🔧 Sonata - Engine Oil and Oil Filter Change

This service drains the old engine oil, replaces the spin-on oil filter, and refills your Sonata with fresh oil. Regular oil changes protect the 2.4L engine’s bearings, timing components, and internal oil passages.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 45-60 minutes

Assumption: Specifications below apply to the stock U.S.-market 2.4L gasoline engine.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on firm, level pavement and keep the transmission in Park.
• Never work beneath a vehicle supported only by a floor jack. Always use jack stands.
• Allow hot exhaust parts to cool before reaching beneath the engine.
• Used engine oil can irritate skin. Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses.
• Do not overtighten the drain plug. The aluminum oil pan can be damaged.
• Battery disconnection is not required.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 17mm six-point socket
• 3/8-inch-drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch-drive torque wrench rated 10-80 ft-lbs
• Adjustable oil filter wrench (specialty)
• 10mm socket
• Flat-blade trim tool
• Oil drain pan rated 8-quart minimum
• Oil funnel with 1-quart minimum capacity
• Floor jack rated 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Mechanic’s creeper
• Shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• SAE 5W-20 full-synthetic engine oil - Qty: 6 U.S. quarts
• Spin-on engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

The approximate refill capacity with a new filter is 5.1 U.S. quarts (4.8 liters). Always use the dipstick to establish the final level.

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Sonata on level pavement, shift into Park, and apply the parking brake.
• Run the engine for three to five minutes, then switch it off. Warm oil drains more easily, but it should not be painfully hot.
• Open the hood and remove the oil filler cap. This allows air to enter while the oil drains.
• Place wheel chocks firmly behind both rear tires.
• Keep the vehicle level while checking the final oil level.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and support the front of the vehicle

• Position the 2-ton floor jack beneath the front-center subframe lifting point and raise the front of your Sonata.
• Place the 2-ton jack stands beneath the reinforced left and right front support points. A jack stand is a fixed support that safely holds the vehicle after lifting.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto both stands, then push lightly on the body to confirm it is stable.
• Use the mechanic’s creeper only after confirming the vehicle is securely supported.

Step 2: Open the lower service area

• Locate the engine-oil service opening in the lower splash shield.
• If access is blocked, use the 10mm socket and 3/8-inch-drive ratchet to remove the nearby shield fasteners.
• Use the flat-blade trim tool to release any plastic retainers without pulling on the shield.
• Place the removed fasteners where they cannot roll away.

Step 3: Drain the old engine oil

• Put on the nitrile gloves and safety glasses.
• Position the 8-quart drain pan beneath the oil-pan drain plug. Offset the pan slightly because the oil initially flows outward.
• Use the 17mm six-point socket and 3/8-inch-drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug counterclockwise.
• Finish removing the plug by hand while pressing it gently against the pan. Pull it away quickly when the threads release.
• Allow the oil to drain until it slows to an occasional drip.
• Keep firm pressure on the plug while unscrewing.

Step 4: Reinstall the drain plug

• Use a shop towel to clean the drain plug and the sealing surface on the oil pan.
• Remove the old crush washer and fit one new oil drain plug crush washer. The crush washer is a soft metal seal designed for one-time use.
• Start the drain plug by hand for several turns. Stop if it does not turn easily, because crossed threads can damage the oil pan.
• Use the 17mm socket and 3/8-inch-drive torque wrench to tighten the plug to 40 Nm (30 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Remove the old oil filter

• Move the 8-quart drain pan beneath the oil filter at the lower front area of the engine.
• Use the adjustable oil filter wrench to loosen the filter counterclockwise. This wrench grips the filter’s metal housing when it is too tight to turn by hand.
• Unscrew the filter by hand and keep it upright as it comes off.
• Confirm the old rubber sealing gasket came off with the filter. A gasket left on the engine can cause a major leak.
• Use a shop towel to wipe the filter mounting surface clean.

Step 6: Install the new oil filter

• Pour a small amount of fresh oil onto a clean shop towel, then lightly coat the new filter’s rubber gasket.
• Thread the new filter clockwise by hand until its gasket contacts the mounting surface.
• Tighten the filter by hand an additional three-quarters of a turn. Do not use the filter wrench to tighten it.
• Write the mileage and date on the filter.

Step 7: Reinstall the lower shield

• Use the 10mm socket and 3/8-inch-drive ratchet to reinstall the lower shield fasteners until snug.
• Use the flat-blade trim tool to guide reusable plastic retainers into position, then press their centers until flush.
• Do not overtighten the small shield fasteners; they thread into light-duty clips.

Step 8: Lower the vehicle

• Use the 2-ton floor jack to raise the front slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove both 2-ton jack stands, then lower your Sonata slowly onto level ground.
• Remove the rear wheel chocks.

Step 9: Add fresh engine oil

• Insert the oil funnel into the oil filler opening.
• Add approximately 4.8 U.S. quarts of SAE 5W-20 oil, saving the remaining oil for final adjustment.
• Remove the funnel and install the oil filler cap securely by hand.
• Use a shop towel to remove the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinstall it fully, and pull it out again.
• Add oil through the oil funnel in small amounts until the dipstick level is near the upper mark. Do not fill above that mark.

Step 10: Run the engine and inspect for leaks

• Start the engine and confirm the red oil-pressure warning lamp turns off within a few seconds.
• Switch the engine off immediately if the warning lamp remains illuminated.
• Let the engine idle for approximately 30 seconds, then switch it off.
• Use the safety glasses and shop towels while checking beneath the engine for leakage around the drain plug and filter.

Step 11: Perform the final oil-level check

• Wait at least five minutes with your Sonata parked on level ground.
• Use a shop towel to wipe and recheck the dipstick.
• If needed, use the oil funnel to add small amounts until the oil reaches the upper dipstick mark.
• Reinstall the dipstick and filler cap completely.

Step 12: Reset the service reminder if displayed

• Switch the ignition on without starting the engine.
• Use the steering-wheel cluster controls to open User Settings > Service Interval.
• Select Reset, then confirm the reset when prompted.
• If no Service Interval option is shown, your Sonata’s cluster does not have an enabled reminder to reset.

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✅ After Repair

• Check beneath your Sonata again after the first drive and look for fresh oil droplets.
• Recheck the dipstick the following morning while the vehicle is on level ground.
• Record the date, mileage, oil viscosity, and filter replacement.
• Place the used oil and filter in sealed containers. Take them to an authorized recycling center or local workshop; never pour oil onto the ground or into a drain.
• For routine service, follow Hyundai’s mileage and time interval, shortening it when the vehicle regularly experiences heavy traffic, dusty roads, short trips, or prolonged idling.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹3,500-₹7,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: ₹2,500-₹5,000 (parts only)

You Save: ₹1,000-₹2,000 by doing it yourself!

Local labor and imported U.S.-spec filter prices vary. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.5-1.0 hour.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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