🔧 Sonata - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

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

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Work on level ground and set the parking brake.
• 🛑 Let the engine cool 20–30 minutes to avoid burns.
• 🛑 Support the car with jack stands—never rely on a floor jack alone.
• 🛑 Wear gloves and safety glasses; hot oil can splash.
• 🛑 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 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum, pair)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (at least 7-quart)
• Socket wrench
• 17mm socket
• 10mm socket
• Phillips screwdriver
• Trim clip removal tool
• Oil filter wrench (adjustable band type)
• Torque wrench (10–80 ft-lbs range)
• Funnel
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

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

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📋 Before You Begin

• Chock the rear wheels with wheel chocks.
• Warm the engine for 2–3 minutes, then shut it off. This helps oil drain faster.
• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap by hand (this helps the oil drain smoothly).
• Lay cardboard down to catch drips.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Safely raise and support the front of the car

• Use a floor jack to lift the front jack point.
• Place jack stands under the proper support points and lower the car onto them.
• Give the car a gentle push to confirm it’s stable.

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

• Use a 10mm socket to remove the bolts holding the splash shield.
• Remove plastic clips using a trim clip removal tool and/or Phillips screwdriver.
• Set all hardware aside so it doesn’t get lost.

Step 3: Drain the engine oil

• Place the drain pan under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 17mm socket and socket wrench 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 drain plug crush washer.

Step 4: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a torque wrench (10–80 ft-lbs range) with a 17mm socket to tighten the drain plug.
• Torque to 34–40 Nm (25–30 ft-lbs).
• Hand-start threads; never force the plug.

Step 5: Remove the old oil filter

• Move the drain pan under the oil filter area (some oil will spill).
• Use an oil filter wrench (adjustable band type) to loosen the filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Wipe the mounting surface clean using shop towels.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket came off with the filter (a stuck gasket can cause a leak).

Step 6: Install the new oil filter

• Put a light film of fresh oil on the new filter’s rubber gasket (use a drop of new oil on a gloved finger).
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches.
• Tighten 3/4 turn by hand after gasket contact. Do not over-tighten.
• Hand-tight is usually perfect for spin-on filters.

Step 7: Reinstall the lower engine cover

• Reinstall the splash shield using the 10mm socket, Phillips screwdriver, and trim clip removal tool as needed.
• Snug fasteners evenly (do not strip the plastic).

Step 8: Refill with new engine oil

• Lower the car off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Insert a funnel into the oil fill hole.
• Pour in about 4.5 quarts of SAE 5W-20 full synthetic first.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap by hand.
• Add slowly to avoid overfilling.

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

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30–60 seconds.
• Shut it off and look underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
• Wait 5 minutes, then check the dipstick and top off as needed.
• Typical fill (with filter) is about 4.8 quarts (4.6 L); always confirm with the dipstick.

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✅ After Repair

• Recheck the dipstick level after a short 5–10 minute drive and top off if needed.
• Wipe any spilled oil off the engine and splash shield using shop towels.
• If your Sonata has a service reminder: reset it in the cluster menu (common path): User Settings > Service Interval > Reset.
• Pour used oil into a sealed container and take it (and the old filter) to a recycling center or auto parts store for disposal.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $30-$60 (parts only)

You Save: $60-$100 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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🎯 Ready to get started?

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