How Many Quarts of Oil Does a 2.4L Hyundai Engine Take?

A typical modern Hyundai 2.4L engine takes about 4.6 to 5.1 quarts (roughly 4.4–4.8 liters) of engine oil with a filter change, depending on the exact model and year. To know the precise amount for your vehicle, you must check the owner’s manual or the under‑hood service label, because Hyundai’s 2.4L engines are not all identical across models and generations.

Why the Exact Oil Capacity Depends on the Model

The question sounds simple, but Hyundai has used several different 2.4‑liter four‑cylinder engines over the past 15+ years in models like the Sonata, Santa Fe, Tucson, and others. Each variant—GDI, MPi, naturally aspirated, or tuned differently—can have a slightly different oil capacity, especially when a new engine generation is introduced or when the oil pan and filter design change.

Typical Oil Capacities for Common 2.4L Hyundai Models

Hyundai’s 2.4L engines tend to cluster around a similar range of oil capacities, but small differences matter when you’re doing an oil change. Below is a breakdown of what owners are likely to see for popular 2.4L Hyundai vehicles, based on manufacturer specifications and service data available up to late 2024.

Hyundai Sonata 2.4L (Multiple Generations)

The Sonata is one of the most common Hyundai models with a 2.4L engine, and its capacity varies slightly by generation and engine type (regular multi‑port injection vs. gasoline direct injection).

• 2011–2014 Sonata 2.4L GDI: Typically about 4.9–5.1 quarts (4.6–4.8 liters) with filter
• 2015–2019 Sonata 2.4L GDI: Commonly listed around 4.8–5.1 quarts with filter
• Older pre‑2010 Sonata 2.4L (MPi engines): Often around 4.3–4.6 quarts with filter

These figures put the Sonata in the upper end of the range for Hyundai’s 2.4L engines, which is why many owners and mechanics round to “about 5 quarts” while still checking the dipstick to fine‑tune the level.

Hyundai Santa Fe 2.4L

The Santa Fe’s 2.4L engine is a common choice in the compact and midsize SUV segment, sharing a lot of technical DNA with other Hyundai 2.4L units but sometimes with slightly different oil pans or calibrations.

• 2010–2012 Santa Fe 2.4L: Typically around 4.6–4.8 quarts with filter
• 2013–2018 Santa Fe Sport 2.4L: Usually in the 4.6–5.0 quarts range with filter
• 2019–2020 Santa Fe 2.4L: Generally close to 4.8–5.1 quarts with filter

While the Santa Fe’s capacity is broadly similar to the Sonata’s, the exact specification for your model year can still differ by a fraction of a quart, reinforcing the need to consult the manual and verify via the dipstick.

Hyundai Tucson 2.4L

The Tucson is another widely sold platform where Hyundai installed its 2.4L engine, especially in North American markets. Its oil capacity is comparable to that of the Santa Fe and Sonata, with minor engineering variations.

• 2010–2015 Tucson 2.4L: Generally about 4.6–4.8 quarts with filter
• 2016–2018 Tucson (areas with 2.4L availability): Typically around 4.8–5.0 quarts with filter

For Tucson owners, assuming “roughly 4.7–5.0 quarts” is usually safe as a starting point, but final verification always comes from filling gradually and checking the dipstick.

How to Find the Exact Capacity for Your 2.4L Hyundai

Because Hyundai used several 2.4L engine variants across different models and years, the most reliable way to know your exact oil capacity is to look at the documentation specific to your vehicle. The following steps help you pinpoint the correct number and avoid over‑ or under‑filling.

• Check the owner’s manual: Look under sections titled “Specifications,” “Lubrication System,” or “Engine Oil.” The manual usually lists the capacity “with filter” and sometimes “without filter.”
• Look under the hood: Some models include a small service data label or sticker that lists recommended oil viscosity and capacity.
• Use the VIN with an online catalog: Enter your VIN on Hyundai’s official service site or a reputable parts database (like an OEM catalog) to get engine‑specific data.
• Call a dealer or trusted shop: Provide your VIN or exact year, model, and engine; they can quickly pull the precise capacity from their service system.
• Check the drain amount: If you’re doing a change yourself, measuring how much oil drains out can give a practical baseline for how much to refill, as long as the level was correct before draining.

Combining official documentation with what you actually see when you drain and refill gives the most accurate picture, especially for vehicles that may have had engine work or non‑standard parts fitted in the past.

Best Practice When Changing Oil on a 2.4L Hyundai

Even when you know the listed capacity, you should never simply pour in that amount and assume the job is done. The health of modern engines—especially direct‑injection designs like many Hyundai 2.4L units—depends on precise oil level and quality.

• Start with a little less than the stated capacity: If the manual says 4.8 quarts, add around 4.5 first.
• Run the engine briefly: Start the engine for 30–60 seconds, then shut it off and wait a couple of minutes to let oil drain back to the pan.
• Check the dipstick: Wipe, reinsert fully, and confirm the oil is between the “L” (low) and “F” (full) marks, ideally closer to full but not over.
• Top up in small increments: Add oil in 0.1–0.2 quart (about 100–200 ml) steps until the level is right.
• Recheck after a short drive: After a few miles, park on level ground, wait several minutes, and ensure the level remains in the safe range.

This process accounts for slight differences in filter size, residual old oil, and small design variations, helping you avoid overfilling, which can cause foaming, leaks, or catalytic converter damage over time.

Why It’s Risky to Overfill or Underfill

It may be tempting to “just pour in 5 quarts and go,” but 2.4L Hyundai engines—like most modern units—work best within a narrow oil level band. Both overfilling and underfilling can cause long‑term damage that’s expensive to repair.

• Overfilling: Too much oil can cause aeration (foaming), increase crankshaft drag, push oil past seals, and contaminate the intake or catalytic converter.
• Underfilling: Not enough oil reduces lubrication, increases operating temperatures, and can lead to premature wear or even bearing failure.
• Direct‑injection sensitivity: Many Hyundai 2.4L GDI engines are already monitored closely for issues like oil consumption and carbon buildup, so correct oil level and quality are especially important.

Maintaining the correct level, checked regularly, is one of the simplest ways to extend the life of a 2.4L Hyundai engine and reduce the risk of major mechanical problems.

What Type and Grade of Oil Do 2.4L Hyundai Engines Use?

While the question focuses on “how many quarts,” the type and viscosity of oil are equally critical. Most late‑model Hyundai 2.4L engines call for synthetic or synthetic‑blend oils that meet specific manufacturer and industry standards.

• Common viscosity: Many 2.4L Hyundai engines specify 5W‑20 or 5W‑30, depending on year, emissions requirements, and regional climate.
• Specification standards: Look for API SP or SN Plus (or newer) and ILSAC GF‑5 / GF‑6, matching what your manual requires.
• Hyundai branding: Hyundai often recommends its own branded synthetic oils, but any oil meeting the same specifications is generally acceptable.
• Oil change intervals: Typical recommendation is around 6,000–7,500 miles (10,000–12,000 km) on synthetic oil under normal conditions, but severe‑service schedules may be shorter.

Using the right viscosity and specification, along with the correct quantity, helps the 2.4L engine maintain fuel economy, power, and long‑term reliability—especially important given the higher stresses in GDI engines.

Key Takeaways: How Many Quarts Does Your 2.4L Hyundai Really Need?

Pulling together the available data, most modern 2.4L Hyundai engines will need somewhere between 4.6 and 5.1 quarts of oil with a filter change. Many owners and shops commonly use “about 5 quarts” as the working figure, then adjust based on the dipstick reading.

• Typical range: Approximately 4.6–5.1 quarts with filter, depending on model and year.
• Sonata, Santa Fe, Tucson 2.4L: Almost always fall within that band, often close to 4.8–5.0 quarts.
• Always verify: Confirm with the owner’s manual or service data for your exact year and model, and fine‑tune via the dipstick.
• Don’t just dump in a fixed amount: Add slightly less than the spec, run the engine briefly, then top up carefully.

If you own a 2.4L Hyundai and don’t have the manual handy, planning on around 5 quarts of the correct‑spec oil is a reasonable starting point, as long as you finish by checking and adjusting the level on the dipstick.

Summary

A 2.4L Hyundai engine typically takes about 4.6 to 5.1 quarts of oil with a filter change, with many models effectively using “around 5 quarts.” However, the precise capacity varies by model and year—Sonata, Santa Fe, and Tucson 2.4L engines all fall in this range but are not identical. The safest approach is to consult your owner’s manual for the exact specification, add slightly less than that amount, run the engine briefly, and then top up slowly until the dipstick reads within the proper range. This combination of manufacturer guidance and hands‑on verification gives you the correct oil level and helps protect the engine over the long term.