Volkswagen GTI Oil Type & Capacity
GarageDex's oil-spec data shows the Volkswagen GTI takes 0W-20 engine oil, about 6 qt with a filter change, on 2022-2026 models. Older ones take a different grade - 2021 models use 5W-40 (6 qt) - so check your year in the table below.
Oil by model year
| Model years | Oil type | Capacity | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-2026 | 0W-20 | 6 qt | Shop 0W-20 |
| 2021 | 5W-40 | 6 qt | Shop 5W-40 |
| 2019-2020 | 0W-20 | 6 qt | Shop 0W-20 |
| 2018 | 5W-40 | 6 qt | Shop 5W-40 |
| 2015-2017 | 5W-30 | 6 qt | Shop 5W-30 |
| 2007-2014 | 5W-30 | 4.9 qt | Shop 5W-30 |
| 2006 | 5W-30 | 4.8-4.9 qt | Shop 5W-30 |
| 2005 | 5W-40 | 4.9-6.3 qt | Shop 5W-40 |
Capacity is with a filter change and can vary by engine - open your exact year below for the per-engine figures and our sources. Shop links go to Amazon, and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Every GTI year
Frequently asked
What kind of oil does a Volkswagen GTI take?
GarageDex's oil-spec data shows the Volkswagen GTI takes 0W-20 engine oil, about 6 qt with a filter change, on 2022-2026 models. Older ones take a different grade - 2021 models use 5W-40 (6 qt) - so check your year in the table below.
How many quarts of oil does a Volkswagen GTI take?
About 6 qt with a filter change on 2022-2026 models, and 6 qt on 2021 models. Capacity varies by engine, so check your exact year for the per-engine figure - and finish on the dipstick rather than pouring in the full amount.
Does the oil type change by year on the Volkswagen GTI?
Yes. We record 8 different factory specs across the years we cover - 2022-2026: 0W-20; 2021: 5W-40; 2019-2020: 0W-20. Use the table above and confirm against your owner's manual.
Sources. The oil grade and capacity for 22 of 22 model years is checked against a cited source, most often CarSpecFinder - Volkswagen GTI oil, CarSpecFinder - Volkswagen GTI oil and AMSOIL lookup guide - 2025 Volkswagen GTI, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo (DRNA). Each year page lists its own sources.
Last verified 2026-06-21. Maintained by Matan B., who runs GarageDex. How we verify.