Close How to Check the Oil in Your Volkswagen
To protect your Volkswagen’s engine from the heat and friction of day-to-day use, the powertrain must have a plentiful supply of clean oil! It’s smart to proactively monitor your vehicle’s oil by checking it regularly. After reading this helpful step-by-step guide from our team in the Service Department at Sheehy Volkswagen of Hagerstown, you can handle the task with confidence.
Preparation
While you drive your Tiguan, Atlas, or Jetta, the oil forms a protective barrier between the parts of the powertrain, allowing them to move smoothly without scraping against each other. This causes the oil to heat up during your Route 40 commute, which means that it’s important to give the fluid time to cool before you check it. Find a flat place to park, turn off the engine, and wait at least 10 minutes for the oil to return to the reservoir and reach a safe temperature. Find a clean paper towel or rag that you can use to wipe the oil. You should usually check the oil in your Volkswagen every 5,000 miles or monthly, but make sure to refer to the Owner’s Manual for model-specific details. If you drive a high-mileage vehicle or tow heavy loads, you are likely to notice increased oil consumption, so it’s a good idea to inspect the fluid each time you refill the gas tank.
Observing Oil Level and Condition
When you’re ready to begin working, lift the hood of your Volkswagen and look for the brightly-colored dipstick handle. After wiping it on the paper towel, replace the dipstick, taking care to ensure that it reaches the bottom of the reservoir. Once you pull it out again, examine the oil level, which should fall between the minimum and maximum markings. The oil should be a clear golden or light brown hue, so take note if the substance is dark, gritty, or contaminated. Before your next trip to Bloom Park, fill out the Ask a Tech form on our website for more information about this process.
Final Steps
After checking the oil, write down the date and any relevant performance details. This will help you quickly pinpoint any future issues if your car begins to consume more oil than usual during your Hagerstown travels. If the supply of fluid is low but still in good condition, you can top it off with the type of oil recommended in the Owner’s Manual. When the oil reaches the end of its lifespan, take the opportunity to visit our Service Department so our team can flush the system, change the filter, and replenish the system with a fresh supply of oil. Once you schedule an appointment at Sheehy Volkswagen of Hagerstown, our experts can help you address your vehicle’s maintenance needs!
How to Check the Oil:
- Park on a level surface and wait for the engine to cool
- Pull out the dipstick and wipe on rag
- Replace dipstick, then remove once more
- Note the oil’s level and quality
- Write down the date and plan next steps
Dealership Information
Testimonials
I will definitely be returning to Sheehy Volkswagen of Hagerstown for all of my future automotive needs.
We had a fantastic experience with Ashley and buying our new 2024 Atlas Cross Sport.
“ We had a fantastic experience with Ashley and buying our new 2024 Atlas Cross Sport. Ashley was extremely well prepared for our visit from the details I gave her before we came. She was very professional and knowledgeable. She was very detailed in her review and demonstration of the vehicles technology with my wife. She was so kind and patient and did an Excellent job start to finish in the process! We are very pleased and will recommend her to friends and family in the market. ”
My experience was good.
“ My experience was good. My car drove better than I expected. The young man, Brandon who helped me was kind, explained everything to me and had a wonderful personality. He made suggestions and made me feel comfortable. I was thankful for his good service. ”
We were thankful for the smooth process in shipping our car to a different state.
“ We were so thankful for the help of John Flowers and the Sheehy family in helping us select our dream car. John went above and beyond in ensuring he understood exactly what we needed in our car and we were constantly impressed with his prompt communication. We were thankful for the smooth process in shipping our car to a different state. ”
Ryan the Service Manager was great.
“ Ryan the Service Manager was great. He was professional, personable and was a seamless experience. I will be using this dealership for both of our VW's instead of Fitzgerald closer to my home because of their unwillingness to help. Worth the half hour drive. ”
“ I recently took my car to Sheehy Volkswagen of Hagerstown for a wheel alignment, and I was incredibly impressed with the service I received. Everyone I interacted with was friendly and professional, and they were able to get my car in and out quickly. My service advisor, Brandon, was especially helpful. He took the time to answered all of my questions and he kept me updated on the status of my car throughout the process. When my car was finished, Brandon took the time to go over the alignment results with me and explained what they meant. He also made sure that I was happy with the service before I left. Overall, I had a great experience at Sheehy Volkswagen of Hagerstown. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable and trustworthy auto repair shop. Specifically, I would like to commend Brandon for his excellent customer service. He went above and beyond to make sure that I was satisfied with the service I received. I will definitely be returning to Sheehy Volkswagen of Hagerstown for all of my future automotive needs. ”