Maintenance intervals, technical specs, recalls for a4 1999-2003 golf tdi

1. Fluid changes/maintenance intervals
2. Technical Specs
3. Featured equipment/safety ratings
4. Recalls and Technical service bulletins

Did you just buy this car?  See 1000q: new owner of mk4 to see common issues and service areas.

Fluid changes/maintenance intervals

Light bulbs: refer to light bulb replacement reference table

Available colors and touch up paint: refer to OEM paint codes

Engine oil:

• Conventional oil: 5000 miles or 6 months, whichever is sooner.
• Semi-synthetic oils: 7,500 miles or 6 months, whichever is sooner. 
• Full synthetic oils: 10,000 miles or 6 months, whichever is sooner. 
• In short, approved oils must meet VW 505.00 standard or above
• Capacity w/filter change: 4.5L
• Click here for engine oil list w/references
• How to change your engine oil on the a4

Antifreeze/coolant: 

• Lifetime fill (100,000 mile) for g12/g12+ VW OEM fluid or Pentosin coolant, pink or red in color.
• Green coolant can work but must NOT be mixed with pink coolant or it will turn brown and engine damage will result.
• Mix with distilled water only, tap water will leave mineral deposits
• Capacity: 6.0 L
• How to change your antifreeze/coolant: a4

Brake fluid:

• replace every 2 years, regardless of mileage or as needed
• DOT 4 fluid only, not compatible with DOT 3 fluid
• How to change your brake fluid: a4

Clutch fluid:

• replace every 2 years, regardless of mileage or as needed
• DOT 4 fluid only, not compatible with DOT 3 fluid
• How to change your clutch fluid: a4

Automatic transmission fluid

• Lifetime fluid (100,000 mile) replacement
• How to change your automatic transmission fluid (ATF): a4

Power steering fluid

• 40,000 miles replacement
• VW# G002000 
• To change, suck out the old fluid with a turkey baster and put in new fluid.  Drive the car, repeat.

Manual transmission fluid

• Lifetime fluid (100,000 mile) replacement
• Use API G50 75W-90 (OEM VW) synthetic gear oil or GL4 Mil-L2105
• Fluid capacity for a4: 2.0L
• Redline gear oil works too
• How to change your manual transmission fluid: a4

Fuel filter

• Drain every 10,000 miles, replace every 20,000 miles
• How to change your fuel filter: a4

Timing belt

• 40,000 miles replacement for auto transmissions, 60,000 miles replacement for manual transmissions, 80,000 miles for retrofitted extended life timing belt (2002+ models)
• How to change your timing belt: a4 part 1: removal and prep
• How to change your timing belt: a4 part 2: installation

Air intake filter

• 40,000 miles replacement
• How to change the air intake filter: a4

Cabin air filter

• 20,000 miles replacement
• How to change your cabin air filter: a4

Brakes/rotors/rear wheel bearings

• Rotate wheels every 10,000 miles
• How to change your brakes: a4 front and rear brakes

Other misc. maintenance: 

• 1000 answered questions: diesel FAQ and "how to" index
• 1000 answered questions: a4 golf

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A4 golf technical specs

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A4 golf Standard equipment/features

Colors: black, candy white, indigo blue metallic, bright green metallic, satin silver metallic, flash red, jazz blue metallic.

Safety Features
Antilock Brakes: Standard	Four Wheel Antilock Brakes: Standard
Depowered Airbag: Standard	Passenger Airbag: Standard
Head Airbag: Not Available	Side Airbag: Standard
Child Safety Seats: Not Available	Traction Control: Not Available
Stability Control: Not Available

Crash Test Results
NHTSA Ratings
Passenger: Not Tested
Driver: Not Tested
Side Impact Front: Not Tested
Side Impact Rear: Not Tested
Rollover Rating: Not Tested
NHTSA: Excellent, Good, Average, Poor, Very Poor, Not Tested
IIHS Ratings
Crash Offset: Acceptable
Bumper Bash: Good
IIHS: Good, Acceptable, Marginal, Poor, Not Tested

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Recalls and TSBs

1999 Golf

2000 Golf

2001 Golf

2002 Golf

2003 Golf

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