🔧 Sonata - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

Changing the engine oil and oil filter on your Sonata keeps the 2.0L engine lubricated and removes contaminants that can cause wear. You’ll drain the old oil, replace the filter, then refill with the correct oil and verify the level.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1.0-1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cool engine to avoid burns from hot oil/exhaust.
• ⚠️ Support the car with jack stands—never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Keep the smart key/fob at least 15 feet away so the car can’t go into READY mode.
• ⚠️ Avoid orange high-voltage cables/components; this job does not require HV disconnect.
• ⚠️ Wipe spills immediately; oil on tires/suspension can be hazardous.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (at least 8-quart)
• 17mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench
• Oil filter wrench
• 10mm socket
• Trim clip removal tool
• Funnel
• Shop rags

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (SAE 0W-20 full synthetic) - Qty: 5 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Turn the car fully OFF (not READY). Keep the key/fob away from the car.
• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap and dipstick (this helps it drain faster).
• Check the oil cap for viscosity if unsure. If your oil cap specifies a different viscosity than 0W-20, use the cap’s spec.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and support the front of the car

• Place wheel chocks, then lift the front using a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) at the front center jacking point.
• Set the car down securely on jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) at the proper front support points.
• Give the car a gentle shake to confirm it’s stable before going underneath.

Step 2: Remove the lower engine cover (if equipped)

• Use a 10mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to remove the bolts.
• Use a trim clip removal tool to remove any plastic push-clips.
• Set the cover and hardware aside in a small pile so nothing gets lost.

Step 3: Drain the engine oil

• Place your drain pan (at least 8-quart) under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 17mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug, then finish removing it by hand.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 5–10 minutes).
• Remove the old crush washer from the drain plug and install the new one.

Step 4: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 3/8" drive torque wrench with a 17mm socket and Torque to 39–49 Nm (29–36 ft-lbs).
• Wipe the area clean with shop rags so leaks are easy to spot later.

Step 5: Remove the oil filter

• Move the drain pan (at least 8-quart) under the oil filter area (it will spill).
• Use an oil filter wrench to loosen the filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket came off with the old filter (a stuck gasket can cause a bad leak).

Step 6: Install the new oil filter

• Put a light film of new oil on the new filter’s rubber gasket using a gloved finger.
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket contacts the base, then tighten.
• If you have a torque-capable setup for the filter, Torque to 12–16 Nm (9–12 ft-lbs); otherwise tighten by hand about 3/4 turn after gasket contact.
• Hand-tight is usually enough.

Step 7: Reinstall the lower engine cover

• Reinstall the cover using the 10mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet.
• Reinstall push-clips using the trim clip removal tool (reverse of removal).

Step 8: Refill with fresh oil

• Insert a funnel into the oil fill hole.
• Add engine oil (SAE 0W-20 full synthetic)—start with about 4.5 quarts.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap and fully insert the dipstick.

Step 9: Run the engine and re-check level

• Start the engine and let it run 30–60 seconds, then shut it off.
• Wait 2–3 minutes, then check the dipstick and top off as needed to reach the FULL mark.
• Look underneath for leaks around the drain plug and oil filter.

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✅ After Repair

• Dispose of used oil and the old filter at a recycling/auto-parts drop-off location.
• Reset the oil/service reminder on the cluster (common path): User Settings > Service Interval > Reset.
• Recheck the oil level the next day (after sitting a few minutes) and top off if needed.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $120-$220 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$90 (parts only)

You Save: $75-$130 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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