Do I need to drain the coolant system before installation?

Yes — drain the existing coolant into a clean container before removing the old radiator. You can reuse it if it's clean and less than three years old. Refer to your service manual for drain plug location and capacity.

Will this radiator work if my Tiguan has the factory plastic endtanks?

This radiator is designed to bolt directly to factory mounting points and accept OEM hose connections. If your vehicle runs the stock configuration, no adapter or modification is needed.

What if coolant leaks from the hose connections after install?

Hose clamps and gaskets age and may need replacement when the radiator comes out. Swap clamps and gaskets as part of the job — they're inexpensive insurance against leaks. Tighten connections hand-tight plus a quarter-turn, then pressure-test before running the engine.