what are the repercusions of using normal antifreeze on a volkswagen rather then oem antifreeze?

Question

i have a 99 vw jetta gls that had a small antifreeze leak. i used normal off the counter antifreeze, and then i found out your supposed to use manufacter antifreeze. what is the diference, and what would it cause. i figure it has diferent temperature ranges, but reassurance would be nice.

i know there is, for volkswagen and audi... it might have to do with the aluminum usage is the engine.

i KNOW its bad, but what is the diference? i have massive leak problems, i want to get some more information on the difference.

Answer 1

You should get to a dealer and have them drain it and refill it.
you need to use the G12, I think is what it is, coolant.

My brother has a 2000 jetta and it uses the pink coolant and you can't mix them. I didn't think it would be different between 1 year, but whatever. My 07 Jetta needs the pink coolant as well and you can't mix them. Sorry if this was the wrong info.

Answer 2

All antifreeze is ethylene gycol, so it is not a huge problem. But there are some additives that are not compatible between brands. While VW prefers you to use their antifreeze, any antifreeze sold these days will do, but I would not mix them. It is probably all right, but I would drain it and go with only one type anyway. Does not matter which type, and these days most antifreeze is once again compatible, so this will no longer matter again soon. As to when to change antifreeze, the answer is never. Water is acidic and corrosive, and the antifreeze is a lubricant and dillutant for the water. So it is only fresh water that causes harm because it has not yet become electrically neutral. Old antifreeze and old water is already neutralized and will last forever. And old antifreeze does not freeze at a higher temperature than old antifreeze. You will end up replacing it incidentally when maintenance like the water pump or thermostat is done, do you never have to explicitly change it.

Answer 3

don't listen to gearhead and dathinman because they are very wrong. you need to put the correct pink g12 vw antifreeze in your car because the different kinds of coolant don't mix. these types of coolant are made from different chemicals and they tend to have a reaction with each other that turn the coolant into a mud like substance when mixed. i would recommend getting the leak fixed and then getting the system completely flushed out and replace the coolant with a 50/50 mix of g12 coolant and water.

Answer 4

It won't matter....any antifreeze you put in it is gonna leak out. First, and most important, fix the leak. Find the source of the leak and get it repaired. It doesn't make any difference what coolant (anti-freeze) you use..... But I wouldn't mix different types of anti-freeze.... ( GM uses DexCool, VW may use something similar.) I don't think it matters, as long as you aren't mixing different types of anti-freeze. When you fix the leak, drain and flush the cooling system with water, then fill the system with a 50/50 mix of water and anti-freeze. I like Prestone...it's been good for anything I ever put it in, and I never had a problem with it.

Answer 5

on a 99, you can use anytype of coolant. and mixing brands and colors will NOT cause it to gel up. these people get on here and spread this bs,dont know what they are talking about. i would suggest fixing the leak, but you can use aftermarket coolant. use a brand name, 50/50 mix. i have got 30 yrs in the business, and the gel thing is ridiculous.

Answer 6

If they aren't interchangeable, then, can you say gummi bears? The coolant will gel up terrible. Get it quick.

Answer 7

I find it very hard to believe that it would be any different. Antifreeze is antifreeze. As far as I know, there's no such thing as manufacturers' proprietary antifreezes.