Volkswagen Passat Oil Changes & Issues

alen3 · March 2008

In your opinon should I trade my Passat 1.8T for an Audi A4 3.0?

laottoman · April 2008

Personally I think I would research the Audi reaaaaal good before I invested into what could become another VW. They both share so many parts.
I've had 2 VW's in the past 20 yrs and had some problems with them.
Also had Honda's and Toyota's and no problems. Audi's are nice, but do you want the possible expense and headaches that might come with it. Good Luck.

greatcars · April 2008

Since the oil change interval is 5000 miles (or 6 months) and I drive only 6000-7000 miles a year, should I prepare a spare bottle of required oil in case of oil being low? Mine is 2008 model. Anybody had to add oil between oil changes? Thanks.

shipo · April 2008

Not that I would argue that a 5,000 mile oil change is bad on either of the VW engines available in the Passat, I'm thinking that the recommend oil change interval is 5,000 miles for the first oil change only. After that it moves to 10,000 miles and one year.

You might want to check your Owner's Manual to confirm that. Assuming that 10,000 miles is in fact the number, then yes, you would probably be well served by keeping a spare quart of oil in your car to be used to top-off the oil should it get low, and then just change it on a yearly basis.

Best Regards,
Shipo

greatcars · April 2008

You are right, 5000 mile for the first change and then the interval is 10000 miles. I think I will buy a quarter of required oil. Just wonder how many people really had to add it and how often they had to add that. I don't think any motor oil will keep the same amount after 10000 mile driving, a small amount may disappear in some way.

altair4 · April 2008

I would recommend getting into the habit of regularly checking the oil level, though.

82usma · April 2008

If you have the 2.0T engine then you should make room in your truck for a CASE OF OIL!!!!.
My car uses a quart of oil every 1,000 miles!
VW says that is "Normal" (for a VW?) so I would expect you would need at least 8 quarts to make to your next oil change (assuming a 10K mile interval).

BTW, anyone interested in buying a used 2006 Passat?!
It's got ~30K miles on it and has only been Service by the Dealer. I have a stack of Service Tickets to prove it!

shipo · April 2008

They say it's normal? Hmmmz...

I've read plenty of posts on plenty of boards where VW and Audi 1.8T and 2.0T owners have had their engines replaced by VW because when the consumption rate hits a quart per thousand miles, it meets VW's threshold for a new engine.

Have you had your dealer perform a consumption test yet?

Best Regards,
Shipo

emcanally · April 2008

Can anyone recommend a particular brand of oil for my 2008 Passat 2.0 T? I am familiar with VW's specs but was wondering if one brand performed better than another.

shipo · April 2008

If you look over at the BITOG web site (http://www.bobistheoilguy.com), you'll be able to dig up any number of UOAs that show that both Mobil 1 0W-40 and Castrol Syntec 0W-30 (aka. "GC" which stands for German Castrol) perform very well in the VW/Audi 2.0T engines.

When the time comes, that's the oil I'll be using.

Best Regards,
Shipo

emcanally · April 2008

Thanks. Bought some Mobil 1 0W-40 the other day. The VW specs were on the label.

shipo · April 2008

Glad I could help.

laottoman · April 2008

I took Shipo's advice too a little over 1k ago and noticed that where you put the oil in that the rust colored stuff on the inside could be wiped away with a cloth where it could not before. Just maybe the Mobil 1 is doing a little "cleaning".

Also found something on another forum but not about oil. My transmission had gone into sort of a limp mode and every 3d or 4th time I started it up all the lights (PRD2)..etc would light up...and I'd have to restart it for it to go away.
Well, battery was getting old so I put a new one in it and it has not done it since. ..Read in the forum that this can be caused when the battery goes bad or is old...mine was at least 5 years old...Hopefully, that was the cure for the limp mode.
So far so good, hasn't happened in about a month.

greatcars · May 2008

08 Passat 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A

I need to buy a couple of bottles of oil to add between services. In Walmart there is Mobil fully synthetic oil 0W-40 meeting VW 502.00 standard. But it's not the 5W-40 suggested on the manual. The other close one is 5W-30 but it does not show it meets the VW 502.00 sandard. I don't think I can use the 5W-30 even though the manual said the 5W-30 can be used if 5W-40 is not available. Is the 0W-40 OK? btw I live in Florida because the weather plays a role.

shipo · May 2008

Actually, the Mobil 1 0W-40 is even better than the 5W-40 that is VW's standard issue oil for the 2.0T. Said another way, while the 5W-40 meets only the 502.00 oil spec, the 0W-40 Mobil 1 and Castrol's Syntec 0W-30 oils meet both the 502.00 spec, they also meet the much more stringent 503.01 spec.

If/when I end up with a 2.0T in my garage (an A3 2.0T is on my short list), the only oils I'll use are the two 503.01 certified oils that I listed above.

If you're really interested in what all of the oil specifications that VW's published, and what you should be using in your car, go back to the first post of this discussion and read all of the posts. By the time you get back here to the end, you'll be an expert.

Best Regards,
Shipo

greatcars · May 2008

Thanks. I think I will buy the Mobil 0W-40 since it's probably the only one available that shows meeting the VW 502.00 standard.

I am not sure which brand oil was used by the manufacturer and dealer. Ideally we should use the same brand but we don't know. Adding a little of different brand won't hurt.

shipo · May 2008

By all accounts your dealer uses (or should use) a special brew made by Castrol, however, there are still enough accounts of dealerships using rot-gut bulk Quaker State to give me pause. Were I in your shoes, I'd either question he dealer extensively on the oil they're using, change my own oil, or buy Mobil 1 and take it to them to have it put in.

Regarding "make-up" oil, any 502.00 or 503.01 oil will do, they're all compatible.

Best Regards,
Shipo

bpath · May 2008

So, I attempted to complete an oil change on my wife's 1.8T Passat. First time in 50,000 miles, but I convinced my wife to let me do it instead of taking it to the dealer. I drained the oil, replaced the filter (Mann), didn't know what to do with the crush washer we got from the dealer - didn't fit, then added Mobil 1 0-40 that met the VW euro specifications, 4 qts. Hed my wife check the level and was shocked to see it about 2" ABOVE the max mark. Waited a few minutes for it to level, checked again and same problem.

I wasn't sure of the capacity but I didn't think 4 qts woudl sink us (manual states a 4.3 qt capacity). Went to drain some nice new oil out ....guess what?

No oil coming out of drain pan. So I'm looking around for the hidden camera and, seeing none, decide to run the engine for a few minutes. Went around the block and the engine warmed up (wife says she thinks its shifting jerky now ...no, I know where the oil filler opening is), then when I checked it again the level was STILL as high as before.

I'm dumbfounded. I drained quite a bit of oil out (going to go back and check the volume), car was level when drained and filled, everything came out of and went into the proper holes.

How is it possible that after filling the engine with 4 qts of oil I can get nothing to drain?

altair4 · May 2008

Easy - you just drained the automatic transmission and added 4 qts of engine oil to an oil sump that was already full of oil. Happens every so often to neophytes working under the Passat.

First, STOP driving the car before you fry the transmission.

Second, have the car towed to the dealer to have the transmission refilled.

Third, have them completely drain the overfilled oil and properly refill the engine. Don't run the engine any more until this is done - you'll kill the catalytic converter or worse.

Fourth, come up with a good story to tell your wife....

bpath · May 2008

Thanks! Actually I figured it out earlier today when I went back to check the oil level. Couldn't believe that it was still at the same level. Decided to to see if I could get oil to drain this time and ...yes, oil started draining! When I check the oil level and found that it had not budged a light FINALLY went off. I pulled off the skid plate and voila, there was the oil drain plug and, what do you know, it fit the crush washer I received.

Bunches of lessons learned:

1. Just because I've been changing oil for nearly 40 years doesn't mean I shouldn't stop to question something that just does not make sense;
2. 8 months ago my son drained the tranny fluid in my Tundra (his first time on an oil change) when he thought he was draining the oil. I asked him what color it was and when he said "red" I threw a fit. I am now appologizing;
3. Tranny oil does not have to be red;
4. All the clues were there - oil level ridiculously high, oil not draining after filling, a crush washer that did not fit the drain plug;
5. My wife kept asking me "Are you SURE that wasn't the transmission fluid?"

Man have I got some splainin' to do.

Luckily, did not drive it for more than 200 yards after first tranny drain - real slow, didn't feel right. Don't think I had a chance of hurting the catalytic since it was such a short distance.

Drained the excess oil, closed everything up, and AAA will be there bright and early tomorrow.

As for the story to tell the wife, I'm afraid she was there for the whole ordeal. We're beyond words now - it's greenbacks time.

cosmo · May 2008

Your ordeal may not earn you the back yard mechanic of the year award, but I hope your wife realizes she has one of the world's most honest and humble husbands.

600kgolfgt · May 2008

I definitely concur with shipo. Before I take my wife's Passat GLS 1.8T to the dealer for an oil change, I make it a point to visit my local Auto Zone to purchase 5 quarts of Castrol Syntec 0w-30 European Formula (it says "Made in Germany" on the bottle). As far as the Passat is concerned, any thing less than a 503.01 spec motor oil will not do. I will continue to take the Passat to the dealer for oil changes as long as the 8-year sludge warranty is in force.

As far as my Wolfsburg Jetta 1.8T is concerned, I'm partial to the Group IV European Synthetics such as Motul or Elf Excellium (the only other Group IV 502.00 spec oils available in the U.S. besides Mobil 1 0w-40 European formula and the aformentioned Castrol Syntec 0w-30) - which is used by a famous East Coast VW Tuner that I take the car to for service...:)

alen3 · May 2008

What can I do to get better gas milage on my Passat 1.8T. I dont drive that far with it and the gas runs out before i notice. Is this normal or should i look into it.
thanks
alen

shipo · May 2008

Sorry, we're going to need a lot more specifics about what kind of mileage you're getting, the type of fuel you're using, your driving environment, how you drive, what kind of transmission you have, how much pressure you keep in your tires (and probably a few more items as well) before we can opine on how you might be able to improve your mileage.

Best Regards,
Shipo

alen3 · May 2008

oh sorry. ok i have a 2000 Passat 1.8T 4cyl automatic. I drive it to school and wrk mostly which are within 5 miles of my house. Im not gonna lie i like the fast lane now n then but i do keep it maintained. Tire pressure is good at 30psi and i use Unleaded Plus always. now that i think of it i shud check the air filter but other than that, everything seems good. hope that helps
alen

shipo · May 2008

Okay, based upon your response, I now have a few comments:

1) By far and away, your biggest issue is the short distances that you drive. The truth of the matter is that engines (especially gasoline engines) run real rich until they're warmed up, and your engine is just getting warmed up just about the time you shut if off.
2) Driving style: Keep your foot out of it.

3) Automatic transmission: I'm thinking one or two miles per gallon due to that alone.
4) Tire pressure:While I don't know that your Owner's Manual (or the decal on your car) suggests for tire pressure, my bet is that it's somewhere closer to 36 than it is 30. Said another way, put some more air in your tires.
5) The specifications for your car are to use Premium fuel, anything less than that will negatively affect your fuel economy.

All in all, based upon what you've written, my guess is that you're probably getting somewhere between 18 and 21 mpg. Yes, no? :shades:

Best Regards,
Shipo

krzyss · May 2008

is 28 psi for half load under 100 mph. At least for mine 2003.
I keep them at 30.

Krzys

shipo · May 2008

Twenty-eight??? Yikes, I haven't heard of a car with such low tire pressure since the Ford Exploder. :confuse:

altair4 · May 2008

That's why on the '04 model, the tire pressure placard only gives one pressure, essentially what was the prior full load & >100 mph rating from the old placard. I have an '03, and I keep mine at 33 front, 32 rear. Tires wear very evenly for me.

shipo · May 2008

Yeah, 33/32 sounds way more acceptable than 28. Geez, I'm thinking a Passat with only 28 PSI in the tires would be more than a bit sloppy on twisty roads.

Best Regards,
Shipo

600kgolfgt · May 2008

I heard it through the grapevine that Mobil 1 0w-40 has been reformulated (hydrocracked) and is no longer rated as 503.01 compliant after testing in Germany. Hopefully I can find more information on this in addition to this link:

http://lnengineering.blogspot.com/

If this is true, It looks like Castrol Syntec 0w-30 is the 503.01 oil to use....

shipo · May 2008

That looks to be a very old thread (like late 2006 or early 2007), back when there was all of the Mobil 1 / Group III posts on BITOG, fortunately that nonsense has since been disproved. FWIW, Mobil 1 0W-40 has been SM rated for several years now and per both the VW 503.01 oil list and the Mobil 1 web site, it is still 503.01 rated.

Best Regards,
Shipo

600kgolfgt · May 2008

Although I use Castrol Syntec 0w-30 on my wife's Passat, that's good to know that the Mobil 1 issue has been refuted. We need more choices of 503.01 compliant motor oils.

jcas1 · June 2008

For reasons I won't get into now, my 2001 Passat just underwent an oil change at a Jiffy Lube, and did not get synthetic oil. Will I be ok for the next 3000 miles until I can get it back to its usual mechanic and oil? (118K miles on the car) I do a fair amount of driving, and will likely get to 3000 miles in 2 months.

shipo · June 2008

I wouldn't chance it. While your engine will most likely not sludge itself during that period, the turbo bearings might start coking the oil (which can lead to their eventual failure, particularly in the "Hot-Side" bearing), especially if you don't let the engine idle for a while before shutting it off.

Me? I'd change that stuff out right now.

Best Regards,
Shipo

kris24 · June 2008

I just bought a 2002 Passat 4Motion. I changed the oil yesterday. While driving after changing the oil, the transmission started acting really funny. First it would get hardly any power then all of the sudden it would surge and shift gears really hard. It was a little better when I shifted it manually, but this morning on my way to work the problem was worse. Any ideas?

joemama33 · June 2008

Don't take this the wrong way, but are you sure you didn't drain the tranny by mistake?

kris24 · June 2008

I know it was the oil that I drained. We put 5 quarts in, just talked to a mechanic and he said to try to drain out 1 quart. We'll try that. Thanks for the reply.

bpath · June 2008

I DID drain the tranny by mistake; didn't realize the oil plug was hidden by the plastic skid plate. The tranny plug looked obvious. As I started to drain I checked the fluid color. Brown, great! I did not realize that the VW tranny fluid has a color and consistency of used motor oil, rather than red as I was used to.

Couldn't figure out why the oil level was too high. Tried to run it thinking perhaps there was some sort of check valve. Had the same sort of lurching in the gears. Turns out, you can drain more tranny fluid if you run the engine and then let it sit for a bit.

Finally, a light bulb went off.

Luckily I didn't try driving on the street, Expensive repair, though. VW has to do the fluid replacement and they get you good.

altair4 · June 2008

Have you checked the oil level on the dipstick yet?

'Cause everything you've written so far is indicative that the transmission fluid was drained and that the engine has been overfilled with oil.

It's not an uncommon occurrence. Is this the first time you've changed to oil on your Passat? What kind of tool did you need to use to remove the oil drain plug? If' it was anything other than a regular wrench...well, see post 299.

I'd stop driving this car until you are absolutely positive that the transmission fluid is at an okay level.

Google this: "drained the transmission passat"

You'll find a lot of useful information there.

altair4 · June 2008

Any news on this?

gregluiz · June 2008

Thanks for all the great information...have a 2006 Passat 2.0T. Was driving and got both the MIL and STOP Low Oil Level indicators. Pulled dipstick and geez, no reading! Two quarts of oil later back to correct level. Dealer currently is doing Oil Consumption Test (which I knew they would based on these posts). Anyone know easiest way to estimate amount of oil used? I'm skeptical about the validity of this test to say the least...

altair4 · June 2008

If it were me, I'd be checking everything the tech does to verify his actions. I'd make sure the vehicle is parked on a level spot. Make sure they have recorded the mileage properly. I'd make sure that the oil level is full to the top line on the stick at the beginning of the test and verify that the tech and you agree on its level. At the check interval, I'd verify everything all over again - the mileage, the level spot, and the oil level, adding to the list the amount of oil needed to bring to level to full again.

altair4 · June 2008

Another point, but you probably already know it: I believe VWoA considers any consumption least than a quart per thousand miles to be 'normal.'

Out of curiosity, how many miles ago was your last oil change? The oil change on the new Passats is 10,000 miles after the first two oil changes at 5,000 miles and then 10,000 miles, isn't it?

10,000 miles is a long time to go. I'd get into the habit of regularly checking the oil.

sevenroninz · June 2008

I just changed the oil in my 99 passat and noticed I was pouring 5w-30 reg oil in. Is this going to be a problem or should I just pay more attention when buying oil next time?

shipo · June 2008

Which engine do you have? A 1.8T or the 2.8 V6.

While I'm not 100% sure about the V6, I'm quite sure that the 1.8T ABSOLUTELY REQUIRES synthetic oil that meets at the very least the VW 502.00 oil specification (and it would be smart to use that oil in the V6 as well). The three most commonly available oils that meet this oil spec are as follows:

Castrol Syntec 5W-40 (meets 502.00)
Castrol Syntec 0W-30 (meets 502.00 and 503.01)
Mobil 1 0W-40 (meets 502.00 and 503.01)

Were I in your shoes, I'd change the oil immediately and get that oil out of there, doubly so if you have the 1.8T engine. Why? The 1.8T is a known sludge producer if absolutely the best oils aren't used. That and the turbocharger bearing has a tendency to turn low quality oils into a white dust called "coke", and once that process starts, a new turbocharger won't be far off.

Best Regards,
Shipo

gregluiz · August 2008

OK...the dealership is done with their oil consumption test and here's the outcome...1.5 quarts burned in 1800 miles (documented of course). Does anyone know if there's a group at Volkswagen that I can contact to discuss options with? The dealer is recommending a piston cleaning as an initial procedure for addressing. Sounds fishy to me...I suspect the problem is more likely with the turbo that the oil rings. Any advice on this would be appreciated.

shipo · August 2008

The first place I'd start looking is at the PCV system. Have your dealership call up all of the TSBs on the PCV setup and they'll probably come up with the answer.

Keep us posted.

Best regards,
Shipo

gregluiz · August 2008

Shipo,

Can you elaborate on how PCV operation can impact oil consumption?

Greg

shipo · August 2008

Basically oil that comes up through the PCV system isn't being rerouted back into the oil pan and instead finds its way into the intake system and is burned. VW has revised the PCV system several times on the FSI motor and has issued at least one TSB on the issue.

Best regards,
Shipo

Volkswagen Passat Oil Changes & Issues

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