🔧 Tucson - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

This job drains the old engine oil, replaces the oil filter, and refills your Tucson with fresh oil. Regular oil changes protect the 2.4L engine from wear, sludge, and overheating-related damage.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 45-75 minutes

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground so the vehicle stays stable and the oil level reads correctly.
• ⚠️ Let the engine cool until it is warm, not hot. Hot oil can burn skin.
• ⚠️ Always support your Tucson with jack stands if you raise it. Never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and gloves. Used oil can irritate skin and eyes.
• ⚠️ Do not disconnect the battery for this repair.
• ⚠️ Recycle used oil and the old filter at an approved collection site.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 17mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive extension
• Oil filter wrench 65mm 14-flute cup (specialty)
• Torque wrench 10-80 Nm range
• Drain pan 6-quart minimum
• Funnel with narrow spout
• Floor jack rated 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil 5W-20 full synthetic - Qty: 5 quarts
• Spin-on engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Engine oil drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🚗 Park your Tucson on a flat surface and set the parking brake.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels before lifting the front.
• 🌡️ Run the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• 🛢️ Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap. This helps the oil drain smoothly.
• 🔍 A torque wrench is a tool that tightens bolts to the correct tightness so they are not loose or overtightened.
• 🔍 A crush washer is a soft sealing washer that should be replaced each oil change to prevent leaks.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and Secure the Front

• Use the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to lift the front of your Tucson at the front center jacking point.
• Place jack stands rated 2-ton minimum under the front pinch weld support areas.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands and lightly shake the vehicle to confirm it is stable.
• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Never crawl under a jack-only vehicle.

Step 2: Position the Drain Pan

• Slide the drain pan 6-quart minimum under the engine oil pan drain plug.
• The drain plug is at the bottom of the engine oil pan.
• Use shop towels to wipe dirt away from the drain plug area before loosening it.

Step 3: Drain the Old Engine Oil

• Use the 17mm socket, 3/8-inch drive ratchet, and 3/8-inch drive extension if needed to loosen the oil drain plug.
• Finish removing the plug by hand while keeping pressure inward so oil does not splash early.
• Let the oil drain until it becomes a slow drip. This usually takes 5-10 minutes.
• Inspect the drain plug threads. Replace the old crush washer with the new engine oil drain plug crush washer.
• Keep your hand clear of hot oil.

Step 4: Reinstall the Drain Plug

• Thread the drain plug into the oil pan by hand first. This prevents cross-threading, which means damaging the threads by starting the bolt crooked.
• Use the 17mm socket and torque wrench 10-80 Nm range to tighten the drain plug.
• Torque to 39 Nm (29 ft-lbs).
• Wipe the area clean with shop towels.

Step 5: Remove the Old Oil Filter

• Move the drain pan 6-quart minimum under the oil filter area.
• Use the oil filter wrench 65mm 14-flute cup (specialty) with the 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the spin-on oil filter.
• A spin-on filter is the metal canister-style filter that unscrews from the engine.
• Unscrew the filter by hand once loose and keep it upright to reduce spills.
• Check the engine filter mounting surface and make sure the old rubber gasket came off with the filter.
• Double gaskets cause major oil leaks.

Step 6: Install the New Oil Filter

• Use a gloved finger to spread a thin film of fresh engine oil 5W-20 full synthetic on the new filter gasket.
• Thread the new spin-on engine oil filter onto the engine by hand.
• Tighten it until the gasket touches the mounting surface, then turn it another 3/4 turn by hand.
• If using the torque wrench 10-80 Nm range and oil filter wrench 65mm 14-flute cup (specialty), tighten the filter to Torque to 12 Nm (9 ft-lbs).
• Hand-tight plus snug is enough.

Step 7: Add Fresh Engine Oil

• Lower the vehicle if it is safe to do so, or keep it level before final checking.
• Place the funnel with narrow spout into the engine oil fill opening.
• Pour in about 4.5 quarts of engine oil 5W-20 full synthetic.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap by hand.
• Use shop towels to wipe any spilled oil from the engine cover or fill area.

Step 8: Start the Engine and Check for Leaks

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Use safety glasses and look underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
• Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes so the oil drains back into the oil pan.
• If you see a leak, use the 17mm socket and torque wrench 10-80 Nm range to recheck the drain plug at Torque to 39 Nm (29 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Set the Final Oil Level

• Pull the dipstick, wipe it clean with shop towels, reinstall it fully, then pull it again.
• Add oil through the funnel with narrow spout in small amounts until the level is near the full mark.
• The total refill after oil and filter replacement is about 4.9 quarts, but always finish by dipstick level.
• Reinstall the dipstick and oil fill cap securely by hand.
• Do not overfill the engine.

Step 10: Reset the Service Reminder

• Turn the ignition to ON without starting the engine.
• Use the steering wheel TRIP button to scroll to the service interval screen, if equipped.
• Press and hold the RESET button until the service reminder resets.
• If your display does not show a service interval screen, record the mileage and date manually.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Drive your Tucson for 5-10 minutes, then park on level ground and check for leaks again.
• ✅ Wait 5 minutes after shutting the engine off, then recheck the dipstick level.
• ✅ Top off only if needed using the funnel with narrow spout.
• ✅ Dispose of the used oil and old filter at a proper recycling location.
• ✅ Recheck the underside the next day for any oil drips.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $85-$140 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $35-$65 (parts only)

You Save: $50-$75 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.4-0.7 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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