What Kind of Oil Does a Hyundai Elantra Take?

Changing your Hyundai Elantra oil is an important part of vehicle maintenance. If you don’t change your car oil according to its recommended intervals, your engine may suffer from damaged or seized parts, leading to costly repairs. Most vehicles need an oil change every 7,500 –10,000 miles of driving on Ludington roads, but you can find out the exact intervals in your owner’s manual. As a general disclaimer, always refer to your Hyundai Elantra owner’s manual for official recommendations on service. That’s because recommendations vary slightly depending on model year, trim level, and other factors.

If it’s time for your Hyundai Elantra to have an oil change, you may be wondering what kind of oil a Hyundai Elantra takes. We’ve listed the recommended oil types for the Hyundai Elantra below, along with a step-by-step guide on how to change your oil. In a hurry? Stop by our Betten Hyundai service center, and we’ll change your Elantra model’s oil for you while you wait!

Hyundai Elantra Recommended Oil

When it comes to the Hyundai Elantra oil type, there are two options for Holland drivers: conventional and synthetic. Conventional oil is unrefined crude oil that’s used on most cars, and it will need to be changed every 3,000–5,000 miles. However, it costs less than synthetic oil.

Synthetic oil costs more upfront, but it is the preferred Hyundai Elantra oil type. Synthetic oil has been refined and supplemented with additives to enhance its longevity and performance in high-performance engines, surpassing that of conventional oil. Synthetic oil can last between 7,500 and 10,000 miles before it needs to be changed.

As for the Hyundai Elantra recommended oil type, you can choose either of these grades in conventional or synthetic oil:

• 5W-20
• 5W-30

Why choose these oil types? The short answer is that the 5W-20 or 5W-30 oil is the density your Hyundai Elantra needs in the winter and summer for the oil to sit comfortably between the engine parts. Using a 0W-15 or 10W-40 oil would result in the oil being either too thin to properly protect the engine parts or too thick to fit between them.

How to Change Hyundai Elantra Oil

If you’re in a hurry, or if you just don’t want to get dirty, you can always schedule service at our Muskegon service center and have your oil changed. You can even save some cash by taking advantage of our service specials. However, if you’re a DIY mechanic, follow the steps below to learn how to properly change the oil in your Hyundai Elantra.

1. Buy either the 5W-20 or the 5W-30 in synthetic or conventional oil.
2. 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 Grand Rapids or from the Betten Hyundai parts department.
3. Raise your Elantra up with a carjack or steel ramps.
4. Secure your Elantra with jack stands or wheel blocks.
5. Crawl under the front of your car using a dolly or on your own.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Locate your oil filter underneath your engine and move the oil basil or tub underneath it.
9. Remove the oil filter with an oil filter wrench. Expect a bit of extra oil to drain out when you remove the filter.
10. 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 easy to remove in the future.
11. Set the new filter in place, then tighten it first by hand and then with the oil filter wrench.
12. With your old oil drained and a new filter in place, you can come out from under your Elantra.
13. 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.
14. Replace the cap on your oil well.
15. Check the oil level by using the dipstick. If you’re still low, add another ounce and recheck the level. Once you get a proper oil level reading, you’re good to go!

Have Your Elantra Inspected at Betten Hyundai

Now that you know what kind of oil a Hyundai Elantra takes and how to change the oil in your Hyundai Elantra, browse our other service tips for step-by-step guides for other helpful reads. We’ve got plenty of other tutorials, ranging from how to rotate your tires to how to change your engine air filter. Have questions? Contact us, and our certified service technicians will help you with all your Hyundai Elantra service needs. We look forward to helping you.