Coolant specification — G12/G12+/G13/G30

Tags: #coolant · #part-number

Baseline spec. The FAW Besturn X80 uses coolant type G12+ or G12++. G13 (a more modern formulation) can also be used as an alternative, but compatibility with whatever coolant is already in the system must be carefully verified before mixing.¹ Factory-fill reports vary: most commonly red G12/G12+, though some early cars reportedly shipped with yellow G13 from the factory (source of this unclear/unconfirmed).²

Chemistry and why it matters. G12/G12+ is ethylene-glycol-based, carboxylate-technology, traditional and considered better suited to aluminum/iron/magnesium radiator/engine materials. G13 is propylene-glycol-based — the European eco-spec, less toxic. Separately, G30/G40 (BASF nomenclature) use OAT (organic acid technology) and are considered an evolution of G12, offering improved corrosion protection and longer service life; G12+ and G30 are roughly performance-equivalent. VAG's naming (G11/G12/G12+) and BASF's (G30/G40) describe overlapping technology tiers, not competing products.²³

Color is not a reliable indicator of type. Color (red, yellow, green, blue) varies by brand within the same specification — e.g., G12 has been seen in both red and green from different manufacturers, and green G12 should not be confused with the older G11 spec. Always check the specification printed on the bottle/label, never rely on color alone.⁴

Community debate on mixing G12/G13 — document both positions. Strict-spec followers say G12 and G13 must never be mixed because of their different chemical bases (ethylene vs. propylene glycol). Pragmatists report that in practice, field mixing has caused no visible harm. Recommended conservative approach given this disagreement: when simply topping off, match whatever coolant type is already in the system; when doing a major coolant service (full drain + refill, e.g. during thermostat replacement), flush the system fully and refill with fresh G12/G12+ concentrate diluted 50% with distilled water rather than top up a mixed system.⁵

Compatibility matrix (G11/G12/G12+/G12++/G13). A shared community diagram ("Правильное смешивание антифризов" — proper antifreeze mixing) lays out concrete mixing rules across five coolant types: G11 cannot be mixed with G12; G12 is compatible with G12+, G12++, and G13; G12+ is compatible with G12++; G13 stands alone (not listed as freely compatible with the others beyond G12). Never mix incompatible types — doing so risks damaging the cooling system. The same source also flags a related caution: never dispose of used engine oil into the coolant.⁶

Refill procedure and practical spec guidance. For the X80, G12 or G12+ (carboxylate-based, pink/rose-colored) is the recommended coolant; avoid older G30 concentrate without first verifying compatibility, and pink coolant is the community-recommended safe default. When topping off low coolant: (1) never add to a hot engine, (2) add to the radiator itself (not just the expansion tank), roughly 0.5–1.0 L to bring the level between the MIN/MAX marks, (3) keep the expansion tank between MIN and MAX when cold. Low coolant is called out as a cause of both poor heater performance and potential overheating — consistent with the air-pocket/level guidance in the capacity card. If the previous fill type is unknown, G12+ is described as a safe default choice; avoid mixing different coolant colors/types per the compatibility matrix above.^{789101112131415161718}

CARBOX G12+ red antifreeze — confirmed compatible. CARBOX brand red liquid coolant (product Felix 430206032) is confirmed compatible with a 2019 FAW X80 and available for refill. General takeaway restated: any coolant meeting the G12+ specification works for the X80, regardless of specific brand.¹⁹²⁰²¹

Corroborating brand recommendation — G12+ red as the common X80 choice. Independent confirmation of the community's default coolant choice already documented above: G12+ antifreeze in red is the common pick for the X80. Reinforcing the mixing warning elsewhere on this card: never mix green and red antifreeze — mixing causes clumping and coolant-system damage. If the existing coolant's type/history is unknown or the system has been neglected, drain and refill completely with fresh fluid rather than topping off an uncertain mix.²²²³²⁴

G13 compatibility, restated with an aluminum-radiator rationale. Confirming and adding chemistry detail to the G13 note already on this card: G13 is safe for 2019+ FAW X80 models with aluminum radiators. G13 is glycerin-based (vs. G12+'s glucose-based chemistry per this report) and is described as more practical, compatible with all the other listed coolant types, and providing longer-term protection for systems with aluminum, magnesium, or copper components.^25262728

Service-manual spec G30-91 and VAG/BASF naming. The service manual lists the coolant as G30-91.²⁹ A member explains that G11, G12 and G12+ are VAG classes while G30 and G40 are BASF classes, and that G12+ is roughly equivalent to G30.³⁰ Another member holds that the names are simply different labels for the same standard.³¹ A Sintec MULTIFREEZE G13 universal antifreeze (1 kg pack) was listed on Ozon (Russian marketplace) in October 2025, but the chat does not confirm that it meets the G30-91 spec.³²

Media

Photo of a red-colored G12/G12+ antifreeze bottle with visible spec label, shared during the coolant-type discussion

Photo of a yellow-colored antifreeze bottle labeled G13, offered as evidence of factory yellow fill on some cars

Photo of green-colored antifreeze bottle, cited to show color varies by brand within the same G12 spec

Photo of blue-colored antifreeze bottle, part of the same color/brand comparison in the thread

Product-availability photo showing a coolant brand and price tag at a Russian retailer, referenced during the discussion

Diagram "Правильное смешивание антифризов" (Proper coolant mixing) showing five coolant types (G11, G12, G12+, G12++, G13) with green checkmarks for compatible pairs and red X marks for incompatible combinations; a note also warns against dumping used oil into coolant

Photo showing G12+ pink antifreeze type specification and color reference, used to confirm the recommended coolant color/spec

Related pages

• Coolant system — capacity and air-bleeding
• Heater hose and coolant-tube sourcing
• Coolant overheating — a long diagnostic case
• Transmission oil cooler failure — coolant/ATF mix
• Muffler flex hose specification

Sources

This page is compiled from 32 community messages. Every fact carries a numbered reference to its original author and message.

Last updated: 2026-10-29