According to vehicle manufacturers, your Hyundai Sonata should have its oil changed every 3,000 miles to maintain a clean engine. The oil keeps the moving parts of the engine lubed as well. The oil filter should be changed along with the oil. The filter collects debris in the oil and prevents it from reaching and damaging the engine. Doing your own oil changes is an economic task that most people can do safely with a few common tools.
Place the jack under the front end of the vehicle under the frame. Jack up the car enough to slide the jack stands under each side behind the wheels. Lower the car onto the stands. This will prevent the car from falling on you and prevent injury if the jack fails.
Slide underneath your Sonata and locate the oil pan in the front center area. Place the drain pan under the oil pan and unscrew the plug. Allow all of the old oil to drain into the pan. Wipe off any excess oil and replace the pan plug.
Unscrew the oil filter located on the side of the engine with the oil filter wrench. Place the old filter open side down into the drain pan as well. Wipe off any oil from the filter port and screw in the new oil filter. Use the filter wrench to secure it snugly in place. It should be tight enough that it cannot be loosened by hand.
Slide out from under your vehicle and jack up the car enough to pull the jack stands out from under each side. Release the jack and lower the car back to the ground. Open the driver's side door and pull the hood latch.
Open your hood and locate the "Engine Oil" cap near the front of the engine next to the dipstick. Unscrew the cap and insert the funnel in to the port. This will prevent spilling oil all over your engine. Pour in the new oil then replace the "Engine Oil" cap tightly.
Start your Sonata and check to make sure there are no oil leaks. Turn off the engine. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it off with the rag. Reinsert it and pull it out again and check the oil level on the end. It should reach the "Full" mark. If it does not, add more oil and recheck.
