Where to Find the Oil Filter on a 2016 Hyundai Accent

The oil filter on a 2016 Hyundai Accent is located on the front side of the engine block, mounted low and facing downward near the oil pan, accessible from underneath the car once the splash shield is removed. Understanding its exact position, how to safely reach it, and what to look out for can save time and prevent damage during maintenance.

Understanding the Engine Layout of the 2016 Hyundai Accent

The 2016 Hyundai Accent sold in most markets is equipped with a 1.6-liter inline-four gasoline engine (engine code typically G4FG). In this engine layout, many service components are compactly placed, and the oil filter is positioned for access from below rather than from above the engine bay.

Orientation of the Engine and Why It Matters

The engine sits transversely (sideways) in the engine bay, driving the front wheels. The side of the engine that faces the radiator is commonly referred to as the “front” of the engine, even though it’s not at the physical front of the car in the traditional longitudinal sense.

On this engine, the oil filter is mounted on the lower front section of the engine block, near the oil pan. This placement makes it more accessible when the car is raised, though it is largely hidden from view when you look from above with the hood open.

Exact Location of the Oil Filter

For owners or DIY mechanics, the practical question is how to physically locate and reach the oil filter on a 2016 Hyundai Accent. The filter’s position is consistent on the 1.6L gasoline engine used across trims such as SE, Value Edition, and Sport.

Position Relative to Other Components

To visualize where the oil filter sits, it helps to think in terms of nearby parts and reference points on the car.

• It is mounted on the front side of the engine block, facing downward.
• It sits just above or slightly offset from the oil pan (the metal sump at the very bottom of the engine).
• It is closer to the radiator side of the engine bay than to the firewall (the rear of the engine compartment).
• It is typically accessed from underneath the vehicle, behind the front bumper, after moving or removing the plastic underbody splash shield.
• From below, you will see the round, spin-on metal canister oil filter screwed into a mounting base on the engine block.

Taken together, these reference points make it easier to locate the filter even if you cannot see it clearly at first glance from beneath the vehicle.

Access From Under the Vehicle

On most 2016 Hyundai Accent models, a plastic splash shield or undertray is installed beneath the engine. This shield helps protect critical components from road debris and water but also partially hides the oil filter from immediate view.

Once the front of the vehicle is safely raised and supported, you’ll typically approach the oil filter from the front center area under the bumper, looking up toward the rear and slightly toward the driver side. After removing the plastic shield (or opening its service panel, depending on trim), the filter becomes visible and reachable by hand or with an oil filter wrench.

Step-by-Step: How to Locate the Oil Filter Safely

Although this article focuses on where the oil filter is, a brief, safety-focused step sequence will help you find and identify it without confusion or damage.

1. Park and secure the car: Park on a level surface, engage the parking brake, and shut off the engine. Let the engine cool down if it has been running so you do not burn yourself on hot parts or oil.
2. Raise the front of the vehicle: Use a properly rated floor jack at the designated front jacking point, then support the vehicle with jack stands placed at the recommended support locations on the pinch welds or subframe.
3. Remove or loosen the splash shield: Locate the plastic underbody cover beneath the engine. Remove the retaining clips or screws (usually Phillips, 10mm bolts, or plastic push clips) to lower the shield, or open any built-in service door if equipped.
4. Locate the oil pan first: Identify the oil pan—this is a metal, somewhat rectangular sump at the bottom of the engine, with a drain plug at its lowest point.
5. Look slightly forward and upward: From the oil pan, look toward the front of the car and up the engine block. You should see a cylindrical, metal, spin-on oil filter screwed into a round mounting base.
6. Confirm it’s the oil filter: The oil filter is usually painted (often blue or white for OEM Hyundai filters) and roughly the size of a large mug. It will be directly connected to the engine block, not to a hose or bracket.
7. Check for clearance: Verify you have enough room to put an oil filter wrench or your hand around the filter. Note the surrounding components—wiring, sensors, and the exhaust—to avoid damaging anything.

By following these steps, you not only locate the oil filter but also establish a safer working environment if you intend to perform a full oil change yourself.

Common Confusions and How to Avoid Them

Because of the tight layout under modern small cars, first-time DIYers can mistake other parts for the oil filter or struggle to find the right component. Clarifying what the oil filter is—and what it is not—helps eliminate these missteps.

Oil Filter vs. Other Similar Components

Several parts near the oil pan and lower engine area can be visually confusing.

• Oil pan and drain plug: The pan is a large metal reservoir, not a removable canister. The drain plug is a single bolt at the bottom, not the filter.
• Transmission components: On an automatic Accent, the transmission case sits to one side; its shape is larger, cast-metal, and does not feature a spin-on filter in this location.
• Engine mounts and brackets: Metal brackets or mounts securing the engine and transmission to the chassis are rigid parts and not service items like the oil filter.
• Oil pressure sensor: You may see a small sensor threaded into the block with a wire attached; this is not the filter and should not be removed during an oil change.

Recognizing these differences prevents accidental loosening of non-service parts and keeps the job focused on the true filter location.

Variations by Market or Previous Repairs

The factory location of the oil filter on a 2016 Hyundai Accent with the standard 1.6L gasoline engine is consistent, but a few variations can influence exactly what you see under your specific car.

Regional Differences and Aftermarket Parts

In most North American, European, and many other markets, the 2016 Accent uses a spin-on metal oil filter in the described position. However, some regional variations or later model years on other Hyundai engines use cartridge-style filters housed in a plastic or metal cap on top of the engine. That is not the case for the typical 2016 Accent 1.6L: its filter is underneath, front side of the block.

If the car has been modified, a previous owner might have installed a different brand of filter that looks slightly different in color or shape, but it will still be in the same threaded mounting location.

Practical Tips for Working Around the Filter Location

Knowing where the filter is also means anticipating what happens when it is removed and how to avoid mess or damage in that area.

Managing Oil Spillage

Because the oil filter is mounted low and faces downward, removing it will release oil that drains straight down. Placing a drain pan directly under the filter area is essential. It’s also common to see oil run over the side of the oil pan or nearby components as the filter is loosened, so a wide drain pan helps catch splash and spread.

Clearance and Tools

Space around the filter is somewhat limited but typically sufficient for a standard band-style filter wrench, cup-style wrench, or even hand removal once it is initially loosened. A low-profile wrench can make the job faster, especially if the filter was overtightened during a previous service.

Summary

The oil filter on a 2016 Hyundai Accent with the 1.6L engine is found on the front side of the engine block, near the bottom, just above the oil pan, and is accessed from underneath the vehicle after moving or removing the plastic splash shield. It is a spin-on canister-style filter that faces downward. By safely lifting the car, removing the underbody cover, identifying the oil pan, and then looking slightly forward and upward, you can clearly see and reach the filter for routine oil changes.