🔧 Santa Fe - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

You’ll drain the old engine oil, replace the oil filter, then refill with fresh oil. This keeps your engine lubricated, reduces wear, and helps prevent sludge buildup.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.8-1.5 hours

Assumption: Using the common 3.3L V6 setup (spin-on oil filter; drain plug typically 17mm). Oil grade and capacity can vary by label/owner’s manual—verify before filling.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface; set the parking brake.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands—never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Let the engine cool 15-30 minutes; hot oil can burn you.
• ⚠️ Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses; oil can irritate skin/eyes.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off belts and rubber hoses; wipe spills immediately.

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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 (10-quart minimum)
• 17mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• Torque wrench (10-100 ft-lbs range)
• Oil filter wrench (band or cap style)
• Funnel
• Trim clip tool
• Flathead screwdriver
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (full synthetic recommended; commonly 5W-20 or 5W-30) - Qty: 7 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Santa Fe on level ground and apply the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels using wheel chocks.
• Warm the engine for 2-3 minutes (helps oil drain), then shut it off and wait 15-30 minutes.
• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap by hand (helps it drain faster).

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and support the front of the Santa Fe

• Place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Lift the front using a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) at the proper front jacking point.
• Set the vehicle down onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) at the approved support points.
• Shake test it—must feel solid.

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

• Remove plastic clips with a trim clip tool.
• Remove any screws using a flathead screwdriver if needed.
• Set the cover and fasteners aside in a small pile so nothing gets lost.

Step 3: Drain the engine oil

• Position a drain pan (10-quart minimum) under the oil pan drain plug.
• Loosen and remove the drain plug using a 17mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet.
• Let oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 5-10 minutes).
• Clean the drain plug with shop towels.
• Install a new oil drain plug crush washer onto the drain plug.
• Reinstall the drain plug by hand first, then tighten with a torque wrench: Torque to 40 Nm (30 ft-lbs).

Step 4: Remove the oil filter

• Move the drain pan under the oil filter area (it will spill).
• Loosen the oil filter using an oil filter wrench (band or cap style).
• Spin the filter off by hand, keeping the open end up to reduce spills.
• Wipe the filter mounting surface with shop towels.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket came off with the old filter (a stuck gasket can cause a major leak).

Step 5: Install the new oil filter

• Lightly coat the new filter’s rubber gasket with fresh oil using a gloved finger (nitrile gloves).
• Install the new filter by hand until the gasket touches, then tighten an additional 3/4 turn by hand.
• If you choose to torque it, use a torque wrench and the proper filter tool: Torque to 15 Nm (11 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Reinstall the lower engine cover

• Reinstall the cover and fasteners using a trim clip tool and flathead screwdriver.
• Make sure the cover isn’t rubbing on anything.

Step 7: Lower the vehicle and refill with oil

• Raise slightly with the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum), remove jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum), then lower to the ground.
• Insert a funnel into the oil fill opening.
• Add about 6.5 quarts first (so you don’t overfill).
• Reinstall the oil fill cap by hand.

Step 8: Start, check for leaks, then set the level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Turn the engine off and wait 5 minutes.
• Check underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter using safety glasses.
• Check the dipstick, then top off slowly until it reaches the full mark (use the funnel).
• Add small amounts; overfilling is harmful.

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✅ After Repair

• Wipe any spilled oil using shop towels.
• Recheck for drips after a short 5-10 minute drive.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter properly (most parts stores accept them for recycling).
• If your Santa Fe has an oil life reminder, reset it through the cluster menu (varies by cluster; follow the on-screen prompts if available).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90-$160 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $35-$75 (parts only)

You Save: $55-$85 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.8-1.2 hours.

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