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2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Limited

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Tiguan Limited.

Transmission Automatic (S6)

The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Limited pairs a six-speed automatic transmission with an engine requiring 4.9 quarts of 5W-40 oil, delivering EPA fuel economy ratings of 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway for a 23 mpg combined figure. In the context of the model's reliability history, this year stands as a notably quiet chapter, marked by zero recalls and just six total owner complaints on record. Because the most frequent complaint area is categorized as "Unknown or Other," researchers can take away that this model year lacks a single dominant, well-defined mechanical issue.

Model year2018 2017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.9 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-40OEM · verified

Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy20/26/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 06J115403Q. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tire size215/65R16OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6.5; Optional: 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	06J115403Q
Engine air filter	1K0129620G
Spark plug	06H905621A
Battery	000915089F alt 000915089B
Front wiper blades	5N1998002
Serpentine belt	06J260849D
Thermostat	06J121113C alt 06H121113B
Cabin air filter	1K1819669 alt 1K0819644B

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	185.8 in
Overall width	72 in
Overall height	66.5 in
Wheelbase	109.8 in
Curb weight	3856 lb
Track (front / rear)	62.6 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	20 / 26 / 23 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.9 qt of 5W-40 engine oil, Use Audi/VW part number G052145A1 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	7.4
Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil	Use Audi/VW part number G052145A1
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	2.1 qt
Engine Coolant	Use genuine VW G13 type coolant/antifreeze
Engine Coolant Capacity	8.5
Engine Oil	5W-40

Engine torques

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts

29.5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	89 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts	103 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Volkswagen
Spark Plug Gap	.031 in
Spark Plug Torque	18 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity	0.97-1.04 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	3.40-4.00 oz

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	Front: 22; Rear: 26 always
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque	Front: 148
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: .866; Rear: .394

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Lower vehicle and tighten an additional 180°

148 ft. lbs

Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Lower vehicle and tighten an additional 180°

148 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Gasoline engines · M8 Bolts

1	15.0 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
2	90.0 degrees; M9 Bolts	90 degrees
1	33.0 ft. lbs.	33 ft. lbs
2	90.0 degrees; Diesel engines	90 degrees
1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	90.0

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	44.0 ft. lbs.	44 ft. lbs
2	90.0

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	2.2 ft. lbs.	2.2 ft. lbs
2	6.6

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Gasoline engines · Cap bolts

1	48.0 ft. lbs.	48 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees; Side bolts	90 degrees
1	15.0 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 40,000 mi.

Every 10,000 mi	Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 20,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection)
At 40,000 mi	Sunroof Assembly (lubricate)
Every 40,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Hood Latch (lubricate) · Instrument Cluster Warning Indicator (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 60,000 mi	Air Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Timing Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Limited dominate in one area — the unknown or other, 2 of 6 reports (33%), well ahead of the next concern. NHTSA has issued no recalls for this vehicle, so these are owner-reported concerns only. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the unknown or other pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

241

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 6 complaints on record, top 5 components.

Unknown Or Other2

Power Train,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1

Power Train,Engine1

Steering,Electrical System,Air Bags1

Electrical System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 241 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TT 10-18-02_2	2026-06-18	Engine	Lubricating engine components before reassembly.
TT 13-20-01_3	2026-06-18	Engine	Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
V6919012010479_17	2026-06-11	Air Bags	Inquiries
V1719012012855_81	2026-06-04	Engine	Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards
V0026012081638_1	2026-05-19	Unknown Or Other	Difference between Component fluid leakage and seepage

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Tiguan Limited. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 4.9 qt Engine oil filter 06J115403Q Engine air filter 1K0129620G Spark plug 06H905621A Battery 000915089F

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 Tiguan Limited take?

4.9 qt of 5W-40 Meeting Audi/VW specification 502 00 or equivalent, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 Tiguan Limited have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Tiguan Limited get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 26 highway / 23 combined mpg.