1997 Volkswagen Passat Oil Type & Capacity
The 1997 Volkswagen Passat oil type depends on the engine: the GLX, 4D Sedan, Automatic takes 5W-40 (5.7 quarts with filter); the GLX, 4D Sedan, Standard takes 5W-40 (5.7 quarts with filter); the GLX, 4D Wagon, Automatic takes 5W-40 (5.7 quarts with filter); the GLX, 4D Wagon, Standard takes 5W-40 (5.7 quarts with filter); the TDI, 4D Sedan, Automatic takes 5W-40 (4.1 quarts with filter); the TDI, 4D Sedan, Standard takes 5W-40 (4.1 quarts with filter); the TDI, 4D Wagon, Automatic takes 5W-40 (4.1 quarts with filter); the TDI, 4D Wagon, Standard takes 5W-40 (4.1 quarts with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- GLX, 4D Sedan, Automatic: 5W-40, 5.7 quarts with filter
- GLX, 4D Sedan, Standard: 5W-40, 5.7 quarts with filter
- GLX, 4D Wagon, Automatic: 5W-40, 5.7 quarts with filter
- GLX, 4D Wagon, Standard: 5W-40, 5.7 quarts with filter
- TDI, 4D Sedan, Automatic: 5W-40, 4.1 quarts with filter
- TDI, 4D Sedan, Standard: 5W-40, 4.1 quarts with filter
- TDI, 4D Wagon, Automatic: 5W-40, 4.1 quarts with filter
- TDI, 4D Wagon, Standard: 5W-40, 4.1 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLX, 4D Sedan, Automatic — 2.8L Eng | SAE 5W-40 or SAE 5W-30. Petroleum or synthetic based oils. Engine oil must conform to the exact specification in VW publication VW 502 00. See TSB No. 17 09-07 (2012855). | 5.70 QTS. | — | Use only a high-quality engine oil that expressly complies with the Volkswagen oil quality standard specified for your vehicle's engine. Using any other oil can cause serious engine damage that will not be covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty. DO NOT mix any lubricants or other additives into the engine oil. Doing so can cause engine damage. Damage caused by these kinds of additives are not covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty. |
| GLX, 4D Sedan, Standard — 2.8L Eng | SAE 5W-40 or SAE 5W-30. Petroleum or synthetic based oils. Engine oil must conform to the exact specification in VW publication VW 502 00. See TSB No. 17 09-07 (2012855). | 5.70 QTS. | — | Use only a high-quality engine oil that expressly complies with the Volkswagen oil quality standard specified for your vehicle's engine. Using any other oil can cause serious engine damage that will not be covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty. DO NOT mix any lubricants or other additives into the engine oil. Doing so can cause engine damage. Damage caused by these kinds of additives are not covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty. |
| GLX, 4D Wagon, Automatic — 2.8L Eng | SAE 5W-40 or SAE 5W-30. Petroleum or synthetic based oils. Engine oil must conform to the exact specification in VW publication VW 502 00. See TSB No. 17 09-07 (2012855). | 5.70 QTS. | — | Use only a high-quality engine oil that expressly complies with the Volkswagen oil quality standard specified for your vehicle's engine. Using any other oil can cause serious engine damage that will not be covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty. DO NOT mix any lubricants or other additives into the engine oil. Doing so can cause engine damage. Damage caused by these kinds of additives are not covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty. |
| GLX, 4D Wagon, Standard — 2.8L Eng | SAE 5W-40 or SAE 5W-30. Petroleum or synthetic based oils. Engine oil must conform to the exact specification in VW publication VW 502 00. See TSB No. 17 09-07 (2012855). | 5.70 QTS. | — | Use only a high-quality engine oil that expressly complies with the Volkswagen oil quality standard specified for your vehicle's engine. Using any other oil can cause serious engine damage that will not be covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty. DO NOT mix any lubricants or other additives into the engine oil. Doing so can cause engine damage. Damage caused by these kinds of additives are not covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty. |
| TDI, 4D Sedan, Automatic — 1.9L Eng | SAE 5W-40. Petroleum or synthetic based oils. Engine oil must conform to the exact specification in VW publication VW 505 01. See TSB No. 17 09-07 (2012855). | 4.10 QTS. | — | Use only a high-quality engine oil that expressly complies with the Volkswagen oil quality standard specified for your vehicle's engine. Using any other oil can cause serious engine damage that will not be covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty. DO NOT mix any lubricants or other additives into the engine oil. Doing so can cause engine damage. Damage caused by these kinds of additives are not covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty. |
| TDI, 4D Sedan, Standard — 1.9L Eng | SAE 5W-40. Petroleum or synthetic based oils. Engine oil must conform to the exact specification in VW publication VW 505 01. See TSB No. 17 09-07 (2012855). | 4.10 QTS. | — | Use only a high-quality engine oil that expressly complies with the Volkswagen oil quality standard specified for your vehicle's engine. Using any other oil can cause serious engine damage that will not be covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty. DO NOT mix any lubricants or other additives into the engine oil. Doing so can cause engine damage. Damage caused by these kinds of additives are not covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty. |
| TDI, 4D Wagon, Automatic — 1.9L Eng | SAE 5W-40. Petroleum or synthetic based oils. Engine oil must conform to the exact specification in VW publication VW 505 01. See TSB No. 17 09-07 (2012855). | 4.10 QTS. | — | Use only a high-quality engine oil that expressly complies with the Volkswagen oil quality standard specified for your vehicle's engine. Using any other oil can cause serious engine damage that will not be covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty. DO NOT mix any lubricants or other additives into the engine oil. Doing so can cause engine damage. Damage caused by these kinds of additives are not covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty. |
| TDI, 4D Wagon, Standard — 1.9L Eng | SAE 5W-40. Petroleum or synthetic based oils. Engine oil must conform to the exact specification in VW publication VW 505 01. See TSB No. 17 09-07 (2012855). | 4.10 QTS. | — | Use only a high-quality engine oil that expressly complies with the Volkswagen oil quality standard specified for your vehicle's engine. Using any other oil can cause serious engine damage that will not be covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty. DO NOT mix any lubricants or other additives into the engine oil. Doing so can cause engine damage. Damage caused by these kinds of additives are not covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty. |
Buy the right oil
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More specs & repair guides for your Passat
1997 Volkswagen Passat factory service manualAll fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner site AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
9.5 quarts (8.99 L) — 50/50 mixture of Ethylene Glycol Base Antifreeze and water
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1997 Volkswagen Passat take?
It depends on the engine: GLX, 4D Sedan, Automatic uses 5W-40; GLX, 4D Sedan, Standard uses 5W-40; GLX, 4D Wagon, Automatic uses 5W-40; GLX, 4D Wagon, Standard uses 5W-40; TDI, 4D Sedan, Automatic uses 5W-40; TDI, 4D Sedan, Standard uses 5W-40; TDI, 4D Wagon, Automatic uses 5W-40; TDI, 4D Wagon, Standard uses 5W-40.
How much oil does a 1997 Volkswagen Passat take?
Capacity depends on the engine: 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 1997 Volkswagen Passat?
Yes. 5W-40 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1997 Volkswagen Passat. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.