What oil should I use in my 2008 Hyundai Accent?

[kindigaustin]

I have a list of questions but first I am about to change my oil and need to know which oil would be best.

- I have a 2008 Hyundai Accent GLS Automatic
- My owners Manual says it recommends Quaker State and under OIL STANDARD: API SJ, SL or ABOVE ILSAC GF-3 or ABOVE also it says SAE 5W-20, 5W-30 AND SAE 10W-30 ABOVE 0 Fahrenheit - (18 Celsius) I HAVE NO IDEA WHICH ONE TO PICK
- I would say I am a Easy driver on my vehicle.
- daily drive are short trips to work (1 mile) or to Walmart (7 miles) I live on a Military base everything is close ha. But every month or so I drive home which is round trip 800 plus miles.
- No problems with my vehicle only has 9,000 miles on it. First car.

Also What kind of oil filter should I get when I change my oil?
Is it worth getting the nitrogen swap in your tires from standard air?
Isn't it cheaper to change your own oil and oil filter?

 

[Zaedock]

1st, WELCOME to the forum! This is a great place with a wealth of knowledge.

2nd, Thank you, for your service!


As far as your Accent goes, many members here who run Hyundai's recommnd the factory filters. That's definitely sound advice.

If it were my car, I would probably run Quaker State conventional in the 5W20 grade. Given your mileage and location, I would probably change the oil once a year.

Nitrogen has never seemed worthwhile to me, so I can't recommend it.

It has been my experience that changing your own oil is much cheaper than having it done. You also have the piece of mind that it is done 100% correctly.

 

[MarkStock]

Since it recommends QS, then QSUD 0w20 if you can get it.

Otherwise PP 0w20 as it's the same thing. If you can't find those or any other 0w20's, then QSUD 5w20.

I would recommend Purolator PureOne oil filter or the Bosch Premium which is a clone.

Nitrogen air is more stable. Less leaks and more temp resistant. But when you have to do top ups, you might not always find it.

There are so many oil deals out there, that which way is cheaper depends.

Some shops do oil changes for less than $20 including a good syn blend oil. I had a local Ford dealer doing an oil change for $5. Impossible to beat.

On the other hand, I buy most of my full syn oil for less than $2 a quart, and filters are $5 or even less with rebate. So a DIY oil change can be $5 to $15.

QSUD at full price is $20 and a good filter is $5. So even at full price, $25 for a DIY oil change with full synthetic and a good filter.

So I don't think it's about cost, but about trust and time.

I personally buy my oil cheap, but don't want to deal with the work and mess. So my trusted mechanic handles the oil change for $15 labor and looks over the underside of the car on his lift at the same time.

 

[MarkStock]

Originally Posted By: Zaedock
If it were my car, I would probably run Quaker State conventional in the 5W20 grade. Given your mileage and location, I would probably change the oil once a year.


Ignore this advice. This would take you to over 10k a year on conventional.

You need to look at your maintenance schedule to know what you can do especially on conventional.

If you want to do annual oil changes with that kind of mileage, then you'll need synthetic oil and most probably a filter like the Bosch Distance Plus.

 

[Barkleymut]

Mark is giving you good advice.

Honestly any brand name conventional can go 5k miles. A good synthetic could go for a year with your driving conditions. And while some oils may be a little better than others, 99% of the time something other than an oil related failure will send your car to the junkyard.

 

[ArtDart]

I recommend Mobil 1 0w30 AFE. I have tried all the approved viscosity choices, but this one runs better in my Accent. If you want an approved viscosity oil, then PP 5w30. Use a Hyundai OEM oil filter, they are awesome filters. Change your oil every 5k mi. These engines only hold 3.5 qts of oil, and run at above average rpm's. Changing your own oil is a piece of cake, and the only way to go. More important is to change out that ATF, early & often, using a SP-3 approved fluid. Avoid nitrogen, it is a scam in my book.

 

[Zaedock]

Originally Posted By: MarkStock
Originally Posted By: Zaedock
If it were my car, I would probably run Quaker State conventional in the 5W20 grade. Given your mileage and location, I would probably change the oil once a year.


Ignore this advice. This would take you to over 10k a year on conventional.

You need to look at your maintenance schedule to know what you can do especially on conventional.

If you want to do annual oil changes with that kind of mileage, then you'll need synthetic oil and most probably a filter like the Bosch Distance Plus.


Oops, thought he wrote 800 miles once a year with regular short trips. After reading thoroughly (been a long day), it seems you go about 11,000 miles a year, which is what my wife does in her car (with warm up idle in winter) and I change the oil twice a year.

 

[kindigaustin]

So when you say approved approved you mean the viscosity that will keep my vehicle in warrenty? So to be safe use PP 5w30 What brand is that exactly? I am a newbi at this so I am learning here, bear with me ha. With the oil filter should I change that every 5k mi as well? What is the ATF and what ia a SP-3 approved fluid I can use?

 

[MarkStock]

PP = Pennzoil Platinum

Follow the Hyundai recommended maintenance intervals to maintain your warranty, both oil and filter.

Then match any oil specs that Hyundai state with what the bottle says.

ATF is automatic transmission fluid. You'll need to read the different ATFs to check whether they are SP-3 approved.

This is all pretty much a case of reading what your owners manual / maintenance schedule outlines, and then following it.

The easy way to follow it is to just take it to a dealer.

The next way is to find a Hyundai specialist independent.

The third way is to either buy the right fluids and parts and supply them to your trusted mechanic or to check with them exactly what they'll be using and make sure they put it on the invoice so you have a record.

THe fourth way is to learn everything yourself and keep records.

 

[kindigaustin]

Alright thanks. Dont you think it would be cheaper to buy and change my own oil and oil filters?

 

[Zaedock]

I save money changing my own oil. No reason you can't.

 

[MarkStock]

Originally Posted By: kindigaustin
Alright thanks. Dont you think it would be cheaper to buy and change my own oil and oil filters?


Depends on what you mean by cheap.

1) Buy and change your own oil.

a) Oil & Filter cost $20 (You go for syn blend at $15 and an oil filter for $5)
b) You want a Hyundai filter so spend time and money to go to the Hyundai dealer or whatever you have to do to get that filter
c) You need ramps or jack stands and an oil pan. Yes it's a one off purchase.
d) You need to do this after you've driven the car for half an hour
e) You need half an hour of time
f) You need to collect the used oil and put the filter into something leak proof. Then take both for recycling. You need to store your dirty oil pan somewhere

2) Get someone else to do it

a) Go to somewhere like Firestone or even a dealer. Choose one that has good reviews. Firestone for eg have a BBB A rating. Head office fix things if they go wrong. I know as they paid for a big repair on something that was technically done wrong but which hadn't caused a problem.

Cost $20 for Kendall syn blend and I think it's a good filter. Many dealers will compete for this business to get you in the door. They'll do a free multi point inspection.

Do it on your way to work or somewhere else and the oil will be hot. You'll be in and out in 15-30 minutes. They'll try to upsell you on stuff, but look at it as a free check over of your car.

You'll even get other fluids checked and topped up. At a dealer, they'll even use the correct fluids! Brake fluid for example goes bad once you open it. A small top up at home will waste an entire bottle.

b) Buy the oil and filter and go to a mechanic of your choice.

Cost $20 for oil and filter and $xx for oil change labor.

So it's not about cheap. It's about convenience and whether you want to have a professional look over your car with the aid of a ramp.

If you know everything about cars eg tire wear, suspension, brakes etc, then by all means do an oil change yourself.

But I think getting it done for $20 at a dealer could be a great bargain. Especially if you want that Hyundai filter and approved oil and a nice maintenance record for the next buyer.