Dave,
What's typically available near me from VW parts suppliers is german product VAICO VA-012 Plus coolant, violet in colour. On the label it states "It should be used all-year-round in a mixing ratio of 1 to 1 to provide the necessary protection against frost, overheating, corrosion and calcium deposits." Not sure which G12 Plus label you've been reading.
Interestingly a Google search for "G12 Plus" also brings up reference to a "G12 Plus Plus", for which it states "this the latest generation of coolant from VW/Audi. G12 Plus Plus coolant can be mixed with either blue G11 or pink G12 coolant like G12 Plus can, but it also includes updated additives for the latest generation of VW/Audi engines. G12 Plus Plus provides maximum corrosion protection for all engine parts and maximum heat transfer for improved cooling in modern high performance engines. Coolant is concentrate, to be mixed 1:1 with water."
Goto: http://www.ecwerks.com/fluids-and-lubricants/coolant/coolant-vw-audi-g12-plus-plus-1-5l-bottle.html
Unlike G12 Plus, which is "silicate free", G12 Plus Plus has, amongst other things, silicate added, for newer generation motors such as the Phaeton, goto: http://www.volkswagen.com/vwcms/master_public/virtualmaster/en2/unternehmen/volkswagen_genuine/genuine_parts/coolant_additive/new_recipe_for_premium_vehicles.html . It now begs the question, "is G12 Plus Plus" designed only for newer generation engines such as the Phaeton as stated, so by inference not relevant to the WBX 2.1?
If G12 Plus Plus ever reaches our shores, will both products be available in parallel or will "Plus Plus" supersede "Plus" and “G11”? Pandoras Box on coolants opened yet again?
In any event, I’ll stand corrected if previous generation G11 offers superior corrosion protection compared to its newer generation ... G12 Plus.
Cheers.
Ken
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: davidleibmann@yahoo.com.au
Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2011 21:55:09 +0000
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: Coolant and radiator service
Cheers Dave
--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, Ken Garratt <unclekenz@...> wrote:
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> I'm at a loss to understand what is at all wrong with VW's latest coolant concentrate ... G12 Plus. How is reverting to G11, an earlier version, a better alternative?
> I prefer 50:50 mix with distilled water, gives me some latitude if I drop any and can top it up with straight distilled water should I get caught short of concentrate.
> Ken
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> To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> From: davidleibmann@...
> Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2011 07:28:18 +0000
> Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Coolant and radiator service
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> does a radiator service include a coolant change as well? I have given the radiator fins a good clean and bled the system, is there something else to do? Still want to change the coolant from G12+ that was in it when I bought the car to G11. Do you think 4 bottles of G11 is enough coolant? Just kampers recommend that and that is how many bottles I have at present.
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> Cheers Dave
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