Get Checking and refilling -> Engine oil Guide for Volkswagen Golf 4 Door 2023

Filling capacity

Always wear eye protection.

Depending on vehicle equipment, the windshield

washer fluid reservoir holds between 3.1–5.2 quarts

(3–5 liters).

Engine oil is poisonous and must be stored out

of the reach of children.

Store engine oil only in the closed original con-

tainer. This also applies to used oil until dispos-

al.

WARNING

Never mix antifreeze or similar additives into the

windshield washer reservoir. This could produce an

oily film on the windshield, which would consider-

ably reduce visibility.

To reduce the risk of poisoning, never drain the

oil into empty food or beverage containers that

might mislead someone into drinking from

them.

Use clear water (not distilled water) with

a cleaning solution recommended by Volkswa-

gen.

Continuous contact with used engine oil is

harmful to your skin. Always protect your skin

by washing thoroughly with soap and water.

If necessary, blend with a suitable windshield

washer fluid antifreeze agent.

Engine oil becomes extremely hot when the en-

gine is running and can cause severe burns. Al-

ways let the engine cool down to the touch.

NOTICE

Like all other operating fluids, engine oil can

pollute the environment. Collect leaked or

spilled operating fluids and dispose of them properly

in accordance with applicable environmental laws

and regulations.

Never mix cleaning solutions recommended by

Volkswagen with other cleaning agents. If you do,

this could cause sediments or other by-products

that can clog the windshield washer nozzles.

When changing or topping off fluids, make sure

that you pour the fluids into the correct reser-

voirs. Adding the wrong type of operating fluids

will cause serious malfunctions and engine dam-

age.

Engine oil

Introduction

WARNING

Improper handling of engine oil can cause severe

burns and other serious injuries.

Engine oil specifications

Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice

on page 246.

The engine oil used must conform to exact specifi-

cations.

new developments and changes. Volkswagen there-

fore recommends that you have the engine oil

changed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an

authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Using the proper engine oil is important for the

functionality and service life of the engine. Your en-

gine was factory-filled with a high-quality multi-

grade oil which can usually be used throughout the

entire year.

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 deteriorate.

Engine oils are constantly being improved. Author-

ized Volkswagen dealers and authorized Volkswagen

Service Facilities are always up-to-date regarding

246

Checking and refilling

Always use an approved oil that expressly complies

with the Volkswagen oil quality standard that ap-

plies to your vehicle's engine.

Approved engine oil

Engines

Engine oil specification

Viscosity grade

1.4 L gasoline engines (Golf)

2.0 L gasoline engines (Golf GTI)

VW 508 00

SAE 0W-20

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 en-

gine.

tal of no more than 1/2 quart (0.5 liter) of a high-

quality “synthetic” oil that meets ACEA A3/B4 or

API SN (API SM) specifications and has a viscosity

grade that matches the approved viscosity for

your vehicle's engine listed in the table .

If there is no oil available that has a viscosity

grade of SAE 0W-20, you may add a total of no

more than 1/2 quart (0.5 liter) of an engine oil

that meets the oil quality standard VW 502 00 or

VW 504 00 and has a viscosity grade of

General recommendations

If engine oil that meets the applicable Volkswagen

oil quality standard and viscosity grades are not

available 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 and viscosity grades meet the quality

standard listed in the table . If none is available that

meets this engine oil specification, see the informa-

SAE 0W-30, SAE 5W-30, or SAE 5W-40.

— Using oil with a viscosity grade other than

SAE 0W-20 may cause vehicle emissions and

fuel consumption to increase slightly. Only use

other oils in case of emergency!

Use only an 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 cov-

ered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty.

tion in →

Volkswagen recommends

engine oils.

Do not mix any lubricants or other additives into

the engine oil. Doing so can cause engine dam-

age! Damage caused by these kinds of additives

are not covered by any Volkswagen Limited War-

ranty.

NOTICE

If you need to add oil and there is none available

that expressly meets the Volkswagen oil quality

standard your engine requires, you may add a to-

frequently if you often drive short distances, in dusty

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

hicle where temperatures stay below freezing for

long periods.

Changing engine oil

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

on page 246.

Volkswagen recommends that you have your oil and

oil filter changed by an authorized Volkswagen deal-

er or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility

The engine oil must be changed according to the in-

tervals specified in your → Warranty and Mainte-

nance.

→

. They have the required expertise and special

tools and will dispose of the old oil properly.

Changing oil at regular intervals is very important

because the lubricating properties of oil decrease

gradually during normal vehicle use. If you are not

sure when to have the oil changed, ask your author-

ized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen

Service Facility.

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.

Sometimes, engine oil should be changed more of-

ten than specified for normal use. Change oil more

Engine oil

247

WARNING

Engine oil consumption

If you must change the engine oil yourself, be sure

to take the following precautions:

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

on page 246.

Always wear eye protection.

To reduce the risk of burns from hot engine oil,

let the engine cool down completely before be-

ginning.

To provide effective lubrication and cooling for in-

ternal 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 pe-

riod than they do afterward, when oil consumption

has stabilized.

When removing the oil drain plug with your fin-

gers, stay as far away as possible. Always keep

your forearm parallel to the ground to help pre-

vent hot oil from running down your arm.

Under normal conditions, the rate of oil consump-

tion depends on oil quality as well as viscosity, en-

gine speed (rpm), outside temperature, road condi-

tions, the amount of oil dilution caused by con-

densed 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.

Drain the oil into a container designed for this

purpose, one large enough to hold at least the

total amount of oil in your engine.

To reduce the risk of poisoning, never drain the

oil into empty food or beverage containers that

might mislead someone into drinking from

them.

Always use an oil that has been specifically ap-

proved for your vehicle → page 246, Engine oil

specifications.

Volkswagen recommends that you to check the en-

gine oil level at regular intervals, preferably every

time you fill the fuel tank, and always before a long

trip. Your vehicle may consume engine oil depending

on several variables. A maximum of 1 quart per

1200 miles (1 liter per 2000 km) would be consid-

ered normal. New vehicles may consume more oil

over the first 3000 miles (5000 km).

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.

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 in a safe place immediately, check

the engine 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.

Before changing the oil, first make sure you

know where you can properly dispose of the

old oil.

Dispose of the old oil in 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.

If you believe your engine uses too much oil, we rec-

ommend that you consult your authorized Volkswa-

gen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility

so that the cause of your concern can be properly di-

agnosed. Please keep in mind that accurate meas-

urement of oil consumption requires great care and

may take some time. Your authorized Volkswagen

dealer and authorized Volkswagen Service Facility

have instructions for how to measure oil consump-

tion accurately.

Recycle used oil by taking it to a collection fa-

cility for used engine oil in your area, or con-

tact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an author-

ized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Volkswagen recommends that you always

have your oil and oil filter changed by an au-

thorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volks-

wagen Service Facility. They have the required ex-

pertise and special tools and will dispose of the old

oil properly.

Depending on the way the vehicle is driven

and the operating conditions, oil consumption

can be up to 1 quart per 1200 miles (1 liter per

2000 km). Consumption may be higher for new vehi-

cles during the first 3000 miles (5000 km).

248

Checking and refilling

Checklist

Checking the engine oil level and

adding oil

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.

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

on page 246.

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 → page 241.

4. Find the oil filler opening and the dipstick. You

can identify these by the

symbol on the en-

gine oil filler cap → fig. 171 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 authorized

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 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.

Fig. 170 Engine oil dipstick with oil level marks.

7. Remove the dipstick again and read the oil level

on the dipstick → fig. 170 as described below:

A : Engine oil level too high. Do not start the

engine → . Contact an authorized Volkswagen

dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Fa-

cility for assistance.

B : Do not add any oil → . Continue with step

15.

C : Oil may be added, depending on the oil lev-

el. Continue with step 8 or step 15.

D : You must add oil (about 1 quart / 1.0 liter).

Continue with step 8.

Fig. 171 In the engine compartment: Engine oil filler

cap (cap design may vary depending on vehicle equip-

ment).

8. After reading the oil level, reinsert the dipstick

back into the guide tube and push it all the way

in.

Key to fig. 170:

9. Remove the cap on the engine oil filler opening

→ fig. 171.

Engine oil level too high. Do not start the en-

gine → . Contact an authorized Volkswagen

dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Fa-

cility for assistance.

10. Only add engine oil that Volkswagen has ap-

proved for that engine → page 246, Engine oil

specifications. Add the oil gradually in small

quantities (no more than 1 pint / 0.5 liter).

Do not refill oil →

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.

You may add oil, as long as the oil level does not

go above the B range.

Engine oil level too low. You must add oil (about

1 quart / 1.0 liter). After adding oil, make sure

that the oil level is about in the middle of the

range.

12. Read the oil level on the dipstick again before

adding another small amount, if necessary. Nev-

er add too much oil →

Engine oil

249

13. After adding oil, the level must at least be in the

center of the → fig. 170 C range and can enter

Depending on equipment, the engine oil tempera-

ture may be displayed in the Volkswagen Informa-

tion System Driving data menu → page 13, Volkswagen

Information System.

range B , but should never enter range

→

14. After adding oil, securely install the cap on the

engine oil filler opening. Otherwise, oil could

leak out while the engine is running.

Engine oil pressure too low

The red indicator light flashes.

15. Insert the oil dipstick back in the guide tube and

push it all the way in.

—

Stop!

— Switch off the engine.

16. Close the hood →

page 241.

in Introduction on

— Check the engine oil level → page 249.

— If the warning light flashes although the oil level

is normal, do not continue driving or let the en-

gine idle. Otherwise, the engine could be dam-

aged.

WARNING

Engine oil can ignite when it touches hot engine

parts. This can cause fires, burns, and other severe

injuries.

— Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an

authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Never spill oil on the engine. Oil spilled on

a cold engine can also cause a fire when the en-

gine warms up.

Engine oil level too low

Always make certain that you screw the cap of

The yellow indicator light comes on.

the engine oil filler opening back on tightly after

adding oil and that the dipstick 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.

—

Stop!

— Switch off the engine.

— Check the engine oil level → page 249.

— If necessary, contact an authorized Volkswagen

dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facili-

ty for assistance.

NOTICE

Do not start the engine if the engine oil level is in

Engine oil system malfunction

range → fig. 170 A . Contact an authorized Volks-

wagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Serv-

ice Facility. Otherwise the catalytic converter and

engine can be damaged!

The yellow indicator light flashes.

— Have the engine oil sensor checked by an author-

ized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswa-

gen Service Facility.

When changing or topping off fluids, make sure

that you pour the fluids into the correct reser-

voirs. Adding the wrong type of operating fluids

will cause serious malfunctions and engine dam-

age.

WARNING

Failure to heed warning lights and instrument

cluster text messages can cause the vehicle to

break down in traffic and result in a collision and

serious personal injury.

The engine oil level should never be in range

→ fig. 170 A . Otherwise oil can be drawn in

by the crankcase ventilation system and enter the

atmosphere via the exhaust system.

Never ignore warning lights or text WARNINGS.

Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to

do so.

NOTICE

Warning and indicator lights

Failure to heed warning lights or text WARNINGS

can result in vehicle damage.

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

on page 246.

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.

250

Checking and refilling

Checking and refilling -> Engine oil for Your Volkswagen Golf 4 Door 2023

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