Getting ready to have the first oil change done on the car was told by the service advisor that kia told them they have to use 0W-20 in all cars now but the manual calls for 5W-30 full synthetic was wondering if anyone else has been told this and would it be OK to run 0W-20 in the car.
2022 kia Forte gt 1.6T
- Thread starter Justin88
- Start date
Nope. Manual calls for, oil cap calls for...no way I am using anything thinner.
If this 1.6L T-GDi engine is same as what Hyundia has been offering since 2011, then there is plenty of UOAs and owner testimonials indicating that this engine runs best (as far as wear, valvetrain sounds, oil consumption, and fuel efficiency) on 40-grade oils.
With this in mind I wouldn't allow the dealership put 0W20 in there. Unless they sign a notarized form that they take full responsibility for any engine damage due to lower viscosity.
If one day you start changing the oil yourself, or get a trusted mechanic, then I'd recommend going with an oil that meets high-standard certifications such as Porsche A40 or MB 229.5. That would be oils like Mobil 1 0W40 or Castrol Edge 0W40.
That service advisor has no clue about the proper fluid for the service he's advising. Tell him you wish to call Kia Consumer Assistance Center to confirm on that oil recommendation, and watch him change the tune.
They gave me the number on hold now want to keep the 100k mile power train warranty on the car they said it had to be serviced at a kia dealer at least once a year. They kept calling 5W 30 a synthetic blend told them I have 5W 30 full synthetic in my wife's traverse. This is just the first time a dealer refuses to use the oil the car called for.
The service advisor must have dropped out of high school.
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They use Total
Very interesting. I'd be curious if there's an actual TSB outlining this directive.
I have not been able to find anything with this information on it needs to be so people know what oil is going in their cars
If they did sign that form, what would they be responsible for? The OCI? It's doubtful that catastrophic damage (spun bearing etc) would take place in the span of 5 - 7K miles. More likely is the case that wear would be accelerated by using thinner than recommended. That wouldn't come to light for many thousands of miles.
I would take the vehicle back and have them correct the issue, especially in a turbo.
OP, very nice car. Congrats!
One OCI won't kill it, unless OP takes it to the racetrack or twisties often. But from what I'm reading (correct me if I'm wrong) it seems like every OCI going forward in that engine, done by dealership, will be a 0W20. And THAT is what I consider a recipe for disaster. Low viscosity and turbocharger for many thousands of miles usually ends up in premature death of turbo, spun bearings, or bent/broken connecting rods due to wristpins not having enough MOFT and seizing up on a long highway roadtrip, etc. All this things Hyundai/Kia engines are known for. And despite 1.6T being one of the most reliable 4-cylinders Hyundia makes - it is still susceptible to the same fate, especially when it has low viscosity oil working against it.
And answering your question - that form (theoretically) should be a guarantee that they will replace the engine (even outside of warranty), when one of the above mentioned scenarios occurs, due to low viscosity oil that they push onto the customer.