1997 Kia Sephia Oil Type & Capacity
The 1997 Kia Sephia oil type depends on the engine: the GS, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts qt with filter); the GS, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts qt with filter); the LS, 1.6 3 takes 5W-30 (3.6 quarts qt with filter); the LS, 1.6 4 takes 5W-30 (3.6 quarts qt with filter); the LS, 1.8 5, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts qt with filter); the LS, 1.8 5, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts qt with filter); the RS, 1.6 3, Automatic takes 5W-30 (3.6 quarts qt with filter); the RS, 1.6 3, Standard takes 5W-30 (3.6 quarts qt with filter); the RS, 1.6 4, Automatic takes 5W-30 (3.6 quarts qt with filter); the RS, 1.6 4, Standard takes 5W-30 (3.6 quarts qt with filter); the RS, 1.8 5, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts qt with filter); the RS, 1.8 5, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.0 quarts qt with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- GS, Automatic: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- GS, Standard: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- LS, 1.6 3: 5W-30, 3.6 quarts with filter
- LS, 1.6 4: 5W-30, 3.6 quarts with filter
- LS, 1.8 5, Automatic: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- LS, 1.8 5, Standard: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- RS, 1.6 3, Automatic: 5W-30, 3.6 quarts with filter
- RS, 1.6 3, Standard: 5W-30, 3.6 quarts with filter
- RS, 1.6 4, Automatic: 5W-30, 3.6 quarts with filter
- RS, 1.6 4, Standard: 5W-30, 3.6 quarts with filter
- RS, 1.8 5, Automatic: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
- RS, 1.8 5, Standard: 5W-30, 4.0 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS, Automatic — 1.8L Eng | API - SG or SH Energy Conserving II, SAE 5W-30 (-20Deg.F to 30Deg.F), 30 (30Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (-10Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 20W-40/50 (20Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| GS, Standard — 1.8L Eng | API - SG or SH Energy Conserving II, SAE 5W-30 (-20Deg.F to 30Deg.F), 30 (30Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (-10Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 20W-40/50 (20Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| LS, 1.6 3 — 1.6L Eng | API - SG or SH Energy Conserving II, SAE 5W-30 (-20Deg.F to 30Deg.F), 30 (30Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (-10Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 20W-40/50 (20Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F) | 3.60 QTS. | — | — |
| LS, 1.6 4 — 1.6L Eng | API - SG or SH Energy Conserving II, SAE 5W-30 (-20Deg.F to 30Deg.F), 30 (30Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (-10Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 20W-40/50 (20Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F) | 3.60 QTS. | — | — |
| LS, 1.8 5, Automatic — 1.8L Eng | API - SG or SH Energy Conserving II, SAE 5W-30 (-20Deg.F to 30Deg.F), 30 (30Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (-10Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 20W-40/50 (20Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| LS, 1.8 5, Standard — 1.8L Eng | API - SG or SH Energy Conserving II, SAE 5W-30 (-20Deg.F to 30Deg.F), 30 (30Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (-10Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 20W-40/50 (20Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| RS, 1.6 3, Automatic — 1.6L Eng | API - SG or SH Energy Conserving II, SAE 5W-30 (-20Deg.F to 30Deg.F), 30 (30Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (-10Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 20W-40/50 (20Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F) | 3.60 QTS. | — | — |
| RS, 1.6 3, Standard — 1.6L Eng | API - SG or SH Energy Conserving II, SAE 5W-30 (-20Deg.F to 30Deg.F), 30 (30Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (-10Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 20W-40/50 (20Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F) | 3.60 QTS. | — | — |
| RS, 1.6 4, Automatic — 1.6L Eng | API - SG or SH Energy Conserving II, SAE 5W-30 (-20Deg.F to 30Deg.F), 30 (30Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (-10Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 20W-40/50 (20Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F) | 3.60 QTS. | — | — |
| RS, 1.6 4, Standard — 1.6L Eng | API - SG or SH Energy Conserving II, SAE 5W-30 (-20Deg.F to 30Deg.F), 30 (30Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (-10Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 20W-40/50 (20Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F) | 3.60 QTS. | — | — |
| RS, 1.8 5, Automatic — 1.8L Eng | API - SG or SH Energy Conserving II, SAE 5W-30 (-20Deg.F to 30Deg.F), 30 (30Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (-10Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 20W-40/50 (20Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
| RS, 1.8 5, Standard — 1.8L Eng | API - SG or SH Energy Conserving II, SAE 5W-30 (-20Deg.F to 30Deg.F), 30 (30Deg.F to 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40/50 (-10Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F), 20W-40/50 (20Deg.F to Above 120Deg.F) | 4.00 QTS. | — | — |
More factory specs & repair guides for your Sephia
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Coolant capacity
6.3 quarts (5.96 L) — 50/50 mixture of Ethylene Glycol Antifreeze and water
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1997 Kia Sephia take?
It depends on the engine: GS, Automatic uses 5W-30; GS, Standard uses 5W-30; LS, 1.6 3 uses 5W-30; LS, 1.6 4 uses 5W-30; LS, 1.8 5, Automatic uses 5W-30; LS, 1.8 5, Standard uses 5W-30; RS, 1.6 3, Automatic uses 5W-30; RS, 1.6 3, Standard uses 5W-30; RS, 1.6 4, Automatic uses 5W-30; RS, 1.6 4, Standard uses 5W-30; RS, 1.8 5, Automatic uses 5W-30; RS, 1.8 5, Standard uses 5W-30.
What is the oil capacity of a 1997 Kia Sephia?
Oil capacity depends on the engine: GS, Automatic holds 4.0 quarts with filter; GS, Standard holds 4.0 quarts with filter; LS, 1.6 3 holds 3.6 quarts with filter; LS, 1.6 4 holds 3.6 quarts with filter; LS, 1.8 5, Automatic holds 4.0 quarts with filter; LS, 1.8 5, Standard holds 4.0 quarts with filter; RS, 1.6 3, Automatic holds 3.6 quarts with filter; RS, 1.6 3, Standard holds 3.6 quarts with filter; RS, 1.6 4, Automatic holds 3.6 quarts with filter; RS, 1.6 4, Standard holds 3.6 quarts with filter; RS, 1.8 5, Automatic holds 4.0 quarts with filter; RS, 1.8 5, Standard holds 4.0 quarts with filter.
How often should I change the oil in my 1997 Kia Sephia?
Most 1997 Kia Sephia owners follow a 5,000–7,500 mile interval with conventional oil, or up to 10,000 miles with full synthetic. Always check the oil life monitor if equipped, and consult your owner's manual — Kia recommends intervals based on driving conditions, not just mileage.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1997 Kia Sephia?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1997 Kia Sephia. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.