The 2015 Kia Optima’s oil capacity is 5.07 quarts or 4.8 liters. This guide will explain everything you need to know about finding the right motor oil.

Written by Matt Terzi

Reviewed by Melanie Reiff

Updated on Jan 31, 2024

Table of Contents

2015 Kia Optima engine oil capacity
How often to change the oil on a 2015 Kia Optima
Saving on car insurance has never been easier!

The 2015 Kia Optima’s oil capacity is 5.07 US quarts or 4.8 liters. Both engines offered with your Optima have the same oil capacity.

The 2015 Kia Optima takes the concept of an affordable sedan and turns it on its head, packing it with upscale features normally reserved for vehicles at a higher price point. Your Kia Optima might be aging gracefully, but it’s important to keep up with regular vehicle maintenance, especially on cars getting longer in the tooth or with higher mileage.

Oil changes are a vital step toward keeping your car running smoothly, and they’re easy and cheap enough that you can do them at home yourself.

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2015 Kia Optima engine oil capacity

The 2015 Kia Optima has two available engines: a 2.4-liter and a turbocharged 2.0-liter, with both being inline fours. Those numbers (2.4-liter and 2.0-liter) refer to engine displacement, and engine displacement refers to the volume of the cylinders in the engine, not motor oil capacity.

Your 2015 Kia Optima has an oil capacity of 5.07 US quarts (4.8 liters). This is true whether you have the 2.4-liter engine or the 2.0-liter turbo engine. But these two engines don’t use the same type of oil.

What kind of oil does a 2015 Kia Optima need?

It isn’t enough to just grab any old motor oil off the shelf at your local auto parts store. You need to make sure you’re using the right type of oil for your engine, too.

It’s highly recommended you use full-synthetic motor oil, which is man-made. Most modern cars need full-synthetic motor oil, including your 2015 Kia Optima.

Next comes the confusing part: the bizarre code of letters and numbers that describe the oil. But don’t worry, we’ll explain this all super easily!

Kia recommends 5W-30 full-synthetic motor oil for the 2.0 liter engine. However, you can use 5W-40 at the expense of missing out on optimal fuel efficiency. Meanwhile, the 2.4-liter engine should use 5W-20 full-synthetic motor oil, but it can also use 5W-30.

So what does all of that mean? The Society of Automotive Engineers, or “SAE”, uses this code to classify oil viscosity (or thickness). The “5” means five degrees Fahrenheit, and the “W” means “winter”. The “20” represents the speed at which the oil moves throughout the engine while the engine is running at 212 degrees.

You don’t really need to know any of that, of course. You just need to know that your 2.4-liter engine should use 5W-20, while the turbo 2.0-liter engine should use 5W-30.

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Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

How often to change the oil on a 2015 Kia Optima

Motor oil gets pretty gross after a while, and needs to be drained and refilled regularly to keep the engine running smoothly. So let’s learn how often to change your Kia Optima’s oil out.

Kia

recommends replacing the motor oil every 5,000 miles, which is the standard recommendation for most cars. Though if you aren’t driving your Optima regularly, make sure you change it every six months regardless, as motor oil becomes less effective when it’s idle.

Some experts claim that full-synthetic oil can last upwards of 10,000 miles, but we advise against it. You should always replace your oil every 5,000 miles, and it’s better to be a little early than a little late.

Here’s how you can check your motor oil to see if it’s time to change it:

Older motor oil typically looks dark brown or black, often with a mucky appearance

The oil will feel coarse or gritty if you rub it between your fingers

If you smell burning oil or other burning smells, it’s a strong indicator the oil is too old

If the engine sounds under the weather or it’s performing poorly, check the oil

MORE:

Kia tune-up cost

How to change your oil and oil filter

Most drivers take their cars to their mechanic or dealership to get

oil changes

. It’s the easier and less-grimey option. But if you have spare time and you aren’t afraid to get your hands dirty, you can save a lot of money by changing the oil yourself.

Changing your oil and oil filter in your 2015 Kia Optima is super easy, and generally safe to do if you’re patient. This is widely considered to be one of the easiest DIY car projects you can complete, and it doesn’t take a lot of effort. Here’s what you’d have to do:

Buy the motor oil and a new oil filter, and make sure you’re getting enough to reach the full oil capacity we mentioned earlier (5.07 quarts)

Get some basic tools together if you don’t already have them. You’ll need a socket wrench, a funnel, a drain pan, some rags, and a filter wrench

Run the engine for about five minutes or so, until it heats up to its normal operating temperature, then shut it down. It’s easier working with warmer oil, but you don’t need it superheated.

Remove the oil fill cap

Set your drain pan under the oil drain bolt, underneath the car

Remove the drain bolt and washer, then wait for the oil to drain into the drain pan. It’s highly recommended you replace the washer each time you do an oil change to prevent possible leaks

Once the oil has finished draining, install the new oil filter, then tighten the drain bolt and the new washer

Refill the motor oil and screw the fill cap back on. Use the dipstick to make sure you’ve filled it enough.

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.

Now let’s run the engine for another five minutes, watching underneath the car as you do to make sure it nothing is leaking. If it isn’t, you’re all set!

A couple of important notes: Your

oil pressure light

might be on, but don’t worry. It should go off automatically, either in a few minutes or after you restart the car again. Also, carefully put your old, dirty motor oil in a sealed container and take it to a recycling center. It needs to be handled with care.

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