2012 Hyundai Sonata Engine Oil Capacity
The 2012 Hyundai Sonata has an oil capacity of 4.9 quarts (4.6 liters) with filter.
Written by Kara Vanderbeek
Reviewed by Bellina Gaskey
When the Hyundai Sonata was redesigned in 2012, the vehicle’s style, interior comfort, and safety features underwent major upgrades. Revamped from previous years, the 2012 model became the model to beat. But to keep this midsize sedan performing like new models, you’ll need to know its engine oil capacity.
If you’re wondering how much oil your car needs or how to swap out your old oil, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll go over your 2012 Hyundai Sonata engine oil capacity and the steps to do an essential
car maintenance
task at home. Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
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The first piece of information you’ll need to know about your vehicle’s oil? How much oil your car can hold!
The 2012 Hyundai Sonata has an oil capacity of 4.9 quarts, or 4.6 liters. When filling up your engine, ensure you have the right volume. While it’s easy to confuse your oil capacity with your engine’s displacement, the two are not interchangeable.
Your oil capacity refers to the amount of oil your Sonata will need each time it has an oil change. On the other hand, your engine displacement refers to the 2.4-liter volume your Sonata’s cylinders take up. Before you get started on your oil change, make sure you have the right number.
What kind of oil does a 2012 Hyundai Sonata need?
The next important factor you’ll need to find out about your vehicle is the type of oil it needs. Not all oils are created equal, and some types may be more compatible with your Sonata than others.
When you’re looking for the right oil, keep your eye out for an
SAE 5W-20 engine oil
. That’s what your owner’s manual recommends, and it’s important to follow your manufacturer's direction. What’s so special about this oil type? To find out, you’ll need to know how to read an oil grade. In short, the numbers in a grade refer to how well the oil will perform in cold weather conditions based on the oil’s viscosity, while the “W” stands for winter (AKA those cold conditions).
In this particular oil, the number 5 signifies that the oil will remain relatively viscous at low temperatures (0°F). Likewise, the 20 indicates that the oil will maintain this thinness at the blazing hot operating temperature of 212°F. SAE stands for Society of Automotive Engineers, the entity responsible for coding oils.
Other oils compatible with your vehicle include this
Mobil 1 motor oil
for extended performance or this Valvoline Full Synthetic
for greater engine protection.How often to change oil on a 2012 Hyundai Sonata
Now that you’re equipped with the right amount and type of oil to
complete an oil change
, let’s run through how often you should be swapping out your oil.According to Hyundai, the recommended oil change interval is every 7,500 miles. However, this interval is subject to vary depending on how often your Sonata is being driven and whether you’re using synthetic oil.
If your vehicle isn’t being driven consistently, you can probably adjust your interval to every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Similarly, if you’re using conventional oil, you should be regularly checking your oil for darkened color or gritty texture around the 3,000-mile mark. Such symptoms indicate that it’s time for your oil to be changed.
On the other hand, if you’re using a high-protection synthetic oil, you can probably hold off on swapping out your oil until you almost hit the 10,000-mile mark.
If you’re unsure which interval to go, continue to monitor your vehicle for other signs of dirty oil, including unfamiliar sounds or the smell of smoke coming from your engine.
How to change your oil and oil filter
If you’ve hit that interval and it’s time to change your oil, you can collect the materials you’ll be needing to change it. Make sure you have a socket wrench, a drain pan, and a filter wrench designed to remove the old oil filter on hand. Don’t forget a replacement filter and your five quarts of 5W-20 engine oil!
Start by running your Sonata until it reaches its normal operating temperature. You can then turn off the engine and open the hood to locate the oil reservoir. Remove the oil fill cap, along with the oil drain bolt and washer.
Next, drain the old oil into the drain pan and take out the old oil filter. You can now install your new filter and replace the bolt and washer.
Once those steps have been completed, you can start filling the reservoir with your fresh oil. Once it’s full, be sure to tighten the fill cap!
There you have it! You’ve changed your engine oil. Before hitting the road, run your engine again for a few minutes and watch out for leaks or issues with the new oil. If everything went smoothly, your dashboard’s
oil pressure light
should turn off. The last step: cleanup! Instead of dumping the dirty oil on the ground or into a garbage bin, put the oil in a sealed container and bring it to a recycling center to be properly disposed of.
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