Coolant for the Audi A4

Audi’s mid-range model series has a great many versions. Since the first model, the requirements and standards of the coolants have also changed. In the following, we will show you which coolant is prescribed for your Audi A4 and which coolant is currently the best for your car.

Which coolant for Audi A4?

The Audi A4 has been on the market since 1994 and has witnessed many coolant standards. Choosing the right coolant is relatively easy, but it’s worth taking a closer look at how Audi coolants have evolved. Why? Because for older Audi A4 models, the coolant used in the beginning is no longer produced. Last but not least, the G12 evo has presented a completely new coolant since 2018, which can be used in a backwards-compatible manner.

Audi coolant – Made by VW

VW coolants are used in Audi engines from the factory. The VW coolants are mostly known by designations such as G12++ and G13. However, these short designations are also backed by approvals from the manufacturer. They act as a kind of seal of quality, proving that the formulation and composition required by the manufacturer is guaranteed. The following table shows in more detail which approvals lie behind the designations.

A special feature is that all standards – with the exception of G11 – can be mixed with each other. However, they have different colors, so that a rather unsightly color is produced when they are mixed. At the same time, their formulations have also changed.

Original VW or alternative product?

If you drive an older Audi A4, for example, you will no longer find original G12+ VW coolant. Currently, only original VW coolants with the G13 and G12 evo standard are available. The reason for this is that these have replaced the old coolant standards. If a G12++ is prescribed for your Audi A4, for example, you will no longer receive an original G12++ from VW. However, in this case you can use the VW G13 or VW G12 evo. These are backwards compatible and meet the standards of the previous coolants.

If a G12+ or G12++ is prescribed for you and you want to continue to use this standard for your car, you can fall back on coolants from other manufacturers. Well-known manufacturers in this field are Glysantin, Ravenol and Febi.

Original VW coolant

You can get the original coolants, among other things, inexpensively on the Internet. There you can also choose between a pure concentrate and a ready mixture. You can fill the ready mixture directly into the cooling system of the Audi A4. In the case of the concentrate, you should mix it with distilled water. The mixing ratio is usually 1:1. Too high a proportion of water leads to faster freezing of the entire coolant.

The alternatives: Glysantin, Ravenol & Febi

When looking for a suitable coolant for your Audi A4, you can also resort to alternatives. These alternatives also have VW approvals and are therefore also approved by the car manufacturer for your car. The following table shows you which alternatives you can choose for each VW coolant.

Coolant quantities

In the following tables you will find the individual Audi A4 models and what coolant they require, as well as in what quantity for a complete change of coolant.

Check coolant

Especially when mixing the coolant, you should check up to what temperature the mixture also protects the engine, or at what point it freezes. You can easily test this with the help of a coolant tester. Within a few steps, you can accurately read the temperature protection.

You can find more detailed information in our article on the coolant tester.