Do you own a Volkswagen Golf, Golf Plus or Jetta and have questions about its routine maintenance, such as when to change the oil, or even what oil type to use? Perhaps you've been wondering how often to change the fluids in your VW Golf, Golf Plus or Jetta or how often to get it serviced, check the brakes and perform other common jobs.
Modern cars and vans like the VW Golf or Jetta need much less maintenance than the vehicles of 25 years ago, but they still have needs. You no longer have to do a service every 6 months, or change the oil every 3 months, but regular fluid changes are still essential to your Golf’s or Jetta’s longevity.
What follows is our quick reference guide to many of the recommended routine maintenance tasks for the Golf, Golf Plus and Jetta, most of which you can do yourself at home. If you need more guidance, or step-by-step instructions, check out the video tutorials in our online manual, or get our traditional printed manual.
Volkswagen Golf, Golf Plus, Jetta Oil Change
| Engine Oil Type | Standard (distance/time) service interval: |
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Multigrade engine oil, viscosity SAE 5W/40 to 20W/50 VW engine oil VW 501 01, 502 00, 504 00 or better (petrol engines) |
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Multigrade engine oil, viscosity SAE 5W/40 to 20W/50 VW engine oil VW 505 01 or better (diesel engines without particulate filter) |
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Multigrade engine oil, viscosity SAE 5W/40 to 20W/50 VW engine oil VW 507 00 or better (diesel engines with particulate filter) |
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LongLife (variable) service interval: |
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VW LongLife engine oil VW 503 00, 504 00 or better* (petrol engines) |
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VW LongLife engine oil VW 506 01, 507 00 or better* (diesel engines without particulate filter) |
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VW LongLife engine oil VW 507 00 or better* (diesel engines with particulate filter) |
*A maximum of 0.5 litres of standard VW oil may be used for topping-up when LongLife oil is unobtainable
| Engine Oil Capacity (including oil filter) | 3.2 litres (1.4 litre petrol engines, code CAXA) |
| 3.6 litres (1.4 litre petrol engines, except code CAXA) | |
| 4.5 litres (1.6 litre SOHC petrol engines) | |
| 3.6 litres (1.6 litre FSI petrol engines) | |
| 4.6 litres (2.0 litre petrol engines) | |
| 4.5 litres (PD injection diesel engines) | |
| 4.3 litres (Common rail diesel engines) | |
| Oil Drain Plug Torque | 30 Nm (petrol engines)* |
| 30 Nm (diesel engines) | |
| Oil Filter Housing Cap | 25 Nm (all engines) |
*Do not re-use
Volkswagen Golf, Golf Plus and Jetta Transmission Fluid
| Manual Transmission Fluid Type | VW G50 synthetic gear oil, viscosity SAE 75W/90 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Type | VW ATF |
| DSG Transmission Fluid Type | G05 217 1A2 |
| Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity | 2.0 litres (Type 0AF transmission) |
| 2.1 litres (Type 0AG transmission) | |
| 1.9 litres (Type 0A4 transmission) | |
| 1.9 litres (Type 02S transmission) | |
| 2.3 litres (Type 02Q transmission) | |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 7.0 litres |
| DSG Transmission Fluid Capacity | 5.2 litres (6-speed transmission only) |
| Manual Transmission Fluid Filler/Level Plug Torque | 30 Nm (petrol engines) |
| 30 Nm (Multi-point socket head – diesel engines) | |
| 45 Nm (Hex socket head – diesel engines) | |
| Manual Transmission Fluid Drain Plug Torque | 35 Nm (02S transmission only) |
| Automatic Transmission Level Plug Torque | 27 Nm |
Volkswagen Golf, Golf Plus and Jetta Coolant Renewal
| Coolant Type | VW additive G13 only (antifreeze and corrosion protection) |
| Coolant System Capacity | 5.6 litres (1.4 litre petrol engines) |
| 8.0 litres (1.6 litre SOHC petrol engines) | |
| 5.6 litres (1.6 litre FSI petrol engines) | |
| 8.0 litres (2.0 litre petrol engines) | |
| 6.2 litres (all diesel engines) |
Other Volkswagen Golf, Golf Plus and Jetta Fluid Types
| Brake And Clutch Fluid Type | DOT 4 brake fluid |
Other Volkswagen Golf, Golf Plus and Jetta Torque Specs
| Roadwheel Bolts | 120 Nm |
| Front Caliper Guide Pins | 30 Nm |
| Front Caliper Mounting Bracket Bolts | 125 Nm (FN3 calipers only) |
| Rear Caliper Guide Pin Bolts | 35 Nm* |
| Rear Caliper Mounting Bracket Bolts | 65 Nm |
| ABS Wheel Speed Sensor Bolts | 8 Nm |
| Spark Plugs | 30 Nm |
*Do not re-use
Volkswagen Golf, Golf Plus and Jetta (2006-2009) Maintenance Schedule
The maintenance intervals in our VW Golf, Golf Plus and Jetta manual are provided with the assumption that you, not the dealer, will be carrying out the work. These are the minimum intervals recommended by us for vehicles driven daily. If you wish to keep your vehicle in peak condition at all times, you may wish to perform some of these procedures more often. We encourage frequent maintenance, since it enhances the efficiency, performance and resale value of your vehicle.
If the vehicle is driven in dusty areas, used to tow a trailer, or driven frequently at slow speeds (idling in traffic) or on short journeys, more frequent maintenance intervals are recommended.
All Volkswagen Golf/Jetta models are equipped with a service interval display indicator in the instrument panel. Every time the engine is started the panel will illuminate for approximately 20 seconds with service information. With the standard non-variable display, the service intervals are in accordance with specific distances and time periods.
With the LongLife display, the service interval is variable according to the number of starts, length of journeys, vehicle speeds, brake pad wear, bonnet opening frequency, fuel consumption, oil level and oil temperature, however the vehicle must be serviced at least every two years.
At a distance of 2000 miles before the next service is due, ‘Service in 2000 miles’ will appear at the bottom of the speedometer, and this figure will reduce in steps of 100 units as the vehicle is used. Once the service interval has been reached, the display will flash ‘Service’ or ‘Service Now’. Note that if the variable (LongLife) service interval is being used, the engine must only be filled with the recommended long-life engine oil.
After completing a service, VW technicians use a special instrument to reset the service display to the next service interval, and a print-out is put in the vehicle service record. The display can be reset by the owner, but note that for models using the ‘LongLife’ interval, the procedure will automatically reset the display to the 10 000 miles ‘distance’ interval. To have the display reset to the ‘variable’ (LongLife) interval, it is necessary to take the vehicle to a VW dealer who will use a special instrument to encode the on-board computer.
Petrol engine models
Every 250 miles
- Check the engine oil level
- Check the coolant level
- Check the screenwash fluid level
- Check the brake/clutch fluid level
- Check the tyres and tyre pressures
- Check the condition of the battery
- Check the condition of the wiper blades
'OIL' on display
- Renew the engine oil and filter*
- Check the front and rear brake pad thickness
- Reset the service interval display
*Frequent oil and filter changes are good for the engine. We recommend changing the oil at least once a year.
'01' on display
In addition to the items given above.
- Check the condition of the exhaust system and its mountings
- Check all underbonnet components and hoses for fluid and oil leaks
- Check the condition of the auxiliary drivebelt
- Check the coolant antifreeze concentration
- Check the brake hydraulic circuit for leaks and damage
- Check the headlight beam adjustment
- Renew the pollen filter element
- Check the manual transmission oil level
- Check the underbody protection for damage
- Check the condition of the driveshaft gaiters
- Check the steering and suspension components for condition and security
- Check the battery condition, security and electrolyte level
- Lubricate all hinges and locks
- Check the condition of the airbag unit(s)
- Check the operation of the windscreen/tailgate/head-light washer system(s) (as applicable)
- Check the engine management self-diagnosis memory for faults
- Check the operation of the sunroof and lubricate the guide rails
- Carry out a road test and check exhaust emissions
Every 40 000 miles or 4 years, whichever comes first
Many dealers perform these tasks at every second 01 service.
- Renew the air filter element
- Renew the spark plugs
- Check the condition of the auxiliary drivebelt
- Check the automatic transmission fluid level
Every 60 000 miles
- Renew the timing belt*
*VW specify timing belt inspection after the first 60 000 miles and then every 20 000 miles until the renewal interval of 120 000 miles, however, if the vehicle is used mainly for short journeys, we recommend that this shorter renewal interval is adhered to. The belt renewal interval is very much up to the individual owner but, bearing in mind that severe engine damage will result if the belt breaks in use, we recommend the shorter interval.
Every 2 years
- Renew the brake (and clutch) fluid
- Renew the coolant*
* This work is not included in the VW schedule, and should not be required if the recommended VW G12 LongLife coolant antifreeze/inhibitor is used.
Diesel engine models
Every 250 miles
- Check the engine oil level
- Check the coolant level
- Check the screenwash fluid level
- Check the brake/clutch fluid level
- Check the tyres and tyre pressures
- Check the condition of the battery
- Check the condition of the wiper blades
'Oil' on display
- Renew the engine oil and filter*
- Check the front and rear brake pad thickness
- Reset the service interval display
*Frequent oil and filter changes are good for the engine. We recommend changing the oil at least once a year.
'01' on display
In addition to the items listed above, carry out the following:
- Check the condition of the exhaust system and its mountings
- Check all underbonnet components and hoses for fluid and oil leaks
- Renew the fuel filter*
- Check the condition of the auxiliary drivebelt
- Check the coolant antifreeze concentration
- Check the brake hydraulic circuit for leaks and damage
- Check the headlight beam adjustment
- Renew the pollen filter element
- Check the manual transmission oil level
- Check the underbody protection for damage
- Check the condition of the driveshaft gaiters
- Check the steering and suspension components for condition and security
- Check the battery condition, security and electrolyte level
- Lubricate all hinges and locks
- Check the condition of the airbag unit(s)
- Check the operation of the windscreen/tailgate/head-light washer system(s) (as applicable)
- Check the engine management self-diagnosis memory for faults
- Check the operation of the sunroof and lubricate the guide rails
- Carry out a road test and check exhaust emissions
* Only when using high-sulphur diesel fuel, not conforming to DIN EN 590, or when using RME fuel (diester).
Every 35 000 miles
- Renew DSG transmission oil and filter
Every 40 000 miles or 4 years, whichever comes first
Many dealers perform these tasks with every second INSP service .
- Renew the air filter element
- Renew the fuel filter*
- Check the condition of the auxiliary drivebelt
* Only when using diesel fuel conforming to DIN EN 590.
Every 60 000 miles
- Renew the timing belt and tensioner roller*
*VW specify a timing belt renewal interval of 75 000 miles for models manufactured up to MY 2006, and 95 000 miles for models manufactured from MY 2007-on. They specify a tensioner roller renewal interval of 150 000 miles for models manufactured up to MY 2006, and 190 000 miles for models manufactured from MY 2007-on. However, if the vehicle is used mainly for short journeys, we recommend that this shorter renewal interval is adhered to. The belt and tensioner renewal interval is very much up to the individual owner but, bearing in mind that severe engine damage will result if the belt breaks in use, we recommend the shorter interval.
Every 2 years
- Renew the brake (and clutch) fluid
- Renew the coolant*
* This work is not included in the VW schedule, and should not be required if the recommended VW G12 LongLife coolant antifreeze/inhibitor is used.