2012 Volkswagen GTI Oil Type & Capacity
The 2012 Volkswagen GTI takes 5W-40 motor oil — 4.9 quarts with a filter change, per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
5W-40 — 4.9 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L | 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. Quantities are approximate. DO NOT overfill. |
| 2.0L | 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. Quantities are approximate. DO NOT overfill. |
| 2.0L | 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. Quantities are approximate. DO NOT overfill. |
Buy the right oil
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More specs & repair guides for your GTI
2012 Volkswagen GTI factory service manualAll fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner site AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
8.5 quarts (8.04 L) — G 012 A8G or G 012 A8F. Part numbers are for reference only. Approximate capacity.
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 2012 Volkswagen GTI take?
The 2012 Volkswagen GTI takes 5W-40 motor oil (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).), per the factory service manual.
How much oil does a 2012 Volkswagen GTI take?
The 2012 Volkswagen GTI holds 4.9 quarts with a filter change.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 2012 Volkswagen GTI?
Yes. 5W-40 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 2012 Volkswagen GTI. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.