Its the awd system. A rear clutch pack operated by a pump to engage the rear wheels. Fwd cars (not sure if GLI) have the VAQ front diff which is a similar engagement system (Haldex) but for the f. axles. They all come with EDL and XDS which are ABS-based systems. See my video here
2017 VW Golf AllTrack is Now Nine Years Old
- Thread starter Boomer
- Start date
Thank you. Yes, my GLI has the VAQ diff. Is there anything special that I should do?
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
Change fluid at 40k max, preferably 30k. I don't know whether it has that mesh screen. Pull out the mesh screen and clean it with BrakeKlean. Numerous YouTube videos.
It gets serviced similar to awd system.
What is the actual interval of haldex AWD on 18 Tiguan. Dealer when serviced there seems to do every 30k miles (3 years?) which was yearly for us. I did that thru 150k howver went over to years now at 210k two years later. I am thinking next oil change at 220k buddy who services will do it.
Wife drives 30k/year.
Wife drives 30k/year.
Generally, modern VWs should be done around every 5 years or 60K. Simplest way is to detach lower radiator hose and drain coolant out. There should be a clip that gets pried ot a bit (service position) and allows the hose to disconnect. There are no petcocks that I know of, which would make it easier. Just remember to take off the reservoir cap, otherwise there will be a vacuum that limits draining. This method gets most of the coolant out, and is sufficient for a change of fluid. You can purchase a vacuum refill tool if you'd like, or use something like the Lisle refill funnel to "burp" the system and help prevent air locks. I've used this one for years without any issues.
https://www.lislecorp.com/specialty-tools/24780-spill-free-funnel-18-pc
Cool, I need to get that...thanks for link.
No problem, works like a charm. Just fill it and let the car run. It will add coolant as the car purges air from the system. I don't like vacuum fillers that much, although in some cases they are the only way to fill some systems without allowing air in.
So pull lower hose and remove reservoir cap. Car off. Let it drain. Then use this.
Yep. You attach the funnel and pour in coolant until it starts to rise in the reservoir. Start the car, turn heat on high (with or without heater fan) and let it run at idle. As the system gets hot and the thermostat opens, coolant will flow into the reservoir from the funnel and air will be purged. Eventually it will stop filling at the correct level in the reservoir and the system should have purged itself of any air while it was running, usually after the cooling fans have come on a few times. Insert the stopper in the funnel if you still have coolant in it and transfer the excess back to the jug. Done.
Money. I am planning on running some super coolant this year and this will help.
Awesome. Thank you. I have read that VW’s HAVE to be vacuum filled or it will cause air locks.
Really depends on how much of the system was opened. Replace a water pump and a few hoses? Maybe, maybe not. Drain and fill, not necessary. Have done both and found the funnel works fine, even for extensive cooling system work that opens up a lot of different passages in the system.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
I think it is 40k. But do every 30k. Most important is to take out that mesh and clean it. Dealership won’t do that.
Not a VW guy here and while some of their cooling systems can be complex(VR6 anyone?), they don’t need an Airlift or similar usually. It does help. The coolant reservoir is the highest point of the system as well.
Ironically, as complex as the VR6 system is, the water pump replacement is one of the easiest ones I've done.
Yea, a lot of the Japanese stuff involves accessing the timing drive and they love putting cooling system components at the “low” point of the system. All the Mercedes stuff I remember working on was self-bleeding - the coolant reservoir is at the highest point of the cooling system.
Not sure about today’s German cars.
The cooling system on my VR6 is relatively straight forward. I’ve done a couple of drain and fills too without any special tools or funnels - just jacked the nose up and let it burp itself out.
The same G 060 175 Haldex fluid like 4WD. While VW call for 36 months, I prefer to swap it every 24 months.
Your VAQ contains ~570 ml of fluid and swapping requires ~400 ml. I use the rest (of 850 ml) to flush the unit. I'd suggest to get new fill and drain plugs, at least every second change, since they're made of aluminum and little soft. As always open the fill plug first, before draining.
Last edited:
Similar threads
