2001 Audi A6 Quattro temperature issues
 

Recently after some very cold weather the temperature warning began flashing and beeping. I've never owned an Audi so I wasn't exactly sure what it was. Eventually the temperature gauge started to go to the midway point the moment the car was turned on but the RPMs would still be high which let me know the car was probably cold. The engine doesn't overheat but it is starting to run hotter than usual and now the temp warning flashes the first few minutes the car is on.

I went to autozone and tried to get some coolant, only to realize I need special coolant (g12 i think, if someone can verify that would be awesome) they didn't have it, so I just put myself back to the minimum by adding less than half a liter of water. I get paid the end of the week and will order the coolant online (if anyone knows a decent place to order this that too would be extremely helpful) I'm doing my taxes soon so I'll be able to take the car in for much needed servicing, but I'm not sure if it it may be the coolant sensor.

Are there any other things I can check for? How safe is it to drive? I know i need to avoid doing any potential damage to the vehicle, but it's the only vehicle I have and I just started a new family so I'm kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place. Any help would be wonderful! Thanks guys...

I need to get some cosmetic work down but I'll be happy to post pics once my baby is back on par.

quick and easy way to get g12 coolant is from a VW dealer - last time I checked a full strength gallon was about $23.00

Thanks man, I'll definitely be doing that in the next 4 days...when I get some money to do it with I will find my closest VW dealer and by some of that coolant

You can use the "universal" coolant from AZ with no issues. As for your base problem, it is hard to say from your description. Obviously you have a leak and you need to find it. What engine do you have?