VolkswagenQuantum1986Overview/volkswagen/quantum/1986/base/

1986 Volkswagen Quantum

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1986 Quantum.

Transmission Automatic 3-spd

The 1986 Volkswagen Quantum is equipped with a 3.2‑quart engine oil capacity and accepts viscosities of 2W‑40, 20W‑50 or 15W‑40 API SL. Its EPA fuel‑efficiency ratings are 16 mpg city, 20 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined, paired with a three‑speed automatic transmission. Together these figures define the vehicle’s baseline service and operating characteristics, situating the 1986 model within the typical maintenance expectations for the Quantum line. As such, the specifications reflect the standard care requirements that owners would encounter during this model year’s service cycle.

Model year1988198719861985198419831982

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity3.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type2W-40 / 20W-50 / 15W-40 API SLOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/20/18 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 20 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume91 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Quantum of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.60 sec — 1986 Syncro Wagon
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1986Syncro Wagon 2.2L I-59.60 sec17.00 sec110 hpAWD
1983GL5 Sedan 2.1L I-512.00 sec18.40 sec100 hpFWD
1983GL5 Sedan 2.1L I-512.60 sec18.80 sec100 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 3.2 qt of 2W-40 / 20W-50 / 15W-40 API SL engine oil, GL-5 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilGL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine OilAPI · 2W-40 · 20W-50 · 15W-40 · 15W-50
Engine Oil Capacity3.2 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miClutch Assembly (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miEngine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Battery (inspect electrolyte level) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect) · Door Stop (lubricate)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Oxygen Sensor (replace)
Every 60,000 miFuel Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

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

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
0
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

87V069000Vehicle Speed ControlReported 18/05/1987

EXCESSIVE WEAR OF IDLE STABILIZER COULD CAUSE IDLE FLUCTUATIONS. Remedy: REPLACE IDLE STABILIZER.

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 Quantum. 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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1986 Quantum take?

3.2 qt of 68 degrees F TO 104 degrees F 40 API SL OR GREATER, 32 degrees F TO 86 degrees F: 30 API SL OR GREATER, 14 degrees F TO 86 degrees F: 2W-40 OR 20W-50 API SL OR GREATER, 5 degrees F TO 86 degrees F 15W-40 OR 15W-50 API SL OR GREATER, -4 degrees F T, per the factory manual.

Does the 1986 Quantum have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Quantum get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 20 highway / 18 combined mpg.