2012 Volkswagen Golf Oil Type & Capacity
The 2012 Volkswagen Golf oil type depends on the engine: the 2.5L takes 5W-40 (5.8 quarts qt with filter); the TDI, 2D Hatchback, Automatic DCT Trans takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the TDI, 2D Hatchback, Standard Trans takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the TDI, 4D Hatchback, Automatic DCT Trans takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the TDI, 4D Hatchback, Standard Trans takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts qt with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- 2.5L: 5W-40, 5.8 quarts with filter
- 2.5L: 5W-40, 5.8 quarts with filter
- 2.5L: 5W-40, 5.8 quarts with filter
- 2.5L: 5W-40, 5.8 quarts with filter
- 2.5L: 5W-40, 5.8 quarts with filter
- 2.5L: 5W-40, 5.8 quarts with filter
- TDI, 2D Hatchback, Automatic DCT Trans: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- TDI, 2D Hatchback, Standard Trans: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- TDI, 4D Hatchback, Automatic DCT Trans: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- TDI, 4D Hatchback, Standard Trans: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L — Base, 2D Hatchback, 2.5L Eng VIN A, 2.5L Eng | SAE 5W-40 or SAE 5W-30. Synthetic oils. Engine oil must conform to the exact specification in VW publication VW 502 00 or VW 504 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. Quantities are approximate. DO NOT overfill. |
| 2.5L — Base, 2D Hatchback, 2.5L Eng VIN B, Automatic Trans, 2.5L Eng | SAE 5W-40 or SAE 5W-30. Synthetic oils. Engine oil must conform to the exact specification in VW publication VW 502 00 or VW 504 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. Quantities are approximate. DO NOT overfill. |
| 2.5L — Base, 2D Hatchback, 2.5L Eng VIN B, Standard Trans, 2.5L Eng | SAE 5W-40 or SAE 5W-30. Synthetic oils. Engine oil must conform to the exact specification in VW publication VW 502 00 or VW 504 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. Quantities are approximate. DO NOT overfill. |
| 2.5L — Base, 4D Hatchback, 2.5L Eng VIN A, 2.5L Eng | SAE 5W-40 or SAE 5W-30. Synthetic oils. Engine oil must conform to the exact specification in VW publication VW 502 00 or VW 504 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. Quantities are approximate. DO NOT overfill. |
| 2.5L — Base, 4D Hatchback, 2.5L Eng VIN B, Automatic Trans, 2.5L Eng | SAE 5W-40 or SAE 5W-30. Synthetic oils. Engine oil must conform to the exact specification in VW publication VW 502 00 or VW 504 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. Quantities are approximate. DO NOT overfill. |
| 2.5L — Base, 4D Hatchback, 2.5L Eng VIN B, Standard Trans, 2.5L Eng | SAE 5W-40 or SAE 5W-30. Synthetic oils. Engine oil must conform to the exact specification in VW publication VW 502 00 or VW 504 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. Quantities are approximate. DO NOT overfill. |
| TDI, 2D Hatchback, Automatic DCT Trans — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30. Synthetic oils. Engine oil must conform to the exact specification in VW publication VW 507 00. See TSB No. 17 09-07 (2012855). | 4.50 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. Quantities are approximate. DO NOT overfill. |
| TDI, 2D Hatchback, Standard Trans — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30. Synthetic oils. Engine oil must conform to the exact specification in VW publication VW 507 00. See TSB No. 17 09-07 (2012855). | 4.50 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. Quantities are approximate. DO NOT overfill. |
| TDI, 4D Hatchback, Automatic DCT Trans — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30. Synthetic oils. Engine oil must conform to the exact specification in VW publication VW 507 00. See TSB No. 17 09-07 (2012855). | 4.50 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. Quantities are approximate. DO NOT overfill. |
| TDI, 4D Hatchback, Standard Trans — 2.0L Eng | SAE 5W-30. Synthetic oils. Engine oil must conform to the exact specification in VW publication VW 507 00. See TSB No. 17 09-07 (2012855). | 4.50 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. Quantities are approximate. DO NOT overfill. |
More factory specs & repair guides for your Golf
🛞 2012 Volkswagen Golf Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 2012 Volkswagen Golf Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 2012 Volkswagen Golf Light Bulb Sizes →📖 2012 Volkswagen Golf Factory Service Manual →All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner network AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
9.5 quarts (8.99 L) — G 012 A8GF
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 2012 Volkswagen Golf take?
It depends on the engine: 2.5L uses 5W-40; TDI, 2D Hatchback, Automatic DCT Trans uses 5W-30; TDI, 2D Hatchback, Standard Trans uses 5W-30; TDI, 4D Hatchback, Automatic DCT Trans uses 5W-30; TDI, 4D Hatchback, Standard Trans uses 5W-30.
What is the oil capacity of a 2012 Volkswagen Golf?
Oil capacity depends on the engine: 2.5L holds 5.8 quarts with filter; TDI, 2D Hatchback, Automatic DCT Trans holds 4.5 quarts with filter; TDI, 2D Hatchback, Standard Trans holds 4.5 quarts with filter; TDI, 4D Hatchback, Automatic DCT Trans holds 4.5 quarts with filter; TDI, 4D Hatchback, Standard Trans holds 4.5 quarts with filter.
How often should I change the oil in my 2012 Volkswagen Golf?
Most 2012 Volkswagen Golf owners follow a 5,000–7,500 mile interval with conventional oil, or up to 10,000 miles with full synthetic. Always check the oil life monitor if equipped, and consult your owner's manual — Volkswagen recommends intervals based on driving conditions, not just mileage.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 2012 Volkswagen Golf?
Yes. 5W-40 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 2012 Volkswagen Golf. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.
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