WARNING
Hot steam and hot electric motor coolant can cause serious burns.
x Never open the hood if you see steam or coolant escaping from the electric motor com-partment. Always wait until you no longer see or hear steam or coolant escaping from the electric motor.
x Always let the electric motor cool down completely before carefully opening the hood. Hot components will burn skin on contact.
x When the electric motor has cooled down and you are ready to open the hood:
– Firmly apply the parking brake and shift the transmission into Park (P) (automatic) or Neutral (manual only).
– Take the vehicle key out of the ignition.
– On vehicles with Keyless Access, make sure that the remote control vehicle key is out of range of the vehicle and that the vehicle cannot be started by depressing the starter
button ⇒ Starter button.
– Always keep children and others away from the electric motor compartment and never leave them unsupervised.
x The electric motor coolant system is under pressure when the electric motor is hot. Never unscrew the coolant expansion tank cap when the electric motor is hot. Hot coolant can spray out and cause severe burns and other serious injuries.
– Turn the cap slowly and very carefully in a counterclockwise direction while applying light downward pressure on the top of the cap.
– Always protect your face, hands, and arms from hot escaping coolant or steam by covering the cap with a large, thick rag.
x Never spill fluids on the electric motor when refilling. Spilling fluids onto hot parts of the electric motor can cause a fire. Under some conditions, the ethylene glycol in electric motor coolant can catch fire.
NOTICE
x Use distilled water only when adding coolant! All other types of water contain chemical compounds that can cause extensive corrosion damage to the electric motor. This can even lead to electric motor failure. If you have added non-distilled water, take the vehicle immediate-ly to an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility to have the coolant system drained, flushed, and refilled completely with the proper coolant.
x Refill electric motor coolant only up to the top edge of the marked fill range ⇒ fig. 154. Ex-cess electric motor coolant may be forced out of the electric motor cooling system when it gets hot and cause damage.
x In the case of significant electric motor coolant loss, refill electric motor coolant only when the electric motor is completely cooled down. Significant electric motor coolant loss is a sign of leaks in the cooling system. Have the electric motor cooling system checked immediately by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Otherwise the electric motor may be damaged!
x Do not refill electric motor coolant if there is no coolant in the expansion tank. Air could enter the cooling system. Do not drive the vehicle! Get expert assistance. Failure to do so can result in electric motor damage.
x When changing or topping off operating fluids, make sure that you pour the fluids into the correct reservoirs. Serious malfunctions and electric motor damage can result if you pour operating fluids into the wrong reservoir.
