For coolant - cheap Prestone (concentrate) got my old Speed3 to 60 000km no problem. I used 25% glycol and 75% distilled water and a couple caps of redline water wetter. No more overheating, even idling in +35°C.
Reviews of Prestone antifreeze
223 votes
Prestone European Vehicles Antifreeze & Coolant states, Superior guaranteed protection - 5 years / 150,000 miles. Prestone Platinum All Vehicles Antifreeze & Coolant states, Extreme protection - 15+ years / 350,000 miles.
Prestone destroyed my passats Cooling system, everything just deteriorated, the hoses in my car started to break up. I don't recommend prestone
If you are going to use Prestone brand, then you'd want Violet color.
In a pinch I added Prestone Universal green to my VW coolant, next day the expansion tank had a nasty looking brown mixture in it that freaked me out, my desire to put inexpensive universal fluid to top off my B6 ended up costing me over $150 for VW to drain, flush with cleaner and refill with G12+.
G12/13 has better lubricating properties over long periods of time, which is why they use it in what you always hear as "lifetime fill." This is due to the phosphates in the coolant.
The Prestone stuff works just fine and there shouldn't really be an issue.
I have been using Prestone Green FORever, in all my cars but the one that is Dexi-cool. I don't think I have ever had an issue with the Green as I flush my cars on a bi-yearly kinda thing or when I have to change things.
I use Prestone Celisus Anti-freeze/coolant. It's pretty much universal, never had a problem in my 92 TD or my 91 1.8 8V with coolant or overheating.
When I bought my Jetta it was filled with Prestone. One time the fan switch crapped out on me so while replacing it I did a coolant flush and decided to use G12. About 2 weeks later the car started overheating like mad.
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