What Size Socket Is Needed for a Hyundai Palisade Oil Filter?

The Hyundai Palisade typically uses a 27 mm socket for the oil filter housing cap and a 17 mm socket for the oil drain plug when equipped with the common 3.8L V6 GDI engine. These sizes apply to most model years sold in North America, but it is always wise to confirm with the owner’s manual or the markings on the filter housing before you begin.

Understanding the Hyundai Palisade Oil Filter Setup

The Hyundai Palisade, primarily sold with a 3.8L V6 (Lambda II) gasoline engine in many markets, uses a cartridge-style oil filter housed in a plastic or composite cap mounted on the engine. Unlike traditional spin-on filters, this design requires removing the housing cap with the correct socket, then replacing the internal cartridge and O-ring. Using the right socket size helps avoid rounding, cracking, or over-tightening the cap, which can be costly and dangerous.

Socket Size for the Oil Filter Housing

Most Hyundai Palisade models with the 3.8L V6 share the same oil filter housing design used across various Hyundai/Kia vehicles. The housing has a large hex molded or machined into the cap, designed to be turned with a socket or wrench of a specific size.

Main Socket Size for the Oil Filter Cap

For the current Hyundai Palisade 3.8L V6 (all model years from its introduction through 2024), the oil filter housing cap typically requires a 27 mm socket. This is a standard metric size and is widely available in most socket sets, especially those including larger automotive sockets.

The following list details the primary tool sizes you will likely need for the oil filter itself and related fasteners.

• 27 mm socket: Used on the oil filter housing cap (cartridge filter cover) located on the engine.
• 1/2-inch drive ratchet or breaker bar: Recommended to provide sufficient leverage for the 27 mm socket without slipping.
• Torque wrench (1/2-inch drive): To tighten the filter housing cap to the manufacturer’s specified torque, helping prevent leaks or damage.

Together, these tools allow you to remove and reinstall the oil filter housing safely and correctly, avoiding damage and ensuring a proper seal.

Why 27 mm Matters

The filter housing cap is usually made of plastic or a composite material. Using the exact 27 mm socket rather than an adjustable wrench or an ill-fitting size reduces stress on the cap and helps ensure the hex edges do not round off. This precision is particularly important once the cap has been through multiple heat cycles and oil changes, when materials can become more fragile or tight.

Socket Size for the Oil Drain Plug

Changing the oil filter almost always goes hand in hand with draining the engine oil, and that means removing the drain plug from the oil pan. While the original question focuses on the oil filter, knowing the drain plug size makes the entire job smoother.

Drain Plug Socket Size

On most Hyundai Palisade 3.8L V6 models, the oil drain plug typically takes a 17 mm socket. This has been consistent across many Hyundai/Kia engines in the same family.

The following list gives an overview of the common socket and tool sizes used during a standard oil and filter change on the Palisade.

• 17 mm socket: For the engine oil drain plug at the oil pan.
• 27 mm socket: For the oil filter housing cap on the engine block.
• 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch drive ratchets: Used with the sockets; 1/2-inch drive is preferred for the 27 mm socket.
• Torque wrench: To set proper torque on both the drain plug and filter housing cap, minimizing risk of leaks or stripped threads.

Having both the 17 mm and 27 mm sockets on hand ensures you can complete the oil and filter change without interruption or improvisation that might damage components.

Model Year and Market Variations

While Hyundai’s design has been consistent for the Palisade 3.8L V6 from its debut (2020) through the 2024 model year, there can be variations in specific markets, trims, or in the event of previous owner modifications. That makes verification important, even when you know the typical socket sizes.

Checking Your Specific Vehicle

Hyundai generally maintains part and design consistency within an engine family, but subtle differences can appear over time or by region. For example, diesel variants or hybrid powertrains (if present in certain markets) can use a different filter type and cap design—and therefore a different socket size.

The following list outlines simple steps owners can take to confirm the correct socket size on their particular Palisade.

1. Consult the owner’s manual: Check the maintenance or specifications section for oil filter and drain plug details.
2. Inspect the filter housing cap: Many caps are visibly hex-shaped and can be measured with a caliper or test-fit using a socket set.
3. Ask the dealer or parts counter: Provide your VIN to a Hyundai dealer; they can confirm the correct filter housing and associated tool size.
4. Look up the OEM filter part number: Cross-referencing the OEM filter housing or cartridge part number sometimes reveals tool size information in parts catalogs.

These checks act as a safeguard, particularly if the vehicle has been serviced with aftermarket parts that might differ slightly from the factory design.

Proper Technique and Torque Considerations

Using the correct socket is only part of doing a clean, safe oil change on a Palisade. Equally essential is applying the proper torque and following basic best practices, which prevent leaks, stripped threads, and cracked housings.

General Torque Guidelines (Typical, Always Verify)

Hyundai publishes specific torque values for both the oil filter housing cap and the drain plug. While exact numbers can vary slightly by model year and region, the ranges below are typical for Hyundai/Kia engines with similar hardware. Always verify with a service manual or official documentation for your specific Palisade.

The list below summarizes common torque ranges you will often see in Hyundai technical information.

• Oil filter housing cap: Commonly in the range of roughly 18–25 lb-ft (about 25–34 N·m).
• Oil drain plug: Frequently in the range of about 25–33 lb-ft (around 34–45 N·m).
• Oil pan and housing material: Aluminum pans and plastic/composite housings are more sensitive to over-torque; using a torque wrench is strongly recommended.

Staying within these typical ranges helps ensure a snug seal without deforming gaskets, stretching threads, or cracking the filter cap, all of which can cause leaks or expensive repairs.

Best Practices When Using the 27 mm Socket

Because the filter housing is often plastic or composite and subject to heat and age, technique matters as much as tool size.

The following list offers key best practices for using a 27 mm socket on the Palisade’s oil filter housing cap.

1. Use a six-point (6-point) socket: This grips the hex more securely and reduces the chance of rounding compared with a 12-point socket.
2. Apply steady, even pressure: Avoid jerky, sudden force that can crack the housing.
3. Clean the cap and socket interface: Dirt or oil can cause the socket to slip; wipe the area before loosening.
4. Lubricate the new O-ring: Lightly coat the replacement O-ring with fresh engine oil before reinstalling the cap to ensure a good seal.
5. Hand-start before torquing: Thread the cap by hand first to avoid cross-threading, then finish with the torque wrench.

Following these habits helps extend the life of the filter housing and keeps future oil changes straightforward and trouble-free.

Why Knowing the Correct Socket Size Matters

For do-it-yourself maintenance, proper tools are the difference between a quick, clean oil change and an afternoon of frustration or damage. On the Hyundai Palisade, where the oil filter is a cartridge style housed under a threaded cap, the correct socket size is foundational.

Risks of Using the Wrong Size

Using an incorrect or ill-fitting socket can cause more harm than most owners anticipate, especially on components that are not metal.

The list below highlights common problems that arise when the wrong socket or poor technique is used on the Palisade’s oil filter housing.

• Rounded hex on the housing cap: Makes future removal difficult and sometimes requires replacement of the cap.
• Cracked filter housing cap: Can lead to oil leaks or catastrophic loss of oil pressure if not detected and replaced.
• Over-torqued components: Stripped threads in an aluminum oil pan or damaged plastic housing may require costly repair or replacement.
• Persistent oil leaks: Improper seating or damaged O-rings often result from uneven torque or distorted housings.

These issues often cost far more to fix than the price of a proper 27 mm socket and a torque wrench, making correct tool use a straightforward investment in reliability.

Summary

For the Hyundai Palisade equipped with the widely used 3.8L V6 gasoline engine, the oil filter housing cap typically requires a 27 mm socket, while the engine oil drain plug generally uses a 17 mm socket. These sizes have been consistent across Palisade model years up to at least 2024 in major markets.

Using a 27 mm six-point socket with a torque wrench, following recommended torque values, and confirming specifications with the owner’s manual or a dealer helps ensure a clean, safe oil change. Paying attention to these details protects the plastic/composite filter housing, maintains proper sealing, and prevents costly damage over the life of the vehicle.