VolkswagenScirocco1985Overview/volkswagen/scirocco/1985/base/

1985 Volkswagen Scirocco

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1985 Scirocco.

Transmission Automatic 3-spd

The 1985 Volkswagen Scirocco featured a three-speed automatic transmission and posted EPA fuel economy figures of 20 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. When servicing the powerplant, technicians must install 4.3 quarts of engine oil. The approved viscosity grades include 2W-40, 20W-50, or 15W-40, all meeting API SL certification.

Model year198919881987198619851984198319821981

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.3 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type2W-40 / 20W-50 / 15W-40 API SLOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/23/21 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length165.7 in
Overall width64.2 in
Overall height51.6 in
Wheelbase94.5 in
Curb weight2180 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)62/38

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 23 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
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 Scirocco of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.7–10.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.70 sec — 1986 16v Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
198616v Coupe 1.8L I-47.70 sec16.10 sec123 hpFWD
198616v Coupe 1.8L I-48.00 sec15.90 sec123 hpFWD
198616v Coupe 1.8L I-48.50 sec16.50 sec123 hpFWD
1983Coupe 1.8L I-410.70 sec17.80 sec74 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.3 qt of 2W-40 / 20W-50 / 15W-40 API SL engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine OilAPI · 2W-40 · 20W-50 · 15W-40 · 15W-50
Engine Oil Capacity4.3 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; spark plugs every 30,000 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) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
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.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

87V053000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 14/04/1987

FUEL PUMP, LOCATED INSIDE FUEL TANK, COULD SEIZE DURING HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BECAUSE OF AN EXTREME FINE MESH FUEL FILTER RESTRICTING THE FUEL FLOW. Remedy: INSTALL A MODIFIED FUEL PUMP AND FILTER.

84V152000Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel RailReported 27/11/1984

THE HOSE CONNECTED TO THE PUMP LOCATED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK MAY BECOME DISCONNECTED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN USE. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE WILL BE INTERRUPTED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A MODIFIED FUEL HOSE FREE OF CHARGE.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
01012001-06-12SeatsSUBJECT REGARDING LATCH SYSTEM LOWER ANCHORS AND TETHERS FOR CHILDREN, INSTALLING /…

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 Scirocco. 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 1985 Scirocco take?

4.3 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 1985 Scirocco have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Scirocco get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 23 highway / 21 combined mpg.