How to Choose the Oil and Fluids for a VW Beetle

The venerable Volkswagen Beetle was produced in its original form from 1938 to 2003. In 2003, Volkswagen introduced the "New Beetle" which, although it has some cosmetic similarities to the original Beetle, is actually built on a VW Golf platform. These steps apply to the original Beetle and address a wide range of model years, although it may not apply to the oldest of vintage vehicles.

Instructions

1

Know that while 5W40 is the recommended oil grade for your VW Beetle, many Beetle owners use 5W30 with no problems. If you're running a 60s-era or other vintage Beetle with an air-cooled engine, you should use a 5W50 mineral oil; make sure it is designated "for basic engines." The oldest Beetle engines used an SAE 30 monograde for "general driving."

2

Use only genuine VW coolant G12 in a 50-50 mix with distilled water in your Volkswagen Beetle if it has a water-cooled engine. If your VW Beetle has an air-cooled engine you don't need any coolant at all, but you should make sure that you use the proper oil, change it frequently, and clean the oil strainer each time as the engine oil aids with cooling.

3

Choose only genuine VW transmission fluid, whether automatic manual, to help prolong the life of your transmission. Avoid using Decron or Mercon automatic or manual transmission fluid.

4

Fill your VW Beetle's brake fluid reservoir with Pentosin DOT 4 brake fluid in model years 1998 and later.

5

Select Pentosin 11S synthetic base power steering fluid or genuine VW power steering fluid for a VW Beetle in model year 1998 or later.