VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2013 B8 / 6.G Owners Manual

Your engine was factory-filled with a high-quality, “synthetic” all-season engine oil that meets strict
Volkswagen oil quality standards and has a viscosity grade of SAE 5W-40. or SAE 5W-30. You can
use this oil for normal driving in all temperatures.
If you need to add oil between oil changes, use only a high quality oil that expressly complies with the
Volkswagen oil quality standard specified for your vehicle's engine:

Engines Engine oil specification
Gasoline engines VW 504 00, VW 503 00, VW 502 00
Diesel engines VW 507 00

At the time this Manual was printed, the engine oils available in the U.S. that meet these Volkswagen
standards are “synthetic” oils. This does not mean, however, that any “synthetic” engine oil will meet
Volkswagen standards. Always use an approved oil that expressly complies with the Volkswagen oil
quality standard that applies to your vehicle's engine.
General recommendations:
If “synthetic” oil that meets the applicable Volkswagen oil quality standard with viscosity grade
SAE 5W-40 or SAE 5W-30 is not available in your area, be sure to use a viscosity grade suitable for
the climate, season, and operating conditions that exist where the vehicle is used. Make sure the oil
meets the quality standard listed in ⇒ table on page 321.
Engine oils are constantly being improved. Authorized Volkswagen dealers and authorized
Volkswagen Service Facilities are always up-to-date regarding new developments and changes.
Volkswagen therefore recommends that you have the engine oil changed by an authorized
Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
NOTICE
x If you need to add oil and there is none available that meets the Volkswagen oil quality
standard your engine requires, you may add a total of no more than 1/2 quart (0.5 liter) of a
high-quality “synthetic” oil that meets ACEA A3 specifications and has a viscosity grade of
SAE 5W-40 or SAE 5W-30.
x 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.
x 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.
Applicable only in Mexico and the AGCC
Engine oil specifications

Engine oil quality is based not only on requirements for engines and exhaust treatment systems, but
also on fuel quality. Engine oil comes into contact with fuel and fuel residue in all internal combustion
engines, causing engine oil to age and its lubricating qualities to deteriorate.
Your engine was factory-filled with a high-quality, “synthetic” all-season engine oil that meets strict
Volkswagen oil quality standards and has a viscosity grade of SAE 5W-40. or SAE 5W-30. You can
use this oil for normal driving in all temperatures.
If you need to add oil between oil changes, use only a high quality oil that expressly complies with the
Volkswagen oil quality standard specified for your vehicle's engine:

Engines Engine oil specification
Gasoline engines VW 504 00, VW 503 00,
VW 502 00

NOTICE
x If you need to add oil and there is none available that meets the Volkswagen oil quality
standard your engine requires, you may add a total of no more than 1/2 quart (0.5 liter) of a
high-quality “synthetic” oil that meets ACEA A3 specifications and has a viscosity grade of
SAE 5W-40 or SAE 5W-30.
x 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 engine oil can cause serious
damage that will not be covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warranty.
x 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.
Applicable only in the United States, Canada, and South Korea
Engine oil capacities

Engine oil consumption

Engine coolant

Applicable only in the United States
Warning light and engine coolant temperature gauge

Fig. 170 Engine coolant temperature gauge in the instrument cluster: A Engine cold; B Normal temperature
range; C Warning zone.

Lights
up
Temperature
gauge needle
⇒ fig. 170
Possible cause Proper response
(B)
Normal range
Engine coolant level too
low.
Check the engine coolant level after the
engine has cooled down and add engine
coolant if low.
If the engine coolant level is correct or the
problem continues after adding coolant, do
not drive any farther. Contact an
authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
These instructions apply only when the
coolant temperature stays in the normal
range. Stop immediately if the needle goes
into the red warning zone (C).
– Engine coolant system
malfunction.

Applicable only in Canada, Mexico, the AGCC, and South Korea
Warning light and engine coolant temperature gauge

Fig. 171 Engine coolant temperature gauge in the instrument cluster: A Engine cold; B Normal temperature
range; C Warning zone.

Lights
up
Temperature
gauge needle
⇒ fig. 171
Possible cause Proper response
(B)
Normal range
Engine coolant level too
low.
Check the engine coolant level after the
engine has cooled down and add engine
coolant if low.
If the engine coolant level is correct or the
problem continues after adding coolant, do
not drive any farther. Contact an
authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
These instructions apply only when the
coolant temperature stays in the normal
range. Stop immediately if the needle goes
into the red warning zone (C).
– Engine coolant system
malfunction.

The engine cooling system is filled at the factory with a mixture of specially conditioned water and at
least 40 percent of Volkswagen engine coolant additive G 13 (TL-VW 774 J). This engine coolant
additive is pink.
This mixture provides antifreeze protection down to -13 °F (-25 °C). It also helps to protect the light
alloy parts in the engine cooling system against corrosion. In addition, the mixture helps prevent
calcium deposits and increases the boiling point of the engine coolant.
To protect the engine, the mixture must always contain at least 40% coolant additive even in warm
weather or climates where antifreeze protection is not needed.
If more antifreeze protection is needed for climate conditions, the percentage of coolant additive can
be increased. However, the coolant additive percentage must never be more than 60%; otherwise,
antifreeze protection is reduced and the ability of the mixture to cool the engine is also reduced.
When adding engine coolant, use a mixture of distilled water and at least 40% coolant additive G 13
or G 12 plus-plus (TL-VW 774 G) for optimum corrosion protection ⇒ .
Do not mix G 13 with G 12 plus or G 11. Mixing these coolant additives together significantly reduces
corrosion protection ⇒ . and can lead to engine damage that is not covered by any Volkswagen
Limited Warranty
WARNING
Too little antifreeze protection in the engine cooling system can cause engine failure and
severe injuries.
x Always make sure there is enough of the correct coolant additive to provide proper
antifreeze protection at the coldest temperatures that can be expected where the vehicle will
be used.
x At extremely cold temperatures, the coolant could freeze, causing the vehicle to break
down. The heater would also not work, and vehicle occupants could be without protection at
subfreezing temperatures.
NOTICE
Never mix original Volkswagen engine coolant additives with other additives not approved by
Volkswagen. Mixing Volkswagen coolant additives with coolant additives made by other
manufacturers can seriously damage the engine and the engine cooling system.
x If the fluid in the engine coolant reservoir is any color but pink, then G 13 was mixed with a
different engine coolant. If this is the case, the engine coolant must be replaced immediately.
Otherwise serious malfunctions or engine damage can occur!
Engine coolant and engine coolant additives can pollute the environment. Collect leaking
operating fluids and dispose of them properly in accordance with applicable environmental laws and
regulations.

WARNING
Hot steam and hot engine coolant can cause serious burns.
x Never open the hood if you see steam or coolant escaping from the engine compartment.
Always wait until you no longer see or hear steam or coolant escaping from the engine.
x Always let the engine cool down completely before carefully opening the hood. Hot
components will burn skin on contact.
x When the engine has cooled down and you are ready to open the hood:
– Firmly apply the parking brake and shift the transmission into Park (P) (automatic) or
Neutral (manual only).
– Take the vehicle key out of the ignition.
– On vehicles with Keyless Access, make sure that the remote control vehicle key is out
of range of the vehicle and that the vehicle cannot be started by depressing the starter
button ⇒ page 227.
– Always keep children and others away from the engine compartment and never leave
them unsupervised.
x The engine coolant system is under pressure when the engine is hot. Never unscrew the
coolant expansion tank cap when the engine is hot. Hot coolant can spray out and cause
severe burns and other serious injuries.
– Turn the cap slowly and very carefully in a counterclockwise direction while applying
light downward pressure on the top of the cap.
– Always protect your face, hands, and arms from hot escaping coolant or steam by
covering the cap with a large, thick rag.
x Never spill fluids on the engine or exhaust system when refilling. Spilling fluids onto hot
parts of the engine or exhaust system can cause a fire. Under some conditions, the ethylene
glycol in engine coolant can catch fire.
NOTICE
x Use distilled water only when adding coolant! All other types of water contain chemical
compounds that can cause extensive corrosion damage to the engine. This can even lead to
engine failure. If you have added non-distilled water, take the vehicle immediately to an
authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility to have the
coolant system drained, flushed, and refilled completely with the proper coolant.
x Refill engine coolant only up to the top edge of the marked fill range . Excess engine
coolant may be forced out of the engine cooling system when it gets hot and cause damage.
x In the case of significant engine coolant loss, refill engine coolant only when the engine is
completely cooled down. Significant engine coolant loss is a sign of leaks in the cooling
system. Have the engine cooling system checked immediately by an authorized Volkswagen
dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Otherwise the engine may be damaged!
x When changing or topping off operating fluids, make sure that you pour the fluids into the
correct reservoirs. Serious malfunctions and engine damage can result if you pour operating
fluids into the wrong reservoir.