Using 5W30 in Hyundai/Kia 4 Cylinder Theta Engines

[knerml]

Considering going from the recommended 5W20 to 5W30 M1 oil. Have both GDI and non-GDI engines.

Any known advantages or disadvantages in doing so?

Thanks.

 

[JustN89]

I think that you would find that most people on here (and elsewhere) who are familiar with these cars and engines would recommend a 5w30 instead of 5W-20.

There's no disadvantage really in switching. Some might point to some MPG loss, but you're talking one-tenth of 1 MPG, if anything.

 

[geekster]

I personally did it on my Optima (2.4) when I owned it. I would run 5w20 in winter and the 5w30 in the spring/summer.

I know in my manual it stated that I could use 5w30 if I wanted, so I did. FWIW I run 5w30 in the Forte's 1.8 Nu engine. It's my wife's commuter and I keep this grade in it year round. It calls for 5w20 normally.

 

[Propflux01]

I run 5w30 in both my Elantra’s. 1.8L and 2.0L. I have no science to back it up, but the engines just seem to “like” it better.

Mobil one synthetic.

 

[trooplewis]

The dealer put 5-30w in my 2017 Sonata when I took it in for it's first oil change here in warm Southern California.
Hyundai dealers use a 50/50 blend of dino and synthetic.

 

[Speak2Mountain]

If its a DI engine, then I'd use 5w30

 

[knerml]

Just put 5W30 in my non-GDI 2011 Sorento.

Valve-train seems quieter on start-up?

 

[Nick1994]

Here’s the UK/Australia owner’s manual specs for my car. In the US it says 5w20-10w30.

I’ll never use a 0w20/5w20 in it. There’s no benefit. I use 5w30 and 10w30 oils.

 

[plf]

Was running 5w-20 full syn for couple of years in my KIA optima, then switched to 5w30 and not sure why engine seems to run quieter. Run 5w30 all year and change every 6,000 miles

 

[anl0109]

No issues in running 5w20, 5w30, 10w30, 0w20, 0w30 grades in the pre-GDI 2.4L engine. I have one of those engines in my 2009 Hyundai Sonata. UOA showed better wear with 30 grade oil but not that huge of an improvement. FWIW, I now run mostly 5w30 but it's mostly because of what I have on the shelf thanks to various sales/clearance stock ups.

 

[Urshurak776]

The Santa Fe gets whatever synthetic or blend I get a good deal on. Either 5w30 or 5W-20. If you are above zero degrees F you can use even a 10w30 according to both my owners manuals. There is a disclaimer that says use 20 weight for best gas mileage. My Kia is a GDI so I use 5w30 pretty much all the time. I use a 20 weight once in a while in the winter. Doubt it’s an issue either way.

 

[BJD78]

Have always used 5w20 in our 09 Sonata from -20 temps to driving I-80 on 100 degree days at 80mph with full AC on, never any issues.

 

[turnbowm]

Fuel dilution in a GDI engine is reason enough to use 5W30 over 5W20.

 

[69Torino]

My 2015 Optima is on 5w30. Switched almost my whole fleet to Valvoline Synthetic 5w30 for simplicity and haven’t looked back. I have nearly 10 gallons stocked. A couple of the cars get Amsoil, but that’s a different story.

So my 2015 Optima and my ‘47 Ford Tractor are on the same oil. And both seem to love it!

 

[zeng]

SC here put in C3 5W40 in 2013 non-GDI Optima.