How do you change the oil and filter on a 2007 VW Passat 2.0 L?

Answer 1

It's actually MUCH easier than I was thinking. You'll need to grab 3 tools. A 36mm socket (yes, really!) a 20mm socket and a torx wrench (not sure of the size.) I was unable to find an oil filter anywhere except thru the VW dealer. It was about $15.50.

A few notes first...

Use only FULLY SYNTHETIC OIL. I perfer Mobile 1 in a 5W30.

The VW Passat has a 'SERVICE NOW' message the triggers every 5k miles. Once you've replaced the oil you can reset it by doing the following.

With the key sitting in the ignition but NOT on (not even accessories...the key is in in there but literally just about to fall out) push and hold the wrench button. Count 5 seconds, start the car while still pushing the wrench button and then push the min button on your clock. You must be holding the wrench button and the min button at the same time to reset the service message. To test if you've reset properly, turn the car off and start it again. If you've reset properly the 'SERVICE NOW' will not appear and is automatically reset for 5k miles.

Step 1: Jack your snazzy Passat 2.0T in the air(Carefully, it is a beautiful German work of art!)

You can do this with ramps or a hydro lift. I personally feel that ramps are the most accommodating route. You can jack it in the air by lifting it using the front crossbar. It is located a ways back from the front of the car, but you can still reach it with most manual hydro jacks. If you choose this method, make sure to add additional jacks under the car incase the hydro jack fails. Safety first!

Step 2: Remove protective skirt

Remove the protective skirt on the bottom of the motor. It is fastened with 6 or so torx screws. NOT. You do not need to remove this to access the oil drain plug. The plug is easily seen and accessed without removing anything. (Should you be replacing the oil filter then the skirt should come off).

Step 3: Drain oil pan

Make sure that you don't drain the wrong pan. In the 2007 Passat 2.0T the transmission pan looks like it should be the oil pan. Just to clarify, the transmission pan is black and has a circular plug with a 5mm Allen wrench slot. (Nearby is also a 10mm Allen wrench slotted drain. That's not the oil drain. DON'T drain either! Look in the middle of the bottom of the motor, you will see a conventional 19mm drain plug at the back, center of the oil pan and this pan is metallic in color. VERY important that you drain the correct one! Once the oil pan is properly drained, remove the old metal washer from the oil pan plug and replace with a new one. If you do not, you WILL get leaking around the plug. Clean up any stray oil spots with a rag.

Step 4: Locate and remove the oil filter canister

The canister is black in color and is near the front of the motor on the underside. (You must remove the protective skirt in order to view it from the bottom, however it is quite easily viewed from the topside of the motor with a flashlight.) You will notice a rather large fixture that requires a 36mm socket on the bottom-end of the canister. First, there is a small plug. Remove the small lead wire (this keeps the plug from falling off) by slipping the large end so that it can be removed from the small nipple holding it on. Unscrew the small plug (nothing comes out, I am unsure as to its function) and then proceed with removal of the canister using the 36mm socket and turning in a counter-clockwise direction. Be ready for quite a bit of oil to come out, I had an oil pan and some towels handy. It can get a bit messy.

Step 5: Replace oil filter and canister

Once you have removed the canister from the motor and drained it of oil, simply pull the old filter out. Before placing the new filter, make sure to remove the old rubber O ring seal. This can be done simply by pulling the small rubber tab at the top of the seal with needle-nose pliers. Dip the new O ring in some oil and place it inside the canister. Place the new filter inside the canister (either end up is fine) and then replace the canister on the motor. Note, the filter is 'spring-loaded' and will require a firm push to get it back up inside in order to screw the canister on. Hand-tighten and then use your 36mm socket and turn about 1/4 additional to tighten properly. Replace the small plug and re-attach the small lead wire to the nipple.

Step 6: Add fresh oil

Remove the oil cap on the top of the motor. There is no need to remove the plastic cover on the motor. Fill the car up with oil, it takes about 5.5 quarts. Replace the oil cap and start the car while it is still in the air and the skirt is off. This will allow you to check for any oil leaks around the filter canister and the oil pan plug.

Step 7: Put humpty back together again

Once you have verified no leakage, replace the skirt and set 'er down.

CONGRATULATIONS, you've just avoided paying $79.00 to the dealer. You go!!!

Thank you very much for the information. I was able to find the oil filter at Advance Discount Auto Parts for $12.50. The oil drain plug is 19mm, not 20mm and the oil capacity is 4.4 quarts, not 5.5 quarts. Do you know where the air filter is located on this car? Thanks, Rob

The air filter for this engine type is located within the engine cover. To access it you should first disconnect the electrical connection at the top of the engine cover. Next, unclamp the two metal hooks and free the air hose at the top left hand side of the engine cover. Now remove (1) the cover of the partitioning part (which simply lifts/snaps off) and (2) the partitioning part (which is connected to the air box, leading from the cooling fan and also snaps loose), both of which are located at the bottom right hand side of the engine cover and nearest end of the intake manifold (which is the black, ribbed somewhat (L) shaped part. Once these are loose, the engine cover can be removed with the intake manifold and the partitioning part still physically clamped to the cover. To remove the cover, grab underneath the top left hand side and give it a good firm pull. Once this side is loose, do the same to each of the other corners and the engine cover should be free. Now flip the engine cover over. With a torx bit remove the metal heat shield. Now, unclamp the manifold from the engine cover. Finally, use a Phillips head screw driver to remove the eight or so screws on the underside of the engine cover. This will reveal the air filter. Change and reverse process to reassemble.