How To Change VW Passat Oil on 1.8T B5 & B5.5 Chassis

Wondering how to change the oil and oil filter on your VW Passat 1.8 on B5 Chassis? Unsure what type of oil to use in the 1.8T VW Passat? What is the oil fill capacity on the VW Passat 1.8T engine? Blauparts is here to help! Your VW Passat oil change questions are answered in the video and instructions below.

Disclaimer: Refer to the owner's manual and factory manual for VW oil change instructions. Blauparts recommends having an A.S.E. certified VW mechanic perform vehicle maintenance. Always wear gloves and wear safety goggles when handling hot engine oil.

Step-by-Step VW Passat Oil Change Video

How To Change VW Passat Oil Video Details

Video Demonstrated using 1997 Audi A4 Sedan 1.8T 4 Cylinder 20 Valve Engine
Although the video shows a 1997 Audi A4, the oil change steps and procedures also apply to the following models:

  • 1998-2005 VW Passat w/ 1.8L 4 Cylinder 20 Valve Turbocharged Engine - Sedan and Wagon

VW Passat Oil Change Parts Needed

  • 5 Liters of German Ravenol Motor Oil
    VW motor oil quality standard 502 00 required for VW Passat 1.8T gasoline engines.
  • 1 Mahle VW Passat Oil Filter
  • 1 Oil Pan Drain Plug w/ Washer

VW Passat Oil Change Tools Needed

  • Regular screwdriver for under-body splash pan
  • 19mm wrench for oil pan drain plug
  • 7mm socket to remove intercooler hose for oil filer access
  • Oil filter wrench for oil filter removal
  • Oil drain pan container
  • Pouring Funnel

1.8 VW Passat Oil Change Illustrated Instructions

How To Step 1

1.8T How to change VW Passat oil Step 1

Allow your engine oil to warm up. Drive your VW Passat 1.8T for approximately 5-10 minutes, allowing the old motor oil to warm up for optimal oil flow and thorough drainage. Open your hood. Locate the oil fill cap and loosen it. Loosening it will minimize crankcase pressure creating an easier flow for the old oil to drain from the engine, minimizing oil splashing.

How To Step 2

1.8T How to change VW Passat oil Step 2

Use a regular screwdriver to remove VW Passat splash pan. There are 10 fasteners. 3 along the front side, 3 along the rear of the splash pan, 2 in the driver’s side wheel well, and 2 in the passenger’s side wheel well. Tip the splash pan down and slide it out toward the back of the vehicle.

How To Step 3

1.8T How to change VW Passat oil Step 3

Remove the drain plug. Place a suitable oil drain pan container just below the engine oil pan drain plug. There are 2 different drain plug possibilities on the 1.8T engines. If you have a 14mm drain plug, us a 19mm wrench or socket wrench to loosen and remove the oil pan drain plug. If you have a 26mm drain plug, us a 17mm wrench or socket wrench to loosen and remove the VW Passat oil pan drain plug.

How To Step 4

1.8T How to change VW Passat oil Step 4

Allow the oil to drain from your VW Passat engine into the oil drain pan container.

How To Step 5

1.8T How to change VW Passat oil Step 5

Clean any excessive old oil from the oil pan drain plug area. Install the VW Passat oil drain plug and washer. Using the proper size socket wrench (see Step 3), torque the drain plug to 22 ft. lb.

Helpful Tip

1.8T How to change VW Passat oil Helpful Tip

Some VW Passat 1.8T owners like to remove the filter from the wheel well housing on the driver side of the vehicle. However, we recommend accessing it from the top side as you will get much less oil drainage on the underside of the vehicle and this makes for a much cleaner oil change.

How To Step 6

1.8T How to change VW Passat oil Step 6

To access the oil filter from the top side of the VW Passat engine bay, remove the intercooler hose that is connected to the throttle body. A 7mm socket is the most common type of clamp used for this hose. Depending on the clamp, you may need a different tool to remove the clamp. Carefully move the hose to the side.

How To Step 7

1.8T How to change VW Passat oil Step 7

Take some old rags or shop towels and put them down into the engine ledges or shelf to minimize the oil collection when the oil filter is removed.

How To Step 8

1.8T How to change VW Passat oil Step 8

Using an oil filter wrench loosen the VW Passat oil filter. Then use your hands to loosen the last few treads. Remove the oil filter from the top, keep the oil filter tipped up to avoid any dripping.

How To Step 9

1.8T How to change VW Passat oil Step 9

Using a little bit of fresh oil, lubricate the o-ring of on the new oil filter seal. This aids in the proper sealing of and the future removal of the oil filter.

How To Step 10

1.8T How to change VW Passat oil Step 10

Install the new oil filter. Hand tighten. Don't torque. Remove the old rags that you placed on the engine ledges or shelf. Re-install the intercooler hose onto the throttle

How To Step 11

1.8T How to change VW Passat oil Step 11

Re-install and tighten the clamp of the intercooler hose onto the throttle body.

How To Step 12

1.8T How to change VW Passat oil Step 12

Fill the engine with OEM approved VW 502 00 spec VW Passat motor oil. The oil fluid capacity of the 1.8L VW Passat engines is 4.3 liters.

How To Step 13

1.8T How to change VW Passat oil Step 13

Re-install the oil fill cap. Start and run the engine for about 30 seconds. This will allow the VW Passat oil filter to completely fill.

How To Step 14

1.8T How to change VW Passat oil Step 14

Turn engine off. With the vehicle back on a level surface, make a final oil level inspection. Add more OEM VW approved oil as needed.

How To Step 15

1.8T How to change VW Passat oil Step 15

Before re-stalling the splash pan observe the oil drain plug and oil filter housing areas for leaks.

How To Step 16

1.8T How to change VW Passat oil Step 16

Use a regular screwdriver to re-install VW Passat splash pan. It's easiest to slide in one of the front corners first and work your way around to secure the front side 3 fasteners. Then tip up the back side and secure the 3 fasteners along the rear of the splash pan, followed by the 2 in the driver’s side wheel well, and 2 in the passenger’s side wheel well.

How To Step 17

Recycle Symbol

Dispose of waste oil responsibly by taking it to a certified recycling collection center.

Note in your records the current mileage at time of oil change, as well as, when you'll need to change your oil next. For help determining the correct VW oil change interval for your vehicle, see our "How driving style can affect your VW oil change intervals" section. You may also wish to reset the vehicles oil change interval system for future oil change indication. Keeping detailed service records is a must for proper vehicle maintenance and future resale value.


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BLAU® oil change kits use high-quality, synthetic* engine oils. The engine oils we offer are sourced from lubricant partners that employ sustainable efforts to improve the environment using a higher level of quality. This in turn can support the conservation of the environment through less oil changes and waste, optimize vehicle efficiency and performance, improve and maintain fuel economy, and reduce exhaust/carbon emissions.

*For most kits, check the product description.

Technical Advantages:

  • Convenient BLAU® oil change kits with the correct spec oil and quantities for your specific vehicle make and model
  • Oils feature factory OEM approvals or exceed your vehicle manufacturer's specific oil specification requirements
  • Sustainable motor oils that conserve the environment, improve fuel economy, and reduce exhaust/carbon emissions
  • High-quality oil allows for longer oil change intervals and extended service life that conserve the Earth's resources
  • Motor oils using the latest advanced oil technologies with improved lubricating properties
  • High-performance oils with better HTHS, Noak, and TBN performance levels
  • Motor oils with better cold temperature pour points and high heat flashpoints
  • Better engine protection against sludging, coking, and varnish in the piston ring and valve train areas
  • Long-life OEM oil filters for extended oil change intervals