1996 Volkswagen Passat Oil Type & Capacity
The 1996 Volkswagen Passat oil type depends on the engine: the GLS, Automatic takes 5W-50 (4.1 quarts with filter); the GLS, Standard takes 5W-50 (4.1 quarts with filter); the GLX, 4D Sedan, Automatic takes 5W-50 (5.7 quarts with filter); the GLX, 4D Sedan, Standard takes 5W-50 (5.7 quarts with filter); the GLX, 4D Wagon, Automatic takes 5W-50 (5.7 quarts with filter); the GLX, 4D Wagon, Standard takes 5W-50 (5.7 quarts with filter); the TDI, 4D Sedan, Automatic takes 5W-50 (4.1 quarts with filter); the TDI, 4D Sedan, Standard takes 5W-50 (4.1 quarts with filter); the TDI, 4D Wagon, Automatic takes 5W-50 (4.1 quarts with filter); the TDI, 4D Wagon, Standard takes 5W-50 (4.1 quarts with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- GLS, Automatic: 5W-50, 4.1 quarts with filter
- GLS, Standard: 5W-50, 4.1 quarts with filter
- GLX, 4D Sedan, Automatic: 5W-50, 5.7 quarts with filter
- GLX, 4D Sedan, Standard: 5W-50, 5.7 quarts with filter
- GLX, 4D Wagon, Automatic: 5W-50, 5.7 quarts with filter
- GLX, 4D Wagon, Standard: 5W-50, 5.7 quarts with filter
- TDI, 4D Sedan, Automatic: 5W-50, 4.1 quarts with filter
- TDI, 4D Sedan, Standard: 5W-50, 4.1 quarts with filter
- TDI, 4D Wagon, Automatic: 5W-50, 4.1 quarts with filter
- TDI, 4D Wagon, Standard: 5W-50, 4.1 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLS, 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) | 4.10 QTS. | — | — |
| GLS, 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) | 4.10 QTS. | — | — |
| GLX, 4D Sedan, 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) | 5.70 QTS. | — | — |
| GLX, 4D Sedan, 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) | 5.70 QTS. | — | — |
| GLX, 4D Wagon, 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) | 5.70 QTS. | — | — |
| GLX, 4D Wagon, 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) | 5.70 QTS. | — | — |
| TDI, 4D Sedan, 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) | 4.10 QTS. | — | — |
| TDI, 4D Sedan, 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) | 4.10 QTS. | — | — |
| TDI, 4D Wagon, 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) | 4.10 QTS. | — | — |
| TDI, 4D Wagon, 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) | 4.10 QTS. | — | — |
Buy the right oil
Buy 5W-50 motor oil on Amazon1996 Volkswagen Passat oil filter on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made through these links.
More specs & repair guides for your Passat
1996 Volkswagen Passat factory service manualAll fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner site AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
5.9 quarts (5.58 L) — 50/50 mixture of Ethylene Glycol Base Antifreeze and water
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1996 Volkswagen Passat take?
It depends on the engine: GLS, Automatic uses 5W-50; GLS, Standard uses 5W-50; GLX, 4D Sedan, Automatic uses 5W-50; GLX, 4D Sedan, Standard uses 5W-50; GLX, 4D Wagon, Automatic uses 5W-50; GLX, 4D Wagon, Standard uses 5W-50; TDI, 4D Sedan, Automatic uses 5W-50; TDI, 4D Sedan, Standard uses 5W-50; TDI, 4D Wagon, Automatic uses 5W-50; TDI, 4D Wagon, Standard uses 5W-50.
How much oil does a 1996 Volkswagen Passat take?
Capacity depends on the engine: GLS, Automatic holds 4.1 quarts with filter; GLS, Standard holds 4.1 quarts with filter; GLX, 4D Sedan, Automatic holds 5.7 quarts with filter; GLX, 4D Sedan, Standard holds 5.7 quarts with filter; GLX, 4D Wagon, Automatic holds 5.7 quarts with filter; GLX, 4D Wagon, Standard holds 5.7 quarts with filter; TDI, 4D Sedan, Automatic holds 4.1 quarts with filter; TDI, 4D Sedan, Standard holds 4.1 quarts with filter; TDI, 4D Wagon, Automatic holds 4.1 quarts with filter; TDI, 4D Wagon, Standard holds 4.1 quarts with filter.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1996 Volkswagen Passat?
Yes. 5W-50 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1996 Volkswagen Passat. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.