i've a x reg 45,000 miles 1.4 16v fabia.

just done my weekly checks and found a couple of problems.the anti-freeze is on the min level,can i buy the red anti-freeze at Halfords ?

the last 2 cars i've had (citroen saxo and ford fiesta) and now my fabia have the same problem,when i remove the oil filler cap there is a small amount of yellow gunk,there is none in the dipstick holder so i know the headgasket hasn't gone.

i think the problem is i do too many stop and start journeys (work is only 2.5 miles away from home).should i go for long drives at weekend too stop the yellow gunk appearing ?

also i've had the car 6 months and already used 2 small cartons of castrol gtx 5w 30 to top up my oil,is this the correct oil ?

thanks

Seems like a lot of oil it's using up :eek:

I'd definitely recommend taking the car out for a little drive once every two weeks at the very minimum, and once it's warmed up give it a little welly through the gears, i.e. rev it - that should get rid of the crud that tends to build up in the exhaust system etc, charge the battery up nicely, and generally it's not a bad thing to do to the car.

Dunno about the other questions, your handbook should have all the info on that though

thanks

i must add it only happens in winter with the yellow gunk.

gunk is common on fabia's especially 16v's it's due to the short journeys and condesation. red a/freeze to my knowledge is only available from vag dealers and 16v's due consume a fair bit of oil and i use 15/40 in them hope this helps cheers k.

i got some red anti-freeze from halfords (on the rear of the carton said 'skoda vw etc etc etc).

i got my usual oil.

thanks for the help

The 'official' VAG coolant is called Coolant Additive G12 and the PN is G 012 A8D A1. I paid

For the price . . . go for G12 as is reccomended. I did a thermostat change on my Passat which required new coolant. £5.17 - it's one of the cheapest things from the Veedub dealer.