Get Engine oil Guide for Volkswagen Passat SUV Seventh Generation (2010-2014)

Engine oil

¤ Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:

Warning and indicator lights

Engine oil specifications

Engine oil capacities

Checking the engine oil level and adding oil

Engine oil consumption

Changing engine oil

More information:

⇒ꢀBooklet Warranty and Maintenance

Working in the engine compartment

Parts, accessories, repairs and modifications

WARNING

Improper handling of engine oil can cause severe burns and

other serious injuries.

Always wear eye protection.

Engine oil is poisonous and must be stored out of the reach

of children.

Store engine oil only in the closed original container. This

also applies to used oil until disposal.

To reduce the risk of poisoning, never drain the oil into emp-

ty food or beverage containers that might mislead someone in-

to drinking from them.

Continuous contact with used engine oil is harmful to your

skin. Always protect your skin by washing thoroughly with

soap and water.

Engine oil becomes extremely hot when the engine is run-

ning and can cause severe burns. Always let the engine cool

down to the touch.

Like all other operating fluids, engine oil can pollute the environ-

ment. Collect leaked or spilled operating fluids and dispose of them

properly in accordance with applicable environmental laws and regu-

lations.

Warning and indicator lights

¤ Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

Lights

up

Possible cause

Proper response

Stop the engine. Check the

engine oil level

Engine oil level too low.

Flashes

Possible cause

Proper response

Stop!

Switch off the engine. Check

the engine oil level.

– If the warning light flashes

although the oil level is nor-

mal, do not continue driving

or let the engine idle. Other-

wise, the engine could be

damaged.

Engine oil pressure too

low.

E

Contact an authorized

Volkswagen dealer or an au-

thorized Volkswagen Service

Facility.

Have the engine oil sensor

checked by an authorized

Volkswagen dealer or an au-

thorized Volkswagen Service

Facility.

Engine oil system

malfunction.

When the ignition is switched on, several warning and indicator lights

come on briefly for a function check. They go out after a few seconds.

For vehicles with the 3.6 liter engine, the engine oil temperature can

be displayed in the Volkswagen Information System MFI menu ⇒ꢀ MFI

menu (Multi-Function Indicator).

WARNING

Failure to heed warning lights and instrument cluster text mes-

sages can cause the vehicle to break down in traffic and result

in a collision and serious personal injury.

Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.

Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

NOTICE

Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS can result in

vehicle damage.

Engine oil specifications

¤ Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

The engine oil used must conform to exact specifications.

Using the proper engine oil is important for the functionality and ser-

vice life of the engine. Your engine was factory-filled with a high-

quality multi-grade oil which can usually be used throughout the entire

year.

Engine oils are constantly being improved. Authorized Volkswagen

dealers and authorized Volkswagen Service Facilities are always up-

to-date regarding new developments and changes. Volkswagen

therefore recommends that you have the engine oil changed by an

authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service

Facility.

Engine oil quality is based not only on requirements for engines and

exhaust treatment systems, but also on fuel quality. Engine oil comes

into contact with fuel and fuel residue in all internal combustion en-

gines, causing engine oil to age and its lubricating qualities to deterio-

rate.

Your engine was factory-filled with a high-quality, “synthetic” all-

season engine oil that meets strict Volkswagen oil quality standards

and has a viscosity grade of SAE 5W-40 or SAE 5W-30. You can use

this oil for normal driving in all temperatures.

If you need to add oil between oil changes, use only a high quality oil

that expressly complies with the Volkswagen oil quality standard

specified for your vehicle's engine:

Engines

Engine oil specification

VW 502 00

VW 503 00

VW 504 00

200 hp (147 kW), 2.0L

VW 501 01

VW 502 00

VW 503 00

280 hp (206 kW), 3.6L

At the time this Manual was printed, the engine oils available in the

U.S. that meet these Volkswagen standards are “synthetic” oils. This

does not mean, however, that any “synthetic” engine oil will meet

Volkswagen standards. Always use an approved oil that expressly

complies with the Volkswagen oil quality standard that applies to your

vehicle's engine.

General recommendations:

If “synthetic” oil that meets the applicable Volkswagen oil quality

standard with viscosity grade SAE 5W-40 or SAE 5W-30 is not avail-

able in your area, be sure to use a viscosity grade suitable for the

climate, season, and operating conditions that exist where the vehicle

is used. Make sure the oil meets the quality standard.

Engine oils are constantly being improved. Authorized Volkswagen

dealers and authorized Volkswagen Service Facilities are always up-

to-date regarding new developments and changes. Volkswagen

therefore recommends that you have the engine oil changed by an

authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service

Facility.

NOTICE

If you need to add oil and there is none available that meets

the Volkswagen oil quality standard your engine requires, you

may add a total of no more than 1/2 quart (0.5 liter) of a high-

quality “synthetic” oil that meets ACEA A3 specifications and

has a viscosity grade of SAE 5W-40 or SAE 5W-30.

Use only a high quality engine oil that expressly complies with

the Volkswagen oil quality standard specified for your vehicle's

engine. Using any other oil can cause serious engine damage

that will not be covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty.

Do not mix any lubricants or other additives into the engine

oil. Doing so can cause engine damage! Damage caused by the-

se kinds of additives are not covered by any Volkswagen Limited

Warranty.

Engine oil capacities

¤ Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

Engines

Engine oil capacity (with filter)

About 4.9 quarts (4.7 liters)

About 5.8 quarts (5.5 liters)

200 hp (147 kW), 2.0L

280 hp (206 kW), 3.6L

Checking the engine oil level and adding oil

Fig. 165 Oil dipstick with engine oil level marks.

Fig. 166 In the engine compartment: Engine oil filler cap.

¤ Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

Checklist

Perform the steps in the order listed ⇒ꢀ

:

1. With the engine at operating temperature, park the vehicle on a

level surface to help prevent an incorrect oil level reading.

2. Switch off the engine and wait a few minutes for the engine oil to

flow back into the oil pan.

3. Open the engine hood ⇒ꢀ

4. Find the oil filler opening and the dipstick. You can identify these by

the E symbol on the engine oil filler cap ⇒ꢀfig. 166 and the colored

handle on the dipstick. If you are not sure where the cap and the

dipstick are located, see your authorized Volkswagen dealer or au-

thorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance.

5. Remove the dipstick from the guide tube and wipe the dipstick off

using a clean cloth.

6. Reinsert the dipstick into the guide tube and push it all the way in. If

there is an alignment tab on 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.

7. Remove the dipstick again and read the oil level on the dipstick

⇒ꢀfig. 165 as described below:

(A): Do not add any oil ⇒ꢀ . Continue with step 15.

(B): Oil may be added (about 1 pint / 0.5 liter). Continue with step 8

or step 15.

(C): You must add oil (about 1 quart / 1.0 liter). Continue with step

8.

8. After reading the oil level, reinsert the dipstick back into the guide

tube and push it all the way in.

9. Remove the cap on the engine oil filler opening ⇒ꢀfig. 166.

10.

Only add engine oil that Volkswagen has approved for that

engine. Add the oil gradually in small quantities (no more than

1 pint / 0.5 liter).

11.

To help prevent overfilling, you must wait about 1 minute each

time you add oil so that the oil can flow into the oil pan up to the

marking on the dipstick.

12.

Read the oil level on the dipstick again before adding another

small amount, if necessary. Never add too much oil ⇒ꢀ .

13.

After adding oil, the level must at least be in the center of the

⇒ꢀfig. 165 (B) area, but never above (A) ⇒ꢀ .

14.

After adding oil, securely install the cap on the engine oil filler

opening. Otherwise, oil could leak out while the engine is running.

15.

way in.

16. Close the hood ⇒ꢀ

Insert the oil dipstick back in the guide tube and push it all the

Engine oil level ranges

fig. 165

Required action according to the respective en-

gine oil level:

Range (A)

Do not refill oil ⇒ꢀ .

Range (B) You may add oil (about 1 pint / 0.5 liter). The oil level

may go into the (A) range, but not above the (A)

range.

Range (C) You must add oil (about 1 quart / 1.0 liter). After add-

ing oil, make sure that the oil level is about in the

middle of the (B) range.

WARNING

Engine oil can ignite when it touches hot engine parts. This can

cause fires, burns, and other severe injuries.

Never spill oil on the engine. Oil spilled on a cold engine can

also cause a fire when the engine warms up.

Always make certain that you screw the cap of the engine oil

filler opening back on tightly after adding oil and that the dip-

stick has been pushed all the way back into the in the guide

tube. This helps prevent engine oil from leaking onto the hot

engine when the engine is running.

NOTICE

Do not start the engine if the engine oil level is above range

(A). Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized

Volkswagen Service Facility. Otherwise the catalytic converter

and engine can be damaged!

When changing or topping off fluids, make sure that you pour

the fluids into the correct reservoirs. Adding the wrong type of

operating fluids will cause serious malfunctions and engine

damage.

The engine oil level should never be above range (A). Otherwise

oil can be drawn in by the crankcase ventilation system and enter the

atmosphere via the exhaust system.

Engine oil consumption

¤ Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

To provide effective lubrication and cooling for internal engine parts,

all internal combustion engines use some oil. Oil consumption varies

from engine to engine and may change over the life of the engine.

Engines tend to use more oil during the break-in period than they do

afterward, when oil consumption has stabilized.

Under normal conditions, the rate of oil consumption depends on oil

quality as well as viscosity, engine speed (rpm), outside temperature,

road conditions, the amount of oil dilution caused by condensed water

or fuel residue, and oxidation of the oil. Oil consumption may increase

with engine wear over time, until replacement of worn engine parts

may become necessary.

Volkswagen recommends that you to check the engine oil level at

regular intervals, preferably every time you fill the fuel tank, and al-

ways before a long trip. Your vehicle may consume engine oil de-

pending on several variables. A maximum of 1 quart per 1200 miles

(1 liter per 2000 km) would be considered normal. New vehicles may

consume more oil over the first 3000 miles (5000 km).

The oil pressure warning light is not an indicator of low engine

oil level. If the warning light stays on or flashes while driving

(above 1500 rpm), a chime will sound. It indicates that the oil

pressure is too low. Stop the engine immediately, check the en-

gine oil level and add oil if necessary. If the engine oil level is

normal, but the light continues to flash, do not keep driving or

let the engine idle, as damage may occur.

If you believe your engine uses too much oil, we recommend that you

consult your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen

Service Facility so that the cause of your concern can be properly

diagnosed. Please keep in mind that accurate measurement of oil

consumption requires great care and may take some time. Your au-

thorized Volkswagen dealer and authorized Volkswagen Service Fa-

cility have instructions for how to measure oil consumption accurately.

Depending on the way the vehicle is driven and the operating

conditions, oil consumption can be up to 1 quart per 1200 miles

(0.5 liter per 1000 km). Consumption may be higher for new vehicles

during the first 3000 miles (5000 km).

Changing engine oil

¤ Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

The engine oil must be changed according to the intervals specified in

your ⇒ꢀBooklet Warranty and Maintenance.

Changing oil at regular intervals is very important because the lubri-

cating properties of oil decrease gradually during normal vehicle use.

If you are not sure when to have the oil changed, ask your authorized

Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Sometimes, engine oil should be changed more often than specified

for normal use. Change oil more frequently if you often drive short

distances, in dusty areas or in stop-and-go traffic, or if you use your

vehicle where temperatures stay below freezing for long periods.

Volkswagen recommends that you have your oil and oil filter changed

by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen

Service Facility ⇒ꢀ . They have the required expertise and special

tools and will dispose of the old oil properly.

Detergent additives in the oil will make fresh oil look dark after the

engine has been running a short time. This is normal and no reason

to change engine oil more often.

WARNING

If you must change the engine oil yourself, be sure to take the

following precautions:

Always wear eye protection.

To reduce the risk of burns from hot engine oil, let the engine

cool down completely before beginning.

When removing the oil drain plug with your fingers, stay as

far away as possible. Always keep your forearm parallel to the

ground to help prevent hot oil from running down your arm.

Drain the oil into a container designed for this purpose, one

large enough to hold at least the total amount of oil in your en-

gine.

To reduce the risk of poisoning, never drain the oil into emp-

ty food or beverage containers that might mislead someone in-

to drinking from them.

Engine oil is poisonous and must be stored out of the reach

of children.

Continuous contact with used engine oil is harmful to your

skin. Always protect your skin by washing thoroughly with

soap and water.

Before changing the oil, first make sure you know where you can

properly dispose of the old oil.

Dispose of the old oil an environmentally-responsible manner.

Never dump the old oil on garden soil, in wooded areas, in the street,

into streams, rivers, or bodies of water, or down sewage drains.

Recycle used oil by taking it to a collection facility for used engine

oil in your area, or contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an

authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Volkswagen recommends that you always have your oil and oil

filter changed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized

Volkswagen Service Facility. They have the required expertise and

special tools and will dispose of the old oil properly.

Engine oil for Your Volkswagen Passat SUV Seventh Generation (2010-2014)

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