How to Change Engine Oil and Oil Filter on a 2006-2020 Hyundai Elantra (Engine: Inline 4 2.0L)
Step-by-step DIY oil change guide with tools, oil type/capacity, drain plug torque specs, and safety tips
How to Change Engine Oil and Oil Filter on a 2006-2020 Hyundai Elantra (Engine: Inline 4 2.0L)
Step-by-step DIY oil change guide with tools, oil type/capacity, drain plug torque specs, and safety tips for 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
🔧 Elantra - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change
You’ll drain the old engine oil, replace the oil filter, then refill with fresh oil. This keeps your Elantra’s 2.0L engine lubricated and helps prevent wear and sludge.
Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.8-1.5 hours
⚠️ Safety & Precautions
- ⚠️ Work on level ground and support the car with jack stands before going underneath.
- ⚠️ Engine oil gets very hot—let the engine cool 10–20 minutes to avoid burns.
- ⚠️ Keep the area ventilated; don’t run the engine in an enclosed space.
- ⚠️ Wipe spills immediately; oil on tires/brakes is dangerous.
- ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this job.
🔧 Required Tools
You'll need the following tools for this repair:
- Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
- Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
- Wheel chocks
- Safety glasses
- Nitrile gloves
- Drain pan (at least 6-quart)
- Funnel
- Shop rags
- 10mm socket
- 3/8" ratchet
- Phillips screwdriver
- 17mm socket
- Torque wrench (3/8" drive)
- Oil filter wrench (cup or strap)
🔩 Required Parts
HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:
- Engine oil - SAE 5W-20 (preferred) or SAE 5W-30 (hot climate option) - Qty: 5 quarts
- Oil filter - Qty: 1
- Oil drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1
📋 Before You Begin
- Park your Elantra on level ground, shift to P, and set the parking brake.
- Warm the engine for 2–3 minutes, then shut it off and let it cool 10–20 minutes.
- Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
- Gather oil, filter, and a new crush washer before lifting the car.
🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps in order:
Step 1: Lift and support the front of the car
- Use a floor jack to lift the front at the correct front jacking point.
- Set the car down onto jack stands and gently shake the car to confirm it’s stable.
Step 2: Remove the lower engine splash shield (if equipped)
- Use a 10mm socket with a 3/8" ratchet to remove the small bolts.
- Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove any screws/clips as needed.
- Set the shield and fasteners aside in a small pile so nothing gets lost.
Step 3: Drain the old engine oil
- Slide the drain pan (at least 6-quart) under the oil pan drain plug.
- Use a 17mm socket with a 3/8" ratchet to loosen the drain plug counterclockwise.
- Finish unthreading the plug by hand, then pull it away quickly so oil flows into the pan.
- Push in while unthreading to reduce splashes.
Step 4: Reinstall the drain plug with a new crush washer
- Remove the old washer from the drain plug and install the new oil drain plug crush washer.
- Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
- Use a torque wrench (3/8" drive) with a 17mm socket: Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).
Step 5: Remove the old oil filter
- Move the drain pan under the oil filter area (the filter will spill some oil).
- Use an oil filter wrench (cup or strap) to loosen the filter. An oil filter wrench is a tool that grips the filter so you can turn it.
- Spin the filter off by hand and keep it upright as you remove it.
- Use shop rags to wipe the sealing surface on the engine.
- Make sure the old filter’s rubber gasket isn’t stuck to the engine.
Step 6: Install the new oil filter
- Put a small dab of fresh oil on your finger (from the new oil bottle) and lightly oil the new filter’s rubber gasket.
- Thread the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches the engine.
- Tighten by hand an additional 3/4 turn after contact. Do not use the wrench to fully tighten.
Step 7: Reinstall the splash shield (if removed)
- Reposition the shield under the engine.
- Use a 10mm socket with a 3/8" ratchet and a Phillips screwdriver to reinstall the fasteners snugly.
Step 8: Refill with new engine oil
- Open the hood and remove the oil filler cap.
- Use a funnel and add 4.0 quarts first.
- Reinstall the oil filler cap.
Step 9: Start, check for leaks, then set final oil level
- Start the engine and let it idle for 30–45 seconds.
- Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes for oil to drain back into the pan.
- Check underneath for leaks around the drain plug and oil filter; use safety glasses and a light if needed.
- Check the dipstick and top off as needed to reach the full mark (typically ends up around 4.2 quarts total with filter).
Step 10: Lower the car
- Use the floor jack to lift slightly, remove the jack stands, then lower the car gently.
✅ After Repair
- Recheck the dipstick after a short 5–10 minute drive and top off if needed.
- Look under the car again for any seepage at the drain plug and filter.
- Dispose of used oil and the old filter at a recycling center/parts store that accepts waste oil.
- If your Elantra has a service reminder in the cluster: use the steering-wheel buttons to go to User Settings > Service Interval, then select Reset (wording may vary by cluster).
💰 DIY vs Shop Cost
Shop Cost: ₹2,500-₹6,000 (parts + labor)
DIY Cost: ₹1,800-₹4,000 (parts only)
You Save: ₹700-₹2,000 by doing it yourself!
Shop labor rates vary but typically run ₹800-₹1500/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.8-1.0 hours.
🎯 Ready to get started?
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