2006 Volkswagen Passat Oil Type & Capacity

The 2006 Volkswagen Passat oil type depends on the engine: the 2.0T, Automatic takes 5W-40 (4.9 quarts with filter); the 2.0T, Standard takes 5W-40 (4.9 quarts with filter); the 3.6 takes 5W-40 (5.8 quarts with filter); the 3.6 4Motion takes 5W-40 (5.8 quarts with filter); the Value Edition, Automatic takes 5W-40 (4.9 quarts with filter); the Value Edition, Standard takes 5W-40 (4.9 quarts with filter), per the factory service manual.

Factory-spec answer

It depends on the engine:

2.0T, Automatic: 5W-40, 4.9 quarts with filter
2.0T, Standard: 5W-40, 4.9 quarts with filter
3.6: 5W-40, 5.8 quarts with filter
3.6 4Motion: 5W-40, 5.8 quarts with filter
Value Edition, Automatic: 5W-40, 4.9 quarts with filter
Value Edition, Standard: 5W-40, 4.9 quarts with filter

Oil capacity by engine

Engine	Oil Type (viscosity)	Capacity w/ Filter	Capacity w/o Filter	Notes
2.0T, Automatic — 2.0L Eng	SAE 5W-40 or SAE 5W-30. Synthetic based oils. Engine oil must conform to the exact specification in VW publication VW 502 00. See TSB No. 17 09-07 (2012855).	4.90 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.
2.0T, Standard — 2.0L Eng	SAE 5W-40 or SAE 5W-30. Synthetic based oils. Engine oil must conform to the exact specification in VW publication VW 502 00. See TSB No. 17 09-07 (2012855).	4.90 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.
3.6 — 3.6L Eng	SAE 5W-40 or SAE 5W-30. Synthetic based oils. Engine oil must conform to the exact specification in VW publication VW 502 00. See TSB No. 17 09-07 (2012855).	5.80 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.
3.6 4Motion — 3.6L Eng	SAE 5W-40 or SAE 5W-30. Synthetic based oils. Engine oil must conform to the exact specification in VW publication VW 502 00. See TSB No. 17 09-07 (2012855).	5.80 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.
Value Edition, Automatic — 2.0L Eng	SAE 5W-40 or SAE 5W-30. Synthetic based oils. Engine oil must conform to the exact specification in VW publication VW 502 00. See TSB No. 17 09-07 (2012855).	4.90 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.
Value Edition, Standard — 2.0L Eng	SAE 5W-40 or SAE 5W-30. Synthetic based oils. Engine oil must conform to the exact specification in VW publication VW 502 00. See TSB No. 17 09-07 (2012855).	4.90 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.

Buy the right oil

Buy 5W-40 motor oil on Amazon 2006 Volkswagen Passat oil filter on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made through these links.

More specs & repair guides for your Passat

2006 Volkswagen Passat factory service manual All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)

Coolant capacity

7.6 quarts (7.19 L) — Phosphate free coolant G12. DO NOT interchange or mix older G11 and G12 coolant.

Frequently asked questions

What type of oil does a 2006 Volkswagen Passat take?

It depends on the engine: 2.0T, Automatic uses 5W-40; 2.0T, Standard uses 5W-40; 3.6 uses 5W-40; 3.6 4Motion uses 5W-40; Value Edition, Automatic uses 5W-40; Value Edition, Standard uses 5W-40.

How much oil does a 2006 Volkswagen Passat take?

Capacity depends on the engine: 2.0T, Automatic holds 4.9 quarts with filter; 2.0T, Standard holds 4.9 quarts with filter; 3.6 holds 5.8 quarts with filter; 3.6 4Motion holds 5.8 quarts with filter; Value Edition, Automatic holds 4.9 quarts with filter; Value Edition, Standard holds 4.9 quarts with filter.

Can I use synthetic oil in my 2006 Volkswagen Passat?

Yes. 5W-40 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 2006 Volkswagen Passat. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.