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1.6K views 19 replies 13 participants last post by  05GLX4moWgn  
R
#1 ·
I bought a 2004 with 15,000 miles. My previous VW was a 99 1.8T and even though the cars are somewhat similar there are very noticeable differences.

I changed the oil today and the owner's manual says it takes 6.5 qts, that seems too much...

Tire pressure calls for 36 psi in the front and 44 psi in the rear, 16" rims...

What's the average mileage per tank, so far I've fille up twice and I'm barely getting 200 miles per tank, that's too low. I'm thinking the plugs are the originals and may need replacing, what plugs should I use?

Is there a pollen filter in the car? Manual doesn't mention anything about it?

Thanks,
 
K
#2 ·
6.5 quarts is correct with the proper filter.

Look again at the tire pressure. That is probably for high speeds and full load. On my 2000 V6 GLX I run about 36 psi front and rear for best mileage and tire wear.

My average mpg is around 25-27 with about 70% highway and 30% suburban (tip transmission). I usually fill up at 300+miles with around 11+ gallons. With only 15k miles your plugs are probably fine. What is your actual MPG? What does the MFD read when you are cruising on level freeway at 65 mph?

Yes, there is a pollen filter next to the battery like on the 1999.
 
H
#3 ·
Not Sure about the oil.
Intresting find about the PSI I have 32/32 I may try that and see how it does.
I get 28 on the highway (68 MPH). about 21 in town I do have a heavy foot though! You do know to use 91 octane or higher right!
There is a pollen filter you can find it under the black plastic where the battery is on the passenger side (far left)
 
C
#5 ·
Welcome to the V6 crowd. My overall mpg average for the last 6 years is around 22 mpg. Mostly around town driving with about 20% of that on the interstate. Highest mileage ever was 28 mpg at a sustained 70 mph.

The tire pressure you quoted is too high for normal operations, although I usually run my fronts at 36 psi..the rears at 32 psi for light loads. My tire wear has been excellent. I recently replaced my plugs at 55,000 miles and it made absolutely no difference. The original plugs were in great condition.
The pollen filter is in the same place as your 99 Passat, but the 04 has a cover over the cowl area...you must pull the engine compartment seal off and lift the cover out of the way to gain access to it. Use the original NGK plugs, etiher from the dealer (if you are rich) or from another supplier (if you are semi-rich). They last a long time and will never give you trouble.

Check your oil frequently. A lot of V6s eat oil (or leak it). Mine has used about 1 quart every 5,000 miles since it was new. I consider this acceptable. Good luck. Sounds like you found a really nice low mileage car!
 
D
#6 ·
I have 90K on my 03 tip and average 24MPG 50/50 city/hwy on 87 octane. I use a quart of oil inabout 2500 miles. I'm pretty light on the throttle and cruise the hwy at 75-85. I kept my tires at 32 all around but may up the fronts to see what happens. I agree with kenblasko and don't think your plugs are due for a change, maybe a shot of injector cleaner may help a little.
 
C
#7 ·
Ray said:
I changed the oil today and the owner's manual says it takes 6.5 qts, that seems too much...
Click to expand...
Nope, that is the correct. My owner's manual says 5.7qts, which is actually wrong. The underfill hasn't hurt the car any- the oil sump is VERY generously sized. Still 6.5 qts is right.

Keep an eye on oil consumption. The V6 will burn a quart or two per oil change.

Tire pressure calls for 36 psi in the front and 44 psi in the rear, 16" rims...
Click to expand...
No, that's high speed on full loads. You'll find that 32 overall is a better pressure.

What's the average mileage per tank, so far I've fille up twice and I'm barely getting 200 miles per tank, that's too low. I'm thinking the plugs are the originals and may need replacing, what plugs should I use?
Click to expand...
That is too low. I get 350 per tank in mostly highway driving.

For plugs, get the OE NGKs. They work fine. BKR6EKUB is the part number.

Replace your fuel filter as well, and your air filter. Clean out the intake snorkel as well- it tends to trap leaves and it kills fuel economy. It's labeled B in this pic:

Image


Is there a pollen filter in the car? Manual doesn't mention anything about it?
Click to expand...
Yes. Open the hood. Towards the firewall you'll see a cover that spans the width of the car. Pull the weatherstrip off and the cover comes off. The pollen filter is located next to the battery- it should be obvious at this point.
 
S
#9 ·
15,000 is pretty low for new plugs (40,000 miles per schedule), but it won't hurt.
I used Bosch Platinum +4 with good results (others haven't) stock NGKs are good.
Definitely change the air filter, clean the slush screen, etc.

Not all 30 valve 2.8L V6s consume oil.
I owned my 2003 4Motion from the time it had 14 miles until it had just shy of 60,000 miles and it never consumed a drop of oil between changes.
And that using the VW dealers standard dino oil - do consider a good synthetic, either Group IV or at least Group III.
I think VW now recommends synthetic, though they didn't used to.
 
T
#10 ·
Welcome to another V6 owner. My car has about 115K on it now. It's a 99 5 speed. I usually get around 360 miles before the light comes on. 28mpg on the highway and 24 mpg in town. I use the stock spark plugs. They were replaced at 100k and still looked good. No oil consumption here either.
Just stay on top of routine maitenence and you will be fine.
 
A
#12 · (Edited)
My manaul says oil is 5.7 Qts. for the 2.8L 30 valve V6. Also, do not use 5W-30 for the total oil change. The manual says it is only for topping up. The dealers often use 5W-30 only, and then the engine uses oil. When I run 5W-40 full synthetic, it does not consume oil.

Cabin filter is under the panel at the windshield air inlet. I used a WIX filter on the change at 80K. I change the intake filter, too, at every 40K.

Had plugs changed on my 80K service, and the Bosch platinums caused the Check Engine Light to come on. I had plugs switched to NGK and now everything is fine. My service tech says that these V6 engines seem to run better on the NGK. Some here disagree, but my anecdotal evidence proves otherwise to me.

I have found that if you follow the service intervals in the manual (do some yourself, get a mechanic to do what you can't or won't) the car will reward you with good service. These cheaper German cars may cost less to buy, but they are expensive to maintain.
 
R
#13 ·
What do you know about Castrol 0W30?

I replaced both filters today. Guy at the dealer says to replace oil every 10,000 miles but I still like to change it every 3,000 miles. Manual does say to use 5W40 but I have always used 5W30. Esxcuse my ignorance but what's the difference between them?
 
A
#14 · (Edited)
Ray,

I am a layman at best, so I am telling you what I have learned that works for me.

From what I assume I understand about oil the low number is how thick the oil is when cold, and the high number is the how it flows (viscosity) when it becomes hot. The higher the number the thicker the flow. The manual recommends running 5w-40 and you can find a decent 5W-40 synthetic that meets the VW standard. Here is a link to the list from this forum: http://www.passatworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=245580

That link is from the "information base". A lot of people like Mobil 1, but I don't think they make a full synthetic 5W-40, although I am fairly certain they make a 0W-40. When I let the dealer in Charlotte put Castrol 5W-30 for the oil change the car burned tw quarts in 5,000 miles. I went back to 5W-40 and I have not had an oil consumption issue. If the dealer will not use the proper recommended oil, take it somewhere else for the oil changes. Be prepared for the indy lube shops to lose the fasteners for your belly pan.

I change my oil (have it changed) every 5,000 miles. Most of my driving is highway mileage and I could take it to 10,000, but I think the $50 to $75 per 5,000 miles is better than a rebuild later.

My average highway mileage is 25+ to 26+, depending on temperature and average speeed. I usually cruise around 80 to 85 mph . When the fuel warning light comes on, I can get about 13 gallons into the tank. I prefer to run premium Texaco or Chevron because they feature injector cleaning fuel additive.

On your request for tire pressurre recommendations - look inside the fuel filler door. I use the over 100 mph half-load pressure recommendation (33 Frt and 30 Rear). I have Goodyear Response Edge VR16tires. I have 30,000 miles on them and they have half the tread depth left.

My rear brakes had to be changed at 55,000. I bought this certified pre-owned car with 21,000 miles on it. I haven't had to change the front rotors or pads yet and I am up to 89,000 miles.

I hope this helps.
 
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