How to Check the Transmission Fluid on a 1999 VW Passat 1.8T
In 1974, Volkswagen started shifting from rear-driven, air-cooled vehicles to front-driven, liquid-cooled vehicles. The 1974 Passat -- the model's first year -- was at the forefront of this conversion. The 1999 Passat came in three trim levels: GLS, GLS V6 and GLX. The GLX trim level came standard with a five-speed automatic transmission, and the other two levels had the five speed automatic transmission as an option. Checking the fluid in the automatic transmission requires getting beneath the vehicle and removing a plug in the transmission.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Floor jack
- Jack stands
- Drain pan
- Ratchet
- Hex-bit socket set
- ESSO LT 71141 transmission fluid (amount varies)
- Flex-neck funnel
Instructions
-
-
1
Park the vehicle on a level surface. Raise the front of the Passat off the ground, using a floor jack, and place jack stands under the Passat's subframe. Lower the Volkswagen onto the jack stands.
-
2
Crawl beneath the vehicle and locate the transmission check-and-fill plug. The front-wheel-drive Passat's drain plug is just behind the driver's side drive axle. The all-wheel-drive Passat's drain plug is halfway up the transmission case, near the front of the engine compartment. Position a drain pan under the check-and-fill plug.
-
-
3
Remove the check-and-fill plug with a ratchet and hex-bit socket. Insert your finger into the check-and-fill hole, and feel for the fluid level. The correct level is at the base of the check-and-fill hole.
-
4
Insert a flex-neck funnel into the check-and-fill hole, if the fluid is low, and pour in ESSO LT 71141 transmission fluid until it drips from the check-and-fill hole.
-
5
Wipe check-and-fill drain plug off with a clean, lint-free cloth and hand-tighten the plug into the engine. Tighten the plug with a ratchet and hex-bit socket.
-
6
Raise the Passat off the jack stands, using a floor jack, and remove the stands. Lower the VW to the ground.
-
1
