2018+ Kia Forte Engine Oil & Filter Change DIY

Do you need to change the engine oil and oil filter on your Kia Forte? This guide provides a step-by-step procedure for changing the engine oil and replacing the oil filter on a Kia Forte 2018 to 2022 equipped with a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine.

What you will need

• Kia Forte Oil Filter
• Engine Oil (SAE 5W-20)
• 4.5 L or 4.8  quarts
• Full synthetic
• Grade: use the API and ILSAC rating listed in your owner’s manual; any current API SP or ILSAC GF-6 oil of the right viscosity exceeds the older SL and GF-4 ratings
• Oil Pan
• Mechanic Metric Toolset
• 17mm Wrench
• Oil Filter Plier
• Jack Stand
• Floor Jack

Procedure

1. Open the hood. Then, pull the hood release lever under the dashboard.
2. Search the hood latch on the vehicle’s front and press the tab to the left to unlock it.
3. Raise the hood up and set the hood prop rod to keep it in place.
4. Loosen and take out the oil cap, and pull the engine oil dipstick out.
5. Place the vehicle on wheel chocks or raise the car using jack stands to support it.
6. Remove the bolts and push clips on the engine splash shield. Then pull the splash shield out of the vehicle.
7. Locate the oil drain plug under the vehicle’s engine.
8. Place the oil pan below the oil drain plug. Make sure that the oil pan has enough space to hold the oil.
9. Loosen the oil drain plug using a 17mm wrench. Turn the wrench counterclockwise to loosen the oil drain plug.
10. With your hand, remove the drain plug and let the engine oil flow out of the pan. This may take up to 10 minutes to empty out the engine.
11. Change the crush/copper washer on the oil drain plug.
12. Refixed the oil drain plug and tightened it by turning it clockwise. Tighten the oil drain plug to proper torque specification. See torque specs at the end of the guide. 
13. Wipe the oil drain plug clean.
14. Locate the oil filter at the front of the oil drain pan.
15. Move the oil pan directly under the oil filter.
16. Loosen the oil filter by turning it counterclockwise using an oil filter plier. 
17. Remove the oil filter by hand.
18. Wipe the installation port of the oil filter using an oil-absorbent cloth.
19. Line up the new oil filter and turn it clockwise to tighten. Tighten the oil filter to the correct torque specification. See below. 
20. Use a funnel to prevent the oil from spilling, and then add engine oil into the vehicle. The engine can hold 3.7 to 4.5 Liters.
21. Add 4 liters or quarts first, then remove the dipstick and check the oil level. Add more oil as needed to bring it to the correct level. Since oil may remain inside the engine, you will typically only need up to about 4.3 quarts.

Oil Light or Low Oil? Read This First

• Red oil pressure light while driving: stop and shut off the engine. Check the level before driving further.
• Level below the low mark: add about half a quart at a time and recheck. The gap between dipstick marks is about one quart.
• Using oil between changes: look for leaks at the drain plug and filter, and watch for blue smoke at startup.
• Do not overfill: too much oil can foam and damage seals.

Torque Specifications

• Oil filter: 15 Nm or hand tight
• Oil drain plug: 40 Nm

For more help with your Kia, check these troubleshooting and repair guides.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much oil does a Kia Forte 2.0 take?

About 4.5 liters (4.8 US quarts) with a filter change per this guide. Fill slightly less, run the engine, then check the dipstick and top up.

What oil does a 2018 to 2022 Kia Forte use?

SAE 5W-20 full synthetic per this guide; some years and markets list 0W-20. Confirm on the oil filler cap or in your owner’s manual.

How often should I change the oil in my Kia Forte?

Follow the maintenance schedule in your manual, and change it more often with short trips, towing or dusty driving.

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