Have a Mk4 Golf. Dealers and mechanics have said that you can only use the VW orange coolant. Is this true or only for warranty issues? Its so expensive even compared to a good "normal" green coolant.

Thanks.

I used to work for a VW dealer...we had an apprentice change the coolant on a T4 and she put in Mitsubishi coolant.After bleeding it up etc she took it for a drive and the engine overheated and siezed.The coolant had reacted and turned into a jelly type of stuff,consequently causing the motor to overheat and die. The dealer had to buy a new motor as VW wouldn't cover the engine with the wrong coolant.Moral??? If the car is under warranty use the specified coolant. It's used for a reason.If you decide to skimp out and buy cheaper stuff,THOROUGHLY flush the system before trying something different and chang it more often.The VW stuff is good. I'm glad I wasn't at work that day!!!

Ive heard that later Golf engines generate a fair bit more heat during operation than most other watercooled motors... maybe that is where the special coolant comes in? dunno.... just food for thought...

If you have the Lilac G12+ coolant already in it, then I'd stick with that....I've seen coolants mixed that have gone all gluggy. You should only have to change the coolant once every 2 years, so the cost isnt really that much to use the proper VW coolant.