So I'm relatively new to the Audi world. I just bought a 98 1.8TQ a4 about 5 months ago. I need to flush the coolant, and I was wondering if I have to use g12 which is not readily available or can I use prestone stuff that is made for every make and model? If prestone won't work for me then I spend the extra an get the correct stuff, but the prestone says it works with Every make and Every Model of cars/vans/light trucks. So is g12 necessary?

 

You definitely need the g12, you can get it at your local VW dealer for like $25, or Audi for $35 dollars i think lol. There are posts on the forums about why not to use other coolants.

 

Great to know! Definitely do not want to kill my cooling system just to save a few dollars!

 

Honestly, other coolant will work as long as you don't mix.

But it is safer to use G12 as it even says it on the coolant housing.

It's 50/50 so you can get the bottle at a dealer for $25 or so and mix it with water. It should last you a good amount of time (unless you're leaking coolant).

 

I am leaking coolant very slowing, no leaks under the car, no air bubbles on dipstick and I already tried replacing the expansion chamber cap. (Slowly as in every 2 weeks its down to just above min line the I fill it back up)

 

If you're refilling with water, you should be fine until you notice the temperature gauge is indicating a problem (provided your engine coolant temperature sensor is working correctly).

If you're mixing non-G12 coolant with pre-existing G12 coolant, then you're going to run into problems. The coolant will sort of congeal and turn into a thick sludge like substance which won't be fun flushing out when you have to do so.

 

I've been fortunate to find G12 at my local CarQuest parts store for 12 bucks a bottle (1.5 liters I think). They have to order it from another store in Austin, but I can usually have it by the afternoon, or next day at the latest.

 

g12 is not necessary to run at all. you could put whatever coolant you want in there as long as it doesnt hurt any of the seals or anything. but as stated above, the critical step is not mixing coolants. if i were to swtich, and i couldve but didnt when i put my other motor in, id refille the coolant system, run to operating temp, and flush to no less than three times. yeah g12 is expensive, but its possible to run something else, just kind of a pain in the *** to do it correctly

 

It's $27 at Audi. I need to pick some up soon so I'll go to VW and see what they charge for a gallon.

$12 isn't cheap for 1.5 liters of G12. You need almost 4 liters plus a gallon of DISTILLED water, so that's about $30 for a gallon of G12. May as well go to the dealer (if there's one close by).

The thing is, you can't go wrong using G12. How often do you really have to drain your coolant.. Just pay the $27 and 0.89 for the gallon of distilled water and have the peace of mind.

 

Do you need to use G12?
Do you need to use 91 octane?
Do you need to use synthetic oil ever 3K miles?
Do you need to replace the timing belt?
Do you need quattro?

Do you even need an Audi?