2022 Volkswagen Passat Owners Manual - Engine oil

Engine oil

 Introduction

The engine oils are determined based on the requirements of the engines, emissions control systems, and the fuel quality. On all combustion engines, the engine oil comes into contact with combustion residue and fuel, which affects the aging of the engine oil. Using the correct engine oil is essential for the function and service life of the engine. The vehicle is filled at the factory with a special multi-purpose, low-viscosity oil that can generally be used year-round.

Information about warning and indicator lights can be found in the troubleshooting section at the end of the chapter ⇒ Troubleshooting.

WARNING

Handling engine oil incorrectly can cause severe burns and other injuries.

• Always wear eye protection when handling engine oil.

• Engine oil is poisonous and must always be kept out of reach of children.

• Only store engine oil in its sealed original container. This also applies to used oil until it is disposed.

• Regular contact with engine oil could damage the skin. If engine oil has come into contact with the skin, always wash thoroughly with soap and water.

• Engine oil becomes very hot when the engine is running and can severely burn the skin. Always allow the engine to cool down.

Engine oil that has dripped and spilled can pollute the environment. Catch any leaking operating fluids and dispose of them correctly according to environmental regulations.

Engine oil standards

 Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒ andSafety precautions for working in the engine compartment.

Utilized engine oil

There is a label on the lock carrier that shows which engine oil should be added. Please follow the note and if possible only add the indicated engine oil ⇒ .

If this is not possible, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility to find out which engine oil is suitable for your vehicle. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

If the engine oil recommended by the authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility qualified in this respect is not available, a different engine oil can be used in an emergency. To reduce the risk of damaging the engine, a maximum of 0.5 liters of the following engine oils may be added until the next oil change:

• Gasoline engines: ACEA C3 or API SP standard, viscosity 0 W-30.

Volkswagen recommends Genuine oil.

NOTICE

Volkswagen recommends using the approved engine oils in accordance with the respective VW standard. The use of engine oils that do not comply with these quality requirements can cause engine damage.

Volkswagen recommends Volkswagen Genuine oil.

Changing the engine oil

 Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒ andSafety precautions for working in the engine compartment.

The engine oil must be changed in accordance with the instructions in the service schedule. Your service schedule is supplied with your Manual. Service schedule.

The engine oil must be changed regularly. Observe which service interval applies for your vehicle ⇒ Information regarding the service schedule.

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.

You can find more information about the service intervals in the Service chapter ⇒ Information regarding the 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

If you need to change the engine oil in the vehicle yourself in exceptional situations, the following instructions must be followed:

• 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.

• Never use empty food cans, bottles or other containers to store engine oil, because it may not always be clear that they contain engine oil.

• Engine oil is poisonous and must be kept out of reach of children.

Before changing the engine oil, find a place that will dispose of used oil correctly.

Dispose of used oil in a way that is responsible for the environment. Never dispose of used oil in gardens, forested areas, through the sewer systems, on streets and paths, in rivers, or in bodies of water, for example.

Engine oil consumption

 Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒ andSafety precautions for working in the engine compartment.

The engine oil consumption can vary from engine to engine and can change throughout the service life of the engine.

Depending on the driving style and the usage conditions, the engine oil consumption can be up to 1 liter (1 quart) per 1200 miles (2000 kilometers); it can also be higher within the first 3100 miles (5000 kilometers) on new vehicles. Because of this, the engine oil level must be checked regularly. It is best to check each time you refuel your vehicle and before long drives.

For high engine loads, for example when driving long distances on highways in the summer or when driving through high mountains, the engine oil level should be in the upper section of the permitted area ⇒ Checking the engine oil level and adding oil.

Checking the engine oil level and adding oil

 Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒ andSafety precautions for working in the engine compartment.

Fig. 140 Engine oil level markings on the oil dipstick (versions).

1. Engine oil level too high – if necessary follow the messages in the instrument cluster display or contact suitably qualified professionals for assistance. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
2. Oil level in the normal range.
3. Engine oil level too low – if necessary follow the messages in the instrument cluster display or top up the engine oil.

Fig. 141 In the engine compartment: engine oil filler cap (general example).

Perform the steps in the order listed ⇒ :

1. With the engine at operating temperature, park the vehicle on a level surface to avoid an incorrect oil level reading.

2. Turn off the engine and wait at least five minutes for the engine oil to flow back into the oil pan.

3. Open the hood ⇒ Opening and closing the hood.

4. Find the engine oil filler and the dipstick. You can identify these by the  symbol on the engine oil filler cap  fig. 141 and the colored handle on the dipstick  fig. 140. If you are not sure where the cap and the oil dipstick are located, contact suitably qualified professionals for assistance. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

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 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.

7. Remove the dipstick again and read the oil level on the dipstick as described below  fig. 140:

    The engine oil level is too high. If necessary, follow the messages in the instrument cluster display or contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility⇒ . Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized 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. Continue with step 8 or step 16 ⇒ .

    The engine oil level is too low. Add engine oil immediately. 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  fig. 141.

10. Top up the engine oil gradually in small quantities (not more than 0.5 liters/0.5 quarts) or observe the recommendation in the instrument cluster. Volkswagen recommends using the approved engine oils in accordance with the respective VW standard.

11. 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.

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

13. When you are done adding oil, the oil level should be in the center of area  fig. 140 . The engine oil level must not be in the area  fig. 140 .

14. If you accidentally add too much oil and the oil level is in area  fig. 140, do not start the engine. Inform an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

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

16. 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.

17. Close the hood ⇒ Opening and closing the hood.

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.

NOTICE

• If the oil level is in the  fig. 140 range, do not start the engine, and contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

• When topping up fluids, make sure the correct fluids are added to the correct reservoirs. Using incorrect fluids can result in malfunctions and engine damage.

Troubleshooting

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

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.

5. Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

 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.

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 qt (0.5 qt) in total) or observe the top-up recommendation in the instrument cluster.

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.

6. Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

 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.

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 qt (0.5 qt) in total) or observe the top-up recommendation in the instrument cluster.

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.

6. Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

 Engine oil level too high

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.

2. Stop the engine.

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

4. If the engine oil level is too high, do not drive any further or leave the engine running. Engine damage could result.

5. After checking, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

 or  Engine oil system malfunction

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

1. Contact a suitably qualified professional. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.