I recently purchased a 2008 Sonata with 30,000 miles. (2.4L 4 cyl engine) I'm using Mobil-1 in my 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid and would like to start using it in my Sonata as well.

Does anybody foresee any problems switching from regular to synthetic oil at 30,000 miles in this engine?

 

There's no problem switching to the synthetic oil at 30K. The full effect will be realized after a couple of oil changes. Recommend you spend a couple extra bucks on a quality filter... personally, I prefer either factory filters, Purolator gold, or WIX. Watch your oil change intervals to keep your warranty valid, and keep receipts should you have to make a claim.

Have a GM 4.3 at 220K miles & a Suzuki 2.0 at 105K miles..... both use 1/8 of a quart between 6000 mile oil changes.

 

^^^ I agree 100%. I use Mobil1 in my Hyundais with an Hyundai filter.

 

At 30,000 miles, there shouldn't be much sludge build up in the motor, but I doubt you know the driving history of the car. The synthetics, especially Mobil 1, are very good at cleaning the old sludge out of the motor and it ends up in the filter. I have heard of oil pressure problems created by such conversions, but those examples were with cars with much more mileage. Watch your oil pressure light at startup. If it appears to take a second or two longer for the light to go out, swap the filter with a new one and top off the oil level in the engine. Once should be enough. Not likely an issue at 30K, but something to be mindful of.

 

Good tips!!

 

Thanks for the replies.

I bought a 5 quart container of 5w20 Mobil-1 at Walmart, took it to my mechanic and had him do an oil change and a 4 wheel alignment, which it needed.

I noticed in the owners manual it says the capacity is 4.5 quarts and my guy put in all 5 quarts, so now the oil covers the 'F' on the dip stick. Is this too much oil and if so, should a half quart be drained?

Or am I just being over concerned about my "new" used car?

 

1/2 quart isn't a problem.

 

I run 6 quarts in my 08 V6 (which is also ~1/2 quart over) since the first oil change. At ~25,000 miles, there have been no oil related problems at all.

By the way, NR, thanks for the tip on the mail order filters. I don't know about the new 35503 spin-on canister filter, but the 3C100 cartridge is now packaged in a silver box with the aluminum crush washer included with the o-ring pack. Eliminates the hassle of remembering to keep one of those washers on hand.

 

That's good to know. I've always ordered an extra washer when I buy the 3C100 for my wife's Sedona. Now I won't have to. Thanks.

 

Did an oil change recently on my 09 I4 Sonata, and noticed the same thing. The manual calls for 4.5 quarts, but in actuality it took 5 quarts to bring it to FULL mark.
If you check the Sonata online repair manual on HMAService.com site, then it also says that the TOTAL capacity for 2.4L engine is 5.49 quarts. I guess what that means is that at first fill after being manufactured, the engine takes that much.
Why Hyundai doesn't know the right engine oil capacities of their own engines is beyond me. If you were to just follow the owner manual figures and not the dipstick, then putting only 4.5 quarts (which only brings the oil level to MIN. mark) could potentially damage the engine.