1983 Volkswagen Rabbit Oil Type & Capacity: 10W-30 (4.7 quarts)
The 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit takes 10W-30 motor oil — 4.7 quarts with a filter change, per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
10W-30 — 4.7 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base, Automatic | 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. | — |
| Base, Standard | 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. | — |
| GL, 2D Hatchback, 1.6 H, Automatic | 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. | — |
| GL, 2D Hatchback, 1.6 H, Standard | 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. | — |
| GL, 2D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Automatic | 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. | — |
| GL, 2D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Standard | 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. | — |
| GL, 4D Hatchback, 1.6 H, Automatic | 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. | — |
| GL, 4D Hatchback, 1.6 H, Standard | 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. | — |
| GL, 4D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Automatic | 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. | — |
| GL, 4D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Standard | 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. | — |
| GTI | 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. | — |
| L, 2D Hatchback, 1.6 G | 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. | — |
| L, 2D Hatchback, 1.7 A | 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. | — |
| L, 2D Hatchback, 1.7 B | 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. | — |
| L, 4D Hatchback, 1.6 G, Automatic | 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. | — |
| L, 4D Hatchback, 1.6 G, Standard | 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. | — |
| L, 4D Hatchback, 1.7 A | 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. | — |
| L, 4D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Automatic | 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. | — |
| L, 4D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Standard | 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. | — |
| LS, 2D Hatchback, 1.6 G, Automatic | 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. | — |
| LS, 2D Hatchback, 1.6 G, Standard | 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. | — |
| LS, 2D Hatchback, 1.6 H | 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. | — |
| LS, 2D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Automatic | 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. | — |
| LS, 2D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Standard | 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. | — |
| LS, 4D Hatchback, 1.6 G, Automatic | 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. | — |
| LS, 4D Hatchback, 1.6 G, Standard | 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. | — |
| LS, 4D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Automatic | 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. | — |
| LS, 4D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Standard | 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. | — |
More factory specs & repair guides for your Rabbit
🛞 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit Light Bulb Sizes →📖 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit 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 Rabbit take?
The 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit takes 10W-30 motor oil (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)), per the factory service manual.
What is the oil capacity of a 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit?
The 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit oil capacity is 4.7 quarts with a filter change, or 4.2 quarts without changing the filter.
How often should I change the oil in my 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit?
Most 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit 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 Rabbit?
Yes. 10W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.