2004 Volkswagen Phaeton Oil Type & Capacity
The 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton oil type depends on the engine: the 4.2 F, BGH takes 5W-40 (7.9 quarts with filter); the 6.0 H takes 5W-40 (12.5 quarts with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- 4.2 F, BGH: 5W-40, 7.9 quarts with filter
- 6.0 H: 5W-40, 12.5 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2 F, BGH — 4.2L Eng,Eng CD BGH | 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 or VW 505 01. See TSB No. 17 09-07 (2012855). | 7.90 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. Overfilling engine oil can cause misfire DTC's to be stored in the Engine Control Module (ECM) -J220-. To prevent overfilling, add approx. 0.5 less than capacity, start engine and let it run until engine operating temperature is approx. 140Deg. F (60Deg. C), turn OFF ignition, wait approx. 3 min., check dipstick, then fill to MAX. TURBO ENGINES ONLY: After changing oil and filter, start and run engine at idle until oil pressure light goes out. DO NOT rev engine, as this could cause damage/failure of the turbocharger. Quantities are approximate. |
| 6.0 H — 6.0L 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 or VW 505 01. See TSB No. 17 09-07 (2012855). | 12.50 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. Overfilling engine oil can cause misfire DTC's to be stored in the Engine Control Module (ECM) -J220-. To prevent overfilling, add approx. 0.5 less than capacity, start engine and let it run until engine operating temperature is approx. 140Deg. F (60Deg. C), turn OFF ignition, wait approx. 3 min., check dipstick, then fill to MAX. TURBO ENGINES ONLY: After changing oil and filter, start and run engine at idle until oil pressure light goes out. DO NOT rev engine, as this could cause damage/failure of the turbocharger. Quantities are approximate. |
Buy the right oil
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More specs & repair guides for your Phaeton
2004 Volkswagen Phaeton factory service manualAll fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner site AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
18.0 quarts (17.03 L) — Phosphate free coolant G12. DO NOT interchange or mix older G11 and G12 coolant.
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton take?
It depends on the engine: 4.2 F, BGH uses 5W-40; 6.0 H uses 5W-40.
How much oil does a 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton take?
Capacity depends on the engine: 4.2 F, BGH holds 7.9 quarts with filter; 6.0 H holds 12.5 quarts with filter.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton?
Yes. 5W-40 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.