Oil knowledge

In a short explainer video, we explain how to measure the oil level.

Find this information in your printed owner’s manual or online in the Digital Manual. You can also check the Service Interval Display. Warning and indicator lamps will also notify you if there is something wrong with your engine oil.

Go to Warning and indicator lamps

This indicator lamp tells you that the engine oil pressure is too low. More information is available in your printed owner’s manual or online in the Digital Manual. We show you some of the possible lamp variations of a Volkswagen using the example of a Golf 8 and an ID.3, which can be found on our page Warning and indicator lamps.

This indicator lamp tells you that either the engine oil level is too low or the engine oil system is faulty. More information is available in your printed owner’s manual or online in the Digital Manual. We show you some of the possible lamp variations of a Volkswagen using the example of a Golf 8 and an ID.3, which can be found on our page Warning and indicator lamps.

The oil filter collects combustion residues and the dirt absorbed by the oil in the engine and becomes clogged over time. That's why it should be changed at the same time. Your Volkswagen Dealer will also change the seals and oil drain plug.

Compare the specification in the owner’s manual with the label of the engine oil bottle (VW standard). You can also read the oil standard on the sticker near the lock carrier in the engine compartment.

A lubricating film must be guaranteed even at extreme outside and engine temperatures. Your Digital Manual will help you find the right engine oil. Only use Volkswagen Genuine Oil or an oil approved by the manufacturer, so your engine stays clean, acidic combustion products can be neutralised and a build-up of sludge can be prevented. For vehicles from model year 2021 onwards, we recommend using the same oil with the same oil standard for refilling as was used when the vehicle was delivered.

In principle, oils for the same engine concept can be mixed, i.e. different engine oils for diesel engines can be mixed with each other and different engine oils for petrol engines can be mixed with each other. The engine oil must at least meet the prescribed performance characteristics in accordance with the VW standard, i.e. the quality may also be higher.

If you use an oil that is not approved, you risk engine damage and you usually lose your guarantee. Engine oil quality is defined by letters and number combinations. The different specifications describe which oil is suitable for your engine concept. We therefore recommend that you stick to the manufacturer’s specifications to promote a long engine life.

Engine oils not only differ in their various properties, but also in their flow capacity – the viscosity. The SAE classification of the Society of Automotive Engineers provides the relevant information. For an engine oil to match your car’s engine, it has to have the right viscosity. When selecting an oil, make the most of your Volkswagen Dealer’s expertise, they’ll be happy to help.

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The SAE classification of the Society of Automotive Engineers, found on the oil bottle, contains information on viscosity. It tells you how free-flowing the engine oil is in cold or hot temperatures, in winter or in summer.

The classification for cold temperatures consists of a number and a W for winter, e.g. 0W. The classification tells you up to what sub-zero temperatures the engine oil is free-flowing – for example, for SAE 0W it’s -40 °C. The higher the number, the more viscous the oil.

The classification for heat consists of just one number. It indicates how quickly the engine oil is distributed at 100 °C, i.e. how thin it is.

Nowadays most engine oils are designed for all seasons, meaning they are all-season or multi-purpose oils.

The number in front of the W tells you up to what sub-zero temperatures the engine oil is liquid enough to be pumped easily. The lower the value, the better it is distributed in cold temperatures. An SAE 0W engine oil is thinner in cold temperatures, is distributed more effectively and lubricates the engine more quickly than an SAE 25W engine oil. The SAE classification for pure winter oils consists of a number and a W.

SAE classification and the temperature at which the engine oil is still free-flowing:

• -40 °C/SAE 0W
• -35 °C/SAE 5W
• -30 °C/SAE 10W
• -25 °C/SAE 15W
• -20 °C/SAE 20W
• -15 °C/SAE 25W
  

The smaller the number after the W, the thinner the engine oil at 100 °C. This means, for example, that an SAE 16 engine oil (kinematic viscosity of 5.6 mm²/s) achieves greater expansion across a surface than a viscous engine oil with SAE 60 (kinematic viscosity of 21.9 mm²/s).

At the same time: The slower an engine oil is distributed, the more stable its lubricating film.

The SAE classification for pure summer oils consists of just one number, e.g. SAE 20.