How much oil does a Hyundai Elantra take?

Per Hyundai's manuals: 2021–2024 2.0L takes 4.54 quarts of 0W-20 full synthetic; 2021–2024 N Line 1.6T takes 5.07 quarts of 0W-20; 2019–2020 2.0L takes 4.23 quarts of 5W-20; 2019–2020 Sport 1.6T takes 4.76 quarts of 5W-30 — all drain-and-refill with a filter change.

Can I use 5W-20 in a 2021+ Elantra?

No — Hyundai specifies 0W-20 full synthetic (API SN PLUS/SP or ILSAC GF-6) as the only viscosity for the 2021+ 2.0L and 1.6T in the US chart, and warns that running lower-grade oil means changing it on the severe schedule. The 5W-20 spec belongs to the 2019–2020 2.0L.

Is the Elantra IVT a CVT, and what fluid does it take?

Yes — IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmission) is Hyundai's chain-type CVT. It holds 6.87 quarts total of Hyundai genuine SP-CVT1, and that is the only fluid that belongs in it. 'Multi-vehicle CVT fluid' is a gamble on a transmission with a known sensitive early history.

Is my Elantra's engine covered by Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile warranty?

For the original owner, yes — engine and transmission are covered 10 years/100,000 miles; that drops to 5/60 for later owners. Our Hyundai warranty guide breaks down exactly what's covered, what transfers and how to make a claim. The piston-ring recall fix is free for any owner regardless of warranty.

What's the lug nut torque on an Elantra?

79–94 lb-ft (107–127 N·m) per Hyundai's manuals for both generations — aim for the middle, around 85 lb-ft, in a star pattern.

Do these specs cover the Elantra Hybrid?

No. The hybrid pairs a 1.6L GDI with a 6-speed dual-clutch and has its own manual, which we haven't verified yet — its oil, coolant and DCT figures differ. Don't reuse the gas-model numbers.

2019–2024 Hyundai Elantra Oil Capacity & Fluid Specs

Quick answer

Elantra oil capacity by engine, per Hyundai's owner's manuals: the 2021–2024 2.0L takes 4.54 quarts of full-synthetic 0W-20; the 2021–2024 N Line 1.6T takes 5.07 quarts of 0W-20; the 2019–2020 2.0L takes 4.23 quarts of 5W-20; the 2019–2020 Sport 1.6T takes 4.76 quarts of 5W-30 — all drain-and-refill figures with a spin-on filter change.

Specs verified against Hyundai owner's manuals (2019, 2021 and 2023 editions). The 2021 redesign (CN7) matters here: the older AD car runs 5W-20 (or 5W-30 in the Sport), while every 2021+ gas Elantra requires full-synthetic 0W-20 — Hyundai's fine print says using anything less drops you onto the severe-service change interval. The 'IVT' on the window sticker is Hyundai's in-house CVT, and it takes Hyundai SP-CVT1 fluid only; the multi-vehicle CVT jug at the parts store is how IVTs get hurt. Two gaps to be honest about: the Elantra Hybrid (1.6 GDI + 6-speed DCT) and the 2019–2020 1.4T Eco have their own manuals that we haven't verified yet, so their numbers aren't listed here — don't borrow these.

Want the full owner’s manual? It’s free — we link you to your make’s official download →

2.0L Nu MPI Atkinson (AD, 2019–2020)

Specification	Capacity / type
Engine oil — with filter	4.23 qt (4.0 L) drain-and-refill
Oil viscosity	5W-20 — API Latest (ILSAC Latest)
Oil filter	Hyundai 26300-35505 spin-on (verify)
6-speed automatic — total	7.08 qt (6.7 L) total — a pan drain takes roughly half; level-check procedure applies — ATF SP-IV (Hyundai genuine or SP-IV-approved only)
6-speed manual	1.6–1.7 qt (1.5–1.6 L) — 70W GL-4 manual gear oil (Hyundai TGO-9 spec)
IVT (some 2020 cars) — see 2021+ entry	The 2020 facelift moved most 2.0L cars to the IVT — our staged manual is the 2019 edition, so use the 2021+ IVT spec and verify against your own manual — Hyundai SP-CVT1 ONLY
Coolant (engine)	6.97 qt (6.6 L) automatic / 6.34 qt (6.0 L) manual — Hyundai phosphate-based ethylene glycol (do NOT use the green or orange universal stuff)

1.6L turbo GDI (AD Elantra Sport, 2019–2020)

Specification	Capacity / type
Engine oil — with filter	4.76 qt (4.5 L) drain-and-refill
Oil viscosity	5W-30 — API Latest (ILSAC Latest) or ACEA A5/B5
Oil filter	Hyundai 26300-35505 spin-on (verify)
7-speed dual-clutch (DCT)	2.01–2.11 qt (1.9–2.0 L) — 70W GL-4 DCT fluid (Hyundai-approved only — it is a gear oil, not ATF)
6-speed manual	1.6–1.7 qt (1.5–1.6 L) — 70W GL-4 manual gear oil (Hyundai TGO-9 spec)
Coolant (engine)	6.45 qt (6.1 L) — Hyundai phosphate-based ethylene glycol

2.0L Smartstream MPI Atkinson (CN7, 2021–2024)

Specification	Capacity / type
Engine oil — with filter	4.54 qt (4.3 L) drain-and-refill
Oil viscosity	0W-20 full synthetic — API SN PLUS/SP or ILSAC GF-6 (Hyundai warns mineral/semi-synthetic forces the severe-service interval)
Oil filter	Hyundai 26300-35505 spin-on (verify)
IVT (Hyundai's CVT) — total fill	6.87 qt (6.5 L) total — a drain-and-refill takes less; measure what comes out and match it — Hyundai genuine SP-CVT1 ONLY
Coolant (engine)	7.82 qt (7.4 L) — Hyundai phosphate-based ethylene glycol

1.6L Smartstream turbo GDI (CN7 N Line, 2021–2024)

Specification	Capacity / type
Engine oil — with filter	5.07 qt drain-and-refill
Oil viscosity	0W-20 full synthetic — API SN PLUS/SP or ILSAC GF-6
Oil filter	Hyundai 26300-35505 spin-on (verify)
7-speed dual-clutch (DCT)	1.7–1.8 qt (1.6–1.7 L) — 70W GL-4 DCT fluid, Hyundai TGO-10 PLUS spec (a gear oil, not ATF)
6-speed manual	1.6–1.7 qt (1.5–1.6 L) — 70W GL-4 manual gear oil (Hyundai TGO-9 spec)
Coolant (engine)	7.19 qt — Hyundai phosphate-based ethylene glycol

Capacities compiled from the owner’s manual. Always confirm with your own manual before servicing.

Quick reference

Lug nut torque	79–94 lb-ft (107–127 N·m) — same spec both generations, per the manuals
Common factory tire sizes	195/65R15 · 205/55R16 · 225/45R17 (per trim, both gens) · 225/40R18 (2019–20 Sport) · 235/40R18 (N Line)
Tire pressure (cold)	2021+: 34 front / 31 rear psi (15–17" wheels), 33/33 on 18s · 2019–20: 33–36 psi by size — your door-jamb placard wins
Fuel tank	2019–20: 14.0 gal (53 L) · 2021+: 12.4 gal (47 L) — regular 87 octane, both gens
Brake fluid	2019–20: DOT-3 or DOT-4 · 2021+: DOT-4 (SAE J1704 DOT-4 LV standard)

Maintenance schedule highlights

Item	Interval
Engine oil & filter	Hyundai's normal schedule: 7,500 mi / 12 mo; severe (short trips, heat, dust): 3,750 mi — most turbo owners split the difference at 5,000 (verify per year)
Tire rotation	Every 7,500 mi (per Hyundai's manual)
IVT (CVT) fluid	Hyundai calls it no-service under normal use; given the IVT's early history, a 60,000 mi drain-and-fill with SP-CVT1 is cheap insurance
Engine air filter	Inspect at every oil change; replace around 30,000 mi (sooner in dust) — verify
Cabin air filter	Every 15,000 mi or yearly (behind the glove box — five-minute DIY)
Coolant	First change around 120,000 mi / 10 years, then every 30,000 mi — Hyundai phosphate-type only (verify)

Exact products for this vehicle

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DIY oil change — quick steps

1 Set up

Warm engine, level ground. The Elantra sits low — ramps or a jack with stands. Filter and 17mm drain plug are both reachable from below.
2 Drain

Pull the plug, fit a new crush washer. Let it finish dripping — on a 4.2-quart sump, half a quart of leftover old oil skews the level.
3 Spin-on filter

No cartridge here: a conventional spin-on. Oil the new gasket, hand-tight plus three-quarters of a turn. Make sure the old gasket came off with the old filter — a doubled gasket is the classic instant leak.
4 Refill, verify, reset

Fill per the table for your engine, settle a few minutes, check the dipstick, run it and look for leaks. Reset the service reminder through the cluster's settings/service menu.

Common problems on this vehicle

IVT (CVT) teething problems (2020–2022)

Early IVT cars saw judder, whine, loss of motion and check-engine lights. Hyundai ran Service Campaign 963 (TCU update, with full IVT replacement where needed) on early cars, TSB 20-01-047H for TCU calibration, and TSB 23-AT-010H for oil-pressure-sensor faults that set P0845/P0846/P0867. If yours hesitates or flares, get the software history checked first — and remember the transmission is covered by Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty for the original owner. Fluid services: SP-CVT1 only.

Related code: P0700

Piston oil-ring recall on the 2019–2020 2.0L (engine replacement)

NHTSA recalls 20V-746 and 21V-301 (Hyundai campaigns 198/203) cover 2019–2020 Elantras with the 2.0L Nu MPI: badly heat-treated piston oil rings can scuff the cylinder bore, causing oil consumption, knocking and even stalling or fire. The free fix is an engine inspection — replacement if damaged — plus piston-noise-sensing software. Run your 17-digit VIN through our free recall check. Note this is the Nu engine's own issue; the Theta II fiascos you've read about belong to other Hyundai models.

Seat-belt pretensioner recall (2021–2023)

NHTSA 22V-354 (Hyundai recall 229, consolidating 21V-796 and others) covers 2021–2023 Elantras, including the hybrid: front pretensioners can deploy abnormally in a crash and throw metal fragments. The fix is a free cap on the pretensioner — a VIN check tells you in seconds.

Watch the dipstick on the 2.0L

Even outside the recall population, the Nu/Smartstream 2.0 family has a documented appetite for oil as miles add up — stuck oil-control rings show as a quart every 1,000–2,000 miles, often with cold-start tick. Check monthly; if you're burning, document it and request a dealer oil-consumption test while the 10/100 powertrain warranty still applies.

Related code: P0300

Codes this vehicle is known for

Recall results below are shown for 2024 models — check your exact year with the free VIN tool.

Open recalls

Checking NHTSA for open recalls…

Service bulletins (TSBs)

Manufacturer communications and technical service bulletins for this vehicle are available on NHTSA’s site:

View TSBs on NHTSA.gov ↗

Frequently asked questions

How much oil does a Hyundai Elantra take?: Per Hyundai's manuals: 2021–2024 2.0L takes 4.54 quarts of 0W-20 full synthetic; 2021–2024 N Line 1.6T takes 5.07 quarts of 0W-20; 2019–2020 2.0L takes 4.23 quarts of 5W-20; 2019–2020 Sport 1.6T takes 4.76 quarts of 5W-30 — all drain-and-refill with a filter change.
Can I use 5W-20 in a 2021+ Elantra?: No — Hyundai specifies 0W-20 full synthetic (API SN PLUS/SP or ILSAC GF-6) as the only viscosity for the 2021+ 2.0L and 1.6T in the US chart, and warns that running lower-grade oil means changing it on the severe schedule. The 5W-20 spec belongs to the 2019–2020 2.0L.
Is the Elantra IVT a CVT, and what fluid does it take?: Yes — IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmission) is Hyundai's chain-type CVT. It holds 6.87 quarts total of Hyundai genuine SP-CVT1, and that is the only fluid that belongs in it. 'Multi-vehicle CVT fluid' is a gamble on a transmission with a known sensitive early history.
Is my Elantra's engine covered by Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile warranty?: For the original owner, yes — engine and transmission are covered 10 years/100,000 miles; that drops to 5/60 for later owners. Our Hyundai warranty guide breaks down exactly what's covered, what transfers and how to make a claim. The piston-ring recall fix is free for any owner regardless of warranty.
What's the lug nut torque on an Elantra?: 79–94 lb-ft (107–127 N·m) per Hyundai's manuals for both generations — aim for the middle, around 85 lb-ft, in a star pattern.
Do these specs cover the Elantra Hybrid?: No. The hybrid pairs a 1.6L GDI with a 6-speed dual-clutch and has its own manual, which we haven't verified yet — its oil, coolant and DCT figures differ. Don't reuse the gas-model numbers.