Oil choice for any Kia?

General Forum
1

I personally haven’t been using the recommended oil and have been using 0w40 European formula instead. I know my car has variable valve timing, but I live in a cold area. The car has been running like a dream.

2

Your car probably requires 0w20. Using 0w40 is not a good idea. I’m sure your powertrain warranty is void if the dealership finds out. Why would you use the wrong oil in your car? Also, going to a heavier oil only makes sense in a hotter climate, not a colder one.

3

Why would you use euro oil? It makes no sense.

4

I just assume that the 5w30 that the manufacturer recommends is the best one. Even if 0w40 is better, I am not sure I could tell just by using the car.

5

If you change your oil at the correct interval using the correct API service grade and viscosity for your climate, you’ll be fine.

6

Northern European (UK) here with a 1.6GDi non-turbo, 5W30 is the recommendation for my climate (‘mostly damp’).

7

Big brain time.

8

Mobil1 5w-20 is a good choice.

9

Ali said:
Mobil1 5w-20 is a good choice.

It might actually be 5W-30 in this case. Also, Mobil 1 is fine, but not demonstrably better than the Walmart SuperTech or AmazonBasics full synthetics made by Warren. If the goal is to get the best oil possible, go with the Pennzoil Platinum full synthetic. I used to use Mobil 1 and now use SuperTech on my naturally-aspirated car and Pennzoil on the turbo.

10

@Fenn
Pair, my soul has 5w-20 on the fill cap, but I’ve been putting 5w-30 in it. I forgot about Amazon; they do make a better oil than Mobil actually.

11

Ali said:
@Fenn
Pair, my soul has 5w-20 on the fill cap, but I’ve been putting 5w-30 in it. I forgot about Amazon; they do make a better oil than Mobil actually.

The AmazonBasics oil and the Walmart blue jug ‘SuperTech’ full synthetics are almost identical. Both are made by Warren Oils, both give great oil analysis results, and the Walmart stuff is cheaper. In general, I avoid shopping at Walmart, but on the flipside, this is a petrochemical product to help preserve the life of my carbon-emitting machine, so that’s not a high horse I can get on.

12

Check the user manual. In all likelihood, a 5W-30 full synthetic is going to be your best bet.