How to Choose the Oil and Fluids for a VW Jetta

The compact Volkswagen Jetta, available with either diesel or gasoline engine, is VW's top seller. These vehicles use long-lived full synthetic fluids in almost all cases. Ideally you should find out what is already in your vehicle before changing or refilling fluids and try to use the same brand so long as it meets OEM--Original Equipment Manufacturer--specifications.

Instructions

1

Put Pentosin DOT 4 low viscosity brake fluid or SuperGold DOT 4 type 200 in your VW Jetta. You should need about one liter. If you want extra assurance that you're using the right brake fluid, look for the Audi-VW specification "501.14" on the label.

2

Choose Santech A/C compressor oil for your VW Jetta's air conditioning system. Which specific oil you need depends on who manufactured your compressor--it might be from Bosch/Behr, Seiko Seki, Seltech, Sanden or Delco. The only way to be certain which part you have is to check your owner's manual for the recommended fluid viscosity or to call your VW dealership with your VIN.

3

Use Castrol synthetic 5W40 oil for all-weather conditions. You must use an oil that meets VW standard 505.01--this will be stated on the bottle--on a diesel engine.

4

Run Pentosin G12 engine coolant in your VW Jetta. Other coolants might be suitable, but VW maintains that only Pentosin G12 should be used because it helps to prevent engine corrosion.

5

Fill your car battery's cells with distilled water only as necessary. Each cell must be checked and filled individually.

6

Buy Esso synthetic automatic transmission fluid for your VW Jetta's AT. Recent models years have a sealed transmission which should be refilled at a VW dealership.