How to Change Your 2023 Kia Carnival 3.5L V6's Oil — DIY Guide

Here's what I do every time I service the 2023 Kia Carnival 3.5L — and if you've worked on any Hyundai-Kia V6 in the past decade, this will feel familiar. The Lambda II 3.5L GDi uses a cartridge filter and a clean bottom-drain setup. Kia dealers charge $140–$185; DIY cost is around $40–$55. The Carnival replaced the Sedona in 2022 and shares its drivetrain with the Hyundai Palisade — the oil change procedure is nearly identical.

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Parts & Tools

Item	OEM / Spec	Detail
Oil filter	Kia 26320-3CAA0	Cartridge element, top-mount housing
Drain plug washer	Kia 21513-23001	Aluminum crush washer
Motor oil	5W-20 full synthetic	API SP or SN+, Kia spec
Capacity	5.7 qt (5.4 L) with filter	Lambda II 3.5L GDi G6DK
Drain plug torque	26 lb-ft (35 Nm)	17mm hex

Additional tools: 17mm socket, filter housing wrench (27mm), drain pan, funnel, torque wrench.

Oil note: The Carnival 3.5L specifies 5W-20 — confirm this in the Kia owner's manual. Kia Genuine 5W-20, Pennzoil Platinum 5W-20, Mobil 1 5W-20, and Castrol Edge 5W-20 all meet the API SP spec.

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DIY vs. Shop Cost

Item	DIY Cost	Shop Cost
5W-20 full synthetic (6 qt)	$26–$38	—
Kia 26320-3CAA0 filter	$8–$14	—
Drain plug washer	$1–$2	—
Total parts	~$35–$54	—
Labor	$0	$105–$130
Total	~$35–$54	$140–$184

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Step-by-Step Oil Change

1. Warm the Engine

Run the Carnival for 5–7 minutes. The 5.7-qt capacity drains fully in about 9 minutes when warm.

2. Raise the Vehicle

Use ramps or a floor jack with stands. The full-length undertray extends beneath the engine.

3. Remove the Undertray Access Panel

Remove the lower undertray access panel — several 10mm bolts and plastic clip fasteners. You don't need to remove the entire undertray.

4. Replace the Filter Cartridge First

Use a 27mm filter housing wrench from above the engine to loosen the housing cap counterclockwise. Pull the cap with the old filter element. Install the new O-ring from the 26320-3CAA0 kit. Drop in the new cartridge and reinstall the cap. Torque to 18 lb-ft (25 Nm).

5. Drain the Oil

Position the drain pan under the 17mm drain plug. Remove, let drain completely (~9 minutes). Remove the old aluminum washer.

6. Reinstall the Drain Plug

Install a new 21513-23001 aluminum washer. Thread in by hand, then torque to 26 lb-ft (35 Nm).

7. Reinstall the Undertray Panel

Fold the panel back up and reinstall 10mm bolts and plastic clips. Thread by hand — the clips strip easily.

8. Add Oil

Remove the yellow oil filler cap on top of the engine. Add 5.3 quarts of 5W-20 synthetic. Start the engine, idle 2 minutes, shut off, wait 5 minutes. Check the dipstick and add remaining ~0.4 qt. Final capacity is 5.7 quarts.

9. Check for Leaks

Idle 2 more minutes and inspect the filter housing and drain plug.

10. Reset the Maintenance Reminder

Navigate to Settings → Vehicle → Maintenance → Oil Life → Reset on the steering wheel cluster.

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Kia Carnival 3.5L V6 Ownership Notes

1. Theta II recall awareness: The G6DK 3.5L is a Lambda engine — different family from the Theta II 2.4L/2.0T that had bearing failure recalls. The Lambda has a clean record.
2. 5,000-mile service intervals with synthetic: Kia's OLM typically pushes toward 7,500 miles, but with GDi direct injection and valve deposits, I personally run 5,000-mile intervals on these engines.
3. Valve train noise at cold start: The Lambda II V6 can make a light ticking noise at cold start for 5–10 seconds. Normal (hydraulic lifter prime time). If it persists past 30 seconds, check oil level and viscosity.

For related Kia V6 guides, see the 2023 Hyundai Palisade 3.8L oil change guide and the 2021 Kia K5 2.5T oil change guide.

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