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Kia Sorento 2.4L I4 Engine Oil Change Guide
How to change the motor oil & replace the filter in a 2nd generation 2010-2015 Kia Sorento with the Theta II 2.4L engine.

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2014 Sorento 2.4L I4
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Twist Off Oil Filler Cap
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Pull Up Oil Dipstick
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the second generation (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 & 2015) Kia Sorento SUV in changing the motor oil and replacing the canister style oil filter on the Theta II 2.4L GDI I4 engine.

Owners of other Hyundai and Kia vehicles equipped with the Theta II 2.4 liter inline four cylinder engine such as the Sonata, Santa Fe, Optima, Rondo, Cadenza, Sportage, Tucson and Forte may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The tools and other items needed to complete this procedure include a floor jack, two jack stands, a 17mm socket, a 3/8" drive ratcheting wrench, an automotive funnel, an oil filter wrench (optional) and either 5 or 6 quarts of new SAE 5W-20 oil depending on the vehicle's model year.

A few compatible replacement canister oil filters with their part numbers are as follows: Purolator PL14459, Mobil 1 M1-104, Bosch 3312, K&N PS-1004, Royal Purple 10-2808, K&N HP-1004, Fram PH9688, Hyundai 26300-35503, Wix # 51334, Mahle OC 707, Pennzoil HPZ-37, Denso 150-1006 and ACDelco PF1127.



 

The oil capacities for the second generation Kia Sorento vary by the model year and engine type. Please check your owner's manual for your vehicle's specifications.

To the best of my knowledge, the capacities by model year for a 2.4L I4 engine oil change with filter replacement are as follows: 2010 (Europe): 4.76 quarts (4.5 liters), 2011-2012: 4.86qts (4.6L) and 2013, 2014 & 2015 with GDI engines: 5.28 U.S. quarts (5.0L).

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Remove Access Covers
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Oil Drain Bolt
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Old Oil Filter Location
The first steps are to warm up the engine for several minutes and then park the SUV on a level surface.

Warming up the engine will help suspend any contaminants within the old oil and also allow it to drain out more quickly.

Then engage the emergency / parking brake and chock the rear wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving.

Raise the front passenger side of the vehicle with the floor jack and securely support it with the two jack stands.

The plastic access covers over the oil drain bolt and the oil filter were missing on this 2014 Sorento. If your SUV has the plastic covers, squeeze together the tabs to release the covers.

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Used Oil Catch Basin
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Loosen 17mm Drain Bolt
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Drain Out Old Oil
Slide under the front passenger side of the engine bay.

There is a cut out section of the plastic under engine cover closer to the rear of the vehicle for the oil drain bolt.

The oil filter access panel is located just in front of the oil drain bolt.

Slide the used oil catch container to just below the oil drain bolt.

I'd recommend wearing gloves for the following steps to prevent the used oil from coming in contact with your skin. Used oil may be carcinogenic (causes cancer).

Loosen the oil drain bolt by turning it counterclockwise with the 17mm socket and ratcheting wrench.

Allow the old oil to drain out for at least a few minutes or until the flow slows to just an occasional drip.

If the oil drain bolt is equipped with a washer, inspect it and replace it with a new one if necessary.

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Tighten 17mm Clockwise
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Slide Catch Container Forward
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Spin Off Old Oil Filter
Wipe the oil drain hole with a clean rag or paper towel and spin in the oil drain bolt by hand in the clockwise direction to prevent it from becoming cross threaded.

Tighten the oil drain bolt by turning it clockwise with the 17mm socket and ratcheting wrench to just past hand tight or about 20 to 25 ft-lbs of torque.

Slide the used oil catch basin forward to just below the old oil filter.

Loosen the old oil filter by turning it in the counterclockwise direction.

If you have trouble loosening the old oil filter, I'd recommend using an oil filter wrench such as the Lisle # 63600, which fits most standard sized canister style oil filters.

Spin off the old filter and allow the oil to drain out for at least a few minutes.



 

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Dip Pinky In New Oil
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Lubricate Rubber O-Ring
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Spin On New Oil Filter
I recommend buying the Mobil 1 M1-104 oil filter since it has excellent reviews on Amazon.

Dip your pinky finger in to some new SAE 5W-20 oil and lightly lubricate the rubber o-ring gasket on the new oil filter.

Lubricating the rubber o-ring on the new oil filter will help it form a better seal, prevent oil leaks and make it easier to remove at the next oil change.

Clean off the filter receptacle with a rag or paper towel and make sure that the rubber o-ring from the old oil filter is not still attached to the engine.

Spin on the new oil filter in the clockwise direction to about 1/4 to 1/2 turn past hand tight.

Try to avoid over tightening the new oil filter to prevent from damaging the rubber o-ring gasket or crushing the filter itself which may lead to oil leaks or reduced filtration.

Double check that both the oil drain bolt and the new oil filter are tight before moving on to the next steps.

If your SUV is equipped with the plastic access covers, pop them back in to place.

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Pour In New SAE 5W-20
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Replace Oil Filler Cap
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Check Dipstick Oil Level

Lower the vehicle from the jack stands using the floor jack.

Insert an automotive funnel in to the oil filler hole.

Only pour in about 3.5 to 4 U.S. quarts of the engine's total capacity for an oil change with filter replacement.

It is far better to have slightly less oil than necessary in an engine than to overfill it. Running an engine that has been overfilled with oil may lead to damaged gaskets, seals or other components which could result in oil leaks.

The total oil capacity for this 2014 Sorento with the Theta II 2.4L GDI I4 engine is 5.28 U.S. quarts or 5.0 liters.

(The other model years are as follows: 2010: 4.76 quarts (4.5 liters), 2011-2012: 4.86qts (4.6L) and 2013, 2014 & 2015 with GDI engines: 5.28 U.S. quarts (5.0L). Please check your owner's manual to verify your vehicle's oil capacity.)

Temporarily replace the oil filler cap by twisting it on in the clockwise direction.

Push down the oil level dipstick.

Start the engine, let it to run for a few minutes, turn off the engine, and then allow the oil to drain back down to the oil pan for at least 5 to 10 minutes.

Pull out the oil dipstick, wipe it clean, re-insert it and pull it out again to check the oil level.

If necessary, slowly pour in more oil and check the dipstick again until the oil level reaches at or just below the "Full" level marked by the upper dimple on the end of the dipstick.

You may not need to pour in the entire oil capacity specification (4.76 qts, 4.86 qts or 5.28 qts) in order to reach the full level on the dipstick depending on how long you allowed the old oil to drain out.

When the oil level is correct, tighten the oil filler cap in the clockwise direction and replace the oil dipstick.

Be sure to record the oil change in your Sorento's vehicle service records.

I'd recommend checking your driveway or garage during the next few days for drops of oil which may indicate a loose oil drain bolt or filter.

For more, check out my other Kia Sorento DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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