1998 Volkswagen Cabrio Oil Type & Capacity
The 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio takes 5W-40 motor oil — 4.2 quarts with a filter change, per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
5W-40 — 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 | 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). | 4.20 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. |
| GL, 2.0 A, Standard | 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). | 4.20 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. |
| GL, 2.0 B, Automatic | 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). | 4.20 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. |
| GL, 2.0 B, Standard | 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). | 4.20 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. |
| GLS, 2.0 A, Automatic | 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). | 4.20 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. |
| GLS, 2.0 A, Standard | 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). | 4.20 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. |
| GLS, 2.0 B, Automatic | 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). | 4.20 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. |
| GLS, 2.0 B, Standard | 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). | 4.20 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 Cabrio
1998 Volkswagen Cabrio factory service manualAll fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner site AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
5.3 quarts (5.01 L) — Phosphate free coolant ZVW 237 105 (G11) up to vehicle production date of 10-96, from 10-96 use ZVW 237 (G12). DO NOT interchange or mix older G11 and G12 coolant.
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio take?
The 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio takes 5W-40 motor oil (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).), per the factory service manual.
How much oil does a 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio take?
The 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio holds 4.2 quarts with a filter change.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio?
Yes. 5W-40 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1998 Volkswagen Cabrio. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.