What Kind of Oil Does a Hyundai Elantra Take?

As with any Hyundai vehicle, the Hyundai Elantra needs to have routine oil changes to perform at its best on the roads of Minneapolis. Most vehicles in general should have their oil changed every 7,500 to 10,000 miles, and this applies to the Elantra as well. What is the Hyundai Elantra recommended oil type? The service center at Morrie's 394 Hyundai explains the recommended Hyundai Elantra oil types and shows you how to change the oil. This way, you can stay on top of your Hyundai Elantra model’s service and maintenance! 

Recommended Hyundai Elantra Oil Types

So, what kind of oil does a Hyundai Elantra take? There are two types of Hyundai Elantra recommended oil types: conventional and synthetic. Conventional oil is an unrefined crude oil that’s used on most cars, and it will need to be changed every 3,000 – 5,000 miles, but it has a cheaper upfront cost than synthetic oil. 

Synthetic oil costs more upfront, but it’s the preferred Hyundai Elantra oil type. Synthetic oil has been refined and has had additives added to help the oil last longer and work better in high-performance engines than conventional oil. Synthetic oil can also last up to 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 these oils? The short answer is that the 5W-20 or 5W-30 oil is the density your Hyundai Elantra needs in the winters and the summers around Richfield. The density helps the oil sit comfortably between the engine parts. Getting a 0W-15 or a 10W-40 oil would result in the oil being too thin to properly protect the engine parts or too thick to fit between them. 

How to Change the Oil in a Hyundai Elantra

If you’re in a hurry or if you just don’t want to get dirty, you can always schedule service at our service center and have your oil changed. You can even save some extra cash by taking advantage of our service specials. However, if you’re a DIY driver, follow the steps below to 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 from our parts store.
3. Jack your Elantra up with a car jack 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. 
8. When all the oil has drained, replace the plug. 
9. Locate your oil filter underneath your engine, and move the oil basil or tub underneath it.
10. Remove the oil filter with an oil filter wrench. Expect a bit of extra oil to drain out when you remove the filter.
11. 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. 
12. Set the new filter in place, then tighten it first by hand and then with the oil filter wrench. 
13. With your old oil drained and a new filter in place, you can come out from under your Elantra.
14. 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.
15. Replace the cap of your oil well.
16. Check the oil level by using the dipstick. If you’re still low, add another ounce and check the level again. 
17. Once you get a proper oil level reading, you’re good to go!

What kind of oil does your Hyundai Elantra take? You can always find out what kind of oil your Hyundai Elantra takes by looking at your owner’s manual. But, you can also visit our service center to speak with our experts about what kind of Hyundai Elantra oil type you need!

Service Your Hyundai Elantra in St. Louis Park!

For any questions about your Hyundai Elantra recommended oil type, how to change the oil, or anything related to servicing your Hyundai Elantra, contact Morrie's 394 Hyundai. We can have your Hyundai Elantra serviced and ready to go back out on the Minnetonka roads in no time at all!