Hi All,

I just bought a used '98 Passat & I am wondering how to change the oil. My old car was a Mazda & it was totally obvious where the oil pan/plug & oil filter were once you got under the car & looked. I got under my Passat yesterday & I don't see anything that resembles an oil pan plug. In fact, a lot of the undercarraige is "protected" by this plastic stuff that prevents me from seeing much. This is a 1.8L 4 cylinder gasoline engine & I am in the USA.

Could someone with some VW wisdom lead my poor, ignorant soul in the right direction? Any advice will be met with much gratitude!!

You have to rermove that plastic panel. The oil drain plug is right where it is supposed to be, in the bottom of the oil pan (facing the driver side). Those metal screws that hold on the plastic panel just do a 1/4 to 1/2 twist to install/remove and there are several somewhat hiden ones.

Yup, I have the same car as yours. Missing some of the screws on mine when I finally got under it to change my oil. There were zip ties on the dang thing. I'm just replacing the zip ties as I go until I get around to new screws. Make sure that thing is on there good, as I've heard it's to protect the oil pan since they hang so low on these cars. (And they will cause a heck of a mess and a ruckus if you lose it going down the highway!) Good luck. I have a honda that drains straight down. These things spew oil to the side *caution* :rolleyes: LOL Have fun!
Peace,
Chicken18

Thanks for the helpful responses guys!

Here is a new one: Last night driving home on I-40 I heard a "bump" & noticed later that my left turn signal was flashing very fast when I used it. That usually indicates that the bulb is going to burn out soon so I thought, "OK, whatever I'll get a new bulb tommorrow". When I got home I realized that the entire parking light/turn signal was gone, housing & all! Granted, I was going 80mph but that is no reason for parts to start flying off the car!!!

My question is can I get another one at an auto parts store or is this a "VW thing" that will cost way more than it should?

Dang! That is LAME! I haven't had anything fly off mine yet! My first response is hit the wreckin' yards (I avoid buying new parts unless necessary). Check out online catalogs too. I just found a shop I will take mine to, but I'm a bit of a ways away! (I have never taken any car I own into a shop until now!) But yup my first choice would be the wreckin' yard! www.bowwowseattle.com may have advice, I will try and dig up some other vw websites for ya. I like the forum on the above mentioned site alot! This one is kinda jumbled. And bowwow is VW specific, I actually get very fast responses from the guys over there. (the whole site) Hope that is ok to mention other forums on somebody else's forum! LOL Good luck.