My 2016 Hyundai Sonata SE 2.4L burns 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles. My mechanic has me running 20W50 to help with this, being as the car has 174K miles. Although it's not "full synthetic", the 20W50 I use is Chevron "synthetic blend", which should last longer than regular oil. How often should I change the oil given my excessive oil burning + 20W50 viscosity? (Let's pretend I use the *Mobil One Extended Mileage* oil filter) I was hoping I could go longer than 5000 miles between oil changes given how expensive oil changes are.
Clarification: What oil viscosity is called out by your owner’s manual?
Manual calls for 5W20, but my mechanic said less oil will burn using 20W50.
heavier/thicker oil = less burning - - - - lighter/thinner oil = more burning
But my question isn't about whether I'm using the right viscosity. My question is HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CHANGE THE OIL IN A CAR THAT BURNS 1 QUART EVERY 1000 MILES. Let's assume I drive MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES. This matters significantly.
Manual calls for 5W20, but my mechanic said less oil will burn using 20W50.
On older engines from decades back, you could go to a thicker oil, but on modern, complex engines with VVT you can’t do that. It needs the right viscosity to lubricate and allow the intricate pieces of the engine to work properly. That’s why I asked what viscosity your manual called. The best you can do is keep filling with engine oil or get rid of that vehicle (if you are able to) - it’s well past its useful life. I would never own a Hyundai product past 100,000 miles.
I hate to say this, but it’s honestly time to start saving up for a new car.
Your Sonata is on its last legs. Don’t waste your money putting expensive engine oil in it. And the transmission might not be further behind, not to mention the cat..
If you can sell it and get an old Camry or Accord which is still in good mechanical condition, then make the switch asap.
All the best!
I would still on the go 5,000 mi
Mr Scotty! Ok, every 5000 miles. Even with mostly highway miles?