I have a Fabia 1.4 16V and it's time I did a few things to it. I posted a thread about the PAS light intermittently coming on....today, took the stick out of the PAS reservoir, put it back in and out again and it came out bone dry!

Would lack of fluid in the reservoir make the light come on?

The coolant fluid is also just below the min_ mark now so I need to fill it up. I've looked around this forum and people say not blue. However the stuff in there already looks blue in colour. What should I be getting? Bear in mind that will have a full service in May so they will drain and refill it - but I don't want my engine to blow in the interim! What should I get (probably Halfords tomorrow)?

Many thanks,

Jon

You dont change coolant on any service (unless you ask them to, no interval for it).

You need G12++ which is purple/red, if it is blue then its the incorrect anti freeze and needs to be changed.

I dont think a lack of fluid does bring the light on, just makes the steering heavy.

Bu**er, well then that means I do have a problem with the system. I hope it's not the steering pump! I'm going to dabble with VAGCOM as a USB cable is only £12.00 from ebay. The shareware software, do you know if it will be enough for me? I will only be using it on this car for reading fault codes.

Thanks Lummox

If it works then yes.

top the PAS fluid up anyway as it wont be doing it any favours running it low

Very true.

Your coolant should be topped up with the same type as you already have so use Bluecol/Halfords/Comma which are blue in colour. The G12 coolant is a VAG preferred coolant that is red in colour all VAG cars come with it or are serviced with this fluid. The coolant you have does not have to be changed unless it is getting dirty, old or too diluted. If you are having the coolant changed in the future then flush and refill with VW's own G12 to keep the original look.

As for your PS fluid just top up with whatever is recommended in your handbook.

If the antifreeze is lue then it aint suitable for your car end of, if doesnt not have the corrosion inhibitors in it etc and will start to furr up the internals of the cooling system inc the heater matrix which eventually blocks up.