Hyundai Sonata 2.4L basic maintenance: Oil and oil filter, air filter and spark plugs

 It’s time for some basic maintenance on a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. We will change the oil, oil filter, air filter and spark plugs on this 2.4L engine. For an novel twist on the usual oil and filter change, Hyundai has placed a large splash shield under the power train. 

                                                 Oil and filter change

• Tools: 17mm socket and ratchet, 75mm oil filter wrench with 14 flutes, oil catch pan, filling funnel and two car ramps.
• Materials: 4 qts 5W-20, oil filter (Fram PH9688), gloves, rags, bottle for the used oil.
• Cost of Materials: $16.51 (6/15/2015)
• Time: 45 minutes (allowing 30 minutes for draining)
• Interval: Every 6,000 miles under normal driving conditions. Change more frequently with dusty or stop and go city driving.

1) Warm the engine up to operating temperature.

2) Drive the front end up on ramps

3) Set the parking brake and block a back tire.

4) Position the oil catch pan under the engine oil pan

Squeeze and pull down the oil drain cover

5) Remove the drain plug cover to gain access to the drain plug and turn off with a 17mm socket and ratchet. 

6) With a glove on your hand, turn off and remove the drain plug. Have a rag ready to wipe the plug

7) Let the oil drain until it has slowed to a few slow drips.

8) Re-install the drain plug and snug it up. Not too tight, though.

9) Re-position the catch pan under the oil filter. There is a handy cut out for it in the large splash shield. 

10) Using a fluted filter wrench (14 flutes and 75mm in diameter) with a 3/8" square drive, turn the filter off in a counter-clockwise direction.

Turning off the oil filter

11) Drain as much of the used oil out of the filter as possible. I like to set it upside down on a screen placed over the catch pan.

12) Put a bit of clean oil on the rubber ring of the new filter.

13) Turn the filter on by hand. When it makes contact with the engine turn ¾ turn more.

14) Remove the oil filler cap and add 4 quarts of oil.

15) Run the engine a bit and then after 10 minutes check the level with the dipstick. Add oil as needed.

                                                         Air Filter

• Tools: None
• Materials: Air filter, Fram CA10881
• Cost of materials: $12
• Time: 5 minutes
• Interval: Once a year under normal driving conditions.

1) Unsnap the four metal catches on the air filter cover (located to the right of the engine when facing the hood).

2) Lift the cover and slip the old filter up and out of the housing..

3) Remove the filter and discard.

4) Seat the new filter (such as Fram CA108810) in the lower housing. Make sure to follow the direction arrows.

5) Snap the cover back in place.

                                                         Spark plugs

• Tools: 10mm socket and ratchet, 5/8"spark plug socket, 6 inch extension bar and 3/8" ratchet, torque wrench (optional).
• Materials: 4 iridium spark plugs (Denso 3478)
• Cost of materials: $28
• Interval 45,000 miles
• Time: 20-30 minutes

1) Remove the plastic cover that is mounted atop the engine. It pulls right out of four ball headed posts.

2) Unplug a coil pack by pulling out the locking slider and then pulling the plug. 

3) Remove coil packs one at a time with a 10mm socket and ratchet.

4) Use a 5/8" spark plug socket, then a 6 inch extension bar then a 3/8" ratchet to remove the plug.

5) Check the gap on the new plugs. It should be .043” or 1.1mm.

6) Add a bit of anti-seize or motor oil to the threads and torque to 18-20 ft lbs.

7) Reinstall the coil pack and just snug up the 10mm bolt.

8) Repeat steps 2-7 on the other three plugs.

9) Re-mount the plastic cover
10) Test