2012 Volkswagen Passat Oil Type & Capacity

The 2012 Volkswagen Passat oil type depends on the engine: the 2.5L takes 5W-40 (6.3 quarts qt with filter); the 3.6 SE takes 5W-40 (6.3 quarts qt with filter); the 3.6 SEL takes 5W-40 (6.3 quarts qt with filter); the TDI SE, Automatic DCT Trans takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the TDI SE, Standard Trans takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts qt with filter); the TDI SEL 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, 6.3 quarts with filter
2.5L: 5W-40, 6.3 quarts with filter
2.5L: 5W-40, 6.3 quarts with filter
2.5L: 5W-40, 6.3 quarts with filter
2.5L: 5W-40, 6.3 quarts with filter
2.5L: 5W-40, 6.3 quarts with filter
2.5L: 5W-40, 6.3 quarts with filter
2.5L: 5W-40, 6.3 quarts with filter
2.5L: 5W-40, 6.3 quarts with filter
2.5L: 5W-40, 6.3 quarts with filter
3.6 SE: 5W-40, 6.3 quarts with filter
3.6 SEL: 5W-40, 6.3 quarts with filter
TDI SE, Automatic DCT Trans: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
TDI SE, Standard Trans: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
TDI SEL: 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 — S, 2.5L Eng VIN H, 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).	6.30 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 — S, 2.5L Eng VIN H, 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).	6.30 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 — S, 2.5L Eng VIN P, 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).	6.30 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 — S, 2.5L Eng VIN P, 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).	6.30 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 — SE, 2.5L Eng VIN H, 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).	6.30 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 — SE, 2.5L Eng VIN H, 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).	6.30 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 — SE, 2.5L Eng VIN P, 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).	6.30 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 — SE, 2.5L Eng VIN P, 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).	6.30 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 — SEL, 2.5L Eng VIN H, 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).	6.30 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 — SEL, 2.5L Eng VIN P, 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).	6.30 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.
3.6 SE — 3.6L 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).	6.30 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.
3.6 SEL — 3.6L 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).	6.30 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 SE, 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 SE, 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 SEL — 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.

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More factory specs & repair guides for your Passat

🛞 2012 Volkswagen Passat Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 2012 Volkswagen Passat Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 2012 Volkswagen Passat Light Bulb Sizes →📖 2012 Volkswagen Passat Factory Service Manual →All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)

Coolant capacity

7.5 quarts (7.09 L) — G 012 A8GF

Frequently asked questions

What type of oil does a 2012 Volkswagen Passat take?

It depends on the engine: 2.5L uses 5W-40; 3.6 SE uses 5W-40; 3.6 SEL uses 5W-40; TDI SE, Automatic DCT Trans uses 5W-30; TDI SE, Standard Trans uses 5W-30; TDI SEL uses 5W-30.

What is the oil capacity of a 2012 Volkswagen Passat?

Oil capacity depends on the engine: 2.5L holds 6.3 quarts with filter; 3.6 SE holds 6.3 quarts with filter; 3.6 SEL holds 6.3 quarts with filter; TDI SE, Automatic DCT Trans holds 4.5 quarts with filter; TDI SE, Standard Trans holds 4.5 quarts with filter; TDI SEL holds 4.5 quarts with filter.

How often should I change the oil in my 2012 Volkswagen Passat?

Most 2012 Volkswagen Passat 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 Passat?

Yes. 5W-40 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 2012 Volkswagen Passat. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.