2003 Hyundai Sonatas on the road today have managed an impressive feat in sticking around so long. To keep it that way, you’ll want to stay on top of routine oil changes and know your engine oil capacity.

No matter the age of your vehicle, it’s a given that you’ll want to keep it in good shape to help you get from point A to point B. And if you’re aiming to save money on the costs that come with car ownership, taking care of manageable maintenance items like oil changes is a great way to do so.

But to do it correctly, you’ll need to have some vital information on hand—like what kind of engine oil your 2003 Hyundai Sonata needs and its oil capacity. Luckily, in the interest of saving you some time,

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2003 Hyundai Sonata 2.4L 4-cylinder engine oil capacity

Even within the same model year, some vehicles can come with different engine options, and that’s the case with the 2003 Hyundai Sonata. That means your 2003 Hyundai Sonata’s engine oil capacity will depend on its engine type.

If you’re not sure what kind of engine you have, there are a few places you can check to find out, like your vehicle purchase or registration documents, the label on the inside of your driver’s side door jamb, or information on the engine itself.

If your 2003 Hyundai Sonata has a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine, it has an oil capacity of 4.5 quarts or about 4.3 liters.

What kind of oil does a 2003 Hyundai Sonata need?

For your engine oil to circulate properly, it has to have the correct viscosity or thickness at the proper temperatures. Choosing an engine oil with the wrong viscosity grade could end up causing expensive damage to your Sonata’s engine or other parts.

The recommended oil type for a 2003 Hyundai Sonata is 5W-30 engine oil. The “5” here refers to the engine oil’s viscosity or thickness at colder engine starts, while the “30” refers to its viscosity at normal engine operating temperatures.

Should you use synthetic or conventional oil? Either option will work for your 2003 Hyundai Sonata, but synthetic oil performs more effectively, and you can drive longer distances between oil changes.

Hyundai’s recommendation: Hyundai generally recommends using

Quaker State engine oil

with the correct viscosity grade as a first choice.

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

How often to change oil on a 2003 Hyundai Sonata

Knowing your 2003 Hyundai Sonata’s 4-cylinder engine oil capacity and type is one thing—but how often should you change it? Well, it depends.

If you’re using

conventional oil

or have high annual mileage in stop-and-go traffic, it’s recommended to change your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. If you’re using synthetic oil, that range can extend to 7,500 to 10,000 miles.

However,

if you don't drive very often

, you must change your oil at least every six months to help make sure the engine oil in your vehicle is still clean.

The most accurate way to know when it is time to change your oil is by periodically

checking your engine oil

to keep tabs on how it’s doing. Take a look at the color and texture of your oil every time you stop for gas.

If your 2003 Hyundai Sonata’s engine oil needs to be changed, here are some signs you might notice:

Engine oil has turned dark brown or black (fresh engine oil is light brown)

Engine oil has a grainy or granular texture

Your engine is making strange noises

You notice oil or burning smells coming from the engine

Your engine seems to be running rougher

MORE:

Hyundai resale value

How to change your oil and oil filter

When it’s time to

change the oil

on your Sonata, there are some supplies you’ll want to have on hand. That will include:

Socket wrench

Oil filter wrench

Drain pan

New oil filter

Fresh engine oil

New washer for the drain bolt

Towel(s) for cleanup

Proper container for your used engine oil

Before you get started, you’ll also want to plan what to do with your old engine oil since it’s an environmentally hazardous material. Unfortunately, you can’t pour it down your drain or throw it away with your regular trash, but various recycling centers and certain auto shops or car dealerships will accept it for you.

Once you’ve sorted that out and have the materials you need, you can get started by letting your engine run for just a few minutes—this helps heat up the oil, making it easier to drain. Then, you can proceed:

Remove the oil fill cap under your hood

Underneath your vehicle, remove the drain bolt and washer, letting the engine oil empty into the drain pan

Replace the drain bolt with a new washer once the oil finishes draining, tightening it to 3.5 to 3.5 kgf.m

Replace the old oil filter with your new one, tightening the new oil filter to 1.2 to 1.6 kgf.m

Add new engine oil to the proper fill level, which you can check using your dipstick

Replace the oil fill cap

After changing your oil, it’s a good idea to turn on your car and let your engine run for about 30 seconds before you check the oil level. This will give you a more accurate measurement, and you’ll be able to top it off if necessary.

Finally, you can let your engine run for a few minutes to check for leaks. Once you’ve turned your vehicle off, you can give the engine a few minutes to cool off and check the oil level one last time, topping it off if you need to.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

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