🔧 Tucson - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

This job replaces the old engine oil and oil filter so your Tucson’s 2.0L engine stays properly lubricated and protected. You’ll drain the old oil, replace the filter, install a new drain plug gasket, refill with fresh oil, and check for leaks.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 45-75 minutes

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface so the oil level reading is accurate and the vehicle is stable.
• ⚠️ Engine oil can be hot. Let the engine cool 10-20 minutes after warming it.
• ⚠️ Never work under your Tucson supported only by a jack. Use jack stands.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and nitrile gloves to protect your eyes and skin from used oil.
• ⚠️ Used engine oil is hazardous waste. Collect it in a sealed container and recycle it properly.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 17mm socket
• 3/8-inch ratchet
• 3/8-inch torque wrench
• Oil filter wrench cap or band wrench
• Flat-head screwdriver
• Trim clip removal tool
• Drain pan 8-quart minimum
• Funnel
• Floor jack rated 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil 5W-20 full synthetic or synthetic blend - Qty: 4.2 quarts
• Spin-on engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Engine oil drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Tucson on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• 🛞 Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels before lifting the front.
• 🌡️ Warm the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• 🔎 A torque wrench is a tool that tightens bolts to an exact tightness so they are not too loose or too tight.
• 🔎 A crush washer is a soft sealing washer that gets replaced each oil change to prevent leaks.
• 🔎 A trim clip removal tool helps remove plastic splash shield fasteners without breaking them.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Open the Hood and Remove the Oil Fill Cap

• Use your hand to open the hood and secure it with the hood prop rod.
• Use your hand to loosen and remove the engine oil fill cap on top of the engine.
• Use shop towels to wipe around the oil fill opening if dirt is present.
• This helps oil drain smoothly.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Front of the Vehicle

• Use wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Use a floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to lift the front of your Tucson at the front center jacking point.
• Use jack stands rated 2-ton minimum under the front side pinch weld support points.
• Gently lower the vehicle onto the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Push the vehicle lightly by hand to confirm it is stable before going underneath.

Step 3: Remove the Lower Engine Splash Shield Access Area

• Use a flat-head screwdriver or trim clip removal tool to remove the plastic clips or fasteners holding the lower splash shield access panel.
• Set the clips aside in a safe spot so they do not roll away.
• If your Tucson has bolts instead of clips in this area, use the correct socket only after confirming the bolt head size.
• Do not force plastic clips.

Step 4: Position the Drain Pan

• Use an 8-quart minimum drain pan and place it under the engine oil drain plug on the oil pan.
• Position the pan slightly rearward of the plug because oil may flow outward at first.
• Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses before loosening the plug.

Step 5: Remove the Engine Oil Drain Plug

• Use a 17mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to loosen the drain plug counterclockwise.
• Finish removing the plug by hand while keeping light pressure inward, then quickly pull it away.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip.
• Use shop towels to clean the drain plug.
• Remove and discard the old crush washer from the drain plug.

Step 6: Reinstall the Drain Plug with New Washer

• Install the new engine oil drain plug crush washer onto the drain plug by hand.
• Thread the drain plug into the oil pan by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 17mm socket and 3/8-inch torque wrench to tighten the drain plug.
• Torque to 34-44 Nm (25-33 ft-lbs)
• Use shop towels to wipe the area clean so leaks are easy to spot later.

Step 7: Remove the Old Oil Filter

• Move the drain pan under the oil filter area.
• Use an oil filter wrench cap or band wrench to loosen the spin-on oil filter counterclockwise.
• Finish unscrewing the filter by hand.
• Keep the open end upward as you remove it to reduce spills.
• Use shop towels to wipe the oil filter mounting surface on the engine.
• Make sure the old rubber filter gasket came off with the old filter.
• Double gaskets cause big leaks.

Step 8: Prepare and Install the New Oil Filter

• Use your gloved finger to apply a thin film of fresh engine oil to the new oil filter rubber gasket.
• Thread the new spin-on engine oil filter onto the engine by hand.
• Tighten it by hand until the gasket contacts the mounting surface, then tighten another 3/4 turn by hand.
• If using a torque wrench and matching oil filter cap wrench, Torque to 11-13 Nm (8-10 ft-lbs).
• Do not overtighten the filter. It only needs to seal.

Step 9: Reinstall the Splash Shield Access Area

• Use your hands to position the splash shield access panel back in place.
• Use a flat-head screwdriver or trim clip removal tool to reinstall the plastic clips.
• If bolts were removed, reinstall them with the correct socket and snug them gently.

Step 10: Lower the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to lift the front slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands by hand.
• Use the floor jack to slowly lower your Tucson to the ground.

Step 11: Refill the Engine Oil

• Place a funnel into the engine oil fill opening.
• Pour in about 4.0 quarts of 5W-20 engine oil first.
• Remove the funnel and reinstall the oil fill cap by hand.
• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Turn the engine off and wait 5 minutes so the oil drains back into the oil pan.

Step 12: Check and Adjust the Oil Level

• Use shop towels to wipe the dipstick clean.
• Insert the dipstick fully, then pull it out and read the level.
• Add oil through the funnel in small amounts until the level reaches the full mark.
• Total fill is approximately 4.2 quarts with filter.
• Do not overfill. Too much oil can damage the engine.

Step 13: Reset the Service Reminder

• Use the steering wheel buttons with the ignition ON and engine OFF.
• Open the instrument cluster menu and select User Settings > Service Interval.
• Select Reset or set the next service interval if the menu allows it.
• If the service interval menu is disabled, turn it on in the same Service Interval menu.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start the engine and let it idle for 1-2 minutes while watching the oil pressure light. It should turn off quickly.
• ✅ Look under the vehicle for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
• ✅ Shut the engine off, wait 5 minutes, and recheck the dipstick level.
• ✅ Recheck for leaks again after your first short drive.
• ✅ Pour used oil into a sealed container and recycle it with the old filter at an oil recycling location or service shop.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $65-$120 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $35-$65 (parts only)

You Save: $30-$55 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.3-0.6 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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