1999 Volkswagen GTI Oil Type & Capacity

The 1999 Volkswagen GTI oil type depends on the engine: the GLS, 2.0 A, Automatic takes 5W-40 (4.2 quarts with filter); the GLS, 2.0 A, Standard takes 5W-40 (4.2 quarts with filter); the GLS, 2.0 B, Automatic takes 5W-40 (4.2 quarts with filter); the GLS, 2.0 B, Standard takes 5W-40 (4.2 quarts with filter); the GLX takes 5W-40 (6.4 quarts with filter); the VR6, Automatic takes 5W-40 (6.4 quarts with filter); the VR6, Standard takes 5W-40 (6.4 quarts with filter), per the factory service manual.

Factory-spec answer

It depends on the engine:

GLS, 2.0 A, Automatic: 5W-40, 4.2 quarts with filter
GLS, 2.0 A, Standard: 5W-40, 4.2 quarts with filter
GLS, 2.0 B, Automatic: 5W-40, 4.2 quarts with filter
GLS, 2.0 B, Standard: 5W-40, 4.2 quarts with filter
GLX: 5W-40, 6.4 quarts with filter
VR6, Automatic: 5W-40, 6.4 quarts with filter
VR6, Standard: 5W-40, 6.4 quarts with filter

Oil capacity by engine

Engine	Oil Type (viscosity)	Capacity w/ Filter	Capacity w/o Filter	Notes
GLS, 2.0 A, Automatic — 2.0L 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).	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. To prevent overfilling add approximately 0.5 less oil than specification listed. Start engine and let it run until engine operating temperature is approx. 140Deg.F (60Deg.C), turn off ignition, wait aproximately 3 minutes and recheck fluid level, then fill to mark (may be more/less than 0.5 QT. depending on model) TURBO ENGINES ONLY: After changing engine oil and filter, start and run engine at idle until oil pressure light goes out. DO NOT rev engine this could cause damage/failure of turbocharger.
GLS, 2.0 A, Standard — 2.0L 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).	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. To prevent overfilling add approximately 0.5 less oil than specification listed. Start engine and let it run until engine operating temperature is approx. 140Deg.F (60Deg.C), turn off ignition, wait aproximately 3 minutes and recheck fluid level, then fill to mark (may be more/less than 0.5 QT. depending on model) TURBO ENGINES ONLY: After changing engine oil and filter, start and run engine at idle until oil pressure light goes out. DO NOT rev engine this could cause damage/failure of turbocharger.
GLS, 2.0 B, Automatic — 2.0L 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).	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. To prevent overfilling add approximately 0.5 less oil than specification listed. Start engine and let it run until engine operating temperature is approx. 140Deg.F (60Deg.C), turn off ignition, wait aproximately 3 minutes and recheck fluid level, then fill to mark (may be more/less than 0.5 QT. depending on model) TURBO ENGINES ONLY: After changing engine oil and filter, start and run engine at idle until oil pressure light goes out. DO NOT rev engine this could cause damage/failure of turbocharger.
GLS, 2.0 B, Standard — 2.0L 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).	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. To prevent overfilling add approximately 0.5 less oil than specification listed. Start engine and let it run until engine operating temperature is approx. 140Deg.F (60Deg.C), turn off ignition, wait aproximately 3 minutes and recheck fluid level, then fill to mark (may be more/less than 0.5 QT. depending on model) TURBO ENGINES ONLY: After changing engine oil and filter, start and run engine at idle until oil pressure light goes out. DO NOT rev engine this could cause damage/failure of turbocharger.
GLX — 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).	6.40 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. To prevent overfilling add approximately 0.5 less oil than specification listed. Start engine and let it run until engine operating temperature is approx. 140Deg.F (60Deg.C), turn off ignition, wait aproximately 3 minutes and recheck fluid level, then fill to mark (may be more/less than 0.5 QT. depending on model) TURBO ENGINES ONLY: After changing engine oil and filter, start and run engine at idle until oil pressure light goes out. DO NOT rev engine this could cause damage/failure of turbocharger.
VR6, 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).	6.40 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. To prevent overfilling add approximately 0.5 less oil than specification listed. Start engine and let it run until engine operating temperature is approx. 140Deg.F (60Deg.C), turn off ignition, wait aproximately 3 minutes and recheck fluid level, then fill to mark (may be more/less than 0.5 QT. depending on model) TURBO ENGINES ONLY: After changing engine oil and filter, start and run engine at idle until oil pressure light goes out. DO NOT rev engine this could cause damage/failure of turbocharger.
VR6, 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).	6.40 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. To prevent overfilling add approximately 0.5 less oil than specification listed. Start engine and let it run until engine operating temperature is approx. 140Deg.F (60Deg.C), turn off ignition, wait aproximately 3 minutes and recheck fluid level, then fill to mark (may be more/less than 0.5 QT. depending on model) TURBO ENGINES ONLY: After changing engine oil and filter, start and run engine at idle until oil pressure light goes out. DO NOT rev engine this could cause damage/failure of turbocharger.

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More specs & repair guides for your GTI

1999 Volkswagen GTI factory service manual All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)

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 1999 Volkswagen GTI take?

It depends on the engine: GLS, 2.0 A, Automatic uses 5W-40; GLS, 2.0 A, Standard uses 5W-40; GLS, 2.0 B, Automatic uses 5W-40; GLS, 2.0 B, Standard uses 5W-40; GLX uses 5W-40; VR6, Automatic uses 5W-40; VR6, Standard uses 5W-40.

How much oil does a 1999 Volkswagen GTI take?

Capacity depends on the engine: 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 holds 6.4 quarts with filter; VR6, Automatic holds 6.4 quarts with filter; VR6, Standard holds 6.4 quarts with filter.

Can I use synthetic oil in my 1999 Volkswagen GTI?

Yes. 5W-40 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1999 Volkswagen GTI. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.