🔧 Tucson - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

This repair drains the old engine oil, replaces the oil filter, and refills your Tucson with fresh oil. Clean oil protects the 2.0L engine from wear, helps cooling, and keeps the variable valve timing system working properly.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a flat, stable surface and never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands if lifting the front of your Tucson.
• ⚠️ Engine oil can be hot enough to burn skin. Let the engine cool until warm, not hot.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and nitrile gloves to protect your eyes and skin.
• ⚠️ Do not overtighten the oil drain plug or oil filter. This can damage the oil pan or cause leaks.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

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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 torque wrench
• Oil filter wrench, 65-67mm cap style
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Drain pan, 8-quart minimum
• Funnel
• 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 synthetic or conventional meeting API service rating - Qty: 4.5 quarts
• Spin-on engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Tucson on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels. Wheel chocks are blocks that stop the vehicle from rolling.
• Run the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster than cold oil.
• Open the hood and remove the oil filler cap. This helps the oil drain smoothly.
• If lifting the front, use the floor jack and support your Tucson with jack stands before going underneath.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and Secure the Front

• Use the floor jack, rated 2-ton minimum, at the front center jack point or approved front lifting area.
• Place jack stands, rated 2-ton minimum, under the approved side support points.
• Gently lower your Tucson onto the jack stands and lightly shake the vehicle to confirm it is stable.
• Never work under a jack-only vehicle.

Step 2: Remove the Lower Engine Cover if Equipped

• Use a flat-blade screwdriver to remove any plastic push clips holding the lower cover.
• Use a 17mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet only if your cover has bolts that must be removed.
• Set the cover and fasteners aside in order so they go back in the same places.

Step 3: Position the Drain Pan

• Put the drain pan, 8-quart minimum, under the oil drain plug on the bottom of the engine oil pan.
• The oil pan is the metal pan at the lowest part of the engine that holds the engine oil.
• Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses before loosening the plug.

Step 4: Drain the Engine Oil

• Use a 17mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the oil drain plug counterclockwise.
• Remove the plug by hand once loose, keeping pressure against it until the last thread releases.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to a drip, usually 5-10 minutes.
• Use shop towels to clean the drain plug and the area around the drain hole.
• Keep your hand out of the oil stream.

Step 5: Replace the Drain Plug Washer

• Remove the old crush washer from the oil drain plug by hand or with the flat-blade screwdriver if it is stuck.
• A crush washer is a soft sealing washer that compresses once to prevent leaks.
• Install the new oil drain plug crush washer onto the drain plug.

Step 6: Reinstall the Oil Drain Plug

• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading. Cross-threading means the threads are not lined up and can damage the oil pan.
• Use the 17mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the drain plug.
• Torque to 39 Nm (29 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Remove the Old Oil Filter

• Move the drain pan, 8-quart minimum, under the oil filter area.
• Use the oil filter wrench, 65-67mm cap style, with the 3/8-inch drive ratchet to loosen the oil filter counterclockwise.
• Spin the oil filter off by hand once loose.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket came off with the old filter.
• The gasket is the rubber sealing ring on the top of the oil filter.
• A stuck old gasket causes major leaks.

Step 8: Prepare the New Oil Filter

• Use your gloved finger to spread a thin film of fresh engine oil on the new filter gasket.
• This helps the gasket seal and makes the next oil change easier.
• Do not fill the filter before installation; it mounts at an angle and may spill.

Step 9: Install the New Oil Filter

• Thread the new spin-on engine oil filter onto the engine by hand.
• Turn it clockwise until the gasket first touches the engine mounting surface.
• Tighten it by hand another 3/4 turn.
• If using the oil filter wrench, 65-67mm cap style, tighten gently only.
• Torque to 12 Nm (9 ft-lbs) if using a torque wrench and filter cap tool.

Step 10: Reinstall the Lower Engine Cover

• Use the flat-blade screwdriver to reinstall the plastic push clips.
• If bolts were removed, use the 17mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to snug them down.
• Do not overtighten plastic cover fasteners.

Step 11: Lower the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack, rated 2-ton minimum, to raise your Tucson slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands, rated 2-ton minimum.
• Lower the vehicle slowly to the ground.

Step 12: Add New Engine Oil

• Place the funnel into the engine oil fill opening on top of the engine.
• Add about 4.0 quarts of engine oil, 5W-20 first.
• Wait one minute, then check the dipstick.
• Add oil in small amounts until the level is near the full mark.
• The total refill is typically about 4.5 quarts with filter.
• Reinstall the oil filler cap by hand.

Step 13: Start and Leak Check

• 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 oil can drain back into the pan.
• Use shop towels to wipe the dipstick, reinsert it fully, then check the level again.
• Add oil with the funnel as needed to reach the full mark.

Step 14: Reset the Oil Service Reminder

• Turn the ignition to ON without starting the engine.
• Use the steering wheel buttons to open User Settings > Service Interval if equipped.
• Select Reset, then confirm the reset.
• If your Tucson does not show this menu, the reminder may not be enabled on this trim.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Confirm the dipstick oil level is at the full mark after the engine has been off for 5 minutes.
• ✅ Check under your Tucson again after the first short drive for any oil drips.
• ✅ Dispose of used oil and the old oil filter at a recycling center or auto parts store.
• ✅ Write down the mileage and date of the oil change.
• ✅ Recheck the oil level the next morning while parked on level ground.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $75-$130 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $35-$60 (parts only)

You Save: $40-$70 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?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.