How to Change the Oil on Your Volkswagen MK7 GTI

Knowing how to perform an oil change is a service that every car owner can do themselves, and one that will save you time and money versus taking your VW to a dealership. It goes without saying that you should keep up with the maintenance intervals of any vehicle you own, but staying on top of services, particularly oil changes, for Volkswagen products is especially important in keeping them reliable and trouble-free.

How often do I need to change the oil on my MK7?

The official Volkswagen service schedule for the MK7 Golf/GTI/R requires that you change the oil and filter every 10,000 miles. Owners of tuned GTIs tend to move up their oil change intervals to every 5,000 miles, but this is not required and you should change your oil when you feel comfortable doing so (as long as it falls under the 10,000-mile mark).

The general rule of thumb is that when the oil color and consistency changes from transparent and thin to dark, thick, and full of residue, it’s time to change it. Other signs that your oil may need to be changed include engine knock, sluggish acceleration, shaky idling, or a noticeably louder idle exhaust note.

What oil should I use in my MK7?

The VW MK7 owner’s manual recommends that you use 5W-30 or 5W-40, but the viscosity will depend on your climate. However, be sure that whichever oil you choose falls under the VW/Audi 502 00 quality standard.

How to Change the Oil on your VW MK7 GTI: