Get Checking and filling -> Checking the engine oil level and adding oil Guide for Volkswagen Atlas SUV First Generation (2018-2023)

Changing the engine oil

Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒

Safety precautions for working in the engine compartment .

The engine oil must be changed regularly in accordance with the instructions in the warranty and maintenance. Your service schedule is supplied with your Manual.

Service schedule.

Additives in the engine oil can make new engine oil appear dark after a brief engine run time. This is normal and is no reason to change the engine oil more

frequently.

WARNING

Changing the engine oil incorrectly can cause environmental damage, ﬁres and serious injuries.

Always wear eye protection.

Always allow the engine to cool down to reduce the risk of burns.

Keep your arms horizontal when using your ﬁngers to unscrew the oil drain plug, so that the draining oil does not drip down your arm.

Use a container suitable for collecting used oil that can hold at least the entire quantity of oil in the engine.

WARNING

Engine oil is toxic and can cause serious injuries.

Always store engine oil out of the reach of children.

Never use empty food cans, bottles or other containers to store engine oil, because individuals may not recognize that they contain engine oil.

NOTICE

Engine oil and ﬁlter changes require special tools, technical knowledge and the correct disposal of the used oil.

For this reason, always have the engine oil and ﬁlters changed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Dispose of the engine oil in a way that will not harm the environment and only at a collection point for used oil, e.g. a recycling center or specialist retailer.

Checking the engine oil level and adding oil

Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒

Safety precautions for working in the engine compartment .

Preparations

Fig. 190 In the engine compartment: engine oil filler cap (general example).

To avoid an incorrect oil level reading, perform the following steps:

1. Park vehicles with an engine at operating temperature on a level surface.

2. Wait at least ﬁve minutes for the engine oil to ﬂow back into the oil pan.

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3. Open the hood.

4. Find the engine oil ﬁller and the dipstick.

You can identify these by the

ﬁg. 190 symbol on the engine oil ﬁller cap and the colored handle on the oil dipstick.

Checking the engine oil level

Fig. 191 Engine oil level markings on the oil dipstick (versions).

The engine oil level is too high.

Oil level in the normal range.

The engine oil level is too low.

1. Remove the dipstick from the guide tube and wipe the dipstick off using a clean cloth.

2. Reinsert the dipstick into the guide tube and push it all the way in. If there is an alignment tab on the top of the engine oil dipstick, make sure it lines up with the

notch in the guide tube, and that the dipstick goes all the way in.

3. Remove the dipstick again and read the oil level on the dipstick as described below ﬁg. 191:

The engine oil level is too high. If necessary, follow the messages in the instrument cluster display or contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorize

Volkswagen Service Facility ⇒

Oil level in the normal range. Engine oil can be added up to the upper edge of this area, for example if there is heavy engine load.

The engine oil level is too low. Add engine oil immediately.

4. After reading the oil level, reinsert the dipstick back into the guide tube and push it all the way in.

For high vehicle loads, for example when driving long distances on highways in the summer or when driving through high mountains, the engine oil level should be

the upper section of the permitted area.

Adding engine oil

WARNING

Engine oil can ignite if it comes into contact with hot engine components. This can cause burns and serious injuries.

Always make sure that the engine oil cap is installed securely on the engine ﬁller opening after adding oil and that the oil dipstick is inserted correctly in

the guide tube. This can prevent engine oil from leaking and coming into contact with hot engine components when the engine is running.

If engine oil spills on cold engine components, it could heat up and ignite when the engine is running.

Only perform these activities in the speciﬁed order ⇒

1. Remove the cap on the engine oil ﬁller ﬁg. 190.

⇒

2. Top up the engine oil gradually in small quantities, not more than 0.5 l (0.5 quart), or follow the recommendation in the display of the Volkswagen Digital Cockpi

Volkswagen recommends using the approved engine oils in accordance with the respective VW standard.

3. To avoid overﬁlling, you must wait at least one minute each time you add engine oil so that the engine oil can ﬂow into the oil pan up to the marking on the oil

dipstick.

4. Read the oil level on the dipstick again before adding a little more. Never add too much oil.

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When you are done adding oil, the oil level should be in the center of area ﬁg. 191

. The engine oil level must not be in the area ﬁg. 191

5. If you accidentally add too much engine oil and the engine oil level is in area ﬁg. 191

, do not start the engine ⇒ . Contact an authorized Volkswagen

dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance.

6. Close the cap on the engine oil ﬁller when you are done adding engine oil.

7. Insert the oil dipstick all the way into the guide tube. If there is an alignment tab on the top of the engine oil dipstick, make sure it lines up with the notch in the

guide tube, and that the dipstick goes all the way in.

8. Close the hood.

CAUTION

If the engine oil level is too high after reﬁlling, this can cause engine damage.

Do not start the engine, and seek professional assistance.

NOTICE

Using incorrect ﬂuids can result in malfunctions and engine damage.

When topping up ﬂuids, make sure the correct ﬂuids are added to the correct reservoirs.

Volkswagen recommends using the approved engine oils in accordance with the respective VW standard.

If you are not sure where the cap and the oil dipstick are located, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for

assistance. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Troubleshooting

Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒

Safety precautions for working in the engine compartment .

Engine oil pressure too low

The red warning light blinks. A message is shown in the instrument cluster display.

Do not continue driving! Engine damage could result.

1. Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so ⇒ Parking.

2. Stop the engine.

3. Check the engine oil level ⇒ Checking the engine oil level and adding oil .

4. If the warning light ﬂashes, do not continue driving or let the engine run, even if the oil is at the correct level. Engine damage could result. Contact an authorized

Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance.

Engine oil level very low

The red warning light blinks. A message is shown in the instrument cluster display.

Do not continue driving! Engine damage could result.

1. Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so ⇒ Parking.

2. Stop the engine.

3. Check the engine oil level ⇒ Checking the engine oil level and adding oil .

4. If necessary, top up the engine oil gradually in small quantities (not more than 0.5 l (0.5 qt) in total) or observe the top-up recommendation in the display of the

Volkswagen Digital Cockpit.

5. If the warning light lights up, do not continue driving or let the engine run, even if the oil is at the correct level. Engine damage could result. Contact an

authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance.

Engine oil level too low

The yellow indicator light turns on. A message is shown in the instrument cluster display.

1. Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so ⇒ Parking.

2. Stop the engine.

3. Check the engine oil level ⇒ Checking the engine oil level and adding oil .

4. If necessary, top up the engine oil gradually in small quantities (not more than 0.5 l (0.5 qt) in total) or observe the top-up recommendation in the display of the

Volkswagen Digital Cockpit.

5. If the indicator light comes on, do not continue driving or let the engine run, even if the oil is at the correct level. Engine damage could result. Contact an

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Checking and filling -> Checking the engine oil level and adding oil for Your Volkswagen Atlas SUV First Generation (2018-2023)

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