Motor oil comes in a range of viscosities. Choosing the wrong motor oil type could cause your engine to become damaged. Avoid excessive wear by choosing the right oil type for your Hyundai Elantra or Sonata.
What Type of Oil Does a Hyundai Elantra Take?
The specific oil type for your Hyundai Elantra depends on its year of manufacture. For example, the Hyundai Elantra 2013 oil type is 5W-20, but older and newer Elantras take different viscosities. The other common oil type for an Elantra is 5W-30.
Check your owner’s manual or ask a trusted auto parts store representative for the recommended oil weight for your vehicle. You may find the oil weight printed on the lid of your oil reservoir under the hood of your Elantra. You can also use an online vehicle lookup tool to find the recommended type and weight for your specific Hyundai.
What Type of Oil Does a Hyundai Sonata Take?
The Sonata typically uses the same oil weights as the Hyundai Elantra. In most cases, you’ll replace your existing oil with 5W-20 or 5W-30. Newer Hyundai cars use full synthetic oil, but your car may use synthetic blend or conventional oil.
While you’re reviewing the correct type of oil for your Sonata or Elantra, be sure to check how much oil you need. Don’t drain your Hyundai of oil if you don’t have enough to completely fill it back up.
How To Change Oil in a Hyundai?
Changing the oil on your car is far easier than trying to replace a starter for 2011 Hyundai Sonata, but it still takes some specific steps and caution. Here are the tools and parts you need to perform an oil change:
- New motor oil
- New oil filter
- Oil drain pan
- Socket wrench
- Gloves, goggles and other safety gear
- Oil filter strap wrench
- Jack and jack stands
Find a well-lit area to perform your oil change. Park your Hyundai and wait for it to completely cool down before you lift it up safely on jack stands and find the oil drain plug.
Position the oil drain pan under the plug and carefully loosen the plug. The oil could come out at high pressure, so be prepared to adjust the oil pan to catch the draining oil. This step can be very dangerous if you haven’t let the oil cool down, as the liquid can cause severe burns if you attempt to drain it while it’s at operating temperatures.
Wait for the oil to completely drain before replacing the plug. Use a strap wrench to carefully remove the oil filter and replace it with a new one. Don’t overtighten the filter, as you can crack the plastic cover.
Carefully lower your Hyundai and fill the oil reservoir with the recommended amount of motor oil. Check for leaks and ensure the reservoir is filled before you put the cap back on and start up your car.
How To Find Affordable Oil and Oil Filters Online
Replacing your own oil can be a convenient and affordable experience, but your Hyundai deserves high-quality fluids and maintenance components. Shop online to find the best brands and prices on items for your specific year of Hyundai.
Come to Old Saybrook Hyundai and Have Your Elantra Inspected!
We hope that now that you know the answer to “what kind of oil does a Hyundai Elantra take?” and you know how to change the oil in your Hyundai Elantra. If you still have questions, contact us and our certified service technicians will help you with all your Hyundai Elantra service needs.
How To Change Hyundai Elantra Oil
If you would rather someone else change your oil because you’re in a hurry or don’t want to get dirty, you should schedule service at our Old Saybrook service center. We’ll change your oil for you. Don’t forget to check our service specials either, which can save you money. If you would rather change the oil yourself, follow these steps:
- Buy either the 5W-20 or the 5W-30 in synthetic or conventional oil.
- Buy an oil filter. There are many types of oil filters that work with the Hyundai Elantra. We recommend asking an associate for help finding an OEM Hyundai Elantra oil filter. You can get the oil and the filter at any auto parts store in Branford or from the Old Saybrook Hyundai parts department.
- Jack your Elantra up with a car jack or steel ramps.
- Secure your Elantra with jack stands or wheel blocks.
- Crawl under the front of your car using a dolly or on your own.
- Find the oil drain plug on the bottom of your oil pan underneath your engine. You can use your vehicle owner’s manual to find its exact location under your car.
- Place an oil basin or a large tub directly underneath the plug, unscrew the plug and allow the old oil to drain out completely – this may take up to 15 minutes. When all the oil has drained, replace the plug.
- Locate your oil filter underneath your engine and move the oil basil or tub underneath it.
- Remove the oil filter with an oil filter wrench. Expect a bit of extra oil to drain out when you remove the filter.
- Get your new filter and rub a bit of the new car oil around the rubber seal – this is an essential step to ensure your filter is watertight and is easy to remove in the future.
- Set the new filter in place, then tighten it first by hand and then with the oil filter wrench.
- With your old oil drained and a new filter in place, you can come out from under your Elantra.
- Go to your engine and remove the cap to your oil well. Pour in the specified amount of new oil. This should be about 4.2 quarts for the Hyundai Elantra, but you can find the exact amount in your owner’s manual.
- Replace the cap to your oil well.
- Check the oil level by using the dipstick. If you’re still low, add another ounce and check the level again. Once you get a proper oil level reading, you’re good to go!
