Quick answer
Volkswagen coolant: VW specifies coolant by the VW TL 774 standard. The current genuine coolant is G12evo (TL 774-L), which VW parts dealers say replaces G12, G12+, G12++ and G13. Match the TL 774 letter in your manual or service book.
Volkswagen coolant at a glance
Genuine coolant
Part number
Colour
Spec codes to look for
Watch out
Matching products
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Confirm the code in your owner’s manual before buying.
On this page
What coolant does Volkswagen use?
- Volkswagen Group coolants are specified by the VW TL 774 standard. The letter suffix defines the generation: febi lists TL 774-C (G11), D (G12), F (G12+), G (G12++), J (G13) and L (G12evo). [2]
- An authorised VW parts dealer lists genuine Volkswagen G12evo Ready-Mix (G12E050A2 1 L, G12E050A3 5 L) as approved to VW TL 774 and says it "fully replaces G12, G12+, G12++ and G13 coolants". [1]
- febi states its G12evo product meets TL 774-L and is "backwards-compatible" with TL 774-C, D, F, G and J. That is a coolant maker's claim. Confirm against your manual. [2]
How Volkswagen coolant changed over the years
Volkswagen names its coolants with a "G" number and a TL 774 letter, and the sequence runs G11, G12, G12+, G12++, G13 and G12evo [2]. febi says the latest, G12evo, is backwards-compatible with all the earlier letters [2].
From 1994 (per third party)
G11, TL 774-C Not in our sources
Dates from a third-party reference [3]
From 1996 (per third party)
G12, TL 774-D Not in our sources
From 2000 (per third party)
G12+, TL 774-F Not in our sources
From 2005
G12++, TL 774-G Not in our sources
Later 2000s–2010s
G13, TL 774-J Not in our sources
Timing varies by brand and model [4]
From the 2019 model year
G12evo, TL 774-L Not in our sources
Introduced in 2018 production [2]
Volkswagen coolant chemistry
febi says G12evo meets TL 774-L and is backwards-compatible with TL 774-C, D, F, G and J [2]. The genuine VW G12evo listing says it "fully replaces G12, G12+, G12++ and G13 coolants" [1].
Known Volkswagen coolant issues
- The Group TSB warns that mixing G11 with later coolants can turn the mixture brown [4].
- Colour is not a reliable guide to a VW generation. Read the TL 774 letter on the bottle.
Genuine Volkswagen coolant we list
All genuine Volkswagen products and the details Volkswagen publishes are on the Volkswagen coolant brand page.
Aftermarket coolants listing a Volkswagen code
20 products in our data list one of these codes, per their maker:
Codes these products list (tap for every match)VW TL 774-G 7VW TL 774-F 4VW TL 774-D 4VW TL 774 (variant not stated) 3VW TL 774-C 1VW TL 774-L 1VW TL 774-J 1
Plus 10 more in the finder.
Coolants whose maker mentions Volkswagen
8 more only mention Volkswagen in application text, which is weaker than a code:
Plus 2 more in the finder.
Other car makes
Other car makes
A Volkswagen spec does not carry over to other brands. Also have a car from Toyota or Audi? Look up Honda and BMW too, and read can you mix coolant? before sharing one bottle. All makes: coolant by car make.
Ready to buy?
Ready to buy?
Our best coolant for VW & Audi page puts the genuine coolant and the aftermarket products that list a matching code side by side, with buying links. It is not a test or ranking.
Frequently asked questions
What is the newest VW coolant?
G12evo, to TL 774-L, introduced for the 2019 model year.
Can G12evo replace G12++ or G13?
The genuine VW G12evo listing says it fully replaces G12, G12+, G12++ and G13.
Why did my VW coolant turn brown?
The Group TSB says G11 mixed with later coolants can turn brown.
Is Coolant.com affiliated with Volkswagen?
No. We are independent of Volkswagen.
Volkswagen coolant part numbers and spec codes
Part numbers here are copied from each genuine listing we cite; confirm them against your Volkswagen manual before ordering.
| Genuine product | Part no. | Code shown | Listing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen G12evo Ready-Mix Coolant | G12E050A2 (1 L); G12E050A3 (5 L) | VW TL 774 (variant not stated) | coxmotorparts.co.uk |
Repair manuals & accessories
Repair manual for your car
Haynes repair manual for Volkswagen
Step-by-step procedures, including draining, refilling and bleeding the cooling system. Manuals cover specific models and years: check the coverage on the cover before you buy.
Examples of the tool type, not a test or ranking by us. Check fit and instructions before you buy. See the full cooling system tools guide.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Commissions never change which products we list or what the data says.
How we source this page
- Facts come from manufacturer pages, datasheets, owner's manuals and standards bodies, linked under Sources.
- We do not test products, and no brand pays to be listed or ranked. Advertising and affiliate links are labelled and never change the data.
- Anything we could not find is marked "not published" rather than guessed. Spotted an error? Tell us.