Peugeot 308 Oil Capacity: Complete Guide by Engine & Year

If there’s one small detail that quietly determines the long-term health of your Peugeot 308, it’s oil capacity. Not horsepower. Not touchscreen size. Not even trim level. Just that humble, golden liquid and—crucially—how much of it your engine actually needs.
Pour in too little? You risk wear.
Pour in too much? You risk pressure issues and seal damage.
So let’s break this down properly. In this guide, we’ll explore Peugeot 308 oil capacity by engine type, generation, and fuel variant—plus oil grades, refill tips, torque specs, and real-world advice we wish more owners knew.
- Why Peugeot 308 Oil Capacity Matters More Than You Think
- Peugeot 308 Generations Overview
- Peugeot 308 Oil Capacity by Engine (Petrol Models)
- Peugeot 308 Oil Capacity by Engine (Diesel Models)
- Peugeot 308 Hybrid Oil Capacity (Plug-In Hybrid)
- Oil Capacity Chart Summary
- Oil Capacity With vs Without Filter Change
- Recommended Oil Grades for Peugeot 308
- How to Check Peugeot 308 Oil Level Properly
- What Happens If You Overfill Oil?
- What Happens If You Underfill Oil?
- Peugeot 308 Wet Belt and Oil Sensitivity
- How Often Should You Change Peugeot 308 Oil?
- DIY Oil Change: How Much to Pour First
- Oil Drain Plug Torque (General Reference)
- Signs Your Peugeot 308 Oil Level Is Wrong
- Oil Capacity Differences Between Manual and Automatic
- Regional Variations (UK, EU, Australia)
- Is the Peugeot 308 Oil Capacity Large or Small?
- Pro Tips Most Owners Don’t Know
- Final Thoughts on Peugeot 308 Oil Capacity
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Peugeot 308 Oil Capacity Matters More Than You Think
Engine oil is like blood in the human body. Too little and organs struggle. Too much and pressure builds dangerously.
The Peugeot 308 has been produced across multiple generations, with petrol, diesel, and hybrid engines. Each one has a different oil capacity—sometimes varying by nearly a full liter.
And here’s the catch: Peugeot often updates engine specs mid-generation.
That’s why guessing isn’t an option.
Peugeot 308 Generations Overview
Before we dive into numbers, let’s identify which 308 you own:
- T7 (2007–2013) – First generation
- T9 (2013–2021) – Second generation
- P5 (2021–present) – Third generation
Each uses different engines, and each engine has its own oil capacity.
Peugeot 308 Oil Capacity by Engine (Petrol Models)
1.2 PureTech 3-Cylinder Petrol
This engine appears in multiple generations.
Oil capacity (with filter):
- 3.25 to 3.5 liters
We recommend always filling slightly below max and topping up after checking the dipstick.
1.6 VTi Petrol
Older naturally aspirated engine.
Oil capacity:
- Around 4.25 liters
These engines benefit from precise oil measurement due to known consumption tendencies.
1.6 THP Turbo Petrol
More powerful, but also more oil-sensitive.
Oil capacity:
- 4.2 to 4.5 liters
Turbo engines depend heavily on oil quality and correct levels. Even half a liter overfill can affect pressure.
Peugeot 308 Oil Capacity by Engine (Diesel Models)
1.6 BlueHDi Diesel
One of the most common diesel variants.
Oil capacity:
- 3.75 to 4.3 liters (varies by year)
Always confirm VIN-specific spec when possible.
2.0 BlueHDi Diesel
Larger diesel, higher output.
Oil capacity:
- Approximately 5.0 liters
This engine requires precise adherence to PSA oil standards.
Peugeot 308 Hybrid Oil Capacity (Plug-In Hybrid)
The third-generation 308 introduced hybrid options.
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Oil capacity:
- Around 4.3 liters
Even though it's electrified, the petrol engine still requires full oil service intervals.
Oil Capacity Chart Summary
| Engine | Oil Capacity (Liters) |
|---|---|
| 1.2 PureTech | 3.25–3.5 L |
| 1.6 VTi | 4.25 L |
| 1.6 THP | 4.2–4.5 L |
| 1.6 BlueHDi | 3.75–4.3 L |
| 2.0 BlueHDi | ~5.0 L |
| 1.6 Hybrid | ~4.3 L |
Always check if the value includes filter replacement—most official specs do.
Oil Capacity With vs Without Filter Change
This is where people slip up.
When you replace:
- Oil only → Slightly less capacity
- Oil + filter → Full capacity
The difference is usually:
- 0.2 to 0.4 liters
Skipping the filter but filling full spec leads to overfill.
Recommended Oil Grades for Peugeot 308
Oil capacity is half the equation. The other half? Correct viscosity.
Most Peugeot 308 engines require:
- 0W-30
- 5W-30
- PSA B71 2290 specification
Diesels often require low SAPS oils for DPF protection.
Never substitute generic oil unless it meets PSA standards.
How to Check Peugeot 308 Oil Level Properly
It’s simple—but timing matters.
- Park on level ground
- Let engine cool for 10–15 minutes
- Pull dipstick, wipe clean
- Reinsert fully
- Check level
If oil sits between min and max, you're safe.
If it's above max? You may need to drain some.
What Happens If You Overfill Oil?
Let’s be blunt.
Too much oil can cause:
- Increased crankshaft resistance
- Foaming
- Oil leaks
- Catalytic converter damage
Modern Peugeot engines are tightly engineered. They don’t tolerate overfill well.
What Happens If You Underfill Oil?
Underfilling leads to:
- Increased wear
- Turbo starvation
- Timing chain/belt stress
- Engine overheating
Especially critical on the 1.2 PureTech wet belt engine.
Peugeot 308 Wet Belt and Oil Sensitivity
The 1.2 PureTech uses a wet timing belt.
That belt runs inside engine oil.
Wrong oil or incorrect oil level can accelerate belt degradation.
This is not optional maintenance. It’s critical.
How Often Should You Change Peugeot 308 Oil?
Peugeot recommends:
- Every 10,000–15,000 miles
- Or annually
But in real-world conditions?
We prefer:
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Shorter intervals protect turbo and wet belt systems.
DIY Oil Change: How Much to Pour First
Here’s our approach:
- Drain oil fully
- Replace filter
- Add 90% of required capacity
- Start engine for 30 seconds
- Turn off, wait 5 minutes
- Top up gradually
Never pour full spec immediately.
Oil Drain Plug Torque (General Reference)
Most Peugeot 308 engines:
- 25–30 Nm torque spec
Always replace crush washer.
Signs Your Peugeot 308 Oil Level Is Wrong
Watch for:
- Oil warning light
- Blue smoke
- Engine ticking
- Rough idle
- Oil smell
The 308 dashboard warning system will alert you—but don’t rely solely on electronics.
Oil Capacity Differences Between Manual and Automatic
Transmission type does not affect engine oil capacity.
However:
- Automatic variants may run slightly hotter
- Frequent checks are wise
Regional Variations (UK, EU, Australia)
Oil capacity generally remains consistent globally.
But oil grade recommendations may change depending on climate.
Colder climates prefer 0W-30.
Warmer climates may allow 5W-30.
Is the Peugeot 308 Oil Capacity Large or Small?
Compared to rivals:
- VW Golf 1.5 TSI → ~4.3 L
- Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost → ~4.1 L
The 308’s capacity is average to slightly lower in small engines.
Smaller oil capacity means:
- Faster oil degradation
- More frequent monitoring needed
Pro Tips Most Owners Don’t Know
- Always check level after overnight rest
- Don’t rely on service centers blindly
- Keep 1 liter spare in boot
- Never mix incompatible oil specs
- If unsure, check VIN-specific data
Final Thoughts on Peugeot 308 Oil Capacity
Oil capacity sounds simple. But in a car like the Peugeot 308, it’s precision engineering.
We’re not just pouring liquid—we’re protecting turbochargers, timing belts, hybrid systems, and emission controls.
A half-liter mistake can mean thousands in repairs.
Treat oil measurement like you’d treat a recipe: exact, patient, deliberate.
Your engine will thank you.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many liters of oil does a Peugeot 308 take?
Most engines take between 3.25 and 5.0 liters depending on engine type.
2. Does Peugeot 308 oil capacity include filter?
Official specs usually include filter replacement.
3. What oil does a Peugeot 308 1.2 PureTech use?
Typically 0W-30 or 5W-30 meeting PSA B71 2290 spec.
4. Can I slightly overfill oil?
No. Even small overfills can cause engine issues.
5. How often should I check oil level?
At least once a month or before long trips.
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