How often should the coolant in a Volkswagen Passat be replaced?
2 Answers
The coolant in a Volkswagen Passat should be replaced every two years or 60,000 kilometers. If the coolant level is below the normal level, it should be replenished promptly. The full name of coolant should be antifreeze coolant, which means a coolant with antifreeze function. It can prevent the coolant from freezing and cracking the radiator or damaging the engine cylinder block or head when the car is parked in cold winter. The Volkswagen Passat is a mid-size car under SAIC Volkswagen. The car has a length, width, and height of 4933 mm, 1836 mm, and 1469 mm respectively, with a wheelbase of 2871 mm. In terms of power, the Volkswagen Passat is equipped with a turbocharged engine, which has a maximum horsepower of 150 hp, a maximum torque of 250 Nm, and a maximum power of 110 kW.
My Passat has been running for five years, and the antifreeze issue is really not something to be careless about. In the first few years, I didn't pay much attention, and when winter came, the car started sluggishly. A visit to the repair shop revealed that the fluid had expired and nearly ruined the engine. Later, I learned to change it every two years on schedule. The manual suggests every two to three years or 50,000 kilometers, but since I deal with a lot of city traffic jams, I change it a bit earlier. Checking the fluid level is quite simple: wait for the car to cool down for about ten minutes after turning it off, open the hood, and there's a small window on the radiator. The fluid level should be between the min and max lines—if it's low, you can add distilled water as an emergency measure, but don't delay a proper refill for too long. If the color darkens or there are floating particles, change it immediately. I use the original G12 antifreeze, which works well. Aging antifreeze not only fails to cool properly but also corrodes the pipes and water pump, leading to repairs costing thousands. DIY replacement requires draining and flushing, which can be tricky for beginners—I now leave it to a reliable mechanic. In short, spending a little over a hundred bucks for peace of mind is worth it. Fellow Passat owners, don’t slack off—your engine will last longer.
