Even for a compact car like the 2018 Hyundai Elantra, keeping up with regular maintenance has huge importance. If you’re taking care of oil changes yourself, you’ll need to know your 2018 Hyundai Elantra engine oil capacity.

One of the easiest ways to help ensure your Elantra stays around for the long haul is to keep on top of routine maintenance items. If you plan to change your engine oil yourself—and save a little money in the process—you’ll need to know your Elantra’s engine oil type and capacity.

Luckily,

Jerry

, the

car insurance

expert, has the answers to both those questions and more. Read on to find out your 2018 Hyundai Elantra’s engine oil capacity—plus more tips on oil changes and finding the best

Hyundai Elantra car insurance cost

for your budget.

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2018 Hyundai Elantra engine oil capacity

The amount of engine oil your 2018 Elantra needs for a full

oil and filter change

will depend on its engine type.

The standard engine type for a 2018 Hyundai Elantra is the Hyundai Nu 2.0L GDI, but some Elantras will have the Gamma 1.6L T-GDI engine. If you’re not sure what kind of engine your Hyundai Elantra has, there are a few places you can check:

Your vehicle identification number (VIN)

Your vehicle purchase or registration documents

Your driver’s side door jamb label

The information on the engine itself

The Nu 2.0 GDI engine has an oil capacity of 4.23 quarts, or 4.0 liters, while the Gamma 1.6 T-GDI engine has an oil capacity of 4.76 quarts or 4.5 liters.

What kind of oil does a 2018 Hyundai Elantra need?

Just as important as having enough engine oil on hand is having the right kind.

The recommended oil type for the 2018 Hyundai Elantra also depends on your engine type. For the Nu 2.0 GDI engine, it’s 5W-20, while for the Gamma 1.6 T-GDI engine, it’s 5W-30.

These numbers tell you about your motor oil’s viscosity or thickness at different temperatures, which affects how well it circulates through your engine. The “5” here would refer to its viscosity at colder temperatures before you’ve started your engine, while the “20” and “30” refer to its viscosity at regular engine operating temperatures.

Regarding brand options, Hyundai recommends opting for Quaker State motor oil as a first choice, but you can also consider other commercial brands. Most importantly, the engine oil has the correct viscosity grade and an API certification seal. It's up to you whether you use synthetic or conventional oil.

You can refer to your owner’s manual for additional engine oil recommendations.

Hyundai’s first choice: For Hyundai’s top recommendation, look for

Quaker State motor oil

with the correct viscosity grade.

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

How often to change oil on a 2018 Hyundai Elantra

Knowing your Hyundai Elantra engine’s oil type and capacity is an important start, but how often will you actually need to change your oil?

If you’re using conventional oil, it’s generally recommended you change the motor oil as part of your

basic car maintenance schedule

every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, or at least every six months if you’re an infrequent driver.

However, you can drive longer distances before needing an oil change when using synthetic oil—typically 7,500 to 10,000 miles.

That said, it will also depend on driving conditions. If you’re frequently in stop-and-go traffic or regularly pushing your Elantra to its performance limits, you might need to change your engine oil sooner than you’d otherwise have to.

With so much room for variation, it’s a good idea to periodically check your engine oil. Car experts often recommend doing so about once a month or whenever you’re refueling at the pump.

When your 2018 Hyundai Elantra is past due for an oil change, here are some signs you might notice:

Your engine oil is dark brown or black (fresh engine oil is lighter in color)

The engine oil is grainy or gritty

There are oil or burning smells coming from the engine

You hear strange engine noises

You notice rougher engine performance

MORE:

How to change your oil and oil filter

Once your 2018 Hyundai Elantra is ready for its next oil change, it’s time to gather some materials. Those will include:

A socket wrench

An oil filter wrench

New engine oil

A new oil filter

A new washer for your drain bolt

A drain pan

Towel(s) for cleanup

Before getting started, it’s also a good idea to have a plan in place to properly dispose of your used engine oil. You can’t just dump it out or throw it away with your regular trash since it’s environmentally hazardous. Instead, you’ll usually have to drop it off at an appropriate recycling center.

Once you’ve figured that out and you have the supplies you need, these are the general steps involved with an oil change:

Let your engine run for a few minutes, then shut it off again. Heating up the engine oil will make it easier to drain.

Open the hood of your car

and remove the oil fill cap.

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

Remove your old oil filter and install the new one.

Replace the oil drain bolt with a new washer.

Refill your engine oil to the proper level, then 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, turn your engine on and check for possible leaks. Once your engine has had a few minutes to cool down, you can check the oil level to make sure it’s still where it should be, topping it off if necessary.

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Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Now you have one less car maintenance item to worry about! Since you’ll have other maintenance items to attend to in the future,

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car insurance

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