Engine Oil

[leonjay]

Is synthetic oil the recommended oil for the 2012 3.8 6 cylinder? My driving distance is about 800 miles per month so what is the recommended interval for changing oil??

Any comments or suggestions?

 

[bobshine]

You will get a lot of opinions to the question of oil change interval. In previous cars I have held to the 3,000 mile interval, but I'm thinking about going to 4,000 with the Genny. I think the Factory suggested change interval is too high. I plan to use synthetic Oil.

 

[Mark_888]

Recommended by whom? Hyundai does not specify that synthetic oil must be used, but I personally recommend it.

One of the reasons why some automakers are slow to specify synthetic oil is that it raises the cost of scheduled maintenance, and this is competitive marketing issue that every car salesman knows about, and will pounce on if their competition requires synthetic oil. That may be changing, since Toyota is now specifying synthetic for most of its new cars, but Hyundai typically sells to less affluent customers and they probably like being able to say that their cars cost less to maintain.

A good quality synthetic oil can usually go the full oil change interval as specified in the owner’s manual that is required for the drive train warranty to remain in effect, but it certanly does not hurst to change more frequently, and doesn't cost much if you change the oil yourself.

My favorite synthetic oil for the Genesis is Mobil 1 0W-30 AFE (Advanced Fuel Economy). There is also a 0W-20 version for those in colder climates. A 5-Quart jug costs about $26 at Walmart.

 

[homeofstone]

I have used synthetic oil since 1990 and never had an engine fail or use oil and I keep cars to over 200,000 miles. I have used Valvoline Synthetic the past 10 years. Mobil 1 is very good also. Oil and filter changed every 5000 miles. I prefer the valvoline because it has a small amount of zinc in it which may reduce wear at startup. I use 5w30 in all my vehicles.

 

[TJPark01]

Is synthetic oil the recommended oil for the 2012 3.8 6 cylinder?

Not by the manufacturer

My driving distance is about 800 miles per month so what is the recommended interval for changing oil??

7500 miles or 1 year which ever comes first

Any comments or suggestions?

The benefits of synthetic oil takes a long time to see and impossible to measure. Not worth it if you plan on ditching before 100k miles.

 

[Rodraid]

Not by the manufacturer


7500 miles or 1 year which ever comes first


The benefits of synthetic oil takes a long time to see and impossible to measure. Not worth it if you plan on ditching before 100k miles.

My manual, 2011 3.8, has 7500 miles or 6 months. Severe usage it drops to 3,000 miles or 3 months.

I used Pennzoil Platinum in my 2003 Sonata and this is the first oil change where I have used a synthetic and it has 180,000 miles and runs like new.

That being said I am using Pennzoil Ultra in my Genesis and plan on keeping it for 200,000 + miles. I am changing the oil at 5,000 miles.

Look for sales at you can find synthetic at good prices.

Rod

 

[TJPark01]

My manual, 2011 3.8, has 7500 miles or 6 months. Severe usage it drops to 3,000 miles or 3 months.

what country are you in?

 

[Rodraid]

what country are you in?

U.S.A.

Rod

 

[Rodraid]

[

 

[Rodraid]

what country are you in?

Sorry.

I just read it again and you are correct. 7,500 miles or 12 months.

RO

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[TJPark01]

[

You're not reading the chart correctly:
NORMAL SERVICE:
ENGINE OIL AND FILTER : Replace every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 12 months

MAINTENANCE UNDER SEVERE USAGE CONDITIONS :
EVERY 3,750 MILES (6,000 KM) OR 6 MONTHS

 

[Admckillip]

I am a new owner and I will be making the switch to synthetic. My previous car ran synthetic from day 1. Because of this I don't know the best process for converting. Does anyone have any advice. Sounds like many of you have made the switch. Can I go cold turkey and just change to a 5w20 synthetic or is there a 'phase-in' of sorts that I need to do?

 

[LA Genesis]

My dealer is giving me free oil changes for 5 years or 50,000 miles for my 3.8. The Genesis maintenance log that came with the car recommends changing at 3,750 initially and then every 7,500 miles. That's when my dealer will provide the free oil changes. I haven't decided whether to do it more often but I'm leaning to following the manufacturer and dealer's advice and do it every 7500 miles.

I'm under the impression the car came with a synthetic blend of 5W30 type oil. Does that sound correct? I will continue to use the same type of oil that came with the car.

 

[Mark_888]

I'm under the impression the car came with a synthetic blend of 5W30 type oil. Does that sound correct? I will continue to use the same type of oil that came with the car.

I don't know about the 2012's, but I have not heard that before. What gives you that impression factory fill is 5W-30 synthetic blend?

It is possible that factory fill for 2012 GDI engines is a synthetic blend, but don't expect your Hyundai dealer to use Hyundai branded oil even if they do the oil changes. Synthetic blend, or even better a full synthetic, is often recommended for GDI engines (not talking about Hyundai here) due to fuel dilution in the oil, but I don't know what 2012 owner's manual says on this subject.

 

[Mark_888]

I am a new owner and I will be making the switch to synthetic. My previous car ran synthetic from day 1. Because of this I don't know the best process for converting. Does anyone have any advice. Sounds like many of you have made the switch. Can I go cold turkey and just change to a 5w20 synthetic or is there a 'phase-in' of sorts that I need to do?

Some people say you can switch right away, and some say it is best to wait until piston rings have seated properly, which needs friction to accomplish that. Some say that synthetic oil reduces friction to a degree that piston rings will not seat properly. Others say this is not a big factor on newer engines which are broken in at the factory (or maybe for other reasons).

But to be absolutely safe, wait until first or second oil change to switch to a full synthetic, and don't baby the car during engine break-in period (although I would not abuse it either).

 

[Admckillip]

Some people say you can switch right away, and some say it is best to wait until piston rings have seated properly, which needs friction to accomplish that. Some say that synthetic oil reduces friction to a degree that piston rings will not seat properly. Others say this is not a big factor on newer engines which are broken in at the factory (or maybe for other reasons).

But to be absolutely safe, wait until first or second oil change to switch to a full synthetic, and don't baby the car during engine break-in period (although I would not abuse it either).

I bought the car used with 15k miles (from the dealer when a doctor traded up to the equus, who actually happened to be in the dealership, and I'm very convinced treated the car well). My thought after what you've said is that the car is broken in enough that I can jump straight to full synthetic. Thanks for the help!

 

[jmo51]

Some people say you can switch right away, and some say it is best to wait until piston rings have seated properly, which needs friction to accomplish that. Some say that synthetic oil reduces friction to a degree that piston rings will not seat properly. Others say this is not a big factor on newer engines which are broken in at the factory (or maybe for other reasons).

But to be absolutely safe, wait until first or second oil change to switch to a full synthetic, and don't baby the car during engine break-in period (although I would not abuse it either).

Good post Mark. I've always switched to syn at the 1st or 2nd change, except of course with the Vettte where Mobile 1 was required. With the R-Spec it will be the 1st change.

 

[TJPark01]

I don't know about the 2012's, but I have not heard that before. What gives you that impression factory fill is 5W-30 synthetic blend?

It is possible that factory fill for 2012 GDI engines is a synthetic blend, but don't expect your Hyundai dealer to use Hyundai branded oil even if they do the oil changes. Synthetic blend, or even better a full synthetic, is often recommended for GDI engines (not talking about Hyundai here) due to fuel dilution in the oil, but I don't know what 2012 owner's manual says on this subject.

The 2012 manual oil specs are for specific grades and classifications:
Makes no mention of synthetic or blends:

For the 3.8 GDI.:
For better fuel economy, it is recommended to use the engine oil of
a viscosity grade SAE 5W-30 (API Service SM / ILSAC GF-4).

4.6L/5.0L:
For better fuel economy, it is recommended to use the engine oil of
a viscosity grade SAE 5W-20 (API Service SM / ILSAC GF-4).

 

[LA Genesis]

My dealer's service department said the car came with a synthetic blend 5W30He said that's what they'll use when they change my oil.

I just called another dealer service department who told me the car came with 5W20 non synthetic and that the Hyundai recommends 5W20.

I think I'll use 5W30 synthetic blend since the dealer will provide it at no charge.

 

[Shawn33]

NORMAL SERVICE:
ENGINE OIL AND FILTER : Replace every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 12 months

MAINTENANCE UNDER SEVERE USAGE CONDITIONS :
EVERY 3,750 MILES (6,000 KM) OR 6 MONTHS

However the "Severe" usage is not really that severe in my opinion. I don't believe I fall into the "Severe" category but if you lived in or close to a city I don't see how you wouldn't.

I am by no means trying to suggest anybody needs to follow the severe schedule, just commenting that Hyundai's definition of severe is very different then mine.

Shawn