1984 Volkswagen Rabbit Oil Type & Capacity
The 1984 Volkswagen Rabbit oil type depends on the engine: the Base, Automatic takes 5W-20 (4.7 quarts with filter); the Base, Standard takes 5W-20 (4.7 quarts with filter); the GL, 1.7 A takes 5W-20 (4.7 quarts with filter); the GL, 1.7 B, Automatic takes 5W-20 (4.7 quarts with filter); the GL, 1.7 B, Standard takes 5W-20 (4.7 quarts with filter); the GTI takes 5W-20 (4.7 quarts with filter); the L, 2D Hatchback, 1.6 G, Automatic takes 10W-30 (4.7 quarts with filter); the L, 2D Hatchback, 1.6 G, Standard takes 10W-30 (4.7 quarts with filter); the L, 2D Hatchback, 1.7 A takes 5W-20 (4.7 quarts with filter); the L, 2D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Automatic takes 5W-20 (4.7 quarts with filter); the L, 2D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Standard takes 5W-20 (4.7 quarts with filter); the L, 4D Hatchback, 1.6 G, Automatic takes 10W-30 (4.7 quarts with filter); the L, 4D Hatchback, 1.6 G, Standard takes 10W-30 (4.7 quarts with filter); the L, 4D Hatchback, 1.7 A takes 5W-20 (4.7 quarts with filter); the L, 4D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Automatic takes 5W-20 (4.7 quarts with filter); the L, 4D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Standard takes 5W-20 (4.7 quarts with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- Base, Automatic: 5W-20, 4.7 quarts with filter
- Base, Standard: 5W-20, 4.7 quarts with filter
- GL, 1.7 A: 5W-20, 4.7 quarts with filter
- GL, 1.7 B, Automatic: 5W-20, 4.7 quarts with filter
- GL, 1.7 B, Standard: 5W-20, 4.7 quarts with filter
- GTI: 5W-20, 4.7 quarts with filter
- L, 2D Hatchback, 1.6 G, Automatic: 10W-30, 4.7 quarts with filter
- L, 2D Hatchback, 1.6 G, Standard: 10W-30, 4.7 quarts with filter
- L, 2D Hatchback, 1.7 A: 5W-20, 4.7 quarts with filter
- L, 2D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Automatic: 5W-20, 4.7 quarts with filter
- L, 2D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Standard: 5W-20, 4.7 quarts with filter
- L, 4D Hatchback, 1.6 G, Automatic: 10W-30, 4.7 quarts with filter
- L, 4D Hatchback, 1.6 G, Standard: 10W-30, 4.7 quarts with filter
- L, 4D Hatchback, 1.7 A: 5W-20, 4.7 quarts with filter
- L, 4D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Automatic: 5W-20, 4.7 quarts with filter
- L, 4D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Standard: 5W-20, 4.7 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base, Automatic — 1.8L 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. | — |
| Base, Standard — 1.8L 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. | — |
| GL, 1.7 A — 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. | — |
| GL, 1.7 B, Automatic — 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. | — |
| GL, 1.7 B, Standard — 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. | — |
| GTI — 1.8L 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. | — |
| L, 2D Hatchback, 1.6 G, Automatic — 1.6L Eng | SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40 (0Deg.F to 50Deg.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. | — |
| L, 2D Hatchback, 1.6 G, Standard — 1.6L Eng | SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40 (0Deg.F to 50Deg.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. | — |
| L, 2D Hatchback, 1.7 A — 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. | — |
| L, 2D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Automatic — 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. | — |
| L, 2D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Standard — 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. | — |
| L, 4D Hatchback, 1.6 G, Automatic — 1.6L Eng | SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40 (0Deg.F to 50Deg.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. | — |
| L, 4D Hatchback, 1.6 G, Standard — 1.6L Eng | SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40 (0Deg.F to 50Deg.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. | — |
| L, 4D Hatchback, 1.7 A — 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. | — |
| L, 4D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Automatic — 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. | — |
| L, 4D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Standard — 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. | — |
Buy the right oil
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More specs & repair guides for your Rabbit
1984 Volkswagen Rabbit factory service manualAll fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner site 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 1984 Volkswagen Rabbit take?
It depends on the engine: Base, Automatic uses 5W-20; Base, Standard uses 5W-20; GL, 1.7 A uses 5W-20; GL, 1.7 B, Automatic uses 5W-20; GL, 1.7 B, Standard uses 5W-20; GTI uses 5W-20; L, 2D Hatchback, 1.6 G, Automatic uses 10W-30; L, 2D Hatchback, 1.6 G, Standard uses 10W-30; L, 2D Hatchback, 1.7 A uses 5W-20; L, 2D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Automatic uses 5W-20; L, 2D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Standard uses 5W-20; L, 4D Hatchback, 1.6 G, Automatic uses 10W-30; L, 4D Hatchback, 1.6 G, Standard uses 10W-30; L, 4D Hatchback, 1.7 A uses 5W-20; L, 4D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Automatic uses 5W-20; L, 4D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Standard uses 5W-20.
How much oil does a 1984 Volkswagen Rabbit take?
Capacity depends on the engine: Base, Automatic holds 4.7 quarts with filter; Base, Standard holds 4.7 quarts with filter; GL, 1.7 A holds 4.7 quarts with filter; GL, 1.7 B, Automatic holds 4.7 quarts with filter; GL, 1.7 B, Standard holds 4.7 quarts with filter; GTI holds 4.7 quarts with filter; L, 2D Hatchback, 1.6 G, Automatic holds 4.7 quarts with filter; L, 2D Hatchback, 1.6 G, Standard holds 4.7 quarts with filter; L, 2D Hatchback, 1.7 A holds 4.7 quarts with filter; L, 2D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Automatic holds 4.7 quarts with filter; L, 2D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Standard holds 4.7 quarts with filter; L, 4D Hatchback, 1.6 G, Automatic holds 4.7 quarts with filter; L, 4D Hatchback, 1.6 G, Standard holds 4.7 quarts with filter; L, 4D Hatchback, 1.7 A holds 4.7 quarts with filter; L, 4D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Automatic holds 4.7 quarts with filter; L, 4D Hatchback, 1.7 B, Standard holds 4.7 quarts with filter.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1984 Volkswagen Rabbit?
Yes. 5W-20 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1984 Volkswagen Rabbit. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.