additive to provide proper
antifreeze protection at the coldest temperatures that can be expected where the vehicle will
be used.
x At extremely cold temperatures, the coolant could freeze, causing the vehicle to break
down. The heater would also not work, and vehicle occupants could be without protection at
subfreezing temperatures.
NOTICE
Never mix original Volkswagen engine coolant additives with other additives not approved by
Volkswagen. Mixing Volkswagen coolant additives with coolant additives made by other
manufacturers can seriously damage the engine and the engine cooling system.
x If the fluid in the engine coolant reservoir is any color but pink, then G 13 was mixed with a
different engine coolant. If this is the case, the engine coolant must be replaced immediately.
Otherwise serious malfunctions or engine damage can occur!
Engine coolant and engine coolant additives can pollute the environment. Collect leaking
operating fluids and dispose of them properly in accordance with applicable environmental laws and
regulations.

WARNING
Working on the batteries or the electrical system in your vehicle can cause serious acid
burns, fires, explosions, or electrical shocks. Always read and heed the following WARNINGS
and safety precautions before working on the batteries or the electrical system.
x Before working on the electrical system, always switch off the ignition and all electrical
consumers and disconnect the negative (-) cable from the standard 12 Volt battery.
x When you change a light bulb, always switch off the light first.
x Always keep children away from battery acid and vehicle batteries in general.
x Always wear eye protection. Never let battery acid or lead particles come into contact with
your eyes, skin, or clothing.
x Sulfuric battery acid is very corrosive. It can burn unprotected skin and cause blindness.
Always wear protective gloves and eye protection. To reduce your risk of injury, never tilt the
batteries, as this could spill acid through the vents and burn you.
x If you get battery acid in your eyes or on your skin, immediately rinse with cold water for
several minutes and then get immediate medical attention. If you swallow any battery acid,
get medical attention immediately.
x When disconnecting the batteries from the vehicle electrical system, always disconnect
the negative cable (-) first and then the positive cable (+).
x Always switch off all electrical consumers before reconnecting 12 Volt batteries.
Reconnect the plus cable (+) first and then the negative cable (-). Never reverse the polarity of
the connections. This could cause a fire.
x A highly explosive mixture of gases is given off when the battery is being charged.
x Do not smoke and avoid fires, sparks, and open flames when working. Never create
sparks or electrostatic charges when handling cables and electrical equipment. Never short
circuit the battery terminals. High-energy sparks can cause serious personal injury.
x Never use or attempt to charge a damaged or frozen battery, or a battery that was frozen
but has thawed. Charging a frozen or thawed battery could cause explosions and chemical
burns! Replace damaged or frozen vehicle batteries immediately. A dead battery can freeze at
temperatures around +32 °F (0 °C).
x If the battery has a vent line or tube, make sure that it is properly connected to the battery.
WARNING
California Proposition 65 Warning
x Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead components,
chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash
your hands after handling.
NOTICE
x Do not expose the vehicle battery to direct sunlight for an extended period of time as
ultraviolet rays may damage the battery housing.
x If the vehicle is left standing in the cold for a long time, protect the vehicle battery from
freezing. A battery will be permanently damaged by freezing.
Emergency starting and starting the engine with a very weak vehicle battery or after the vehicle
battery has been replaced may change or delete system settings (including time, date, personal
convenience settings, and programming). Check the settings and correct as necessary once the
vehicle battery has built up a sufficient charge.

Model Engine Tire dimensions Tire pressure
bar psi kPa
Golf R 2.0 l / 256 hp (188 kW)225/40 R 18 xl 2.8 41 280
Golf Independent of the engine
T125/70 R 186 4.2 61 415
195/65 R 155 2.3 34 230
205/55 R 165 2.3 34 230
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System is configured at the factory with the correct tire inflation
pressure applicable for the vehicle model, engine and factory-installed tires. The tire inflation
pressure is listed on the tire inflation pressure label on the driver door jamb ⇒ fig. 162. The tire
inflation pressures for the road tires are listed on this label. The inflation pressure for the compact
spare is as specified on the tire pressure label or on a separate label for the compact spare, if there
is one. In the event of a discrepancy between the above figures and the tire pressures listed on the
tire inflation pressure label, the pressures listed on the label are the ones you should use. The listed
pressure applies to all road tires. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System must be recalibrated using
the SET button whenever you change or adjust the cold tire inflation pressures or remove and
remount or change any wheel or tire on the vehicle, even if the reinstalled or replacement wheels
and tires are identical to those that were removed and even if the tire pressure does not change

Applicable only in Canada
Tire inflation pressure in cold tires

Model Engine Tire dimensions Tire pressure
bar psi kPa
205/55 R 167 2.3 34 230
The tire inflation pressure is also listed on the sticker inside the driver door jamb ⇒ fig. 162. The tire
inflation pressures for the road tires are listed on this label. The inflation pressure for the compact
spare is as specified on the tire pressure label or on a separate label for the compact spare, if there
is one. In the event of a discrepancy between the above figures and the tire pressures listed on the
tire inflation pressure label, the pressures listed on the label are the ones you should use. The listed
pressure applies to all road tires.

Tread depth and tread wear indicators

Fig. 163 Tread pattern: Wear indicator.

x Accessories and other things installed in front of the cooling air intakes impair the
efficiency of the engine coolant. The engine can overheat under high outside temperatures or
under high engine loads!
Leaking operating fluids can pollute the environment. Collect leaking operating fluids in suitable
containers and dispose of them properly in accordance with applicable environmental laws and
regulations.
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