Anti-freeze (I think!) help, please

[KarenFR]

Just been to top up my wash/wipe bottle, and noticed that the anti-freeze is on minimum - that pink stuff in the clear bottle in the top left-hand corner of the engine bay, is anti-freeze - isn't it?????

If it is anti-freeze - can I just top it up? And if I can, do I need any special kind of anti-freeze or can I just nip into halfords and pick any bottle on the shelf that says Anti-freeze on it?

Oh - and if it isn't anti-freeze - what is in that bottle???

I know you're all raising your eyebrows, rollin' your eyes and thinking - 'women!', but I can't help it if I don't know.........and I'd rather ask you lot than ask the men in my life - they think I'm 'blonde' enough as is

 

[honeyman]

if its just a bit low, you can top up with just water.

 

[BJM]

To do it properly get down to your local VAG garage and buy some more of the Pink stuff - IIRC its called G12 antifreeze - its not expensive. I dont think SEAT reccomends topping it up with water but I may be wrong.

 

[johnbev]

If its has only dropped a small amount then topping up with just water will be fine. I doubt it will dilute the antifreeze mix by a drastic amount.
Then keep an eye on it to see if it loses any in the future, if it does then get it checked out, its no good keeping on topping it up its under warranty after all
Obviously if you keep on topping up without getting the leak seen to then you will need to get some antifreeze in there, just pre mix it to the dilution specified on the bottle (as you would with widscreen wash concentrate)

 

[BJM]

The G12 which is recommended comes premixed so theres no need to dilute it. You can get it in Halfords although it's not called G12. It is still pink and on the rear is approved to the VAG standard which is TL774D - just check the label.

One other thing - does the manual recommend checking the level with teh engine hot or cold. If you've checked when cold the level will be lower than when the fluid heats up.

 

[erichuyn]

BTW it's not anti-freeze it's engine coolant! Just so you won't get mixed up.

 

[Michael B]

Top it up with water, will be fine.

 

[ChrisGTL]

Longlife Red Antifreeze.

Look for a bottle that has a reference to:-

G12/G12+

or

AUDI/SEAT/SKODA/VW (TL774D/F)

 

[Nath.]

BTW it's not anti-freeze it's engine coolant! Just so you won't get mixed up.

It is anti-freeze, methinks you are mixed up

 

[Michael B]

It is anti-freeze, methinks you are mixed up

Anti freeze is usually the undiluted form, sold in 5gal jars and so forth. Coolant at its most basic is just a mixture of antifreeze and water. You dont want to be putting straight antifreeze into your car, if there is no water there already.

Theres not 'much' need for antifreeze in this country, and if your just wanting to top up your coolant, I wouldn't stress much if you use water, since all it will do is dilute the 'coolant' mixture slightly.

 

[ChrisGTL]

Theres not 'much' need for antifreeze in this country

Remember coolant does two things.

Protects from freezing and protects from boiling.

 

[BJM]

...and protects from corrosion!

 

[saintsfanno1]

Just been to top up my wash/wipe bottle, and noticed that the anti-freeze is on minimum - that pink stuff in the clear bottle in the top left-hand corner of the engine bay, is anti-freeze - isn't it?????

If it is anti-freeze - can I just top it up? And if I can, do I need any special kind of anti-freeze or can I just nip into halfords and pick any bottle on the shelf that says Anti-freeze on it?

Oh - and if it isn't anti-freeze - what is in that bottle???

I know you're all raising your eyebrows, rollin' your eyes and thinking - 'women!', but I can't help it if I don't know.........and I'd rather ask you lot than ask the men in my life - they think I'm 'blonde' enough as is

Mine did this, topped it up with water (which will be fine) however 100 miles later, BEEP BEEP BEEP. "Stop now, check engine coolant" appeared on the dash.

Now, I have just had a new radiator so keep an eye on it.