1996 Volkswagen Jetta Oil Type & Capacity
The 1996 Volkswagen Jetta oil type depends on the engine: the GL, 2.0 A, Automatic takes 5W-50 (4.2 quarts qt with filter); the GL, 2.0 A, Standard takes 5W-50 (4.2 quarts qt with filter); the GL, 2.0 B, Automatic takes 5W-50 (4.2 quarts qt with filter); the GL, 2.0 B, Standard takes 5W-50 (4.2 quarts qt with filter); the GL, 2.0 L, Automatic takes 5W-50 (4.2 quarts qt with filter); the GL, 2.0 L, Standard takes 5W-50 (4.2 quarts qt with filter); the GLS, 2.0 A, Automatic takes 5W-50 (4.2 quarts qt with filter); the GLS, 2.0 A, Standard takes 5W-50 (4.2 quarts qt with filter); the GLS, 2.0 B, Automatic takes 5W-50 (4.2 quarts qt with filter); the GLS, 2.0 B, Standard takes 5W-50 (4.2 quarts qt with filter); the GLX, Automatic takes 5W-50 (5.3 quarts qt with filter); the GLX, Standard takes 5W-50 (5.3 quarts qt with filter); the GT, 2.0 A, Automatic takes 5W-50 (4.2 quarts qt with filter); the GT, 2.0 A, Standard takes 5W-50 (4.2 quarts qt with filter); the GT, 2.0 B, Automatic takes 5W-50 (4.2 quarts qt with filter); the GT, 2.0 B, Standard takes 5W-50 (4.2 quarts qt with filter); the TDI, Automatic takes 5W-50 (4.4 quarts qt with filter); the TDI, Standard takes 5W-50 (4.4 quarts qt with filter); the Trek, 2.0 A takes 5W-50 (4.2 quarts qt with filter); the Trek, 2.0 B takes 5W-50 (4.2 quarts qt with filter); the Wolfsburg Edition, 2.0 A takes 5W-50 (4.2 quarts qt with filter); the Wolfsburg Edition, 2.0 B takes 5W-50 (4.2 quarts qt with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- GL, 2.0 A, Automatic: 5W-50, 4.2 quarts with filter
- GL, 2.0 A, Standard: 5W-50, 4.2 quarts with filter
- GL, 2.0 B, Automatic: 5W-50, 4.2 quarts with filter
- GL, 2.0 B, Standard: 5W-50, 4.2 quarts with filter
- GL, 2.0 L, Automatic: 5W-50, 4.2 quarts with filter
- GL, 2.0 L, Standard: 5W-50, 4.2 quarts with filter
- GLS, 2.0 A, Automatic: 5W-50, 4.2 quarts with filter
- GLS, 2.0 A, Standard: 5W-50, 4.2 quarts with filter
- GLS, 2.0 B, Automatic: 5W-50, 4.2 quarts with filter
- GLS, 2.0 B, Standard: 5W-50, 4.2 quarts with filter
- GLX, Automatic: 5W-50, 5.3 quarts with filter
- GLX, Standard: 5W-50, 5.3 quarts with filter
- GT, 2.0 A, Automatic: 5W-50, 4.2 quarts with filter
- GT, 2.0 A, Standard: 5W-50, 4.2 quarts with filter
- GT, 2.0 B, Automatic: 5W-50, 4.2 quarts with filter
- GT, 2.0 B, Standard: 5W-50, 4.2 quarts with filter
- TDI, Automatic: 5W-50, 4.4 quarts with filter
- TDI, Standard: 5W-50, 4.4 quarts with filter
- Trek, 2.0 A: 5W-50, 4.2 quarts with filter
- Trek, 2.0 B: 5W-50, 4.2 quarts with filter
- Wolfsburg Edition, 2.0 A: 5W-50, 4.2 quarts with filter
- Wolfsburg Edition, 2.0 B: 5W-50, 4.2 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL, 2.0 A, Automatic — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-50, 10W-50 or 10W-60 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 90Deg.F), 5W-30 or 5W-40 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Below 0Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 15W-40, 15W-50, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (15Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.20 QTS. | — | — |
| GL, 2.0 A, Standard — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-50, 10W-50 or 10W-60 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 90Deg.F), 5W-30 or 5W-40 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Below 0Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 15W-40, 15W-50, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (15Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.20 QTS. | — | — |
| GL, 2.0 B, Automatic — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-50, 10W-50 or 10W-60 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 90Deg.F), 5W-30 or 5W-40 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Below 0Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 15W-40, 15W-50, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (15Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.20 QTS. | — | — |
| GL, 2.0 B, Standard — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-50, 10W-50 or 10W-60 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 90Deg.F), 5W-30 or 5W-40 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Below 0Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 15W-40, 15W-50, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (15Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.20 QTS. | — | — |
| GL, 2.0 L, Automatic — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-50, 10W-50 or 10W-60 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 90Deg.F), 5W-30 or 5W-40 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Below 0Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 15W-40, 15W-50, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (15Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.20 QTS. | — | — |
| GL, 2.0 L, Standard — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-50, 10W-50 or 10W-60 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 90Deg.F), 5W-30 or 5W-40 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Below 0Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 15W-40, 15W-50, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (15Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.20 QTS. | — | — |
| GLS, 2.0 A, Automatic — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-50, 10W-50 or 10W-60 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 90Deg.F), 5W-30 or 5W-40 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Below 0Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 15W-40, 15W-50, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (15Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.20 QTS. | — | — |
| GLS, 2.0 A, Standard — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-50, 10W-50 or 10W-60 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 90Deg.F), 5W-30 or 5W-40 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Below 0Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 15W-40, 15W-50, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (15Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.20 QTS. | — | — |
| GLS, 2.0 B, Automatic — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-50, 10W-50 or 10W-60 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 90Deg.F), 5W-30 or 5W-40 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Below 0Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 15W-40, 15W-50, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (15Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.20 QTS. | — | — |
| GLS, 2.0 B, Standard — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-50, 10W-50 or 10W-60 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 90Deg.F), 5W-30 or 5W-40 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Below 0Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 15W-40, 15W-50, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (15Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.20 QTS. | — | — |
| GLX, Automatic — 2.8L Eng | SAE 5W-50, 10W-50 or 10W-60 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 90Deg.F), 5W-30 or 5W-40 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Below 0Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 15W-40, 15W-50, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (15Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.30 QTS. | — | — |
| GLX, Standard — 2.8L Eng | SAE 5W-50, 10W-50 or 10W-60 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 90Deg.F), 5W-30 or 5W-40 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Below 0Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 15W-40, 15W-50, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (15Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 5.30 QTS. | — | — |
| GT, 2.0 A, Automatic — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-50, 10W-50 or 10W-60 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 90Deg.F), 5W-30 or 5W-40 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Below 0Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 15W-40, 15W-50, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (15Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.20 QTS. | — | — |
| GT, 2.0 A, Standard — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-50, 10W-50 or 10W-60 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 90Deg.F), 5W-30 or 5W-40 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Below 0Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 15W-40, 15W-50, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (15Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.20 QTS. | — | — |
| GT, 2.0 B, Automatic — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-50, 10W-50 or 10W-60 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 90Deg.F), 5W-30 or 5W-40 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Below 0Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 15W-40, 15W-50, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (15Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.20 QTS. | — | — |
| GT, 2.0 B, Standard — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-50, 10W-50 or 10W-60 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 90Deg.F), 5W-30 or 5W-40 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Below 0Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 15W-40, 15W-50, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (15Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.20 QTS. | — | — |
| TDI, Automatic — 1.9L Eng | SAE 5W-50, 10W-50 or 10W-60 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 90Deg.F), 5W-30 or 5W-40 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Below 0Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 15W-40, 15W-50, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (15Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.40 QTS. | — | — |
| TDI, Standard — 1.9L Eng | SAE 5W-50, 10W-50 or 10W-60 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 90Deg.F), 5W-30 or 5W-40 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Below 0Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 15W-40, 15W-50, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (15Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.40 QTS. | — | — |
| Trek, 2.0 A — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-50, 10W-50 or 10W-60 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 90Deg.F), 5W-30 or 5W-40 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Below 0Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 15W-40, 15W-50, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (15Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.20 QTS. | — | — |
| Trek, 2.0 B — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-50, 10W-50 or 10W-60 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 90Deg.F), 5W-30 or 5W-40 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Below 0Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 15W-40, 15W-50, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (15Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.20 QTS. | — | — |
| Wolfsburg Edition, 2.0 A — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-50, 10W-50 or 10W-60 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 90Deg.F), 5W-30 or 5W-40 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Below 0Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 15W-40, 15W-50, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (15Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.20 QTS. | — | — |
| Wolfsburg Edition, 2.0 B — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-50, 10W-50 or 10W-60 (Below -20Deg.F to Above 90Deg.F), 5W-30 or 5W-40 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 or 10W-40 (Below 0Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 15W-40, 15W-50, 20W-40 or 20W-50 (15Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | 4.20 QTS. | — | — |
Complete Oil Change Bundle for 1996 Volkswagen Jetta
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More factory specs & repair guides for your Jetta
🛞 1996 Volkswagen Jetta Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 1996 Volkswagen Jetta Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 1996 Volkswagen Jetta Light Bulb Sizes →📖 1996 Volkswagen Jetta Factory Service Manual →All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner network AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
6.0 quarts (5.67 L) — 50/50 mixture of Ethylene Glycol Base Antifreeze and water
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1996 Volkswagen Jetta take?
It depends on the engine: GL, 2.0 A, Automatic uses 5W-50; GL, 2.0 A, Standard uses 5W-50; GL, 2.0 B, Automatic uses 5W-50; GL, 2.0 B, Standard uses 5W-50; GL, 2.0 L, Automatic uses 5W-50; GL, 2.0 L, Standard uses 5W-50; GLS, 2.0 A, Automatic uses 5W-50; GLS, 2.0 A, Standard uses 5W-50; GLS, 2.0 B, Automatic uses 5W-50; GLS, 2.0 B, Standard uses 5W-50; GLX, Automatic uses 5W-50; GLX, Standard uses 5W-50; GT, 2.0 A, Automatic uses 5W-50; GT, 2.0 A, Standard uses 5W-50; GT, 2.0 B, Automatic uses 5W-50; GT, 2.0 B, Standard uses 5W-50; TDI, Automatic uses 5W-50; TDI, Standard uses 5W-50; Trek, 2.0 A uses 5W-50; Trek, 2.0 B uses 5W-50; Wolfsburg Edition, 2.0 A uses 5W-50; Wolfsburg Edition, 2.0 B uses 5W-50.
What is the oil capacity of a 1996 Volkswagen Jetta?
Oil capacity depends on the engine: GL, 2.0 A, Automatic holds 4.2 quarts with filter; GL, 2.0 A, Standard holds 4.2 quarts with filter; GL, 2.0 B, Automatic holds 4.2 quarts with filter; GL, 2.0 B, Standard holds 4.2 quarts with filter; GL, 2.0 L, Automatic holds 4.2 quarts with filter; GL, 2.0 L, Standard holds 4.2 quarts with filter; GLS, 2.0 A, Automatic holds 4.2 quarts with filter; GLS, 2.0 A, Standard holds 4.2 quarts with filter; GLS, 2.0 B, Automatic holds 4.2 quarts with filter; GLS, 2.0 B, Standard holds 4.2 quarts with filter; GLX, Automatic holds 5.3 quarts with filter; GLX, Standard holds 5.3 quarts with filter; GT, 2.0 A, Automatic holds 4.2 quarts with filter; GT, 2.0 A, Standard holds 4.2 quarts with filter; GT, 2.0 B, Automatic holds 4.2 quarts with filter; GT, 2.0 B, Standard holds 4.2 quarts with filter; TDI, Automatic holds 4.4 quarts with filter; TDI, Standard holds 4.4 quarts with filter; Trek, 2.0 A holds 4.2 quarts with filter; Trek, 2.0 B holds 4.2 quarts with filter; Wolfsburg Edition, 2.0 A holds 4.2 quarts with filter; Wolfsburg Edition, 2.0 B holds 4.2 quarts with filter.
How often should I change the oil in my 1996 Volkswagen Jetta?
Most 1996 Volkswagen Jetta 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 1996 Volkswagen Jetta?
Yes. 5W-50 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1996 Volkswagen Jetta. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.