2023 Hyundai Palisade 3.8L Oil Change — DIY Guide
2023 Hyundai Palisade 3.8L Oil Change — DIY Guide
Hyundai dealers charge $110–$155 to service the Palisade's 3.8L V6; do it yourself for about $45. The Lambda II GDI engine has a well-organized layout — drain plug and filter both accessible in under 10 minutes of prep.
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| Item | OEM / Spec | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Oil filter | Hyundai 26320-3C250 | Cartridge element, top-mount housing |
| Filter O-ring | Included with 26320-3C250 | Replace with each service |
| Drain plug washer | Hyundai 21513-23001 | Replace each service |
| Motor oil | 5W-20 full synthetic | API SP certified |
| Capacity | 5.3 qt (5.0 L) with filter | Lambda II GDI 3.8L V6 |
| Drain plug torque | 33 lb-ft (44 Nm) | 14mm hex |
| Filter housing torque | 25 lb-ft (34 Nm) | 27mm hex cap |
Oil note: The 2023 Palisade 3.8L Lambda II uses 5W-20 — not 5W-30. Verify on the oil filler cap. Castrol EDGE 5W-20, Pennzoil Platinum 5W-20, and Valvoline MaxLife 5W-20 full synthetic all qualify.
DIY vs. Shop Cost
| Item | DIY Cost | Shop Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 5W-20 synthetic (6 qt) | $28–$38 | — |
| Hyundai 26320-3C250 filter | $10–$16 | — |
| Drain plug washer | $1–$2 | — |
| Total parts | ~$39–$56 | — |
| Labor | $0 | $70–$100 |
| Total | ~$39–$56 | $110–$155 |
Step-by-Step Oil Change
1. Warm and Position
Run the Palisade for 5–7 minutes. Park on level ground.
2. Remove the Engine Cover
The 2023 Palisade has a black plastic engine cover — pull straight up (four to six friction-fit pins). Set aside.
3. Remove the Filter Housing Cap
Use a 27mm socket to turn the filter cap counterclockwise. Lift out. The old filter element is attached to the underside of the cap. Pull it off and discard. Remove the old O-ring from the groove and discard.
4. Drain the Oil
The 14mm drain plug is on the rear of the oil pan, passenger side. Remove counterclockwise. Allow 7–8 minutes for a full drain. Discard the old 21513-23001 washer.
5. Install the New Filter
Seat the new O-ring (included with 26320-3C250). Push the new filter element onto the cap post until it clicks. Lower into the housing and torque the cap to 25 lb-ft (34 Nm). Replace the engine cover.
6. Reinstall the Drain Plug
Install the new 21513-23001 washer. Torque to 33 lb-ft (44 Nm).
7. Add Oil
Pour 4.8 quarts of 5W-20 through the oil filler cap. Start the engine. Idle 90 seconds, shut off, wait 5 minutes. Top up. Full capacity is 5.3 quarts with filter.
8. Reset and Verify
Run at idle 2–3 minutes and check for seepage. Reset the service interval via the cluster: Vehicle → Service Reset.
Engine Notes
The Lambda II GDI 3.8L uses direct injection — clean oil changes reduce combustion blowby that accelerates intake valve carbon deposits. Hyundai's warranty requires documented oil change records; photograph date, mileage, and oil bottles for each DIY service. For a smaller Hyundai GDI service, see the 2023 Hyundai Tucson 1.6T oil change guide.
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Written by OwnerDrop Team
DIY automotive guides and systems for independent mechanics. We test every procedure, document every torque spec, and build every tool list from scratch.
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