The 2003 Hyundai Sonata offers a pleasant highway ride and a top notch warranty. To keep your Sonata on the road and in peak condition it helps to know the engine oil capacity, which is 4.8 quarts with the filter.

From costly maintenance fees to high-priced

car insurance

, owning an older,

used vehicle

can get expensive fast. If you own the 2003 Hyundai Sonata, changing the oil at home as opposed to making the trip to your local garage can help cut costs—just be sure to check your owners manual first to make sure you’ve got the correct oil type and amount for your model.

If you can’t find the manual, or just want to know more about the oil capacity on your 2003 Hyundai Sonata, you’ve come to the right place!

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2003 Hyundai engine oil capacity

Let’s get the big question out of the way first: how much engine oil does your 2003 Hyundai Sonata need?

The 2003 Hyundai Sonata has a 2.7-liter, four-cylinder engine that has an oil capacity of 4.8 quarts, or 4.5 liters, with the filter. Be careful not to mistake your engine’s displacement with its oil capacity. Displacement refers to the volume the engine’s cylinders take up—which in the case of the 2003 Sonata is 2.7 liters. Engine displacement and oil capacity are not the same thing and the numbers are not interchangeable.

What kind of oil does a 2003 Hyundai Sonata need?

We know how much oil your Sonata needs, now we need to know what type. You heard that correctly, when it comes to engine oil—every car has a type! While it’s tempting to just buy the cheapest five-quart bottle of oil you see at your local automotive supply store, odds are you’d be wasting both time and money. Instead look for engine oil that has a SAE rated 5W-20 viscosity grade.

What do all of those letters and numbers and words actually mean? Let’s break it down!

The numbers in the grading refer to the oil’s viscosity or thickness level whereas the “W” stands for winter. The number 5 right before the “W” means that this type of oil has a lower viscosity or thickness at 0°F. Finally, the number 20 means that this oil remains relatively thin at a scorching hot 212°F. The SAE in the grading stands for the Society of Automotive Engineers, which is the organization that grades oil viscosity.

So basically, what your Sonata needs is an oil designed to perform well in cold weather conditions. The recommended “Full Synthetic” means that the oil recommended for your Sonata is motor oil enhanced with artificially made chemical components to provide superior engine wear protection. Extended Performance High Mileage means that this oil is designed for cars with a lot of miles on the odometer.

MORE: Which is Better: Synthetic or Conventional oil?

How often to change oil on a 2003 Hyundai Sonata

Now that you know your 2003 Hyundai Sonata’s oil type and capacity: it’s time to

change your oil

! Hyundai recommends changing the oil on your Sonata every 7,500 miles. If you’re not spending that much time behind the wheel then changing your Sonata’s oil every six months might be a better gauge.

7,500 miles is a long distance between oil changes, so it makes sense to check your oil level on a regular basis (either once a month or every other refuel). If you see any of the following signs, chances are your oil needs to be changed:

Your motor oil is black or dark brown in complexion (conversely clean oil has a light brown or amber shade.)

Your motor oil feels coarse or gritty.

Your engine is making unfamiliar noises.

Your vehicle’s performance has changed or seems hindered.

You notice new smells, specifically oil, smoke, or burning.

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The most common Hyundai problems

How to change your oil and oil filter

First you will need to gather your tools and materials. You’ll need a socket wrench, a drain pan, and a filter wrench designed to remove the old oil filter. And, obviously, you will need a

replacement filter

and five quarts of SAE 5W-20 engine oil.

Start by parking your car on level ground and setting the park brake just to be safe. Run the engine and let your Sonata warm up until the needle on the coolant temperature gauge rises just above the lowest mark. Then shut off the engine, pop the hood and follow these steps:

Remove the engine oil filler cap

Get underneath the car and loosen the drain plug by turning it counterclockwise. Be sure the drain pan is in place to catch the old oil and be careful when draining! The old oil is both carcinogenic and it could be hot enough to burn you!

When the oil finishes draining, replace the drain plug with a new washer. Tighten the new washer by turning it clockwise. The preferred tightening torque is 3.5 ~ 4.5 kgf.m

Remove the old oil filter and continue to let the oil drain.

Install the new filter. Be careful not to over-tighten. The preferred tightening torque for the filter on your Sonata is 1.2 ~ 1.6 kgf.m

Refill the engine with your new oil and replace the fill cap.

Turn your car on for about 30 seconds, which will allow the new oil to fill the filter. Keep an eye out for any leaks. Your dashboard’s

oil pressure light

should turn off if everything is OK.

When you discard your oil, don’t dump it out on the ground or put it in your garbage bin. Place your old oil in a sealed container and dispose of it at your local recycling center.