🔧 Sorento - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

You’ll drain the old engine oil, replace the oil filter, and refill with the correct fresh oil. This keeps the turbo engine lubricated and helps prevent sludge, wear, and oil-burning issues over time.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and support your Sorento with jack stands before going underneath.
• ⚠️ Hot oil can burn—let the engine cool 15-30 minutes if it was just driven.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off the turbo/exhaust area; wipe spills immediately to prevent smoke/odor.
• ⚠️ No battery disconnect is required for this service.

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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
• 10mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• Oil filter wrench (cap or band type)
• Drain pan (at least 8-quart)
• Funnel
• Trouble light
• Torque wrench (10-80 ft-lb range)
• Shop rags

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (SAE 5W-30 full synthetic, API SP or SN PLUS) - Qty: 5 quarts
• Engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels with wheel chocks.
• Raise the front with a floor jack and support with jack stands at the proper lift points.
• Warm oil drains faster, but don’t work on hot parts.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the lower splash shield (if equipped)

• Slide the drain pan under the engine area.
• Use a 10mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to remove the splash shield bolts/clips, then lower the panel.

Step 2: Remove the oil filler cap and dipstick

• Open the hood and remove the oil filler cap by hand.
• Pull the dipstick out slightly (this helps the oil drain smoother).

Step 3: Drain the engine oil

• Place the drain pan directly under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use the correct socket with your 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen and remove the drain plug.
• 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 oil drain plug crush washer.

Step 4: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• Thread the drain plug in by hand first (prevents cross-threading).
• Use a torque wrench to tighten the drain plug: Torque to 39 Nm (29 ft-lbs).
• Wipe the area clean with shop rags.

Step 5: Remove the oil filter

• Move the drain pan under the oil filter (it will spill when removed).
• Use an oil filter wrench (cap or band type) to loosen the filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket came off with the filter (a stuck gasket can cause a major leak).

Step 6: Install the new oil filter

• Dip a clean finger in new oil and lightly oil the new filter’s rubber gasket.
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches the engine, then tighten an additional 3/4 turn by hand.
• Hand-tight is correct—don’t crank it down.

Step 7: Reinstall the splash shield (if removed)

• Lift the panel back into place.
• Use the 10mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to reinstall the bolts/clips snugly.

Step 8: Refill with new engine oil

• Insert a funnel into the oil filler neck.
• Pour in 4.5 quarts first (from your 5-quart supply).
• Reinstall the oil filler cap by hand.

Step 9: Start, check for leaks, then set the final oil level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Use a trouble light to look underneath for leaks at the drain plug and filter.
• Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes.
• Check the dipstick, then add oil as needed to reach the full mark. Typical total fill is about 4.8 L (5.1 qt) with filter.

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✅ After Repair

• Recheck underneath for any seepage after a short test drive.
• Reset the service reminder (if your Sorento has it): User Settings > Service Interval > Reset.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter at a recycling center/parts store—do not dump it.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $35-$70 (parts only)

You Save: $55-$90 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.7-1.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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