January 2011 was marked by the debut of the updated model of the Korean car industry Kia Rio. In order to reduce the cost of the car, Korean engineers took the production platform from the Hyundai Solaris as a basis, slightly altering it in their own way. In the general line, this is already the fourth update of the Kia Rio.
The model is manufactured in sedan and hatchback body styles in three and five-door versions. The line of power units consists of two types, both gasoline types with volumes of 1.4 and 1.6 liters. Models of 2012, 2013, 2020 are considered the most successful, since they have the least number of complaints. Many model owners often have disputes over which oil to pour into the Kia Rio engine. This is due to the fact that the manufacturer prescribes one type of oil when another can be used. Let's look at who is right and who is wrong below.
What is motor oil for?
The oil poured into the engine performs 5 functions:
- Protects metal from mechanical wear and corrosion.
- Reduces friction, which means it helps save energy.
- Cools the motor.
- Promotes the removal of chips formed during friction, and also removes fuel combustion products.
- Neutralizes chemical compounds formed as a result of gasoline combustion.
The smooth operation of the engine depends on the quality of the oil. If you fill it with a cheap or counterfeit product, the car will have difficulty accelerating and make a lot of noise.
TOTAL QUARTZ 9000 ENERGY 5W40
TOTAL QUARTZ 9000 ENERGY 5W40 engine oil meets the international standards API SN/CF and ACEA A3/B4 and can be used as oil for Kia Rio 2 and 3 generations with 1.4 and 1.6 gasoline engines. This oil guarantees a high degree of engine protection against wear and harmful deposits in all driving conditions. Due to its good fluidity at low temperatures, this oil ensures reliable engine starting in frosty weather, and its excellent oxidation resistance allows it to be used with long drain intervals and reduce operating costs.
TOTAL QUARTZ 9000 ENERGY 5W40
What kind of oil to fill in the Kia Rio engine
The key parameter that you need to pay attention to when determining which motor lubricant to give preference to is viscosity. Kia Rio requires products labeled 5W20, 5W30 is acceptable. The second option should be used when operating the car in hot areas or in the summer.
This recommendation applies to both petrol and diesel versions.
5W40 grades are not suitable for the engine used in this car. It has minimal clearances between moving parts. A lubricant with such a viscosity will not be able to penetrate between them effectively enough.
Main selection criteria
There are 4 criteria for selecting engine oil:
- viscosity;
- operational class;
- base type;
- brand.
The first 2 are clearly defined by the manufacturer. They must be specified in the instruction manual.
The second 2 are advisory in nature.
The car owner can choose them depending on his financial capabilities.
What brand of oil should I use?
- Shell Helix Ultra (Shell Helix Ultra)
- Total Quartz
- Divinol
- ZIC XQ LS
Watch an interesting video on this topic
Change the engine oil on a KIA Rio
You can do it at a service station (service station) or on your own. This procedure is described in some detail in the car manual, and is not particularly difficult. Considering the prices at service stations, it is best to change the oil yourself. This will significantly save the family budget.
As a rule, changing the engine oil on a Kia Rio 2011–2017 with your own hands
, is no different from the procedure carried out at the service station. The recommended interval for changing engine oil for the Kia Rio is 15,000 km. But in practice, it is better to replace it after 7,000–10,000 km. This is not surprising if you take into account the condition of the roads and the urban pace of the car with frequent stops. All these circumstances lead to a rapid deterioration in the quality of motor oil. First of all, the lubricating and cleaning properties of the oil deteriorate, which greatly increases engine wear and reduces its service life. At the same time as changing the engine oil, do not forget to replace the oil filter. The oil and filter are always changed at the same time on any car.
In practice, changing the oil on a KIA Rio yourself can be done in two ways:
— Vacuum oil pumping. Vacuum pumping is usually done through the hole for the engine oil level dipstick. This method is good because there is no need for a lift or overpass. The main disadvantage is the need to use special equipment, which is not available in every service station.
— Drain from the car pan. The second, traditional and decades-tested method is more reliable, since all waste accumulates in the engine sump. Vacuum pumping is simply not capable of pumping out all the used oil from the sump.
To change the oil we will need:
- Oil filter - 26300-35503.
- Engine oil - as a rule, drum oil SHELL HELIX ULTRA 5w-30 is filled at the official dealer; it is recommended by the KIA plant. But you can also buy it in a regular four-liter canister. When choosing an oil, it is worth considering what is indicated in the warranty: oil 5W-30 class SN or SM (SN is better, since it is a more modern standard).
- Engine oil pan drain plug gasket - 21513-23001
- Key "17" for twisting the drain plug.
- Flushing oil 3 liters.
Change of oil.
The replacement process is carried out on a warm engine; heated oil is more fluid and easily drains from the lubrication system.
— After warming up the engine for ten minutes, you need to go to the inspection hole. If necessary, this is not difficult to do; just unscrew a few mounting bolts. will interfere with us when replacing the oil filter. With a certain level of skill, you can not remove the protection completely, but only unscrew the two bolts securing it to the subframe.
— Then you need to drain the used oil from the crankcase into a container specially prepared for this purpose. The crankcase plug must be unscrewed very carefully, since the oil is very hot, it is better to use gloves and goggles.
— After the oil has drained, the plug can be taken in two ways, replaced with or without flushing oil:
- With flushing oil.
Tighten the drain plug after replacing the drain plug gasket, and fill in about 3 liters of flushing oil. Let the engine run for about 10 minutes and drain the oil again. (There is a way to remove the remaining flushing oil by repeating the flushing procedure only using 2-2.5 liters of oil, which you will fill during replacement.). - No flushing oil.
With this option, we remove the remaining used oil from the crankcase; for this we use a syringe with a curved needle.
The question of using flushing oil arises in cases where it is not known which oil was filled in previously or when a changeover to another type of oil is being made. In other cases, you can do without using it. Modern motor oils already have the necessary washing and cleaning properties to clean the engine lubrication system.
— Now you can twist the oil filter to replace it. As a rule, this can be done by hand without using a special tool. Before installing a new filter, you should pour 150-200 ml of oil into it. Then carefully screw on the new oil filter by hand. There is enough hand strength to tighten the filter, this will allow you to easily twist it by hand the next time you replace it.
If you can’t remove the filter by hand, it doesn’t matter if you have a special tool or the old-fashioned method. It’s simple, take a thicker screwdriver and a hammer, pierce the filter through with a screwdriver and use this lever to unscrew it.
— After completing all the procedures, use a key set to “17” to tighten the drain plug, having first replaced the gasket.
Often, car enthusiasts, when purchasing motor oil, pay attention to the base fluid: synthetic, semi-synthetic, mineral. At the same time, they do not pay attention to the class, type, and viscosity of the motor oil. Such actions can lead to premature failure of the power unit. It is correct to buy the lubricant specified in the car manual. In this article, we will look at the recommended engine oil for KIA RIO according to the owner's manual.
When selecting engine oil for a specific car model, engineers at the car manufacturer take into account the technical parameters of the engine and the operating conditions under which it will operate. Carrying out appropriate tests for various lubricants on a specific engine allows you to choose the optimal motor oil that helps reduce fuel consumption and extend the life of the power unit. Based on the test results, the car manufacturer includes the recommended engine oil for KIA RIO in the vehicle’s operating instructions. The manual indicates the viscosity characteristics and compliance of the lubricant with the requirements of the API, ILSAC, ACEA systems.
When selecting a lubricant for the Kia Rio, take into account the season outside the car. Motor oils designed for winter are more fluid than liquids designed for summer. You can buy all-season lubricant. It is also worth familiarizing yourself with the tolerances on the motor oil canister. The presence of approvals from the manufacturer of a specific car model indicates that the oil meets the requirements of the car manufacturer.
Table for selecting engine oil for Kia Rio by season
When choosing oil, you should take into account the ambient temperature and type of engine.
The main recommendations are given in the table.
Season/Fuel Type | Petrol | Diesel |
Winter | 5W-20, 5W-30 | 0W-30 |
Spring, autumn | 5W-20, 5W-30, 10W-30 | 5W-30, 10W-30 |
Summer | 15W-40 |
Approval and class
When choosing the right oil, all parameters must be taken into account; the appropriate class and approval must be selected. Detailed information about this is provided in the Kia Ceed owner's manual.
To date, three generations of Kia Rio are known. There is a well-founded opinion that the newer the car, the more stringent the requirements for the quality of oil for it.
For example, for the first generation Kia Rio, we can recommend oil with API SL classes, as well as ILSAC GF-3. In fact, now all commercially available oils comply with these classes. The main thing here is that this standard is not higher than the specified one, that is, a higher class.
For the second generation Kia Rio, oil with API SM and ILSAC GF-4 standards is suitable. It often happens that the design of a car supports a higher standard - for example, as in this case - API SN and ILSAC GF-5.
The third generation of Kia Rio is designed to support more modern oils with API SN and ILSAC GF-5 parameters.
As for additives, it is not recommended to add them to the oil, since a truly high-quality oil must have sufficient lubricating properties.
Modern power plants equipped with Kia Rio cars have small gaps in the piston group. In this regard, such engines require oil with a low viscosity to avoid “dry” friction and better remove heat from the heated components of the internal combustion engine. As a result, it turns out that with the release of more and more new generations of Kia Rio, the recommended viscosity index is gradually decreasing - if previously it was at the level of 40, now it is no more than 20. These parameters need to be given special attention, since engines with lower viscosity do not support oils with higher viscosity. In extreme cases, failure to comply with the rules can lead to premature wear of the most loaded engine parts due to their oil starvation.
Oil change intervals
The manufacturer states that the oil needs to be changed every 10 thousand km. But service specialists urge you to do this when the product has reached 80-90% of its standard life, i.e. after 8-9 thousand km.
This advice is optimal for those who drive a lot on the highway or on open roads in the city.
If we are talking about constant stops in traffic jams, you will need to fill a new portion after 7 thousand km.
Causes of premature wear
There are 3 key reasons for increased wear of the protective lubricant mixture:
- Driving on low quality gasoline. When such fuel burns, more soot is released. The consequence of this is contamination of the lubrication supply system.
- Poor engine condition. As cylinder compression decreases, the proportion of combustion products in the engine housing increases.
- Aggressive driving. First of all, operation in “start-stop” mode.
When to change engine oil
On the third generation of Kia Rio, power units, on average, have a resource of about 200 thousand km. However, such indicators can only be achieved with regular and high-quality maintenance. Such maintenance should be understood as a routine change of engine oil every 15 thousand km. mileage
However, not all owners know that the manufacturer defines such a service interval as a fairly average indicator. In fact, these are laboratory indicators.
In reality, the car is used in difficult conditions (slow driving around the city with constant acceleration and stopping, increased loads, prolonged operation of the engine at idle, etc.).
In this case, the service interval must be reduced by 30-50%. It turns out that it is optimal to change the engine oil every 8 or maximum 10 thousand kilometers.
What happens if you don't change the engine oil?
Failure to comply with the timing of engine oil changes leads to the fact that the lubricant loses its properties and active wear of engine parts begins. The reason is that with mileage, the additives in the oil stop working, and the lubrication efficiency decreases greatly and sharply (after 12-15 thousand kilometers under difficult operating conditions).
Also, for a number of reasons, “old” oil in Kia Rio, even on modern engines, is often wasted. As a result, if the oil level is not controlled and lubricant is not added, the level gradually decreases. Further, the engine may experience hidden oil starvation, and engine wear increases even more.
If you do not change the oil for a very long time (for example, 30-40 thousand km), the viscosity of the lubricant changes so much that the engine oil turns into a gel-like substance. In such a situation, the motor wears out critically.
The best motor oils for Kia Rio
Although the manufacturer recommends the Shell brand, it is allowed to fill the Kia Rio power unit with products from other manufacturers. The main thing is to make sure that they meet the viscosity requirements and quality standards.
Total
The line of this brand includes synthetic and semi-synthetic oils. There are energy saving options. They are suitable for any type of motor. Viscosity 5W-30 is available in the Classic and Quartz Ineo lines.
Liqui Moly
The Special Tec line is intended for representatives of the Asian automotive industry.
Within its framework, a version with a viscosity of 5W-20 is offered.
It is produced exclusively in Germany. The only drawback is the high cost of the product.
Mobile
A family of synthetic and semi-synthetic motor oils that ensure engine performance at maximum speed in any operating mode. They reduce fuel consumption. The Mobil Super 3000 Formula F line increases powertrain life.
Motul
Throughout its history, the company has been at the forefront of the development of the latest motor oils. For Kia Rio 4, the Motul 8100 Eco-lite and Motul 6100 series are best suited. They contain products with an optimal viscosity of 5W-20. They help save gasoline and are recommended by many manufacturers.
Mobis
Original Korean oil with good cleaning properties. Thanks to a large amount of molybdenum, it minimizes friction and promotes quick start-up in cold weather.
But under this brand the products of 4 oil refineries are sold, each of which has its own brand. By choosing one of them, you can save a lot and not lose quality.
Ravenol
For Kia Rio, the best option is Ravenol SFE SAE 5W-20. This synthetic oil is characterized by maximum stability of properties. This increases the lubrication interval and provides better engine protection. Minimization of friction is achieved through tungsten additives.
Castrol
The Castrol MAGNATEC Professional E oil variety is considered optimal in terms of viscosity. A distinctive feature of the product is the absence of a dye. Therefore, it does not have the greenish color characteristic of other brands. The main property is increased engine protection during startup and warm-up.
Zic
This brand does not offer a 5W-20 viscosity lubricant. As an alternative, the 0W-20 version is used. It provides additional fuel savings during cold engine starts. A car enthusiast who prefers more familiar options can choose 5W-30 oil.
Shell
The best option for Kia Rio is Shell Helix Ultra Pro AF with a viscosity rating of 5W-20. It is a synthetic product. Main properties: prevents the formation of deposits on the engine, reduces the level of vibration during engine operation.
Wolf
Kia owners are recommended to use the Wolf OfficialTech 5W-20 MS-FE variety. When using this oil, the dynamics of the car improves and it accelerates better. The noise during engine operation becomes quieter and more measured.
Idemitsu
Another manufacturer that abandoned the 5W-20 viscosity version. For Kia Rio, 0W-20 or 5W-30 is suitable. The product is a synthetic lubricant that helps save gasoline. It is only suitable for gasoline engines. The owner of diesel engines should choose a different brand.
Eneos
Eneos Premium Ultra is based on the highest degree of purification. The oil is suitable for any gasoline engine with economical fuel consumption. It is resistant to oxidation and evaporation.
Kixx
Kixx is one of the Korean factories that supplies its products for sale under the Mobis brand. It also has an independent line. Its oil is poured into Kia vehicles at the factory. A synthetic product with premium additives reduces the formation of piston gases and helps save fuel.
GT Oil
GT Oil is produced in South Korea. It is a budget synthetic product that meets the requirements of Euro-4 and Euro-5 standards. The lubricant is resistant to evaporation, is economical in consumption, and does not require topping up between shifts. It makes it easier to start the engine at low temperatures and ensures quiet operation.
Lukoil
The best representative of the brand for Kia will be the Genesis Special FE. The main disadvantage is availability only at the manufacturer’s service stations. The main advantage is its adaptability to Russian conditions, which makes it easier to start the engine in cold weather. In addition, this oil is designed specifically to work in urban conditions with constant stops in traffic jams and traffic lights.
Petro-Canada
Petro-Canada's Supreme Synthetic engine lubricant is suitable for all Korean vehicles. The main advantage of this choice is the low probability of encountering a fake. The oil has improved circulation, high cleaning properties, and helps save fuel. It increases the service life of all engine elements and is suitable for gasoline engines. Owners of older Kia Rio models running on diesel will have to limit themselves to lubricant with a viscosity of 5W-30.
NGN
Fusion 5W-20 is a fully synthetic oil that can be used in both gasoline and diesel units. Its main property is anti-wear additives. In addition, the product helps save fuel and does not require frequent replacement. The lubricant is designed for Japanese cars, but is also suitable for Korean brands.
Neste
Neste City Pro F is one of the most economical oils in the review. It is characterized by low ash content, and its properties are quite close to the 0W-20 version, because capable of ensuring engine starting at temperatures below -30 degrees.
2 additive packages have been added to the product:
- anti-wear based on zinc and phosphorus;
- calcium-based detergent.
Valvoline
The best version with the required viscosity is Valvoline SynPower FE. Premium product based on synthetic base oils. It is made with the latest additives. In addition to standard detergent and protective properties, the lubricant is capable of reducing carbon dioxide emissions and retains its properties for a long time even under aggressive operating conditions.
Dragon
Semi-synthetic all-season lubricant from a Korean manufacturer. Despite the affordable price, it has good ash content and optimal alkaline and acid numbers. In terms of its ability to provide cold starting, a product with a viscosity of 5W-20 is not inferior to the 0W-20 version. Reduced friction and gasoline consumption is ensured by the presence of molybdenum. Anti-wear additives are based on boron.
Eni
Eni i-Sint Tech Eco F oil with a viscosity of 5W-20 is extremely resistant to oxidation and retains its properties for a long time. Due to this, it becomes possible to increase the replacement interval recommended in the operating manual for the machine. This is a fully synthetic product designed for gasoline engines. The Eni i-Sint Tech VK 0W-20 version can be used in any Kia engine. Both types of lubrication help save fuel.
And yet: what kind of oil should you pour into a 2020 Kia Rio?
It is important to remember that high-quality lubricants, antifreeze and fuel can protect the engine from breakdown and you from unnecessary waste. Hence the conclusion: the choice of these components, especially lubricants, should be taken with full responsibility.
Owners of earlier models are already accustomed to motor lubricants 0W40 and 5W40 according to the SAE classification, and out of habit they also use this oil for the 2015 Kia Rio . Now some people fill in “synthetics” with a high-temperature viscosity index (second digit) of 5W50, or even 60, citing the fact that this lubricant works well in heat of +45-60°C. This is a fundamentally incorrect opinion, since one important fact is not taken into account: the higher the number, the greater the viscosity at elevated temperatures.
Such indicators are important for internal combustion engines with turbochargers operating at high speeds, when the turbine temperature can reach more than 200°C. Kia Rio gasoline engines from the Gamma line, although they are distinguished by their high performance, still have an oil system that is structurally adapted to the fluidity of 5W20 and 5W30. This is confirmed in the same service book of the car. Yes, let’s say, the high viscosity of 5W40-50 in the summer will not have much of an effect, but in winter the oil pump may not have time to pump lubricant through the channels of a cold engine and the components will be forced to run “dry” for some time. Moreover, fuel consumption will increase significantly.
Koreans optionally fill their cars with lubricants from the following manufacturers:
- Hyundai Oilbank;
- SK Lubricants;
- Shell;
- S-OIL Corporation.
Anyone seriously interested in the question of what kind of oil to pour into a 2020 Kia Rio should look again at the manual, where the recommended classification of lubricants is written in black and white. There is also talk about motor lubrication:
- API Service SM;
- ILSAC GF-4 or GF-5.
Briefly about the important
API SM class products according to American standards are designed for modern multi-valve internal combustion engines running on light fuel. Compared to the previous API SL category, which is also suitable for the Gamma motor, SM has high levels of protection against wear and oxidation of the basic components of the motor.
ILSAC GF-4 and GF-5 standard ratings meet the most stringent requirements in terms of energy-saving qualities. These latest generation oils have high cleaning properties and resist the formation of deposits and oxidation. Classes GF-4 and GF-5 are fully compatible with catalytic systems.
On new Kia Rio models, the use of lubricants with ILSAC GF standards up to class 4 is extremely undesirable for the engine. Such “experiments” can result in serious relief for the car owner’s wallet.
Below is a list of proven practice-tested products for internal combustion engine lubrication:
- Hyundai-Kia Turbo SYN Gasoline 5W-30;
- Ravenol Super Fuel Economy SFE SAE 5w20;
- Petro-Canada Supreme Synthetic SAE 5W-20;
- Premium LF Gasoline 5W-20;
- Wolf Vitaltech 5W-30 ASIA/US;
- Pennzoil Ultra 5w-30;
- Mobil 1 0W-20;
- Lukoil Genesis Claritech 5W-30.
The last product on the list from Lukoil does not mean that this oil is not suitable for the Kia Rio 2020 engine. On the contrary, just recently developed, it has already gained popularity due to its low price and unique qualities, including low ash content and excellent cleaning properties.
Services for selecting motor oils
Similar online services can be found on the websites of online stores selling various types of fuels and lubricants. Manufacturers of fuel and lubricants also offer such services.
To use this program, you need to specify:
- car manufacturer;
- model;
- engine's type;
- brand of oil already poured into the engine.
As a result, the program will select the most suitable options for purchase from those available in the store’s warehouse. But we must remember that the quality of the selection depends on the integrity of the developers. Such services are not always based on reliable manufacturer requirements.
Recommendations
- On a Kia Rio, changing the engine oil also requires a mandatory replacement of the oil filter.
This rule cannot be broken! While operating the vehicle, the manufacturer recommends checking the oil level every 500 km. To check, you need to put the car on a level surface, turn off the engine and after 10 minutes check the oil level using the dipstick. Normal - the level should be between o and “max”. - If it is necessary to add oil to the engine, it is necessary to use exactly the same lubricant as the one already poured into the engine (the same brand, viscosity and class).
We also recommend reading the article on how to flush the lubrication system before changing the engine oil. From this article you will learn what flushing does, as well as when it is necessary to flush the engine before changing the oil. - Changing Kia Rio oil when switching from one type/manufacturer of oil to another should be carried out with a “soft” flushing of the lubrication system. This will neutralize any remaining old oil in the system and also prevent the residue from mixing with fresh oil.
Useful tips
Traditionally, instructions for choosing an oil specify only its viscosity and quality standard.
But it is important to consider additional factors:
- terrain features;
- car age;
- fuel quality.
For example, those who live in regions with harsh winters are recommended to use exclusively synthetic oils during the cold season. It is believed that mineral products cannot maintain their properties at extremely low temperatures.
Car owners believe that the longer a car is used, the more viscous the lubricant is needed for its engine. Those who operate a machine that has reached 80% of its service life should avoid using a product labeled 5W-20. It would be advisable for them to use oil labeled 5W-30 or even 5W-40.
The worse the quality of fuel at a gas station in the region where a motorist lives, the more attention he needs to pay to the protective and cleaning properties of the mixture. Car owners who fill exclusively with premium gasoline can focus on economical products.
Don't limit yourself to reading the label. Before you settle on any brand of oil, you should find information about laboratory analysis. It is equally important to learn to distinguish between fake and original products. To do this, you need to study the protective techniques of the selected manufacturer.
Reviews from car owners
In reviews, car owners often praise Korean oils. Brands approved by European manufacturers, primarily Ford, receive no less positive ratings. Experienced drivers recommend choosing lubricants with low ash content and volatility. Many provide scans of a laboratory analysis report of the product used.
The main focus of discussions on forums is advice on how to avoid counterfeits. In second place are reviews regarding the improvement of the car’s driving performance when replacing the 5W-40 option familiar to Russian motorists with the one recommended by the manufacturer. Most often, a decrease in engine noise and a smooth start at cold speeds are noted.
All lubricants presented in the review received only positive user reviews. Car owners note that, despite the difference in the composition of the additives, they cope well with the tasks facing motor oils and save gasoline.