🔧 Sorento - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

This job drains the old engine oil, replaces the oil filter, then refills with fresh oil. Clean oil protects your engine from wear and overheating, and a new filter keeps dirt from circulating through the engine.

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

Assumption: 3.3L V6 uses ~6.9 qt with filter, 5W-30.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Let the engine cool 15-30 minutes; oil can burn you.
• ⚠️ Support the SUV with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off belts/exhaust; wipe spills immediately.
• ⚠️ Wear gloves and safety glasses; hot oil can splash.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required for an oil change.

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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 10-quart capacity)
• Funnel
• 17mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• Torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs range)
• Oil filter wrench (cup or strap type)
• 10mm socket
• Trim clip removal tool
• Shop rags

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (5W-30 full synthetic) - Qty: 7 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 tires.
• Warm the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. This helps the oil drain faster.
• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap (this helps the crankcase vent while draining).
• If you lift the front: raise with a floor jack and support with jack stands at the proper lift points.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Access the drain plug and oil filter

• Slide the drain pan under the engine oil pan area.
• If an under cover/splash shield blocks access, remove it using a 10mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet, plus a trim clip removal tool for plastic clips.
• Keep bolts/clips in one tray.

Step 2: Drain the old engine oil

• Use a 17mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug.
• Finish removing the plug by hand while pushing inward slightly, then pull it away quickly to reduce splashing.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 5-10 minutes).

Step 3: Replace the drain plug crush washer and reinstall the plug

• Remove the old crush washer from the drain plug and install the new oil drain plug crush washer.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first (prevents cross-threading).
• Tighten using a torque wrench and 17mm socket: Torque to 39 Nm (29 ft-lbs).
• Never “gorilla-tight” the drain plug.

Step 4: Remove the old oil filter

• Reposition the drain pan under the oil filter (it will spill when removed).
• Use an oil filter wrench to loosen the filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket comes off with the old filter (a stuck gasket can cause a big leak).
• Wipe the filter mounting surface clean using shop rags.

Step 5: Install the new oil filter

• Put a light film of new oil on the new filter’s rubber gasket (this helps it seal).
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches, then tighten an additional 3/4 turn by hand.
• If you use a torque wrench with the correct adapter, tighten to the filter maker’s spec; otherwise hand-tight is correct for most spin-on filters.

Step 6: Reinstall the under cover (if removed)

• Reinstall the splash shield using a 10mm socket, 3/8" drive ratchet, and any clips with the trim clip removal tool.
• Confirm nothing is hanging down and all fasteners are snug.

Step 7: Refill with new oil

• Place a funnel in the oil fill opening.
• Pour in 6.5 quarts first (from your 7 quarts total), then reinstall the fill cap.
• Start the engine and let it idle 30-45 seconds, then shut it off.
• Wait 3-5 minutes, then check the dipstick and top off as needed to reach the full mark (typical total is about 6.9 quarts with filter).
• Approach “FULL” slowly to avoid overfilling.

Step 8: Check for leaks

• With the engine off, look underneath at the drain plug and around the oil filter.
• If you see a drip at the filter, tighten it slightly by hand only.

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✅ After Repair

• Recheck the oil level on the dipstick after a short 5-10 minute drive and top off if needed.
• Reset the service reminder (if enabled): use steering wheel buttons to go to User Settings > Service Interval > Reset.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter at an oil recycling center/auto parts store that accepts waste oil.
• Write down mileage/date for your next interval.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $45-$85 (parts only)

You Save: $75-$135 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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