The South Korean-built Hyundai Elantra has established an excellent reputation. First offered in 1991, the car has consistently proven itself in fuel economy, dependability, safety and predictability. In 2006, the EPA ranked the Elantra second out of the 10 most fuel efficient cars. In 2008, Consumer Reports ranked the Elantra their No. 1 pick of the entire auto market for customer satisfaction, fuel economy and safety. The 2000 Elantra uses 4.3 quarts of standard weight 5W30 oil and a spin-on oil filter located on the driver's side under the alternator. It is difficult to see from the top, so the vehicle must be raised to view the filter.
Raise the front of the car using the floor jack. Place jack stands under the subframe and lower the car so it rests on the stands. Place the drain pan under the oil filter housing located on the driver's side, under and just to the outside of the alternator.
Remove the oil filter with the oil filter wrench by turning it counterclockwise. Make sure that the rubber gasket did not stick to the housing. If the gasket stuck to the housing, remove the old gasket from the housing.
Place a small amount of oil on the rubber gasket on the top of the new filter and thread the filter clockwise on the housing. Tighten it by hand,3/4-turn after initial resistance. Move the drain pan under the drain plug on the oil pan. Remove the drain plug with a wrench and allow the oil to drain for 10 minutes.
Replace the oil drain plug by threading it on clockwise by hand. Tighten it with a wrench the rest of the way, but only until it is snug. The pan is thin and there are only two or three threads. Overtightening it will strip the threads out of the pan.
Pull the drain pan out from under the car and lower the car. Remove the oil filler cap and fill the engine with 4.3 quarts of oil. Replace the cap. Record the mileage at which the oil was changed and add 3,000 miles for the next oil change.
