New KIA oil choice quandary....

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KCJeep

KCJeep

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Well after our not so trusty 2004 Chevy Venture flat out died we ended up with of all things a 2012 KIA Sedona. I must say we love it, our first "import" in over 20 years. It has the 3.6 V6 Hyundai Lamda II engine.

Anyway...I'm stuck on the oil choices. I've never had a vehicle that specs 5w20 before but I'm sticking with it for the warranty and I know I'll get used to the idea with time. Never the less I'm looking at 5w20's on the thick side, change comes slow you know.

But here's where I'm stuck. KIA has a 3750 severe service OCI and 7,500 max. We typically do some short tripping usually 1 day a week, technically that's severe service, otherwise mostly some good long driving around the metro area. I can't decide whether to go with a 4k interval on dino like GTX or QSGB, or move up to Mobil 1 5w20 and go the whole 7500.

I most definitely want to protect my warranty, thus the concern and plan for short intervals on dino. Since Mobil warranties the M1 for 10k in print I don't see how KIA could possibly deny me warranty coverage at 7,500 OCI's if I keep records. I plan to use OEM filters and keep good records on all of it. I realize the liklihood of an oil related failure or problem are miniscule, but hey I'm a BITOG'er I can't help but overthink this stuff! Using the M1 would actually save me money at the intervals I'm looking at.

So, suggestions? Any experience with KIA/Hyundia's and M1 or a particular oil? I'm all ears. It has dealer installed QSGB in it now and it does run smooth and quiet on it.
 
My wife and I own/have owned 5 Hyundai/KIA vehicles over the years and use 5W20 Quaker State Synthetic.

Pick it up at Wal-Mart & take it to the dealer. Have them use for the oil change along with their OEM oil filter.

We make a lot of short trips too being retired and change it under the severe mileage recommendation. Cost is not all that great + by having the dealer change it there is a record on their computer in case of any warranty issues.
 
I wouldn't even consider putting Dino in a new car.

I would go for Mobil 1 with a 7500 mile interval.

Short tripping one day a week with the rest longer runs isn't my idea of severe service, five days a week perhaps.

Another thing is that in Europe it is getting more common for severe service use to no longer mean short/half OCI's.

They are sticking with the OCI and stating, severe service use full synth, non severe service you can use semi synth.

They then tend to have another recommendation for those wanting to maximise engine protection, performance and economy.

In my Volvo that would be 5w30 semi, 5w30 full or 0w30 full.

The M1 5w20 oil seems to have a good reputation on bitog.
 
I have a 2011 Kia Optimawith 20000 km on it. I change the oil every 5000 km with synthetic. I put in whatever is on sale.
 
I change every 6 months or 5000 miles on dino mostly. Sometimes use syn if I get a good deal on it. Running O'Reilly 5w20 right now and a factory filter. Put the oil in late July and it still looks like a medium amber on the dipstick.
 
Cheapest 5W20 Full Synthetic available to you can be used for 7500K miles OCI in your vehicle! I say stick to synthetic, juss get whatever you can find on sale!
 
One thing I've learned about the Hyundai/Kia oci, it's a 6 month oci. Whether you run the 3750 severe up to 7500 non severe, it's 6 months max to maintain the warranty. Unless one is getting the 6500-7500 miles (likely closer to the latter) in 6 months, imo synthetic is a waste of money.

Based on the OP's info, stick with dino from one of the majors, QS, PYB, VWB, VNG, Havoline etc. and change it every six months. The lowest everyday priced syn QSUD would be somewhat appropriate at the 6500-7500mi/6month oci, but that's your call. Either 5w20 or 5w30 will work, also your call.

As described in your driving profile though, dino looks to be the cost effective way to go.
 
Originally Posted By: cb450sc
I have a 2011 Kia Optimawith 20000 km on it. I change the oil every 5000 km with synthetic. I put in whatever is on sale.

IMO.....a real waste of good oil (synthetic), time and money.....as well as a filter that is just beginning to filter at maxinum capacity.
 
Thanks for all the input I appreciate it please keep it coming. I have no experience with Korean vehicles and more importantly dealing with KIA/Hyundai and I value your input. Oh I spotted a typo in the first post it's the 3.5 24 valve V6, not a 3.6.

We tend to extreme short trip only one day a week, Sunday back and forth to nearby church. The rest of the week we drive the wheels off our van, the KIA will get 18 to 20k miles a year on it if the last van was any indication, so 7500 miles in under 6 months is not going to be a problem.

I appreciate the 6 months heads up though I read that in the manual but didn't give it much thought.
 
Originally Posted By: sayjac
One thing I've learned about the Hyundai/Kia oci, it's a 6 month oci. Whether you run the 3750 severe up to 7500 non severe, it's 6 months max to maintain the warranty.


I don't know about that particular vehicle, but I'm holding my Hyundai Accent's manual in front of me, and it says "Engine oil and filter: Replace every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 12 months". This is for normal driving.

For the OP: it also says about severe usage: "The following items must be serviced more frequently on cars normally used under severe driving conditions." Once a week doesn't qualify for "normally" to me.
 
I think Kia/Hyundai is tied by marketing with Quaker State products (recommended?). Not that Quaker State would be superior to any other brand, but since it is one of the least expensive full syns that is easily found @ Walmart, my vote would be to go with Quaker State Ultimate Durability. I've also read that Hyundai and Kia products seem to like the OEM filters best.
 
FWIW, my wife uses her remote start, works 3 miles away, and bops around town in winter and I run her Maxx to the OLM on 5W30 conventional. Still have a clean, well running engine and the last UOA was boring.

Given your yearly mileage though, I would probably run a syn changed a couple of times a year. I do that with my mother's car and typically run SOPUS synthetics to 10+K miles.
 
Originally Posted By: SrDriver
+ by having the dealer change it there is a record on their computer in case of any warranty issues.


On the hyundai web site, you can input work done on your cay by yourself. This info comes up when you take it to dealer. I input my own info for self done oil changes etc. I am very detailed about what i include, including part numbers for the filter and plug gasket and even the ratings of the oil. I do keep copies in case they should ask. This also gives you a nice log of what has been done to the car. Nice to have when you want to sell it.
 
Originally Posted By: tarbasd
Originally Posted By: sayjac
One thing I've learned about the Hyundai/Kia oci, it's a 6 month oci. Whether you run the 3750 severe up to 7500 non severe, it's 6 months max to maintain the warranty.


I don't know about that particular vehicle, but I'm holding my Hyundai Accent's manual in front of me, and it says "Engine oil and filter: Replace every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 12 months". This is for normal driving.

Good to see Hyundai has upped the oci for the Accent, but for the Genesis 3.8L and apparently as posted for the OP's Kia, it's 3750-7500 to 6 month max. As I said, if the OP is going to get close to the 7500 in 6 months, then synthetic is viable option. If closer to 5-6k in 6 months, then imo dino is the way to go.
 
I still haven't decided which way to go but the majority here seem to favor the synthetic route, thanks!
 
I've got a 2013 Sonata GLS. I'm doing my own oil changes with OEM filter and Quaker State 5W-20 synthetic that I buy at Wal-Mart for $21/5 qt. jug...about $6 more than a jug of QS conventional oil. It'll cost me about $30 more/yr. using synthetic instead of conventional with 4 oil changes/yr. Call me crazy, but I'm splurging for the synthetic over the conventional oil!
 
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2 Kia's and one Hyundai in the family (including 3.8L Sedona) ...Use PP 5W20 for 6 months or 6500~7500 miles - which ever comes first . All vehicles run great and are driven in a mix of suburban and highway miles .
 
KC, you worry too much. With your knowledge and your concern, you're in the top 1000th of KIA owners (maybe top 10,000th).

Use your favorite conventional oil and send in an oil sample at 5000 miles. Odds are that it'll turn out great and you can run to 7500. Sample at 7500, it'll still be OK, and sleep well. Use syn if you want, but try the conventional oil first. Or use syn oil if you'll sleep better, but your engine will likely do very well on either.

Nothing wrong with 5W-20 oil in an engine listed for that. What really matters is the load per unit area on the bearings and other lubricated spots. If the load isn't excessive for the oil film strength, then that oil will do fine. Consider that a very large diesel engine with over 7000 hp per cylinder uses 30 wt crankcase oil, 'cuz it was designed for that.
 
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