Does the 2.8L A4 take G12 coolant? My sister-in-law mentioned her low coolant light is on on her '96 A4. I could tell her to RTFM but it would be safer for me to just tell her what to do, and I don't want to tell her to dump in the wrong stuff.

Thanks...

 

The 96 does not take G12, it takes G11 (I think it's green or blue?)

 

Yes. Don't mix of course (had to say it). Mixing = congealing crap.

 

^^^ really? If that's the case stick with the current coolant be it G11 or Prestone for that matter.

 

Here is the application guide for the G12 coolant from their website.

Tuning Application Guide:
make model submodel engine
Audi All Road All All
Audi B5 A4 All All
Audi B5 A4 All 1.8T
Audi B5 A4 All V6 12v
Audi B5 A4 All V6 30v
Audi B5 RS4 All All
Audi B5 S4 All All
Audi B6 A4 All All
Audi B6 A4 All 1.8T
Audi B6 A4 All V6 30v
Audi B6 S4 All All
Audi C5 A6 All All
Audi C5 S6 All All
Audi D2 A8 All All
Audi D2 S8 All All
Audi RS6 All All
Audi TT MKI All All
Volkswagen 337/20AE All All
Volkswagen Cabrio III All All
Volkswagen Cabrio IV All All
Volkswagen Corrado All G60
Volkswagen Eurovan T4 All All
Volkswagen Golf II All All
Volkswagen Golf III All All
Volkswagen Golf III All 2.0
Volkswagen Golf III All TDI
Volkswagen Golf IV All All
Volkswagen Golf IV All 1.8T
Volkswagen Golf IV All 2.0
Volkswagen Golf IV All TDI
Volkswagen Jetta II All All
Volkswagen Jetta III All All
Volkswagen Jetta III All 2.0
Volkswagen Jetta III All TDI
Volkswagen Jetta IV All All
Volkswagen Jetta IV All 1.8T
Volkswagen Jetta IV All 2.0
Volkswagen Jetta IV All TDI
Volkswagen Jetta IV GLI All 1.8T
Volkswagen New Beetle All All
Volkswagen New Beetle All 1.8T
Volkswagen New Beetle All 2.0
Volkswagen New Beetle All TDI
Volkswagen Passat B3 All All
Volkswagen Passat B3 All 16v
Volkswagen Passat B4 All All
Volkswagen Passat B4 All 2.0
Volkswagen Passat B4 All TDI
Volkswagen Passat B5 All All
Volkswagen Passat B5 All 1.8T
Volkswagen Passat B5 All V6 30v
Volkswagen Phaeton All W12
Volkswagen R32 MKIV All All
Volkswagen Scirocco II All All
Volkswagen Touareg All All
Volkswagen W8 All All<ul><li><a href="http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/pagebuild_v2.cgi/?html=learnmore.html&amp;productID=550">G12 coolant at ECS</a></li></ul>

 

I actually just called ECS and they said I could use G12 in any car that took G11, but it doesn't work the other way around.

 

if you completely flush the G11 out, you can put any coolant you want in, such as G12. do not mix G11 and G12.

 

Cheaper than the G12.

Just get the old G11 out.

I have had Prestone in my 1996 for 3 years with no problems.

Supposedly better for the water pump, which is a common failure on the 12 valve and can cause the timing belt to fail at the same time.

 

That would be the safest bet, water to top and G-12+ for a full reflush. It may already be having problems, esp if the level is dropping. Cracked coolant tank, bad rat or lower hoses are all possible and easily delt with, more or less. Look if the rad is leaking, if so use 1/2 dose of sealant. If the old coolant is nasty, do a full flush with a product and the garden hose. The fill with Peak Global (pref) or G-12 Plus.

 

My bet is it needs at least a full service to flush ~whatever~ is in and/or a repair for the leak.