1983 Volkswagen Pickup Oil Type & Capacity
The 1983 Volkswagen Pickup oil type depends on the engine: the Custom, 1.6 G takes 10W-30 (4.7 quarts qt with filter); the Custom, 1.7 B takes 5W-20 (4.7 quarts qt with filter); the LX, 1.6 G takes 10W-30 (4.7 quarts qt with filter); the LX, 1.7 B takes 5W-20 (4.7 quarts qt with filter); the Sport takes 5W-20 (4.7 quarts qt with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- Custom, 1.6 G: 10W-30, 4.7 quarts with filter
- Custom, 1.7 B: 5W-20, 4.7 quarts with filter
- LX, 1.6 G: 10W-30, 4.7 quarts with filter
- LX, 1.7 B: 5W-20, 4.7 quarts with filter
- Sport: 5W-20, 4.7 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Custom, 1.6 G — 1.6L Eng | SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Below -0Deg.F to 50Deg.F), 15W-40 or 15W-50 (5Deg.F to 80Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (15Deg.F to Above 80Deg.F) | 4.70 QTS. | 4.20 QTS. | — |
| Custom, 1.7 B — 1.7L Eng | SAE 5W-20 or 5W-30 (-20Deg.F to 20Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (0Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 15W-40 or 15W-50 (10Deg.F to 80Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to 80Deg.F) | 4.70 QTS. | 4.20 QTS. | — |
| LX, 1.6 G — 1.6L Eng | SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Below -0Deg.F to 50Deg.F), 15W-40 or 15W-50 (5Deg.F to 80Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (15Deg.F to Above 80Deg.F) | 4.70 QTS. | 4.20 QTS. | — |
| LX, 1.7 B — 1.7L Eng | SAE 5W-20 or 5W-30 (-20Deg.F to 20Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (0Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 15W-40 or 15W-50 (10Deg.F to 80Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to 80Deg.F) | 4.70 QTS. | 4.20 QTS. | — |
| Sport — 1.7L Eng | SAE 5W-20 or 5W-30 (-20Deg.F to 20Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (0Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 15W-40 or 15W-50 (10Deg.F to 80Deg.F), 20W-40 or 20W-50 (20Deg.F to 80Deg.F) | 4.70 QTS. | 4.20 QTS. | — |
More factory specs & repair guides for your Pickup
🛞 1983 Volkswagen Pickup Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 1983 Volkswagen Pickup Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 1983 Volkswagen Pickup Light Bulb Sizes →📖 1983 Volkswagen Pickup Factory Service Manual →All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner network AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
6.9 quarts (6.52 L) — 50/50 mixture of Ethylene Glycol Base Antifreeze and water
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1983 Volkswagen Pickup take?
It depends on the engine: Custom, 1.6 G uses 10W-30; Custom, 1.7 B uses 5W-20; LX, 1.6 G uses 10W-30; LX, 1.7 B uses 5W-20; Sport uses 5W-20.
What is the oil capacity of a 1983 Volkswagen Pickup?
Oil capacity depends on the engine: Custom, 1.6 G holds 4.7 quarts with filter; Custom, 1.7 B holds 4.7 quarts with filter; LX, 1.6 G holds 4.7 quarts with filter; LX, 1.7 B holds 4.7 quarts with filter; Sport holds 4.7 quarts with filter.
How often should I change the oil in my 1983 Volkswagen Pickup?
Most 1983 Volkswagen Pickup owners follow a 5,000–7,500 mile interval with conventional oil, or up to 10,000 miles with full synthetic. Always check the oil life monitor if equipped, and consult your owner's manual — Volkswagen recommends intervals based on driving conditions, not just mileage.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1983 Volkswagen Pickup?
Yes. 10W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1983 Volkswagen Pickup. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.