I know oil & water don't mix, & the radiator coolant/antifreeze is very different from the Power Steering fluid.

1. For radiator: Can I use Prestone (or other generic) antifreeze mixed 50/50 with distilled H2O or is there some special coolant that must be used with Audi.

2. For PS: Lable on PS reservoir is completely faded. What type of hydraulic fluid is used? Is there a type I can buy at common auto supplies stores? Also, I had several leaky/old hoses on inlet side & wanted to replace them. I don't expect I need the original audi hose, but just some straight lengths & a 90 degree elbow. Is there a unique type I need that's compatible with the PS fluid? Does regular heater hose work?

3. Is there a separate clutch resevoir hiding someplace? OR does it share the brake fluid?

2000 Audi A6 2.7T Quattro 6spd 132K miles

 

For coolant the recommended Audi fluid is G12. It is pink. some places sell it pre-mixed 50-50 but most sell it straight. Any aluminum block compatible coolant (most are these days) is acceptable. We can start a big forum flame war if you want me to say that you HAVE TO ABSOLUTELY USE G12 (you don't). My opinion is that coolant is coolant. the big drawback is that if you mix G12 with another conventional coolant you make jello. Jello is not a good coolant alternative. I advocate the use of G12 because that is what the spec fluid is. If you sell your car or have to take it to the shop or any other possible scenario where you aren't adding the coolant, you may end up with jello.

not sure about your other inquiries and am too lazy to look it up right now
(hey, I already got you your torque specs, what more do you want from me for free)

 

Well how about a repair manual (just joking).
Continued good advise (not joking).
I don't mean to abuse the good advise I've been getting from AF folks, including you. I think I'm far from crossing the line though.

As much as I like jello, I think I'll steer away from having it in the coolant system. I'm sure this may sound like basic questions to someone that's been around Audis for a while, but this is my 1st experience with them & I know I'm better safe asking questions (& searching) rather than being ignorant & screwing things up. After all, this is my son's (new to him) car & I have him fooled thinking I know lots about cars. If he found out I made Jello in the coolant system he may change his opinion.

Anyway, thanks for the info & stay tuned for more questions.

 

1. Use G12. One less thing to worry about.

2. Mineral based powersteering fluid. Pentosin CHF7.1.

3. Clutch runs off the brake fluid.

 

No "abuse" here. If I didn't feel that I had something useful to contribute to the discussion, I would simply choose to not reply.

I'm still learning a lot of this myself and I agree with you that it is better to ask a basic question than to make a stupid/costly mistake

finally, who doesn't love a little jello?

 

Yummy, now for the jello.

So maybe you can help me avoid another costly mistake dealing with cam chain alignment. See my recent posting about it here.
https://www.audiforums.com/forum/aud...-a6-up-174154/