When Did VW Change The Oil Capacity?

I changed my oil today on my 12 TDI Golf the dealer sold me 5 quarts with the filter, said it takes 4.5 quarts. I first put 4 quarts and backed it off the ramps and checked the oil it was at the lower end of the dipstick so I added 1/2 a quarts but it still seem low. I'm going to let it sit overnight and check it in the morning. I looked at my owners manual and it states 5.8 quarts which I know is incorrect. When did they change it?

Drain and refill in your car is about 4.5 liters. Total capacity may be 5.8 liters, but you won't get 100% of the oil out of the engine during a regular drain. See what the dipstick says tomorrow. They're not easy to read on these cars.

I drain and fill the CJAA at 4.5L every time. The gasoline engines can be 5L, or the later ones 5.5L.

I agree the dipsticks are not easy to read. You have to let the car sit for a quite a while to get an accurate reading.

I let the oil drain the entire time I am doing the rest of the service (rotating the tires, etc.) so it is well drained, and I loosen the filter from above before I drain the oil, so the filter housing drains as well.

I put in 4.5 and when I swap the element at 10K I just throw in the leftover and go another 10K.

4.5 and you are fine.

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I checked it this morning and this is where it was from overnight. I ended up adding about 1/4 more and will check it again in the morning.

This is where its at now. I've use a total of 4 3/4 quarts so far.

I'd run that with no worries, and if you do the conversion 4.5 liters is 4.75 quarts

ihatespeed said:

I'd run that with no worries, and if you do the conversion 4.5 liters is 4.75 quarts

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Thanks... That's the plan. When I did the oil change I let the pan drain until it stopped. I didn't install the drain plug I removed the oil filter and i heard more oil draining. Not sure if you guys just install the drain plug then remove the filter?

Drain plug, what's that?


Always done it top side with an oil extractor and usually get close to 4.5L out. Which is the same amount the shop has put in the few times over winters they've done the service (from the bottom too).

crashtested said:

Drain plug, what's that?


Always done it top side with an oil extractor and usually get close to 4.5L out. Which is the same amount the shop has put in the few times over winters they've done the service (from the bottom too).

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Call me old school but I rather drain the oil then have it sucked out. I feel you don't get it all out that way.