Oil change intervals vary from vehicle to vehicle with each maintenance schedule laid out by the manufacturer. Your vehicle’s condition and the road conditions will also affect your oil change frequency. The maximum amount of time between inspections for a regular gas-engine Volkswagen is one year or 15,000 km, but we recommend your oil be changed every 8,000 km or every six months.
Some Volkswagen models will inform you when you are due for an appointment: there’s a dashboard warning light that looks like an oil can with a zigzag line underneath that will appear when your oil is low. In the main panel of your dashboard, it will say “Oil change in ## km” or “Change Oil Now”, tracking how ay kms you have travelled since the last reset – it’s set in intervals that the driver can control. These are based on kilometres, not road conditions, so be aware of what kind of conditions you normally drive.
Why Should I Change My Oil?
Changing your oil allows your vehicle to run longer and perform better. Changing your oil prevents wear on your engine and maximizes protection no matter the weather conditions. It also will keep your engine clean and produce a better drive. Old, dirty oil wears down your car parts because of the contaminants that form over time and doesn’t lubricate like it should.
Regularly changing your oil allows for better fuel economy*. Having your oil changed frequently with the right grade of oil can make a huge difference in fuel economy of your vehicle. Volkswagen-approved oil remains stable at higher temperatures compared to non-Volkswagen oil that will break down under the same conditions.
The type of oil can make a dramatic difference. Volkswagen has strict quality standards for oil. Trust our service experts at Volkswagen MidTown to know what engine oil is right for your vehicle. Synthetic oils can be tricky when you are trying for the best quality for your vehicle. If you are changing your oil yourself, look to Volkswagen’s standards (or ask our service advisors about those standards) to ensure you are getting the right oil for your vehicle.
Most of the current Volkswagen engines use 505.01 oil specs along with:
However, the new 2018 Tiguan uses 508.00 or 509.00.
What About Air Filters?
Air Filters keep out dust and other dirt particles from getting into your vehicle’s most delicate parts. Genuine Volkswagen Air Filters are important because they are high-quality filters made to fit your Volkswagen perfectly, protecting parts like piston rings and main bearings right down to 10 microns. If your air filter doesn’t fit properly, particles can get into those sensitive parts of your vehicle and badly damage them. Much like how new oil keeps things lubricated to minimize abrasiveness, air filters keep dust from abrasiveness.
Your owner’s manual will have a maintenance schedule for your filter as well, but it’s a good idea to check on it when you get your oil changed. If it’s black with dirt and dust, it’s time for a change.
*Based on fuel savings information found at fueleconomy.gov.