2023 Kia Telluride 3.8L Oil Change — Lambda II GDI, 5W-20, Step-by-Step DIY Guide

I bought my Telluride because it checks every family-hauler box. Three rows, a smooth V6, and enough room to survive road trips. What I didn't expect was how easy the 3.8L Lambda II GDI oil change is — no skid plates to fight, a spin-on filter in a sensible location, and the whole job done in under 30 minutes. The dealer charges $120–$150 for this. You can do it for about $40.

Here's exactly how I do it.

Engine and Oil Specs

The 2023 Kia Telluride 3.8L uses the Lambda II GDI V6 — a proven direct-injection engine shared across the Kia/Hyundai lineup. It calls for 5W-20 full synthetic on a 7,500-mile oil change interval.

Item	Spec
Engine	3.8L Lambda II GDI V6
Oil viscosity	5W-20 full synthetic
Oil capacity (with filter)	6.9 quarts
OEM oil filter	Kia 26300-35504
Drain plug size	17mm hex
Drain plug torque	25–32 lb-ft (34–44 Nm)
Oil change interval	7,500 miles or 12 months
Oil spec	API SN Plus / SP, ILSAC GF-5 or GF-6A

Oil note: Kia's factory fill is Mobil 1 5W-20 full synthetic. Any full synthetic meeting API SP and ILSAC GF-6A works — just match the viscosity. Don't substitute 5W-30; it's out of spec for the Lambda II.

Tools and Parts List

• 7 quarts of 5W-20 full synthetic (buy 7 to have extra for dipstick checks)
• Kia 26300-35504 oil filter (or WIX 57047XP, FRAM Ultra XG7317)
• 17mm socket or box wrench
• Torque wrench (25–40 lb-ft range)
• 8 quart drain pan
• Jack and jack stands or low-profile ramps
• Funnel
• Rags or shop towels
• New drain plug washer: Kia 21513-23001 (replace every 2–3 changes)

Step-by-Step Oil Change

1. Warm the Engine (5 minutes)

Start the Telluride and let it idle for 3–4 minutes, then shut off and wait 5 minutes. Warm oil flows out completely; cold oil leaves more residue behind. Never work on a hot engine — 5 minutes cool-down time is enough.

2. Lift and Secure the Vehicle

The Telluride needs to be lifted for access. Use ramps or jack stands — the front frame rails are the correct lift points for jack stands. Check your owner's manual for the exact pinch weld locations. Never get under a vehicle supported only by a floor jack.

Remove the plastic engine undertray if equipped (two or four 10mm bolts).

3. Position the Drain Pan and Remove the Plug

The oil pan drain plug is at the rear-center of the oil pan on the Lambda II V6. Position your drain pan under it. Remove the 17mm drain plug counterclockwise — pull it away quickly at the last thread to avoid oil running down your arm.

Let it drain 8–10 minutes. Open the oil filler cap on top of the engine to break the vacuum and speed drainage.

4. Remove the Oil Filter

The Kia 26300-35504 is a spin-on canister filter located on the passenger side of the engine, toward the front. Remove counterclockwise with a filter wrench if needed. Have a rag positioned — it holds residual oil.

Inspect the mounting surface. Make sure the old rubber O-ring came off completely with the old filter and isn't stuck to the block. This is the number-one cause of oil leaks after a DIY filter change.

5. Install the New Filter

Lightly coat the new filter's O-ring with fresh 5W-20. Thread on by hand until snug, then add ¾ of a turn. Hand-tight plus ¾ turn is the correct installation — do not use a filter wrench to tighten. Overtightening collapses the gasket; undertightening lets it back off at startup.

6. Reinstall the Drain Plug

Thread the 17mm drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading the aluminum oil pan. Torque to 25–32 lb-ft. I target 29 lb-ft as the midpoint. Swap in a fresh crush washer (Kia 21513-23001) if you're past two changes on the same washer.

7. Fill with 5W-20

Add 6.5 quarts first through the filler cap. Replace the cap, start the engine, let it idle 60 seconds. Shut off, wait 2 minutes, then check the dipstick. The Lambda II takes 6.9 quarts to the FULL mark — add the remaining oil incrementally until the dipstick reads full.

8. Check for Leaks

With the engine idling, check the drain plug and filter area from below. No drips = you're done. Shut off, wait 5 minutes, final dipstick check.

9. Reset the Maintenance Light

On the 2023 Kia Telluride:

1. Turn ignition to ON (engine off) — push start once without pressing the brake
2. Press the OK button on the steering wheel to navigate to Service Interval
3. Press and hold OK until the reset prompt appears
4. Select Reset and confirm

Or navigate to: Settings > Vehicle > Scheduled Maintenance > Reset.

Cost Comparison

	DIY	Kia Dealer
5W-20 full synthetic (7 qt)	~$40–$50	—
Kia 26300-35504 filter	~$8–$12	—
Crush washer	~$2	—
Labor	$0	$80–$120
Total	~$50–$64	$120–$160

You save $70–$100 per oil change. At 7,500-mile intervals with highway-heavy driving, that's one or two changes a year — the DIY savings add up quickly over a 10-year ownership cycle.

Common Mistakes

1. Wrong oil viscosity. The 2023 Telluride takes 5W-20, not 5W-30. The Lambda II GDI is designed around the thinner viscosity for fuel economy and cold-start protection. Check the oil filler cap — it reads 5W-20.

2. Overfilling. The Lambda II is sensitive to overfill. Too much oil causes foaming and can damage the engine. Add oil slowly and check the dipstick rather than dumping in the full 6.9 quarts all at once.

3. Old O-ring left on block. Always check the filter mounting surface after removing the old filter. One extra second here prevents a headache-inducing oil leak.

4. Loose drain plug. 25–32 lb-ft is the spec. Use a torque wrench — a loose drain plug on a 6.9-quart system will make a significant mess.

5. Not resetting the maintenance reminder. The Telluride's UVO infotainment tracks oil life. Reset it every time or it'll remind you to change oil at the wrong interval.

Related Maintenance on the 2023 Kia Telluride

At 30,000 miles: cabin air filter and engine air filter replacement. At 60,000 miles: spark plug service (Kia recommends iridium plugs at 60k). At 30,000-mile intervals: check and potentially replace the brake fluid, especially if you live in a humid climate.

For more on SUV oil change procedures, see the 2023 Honda CR-V 1.5T oil change guide. If you want to understand what makes a clean oil change possible without spills, the how to do an oil change at home guide covers the fundamentals.

Get the full library of step-by-step repair guides at OwnerDrop — use code FIRST15 for 15% off orders of $99 or more at checkout.