How Many Quarts of Oil Does a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.4 Take?

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe with the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine typically takes about 5.1 quarts (4.8 liters) of engine oil with a filter change, using 5W-20 or 5W-30 oil that meets Hyundai’s specifications. This figure comes from Hyundai’s published specifications and common service data, but owners should always verify with the owner’s manual or dealer by VIN to confirm.

Understanding the Oil Capacity of the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.4

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe was sold with multiple engines, but the base engine in many trims is the 2.4L GDI inline-4. For that engine, the manufacturer-listed oil capacity with a filter change is just over 5 quarts. In practice, technicians and experienced owners usually use 5 quarts and then top off slightly as needed after checking the dipstick, which aligns with the 5.1-quart specification.

Official Capacity and Oil Specifications

Automakers publish oil capacities and oil type requirements in the owner’s manual and service information. For the 2020 Santa Fe 2.4, those specifications are clear and consistent across major service databases and dealer documentation.

Engine Oil Capacity

The following list outlines the typical oil capacity and related details for the 2.4-liter engine in the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, focusing on what matters for a routine oil change.

• Engine: 2.4L inline-4 (GDI) gasoline engine
• Oil capacity with filter change: ~5.1 quarts (approximately 4.8 liters)
• Typical service-fill approach: Add 5 quarts, run engine briefly, then check dipstick and top off as needed
• Oil capacity without filter change: Slightly less than 5.1 quarts (commonly a few tenths less)

Taken together, these figures show that planning for about 5 to 5.5 quarts on hand is sufficient, with the actual fill normally settling right around the 5.1-quart mark once the level is checked on the dipstick.

Recommended Oil Type and Quality

The type and quality of oil are just as important as the quantity. Hyundai specifies modern oils that protect the GDI engine from wear and deposit buildup.

The next list describes the recommended oil viscosity and quality standards for the 2020 Santa Fe 2.4, which are important for proper performance and warranty compliance.

• Viscosity (commonly recommended in North America): SAE 5W-20 or SAE 5W-30 (consult manual for the primary recommendation for your climate)
• Oil quality standard: Must meet or exceed API SN (or newer rating such as SP) and ILSAC GF-5/GF-6 as indicated by Hyundai
• Preferred oils: Full synthetic or synthetic blend are commonly used for better protection, especially in GDI engines
• Climate considerations: 5W-20 or 5W-30 work in a broad range of temperatures common in the U.S. and Canada; colder or hotter regions should still follow the viscosity chart found in the owner’s manual

These recommendations underscore that using the correct weight and certified oil is crucial not just for engine longevity but also for keeping maintenance within Hyundai’s guidelines.

Why the Exact Oil Capacity Matters

Knowing the correct oil capacity does more than simplify an oil change; it helps prevent engine issues caused by overfilling or underfilling, both of which can have serious consequences over time.

Risks of Overfilling and Underfilling

To appreciate why 5.1 quarts is important, it helps to understand what happens when oil levels are substantially off from spec.

The following list breaks down the major risks associated with incorrect oil levels in a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.4 engine.

• Overfilling:
  

  • Can cause the crankshaft to whip the oil into foam, reducing lubrication
  • May increase crankcase pressure and stress seals, leading to oil leaks
  • Can trigger check engine lights or catalyst issues if excess oil is burned

• Underfilling:
  

  • Reduces the oil supply, especially during high-speed or high-load driving
  • Increases engine wear due to inadequate lubrication and cooling
  • Can cause low-oil-pressure warnings and, in severe cases, engine damage

• Marginal errors (a few ounces either way):
  

  • Usually not catastrophic if corrected quickly
  • Should be addressed at the next opportunity by carefully checking and adjusting the level

The overall takeaway is that while the 5.1-quart spec does allow for small practical variations, accurate filling followed by careful dipstick checks is the safest way to protect the engine.

Practical Steps When Changing Oil

For owners changing their own oil, following a consistent routine will help ensure the correct fill level and maintain engine health.

Basic Procedure and Tips

The list below outlines a typical approach for an oil change on a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.4, using the 5.1-quart capacity as a guide.

1. Warm the engine slightly so the oil flows more easily, but avoid working on a very hot engine.
2. Safely raise and support the vehicle, then remove the drain plug and allow the oil to drain completely.
3. Replace the drain plug with a new crush washer if recommended and tighten to the specified torque.
4. Remove and replace the oil filter, lightly oiling the new filter’s gasket before installation.
5. Add approximately 5 quarts of the correct oil through the oil filler cap.
6. Start the engine, let it run for 30–60 seconds, then shut it off and wait a few minutes.
7. Check the dipstick, and top off in small increments until the level is between the “min” and “max” marks, ideally near the upper mark without exceeding it.

Following this process uses the 5.1-quart specification as a starting point while ensuring the final level is set precisely by the dipstick, which is the most reliable check on an individual vehicle.

Verifying for Your Specific Vehicle

While the 5.1-quart figure is the standard specification for the 2.4L engine in the 2020 Santa Fe, small differences in regional documentation, running production changes, or previous service history can make it wise to double-check.

How to Confirm the Correct Capacity

The next list shows practical ways to confirm the correct oil capacity for a specific 2020 Santa Fe 2.4, especially if there is any doubt.

• Owner’s manual: Check the “Specifications” or “Maintenance” section for engine oil capacity with and without filter.
• Under-hood labels: Some vehicles have service information stickers that list oil viscosity and other data.
• Dealer or service department: Provide your VIN and request the factory-specified oil capacity and recommended oil type.
• Trusted service information databases: Reputable repair databases used by shops normally mirror the OEM data, listing ~5.1 quarts for this engine.

Using one or more of these methods ensures that your specific Santa Fe is serviced according to the same standards Hyundai used when the vehicle left the factory.

Summary

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe equipped with the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine takes about 5.1 quarts (4.8 liters) of oil when the filter is changed, with 5W-20 or 5W-30 oil that meets Hyundai’s API/ILSAC specifications. In real-world servicing, owners typically add 5 quarts, run the engine, and then top off slightly to reach the correct level on the dipstick. Confirming this figure through the owner’s manual or a dealer by VIN, and then carefully checking the dipstick after filling, provides the most reliable protection for the engine over the long term.

How much oil does a 2.4 Hyundai Santa Fe take?

5.1 qt

How many quarts of oil does a 2.4 L engine take?

4.5 quarts (with filter).

How much oil does a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.4 L take?

5.1 quarts
5W-20, 5W-30 (All TEMPS) – SAE 5W-20 is preferred. Capacity: 5.1 quarts (with filter).

What kind of oil does a 2.4 Hyundai engine take?

Recommended oil type: 5W-30 full synthetic (ACEA A5 or above for 2.0T engine) Oil capacity: 4.8 quarts (4.5 liters) for 2.4L engine, 4.2 quarts (4.0 liters) for 2.0T engine.