Volkswagen (VW) Vanagon, T3 (USA / CAN)

Manual transmission fluid capacity & service interval

Volkswagen Vanagon, T3 (USA / CAN) manual transmission fluid has a capacity range of 3 to 3,4 liters. The data covers 3 configurations.

The configuration chart below lists fill volumes and service intervals for each engine and trim variant.

Type	Specifications
Vanagon 2.1 (70 kW) (1990-1991)	Use: Normal Capacity 3,4 liter Code: 091/1 4/1
Vanagon 2.1 (70 kW) (1990-1991)	Use: Alternative (acceptable) Capacity 3,4 liter Code: 091/1 4/1
Vanagon 2.1i (70 kW) Syncro (1987-1990) Manual/transferbox	Use: Normal Capacity 3 liter (Service fill) Code: 4/1

The Volkswagen Vanagon T3 manual transmission holds 3.4 liters of fluid for the 2.1 (70 kW) configuration covering 1990-1991, a figure that applies equally whether the normal or alternative (acceptable) fluid type is used.
The identical 3.4-liter capacity across both the normal and alternative (acceptable) use conditions for the 1990-1991 2.1 (70 kW) means fluid type selection does not alter the fill volume required.
The 2.1i (70 kW) Syncro variant from 1987-1990 carries a service fill capacity of 3 liters for the manual transaxle and transfer box combined, which is 0.4 liters less than the non-Syncro 2.1 (70 kW) transmission capacity.
A service fill designation on the 1987-1990 Syncro transaxle/transferbox entry indicates the 3-liter figure reflects the amount of fluid used during a routine drain-and-refill service, rather than the total system volume when completely empty.