2011 Kia Sorento Oil Type & Capacity
The 2011 Kia Sorento oil type depends on the engine: the Base, Automatic takes 5W-20 (4.86 quarts qt with filter); the Base, Standard takes 5W-20 (4.86 quarts qt with filter); the EX, 2.4 1, 4WD takes 5W-20 (4.86 quarts qt with filter); the EX, 2.4 1, FWD takes 5W-20 (4.86 quarts qt with filter); the EX, 3.5 2, 4WD takes 5W-20 (5.49 quarts qt with filter); the EX, 3.5 2, FWD takes 5W-20 (5.49 quarts qt with filter); the LX, 2.4 1, 4WD takes 5W-20 (4.86 quarts qt with filter); the LX, 2.4 1, FWD takes 5W-20 (4.86 quarts qt with filter); the LX, 3.5 2, 4WD takes 5W-20 (5.49 quarts qt with filter); the LX, 3.5 2, FWD takes 5W-20 (5.49 quarts qt with filter); the SX, 4WD takes 5W-20 (5.49 quarts qt with filter); the SX, FWD takes 5W-20 (5.49 quarts qt with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- Base, Automatic: 5W-20, 4.86 quarts with filter
- Base, Standard: 5W-20, 4.86 quarts with filter
- EX, 2.4 1, 4WD: 5W-20, 4.86 quarts with filter
- EX, 2.4 1, FWD: 5W-20, 4.86 quarts with filter
- EX, 3.5 2, 4WD: 5W-20, 5.49 quarts with filter
- EX, 3.5 2, FWD: 5W-20, 5.49 quarts with filter
- LX, 2.4 1, 4WD: 5W-20, 4.86 quarts with filter
- LX, 2.4 1, FWD: 5W-20, 4.86 quarts with filter
- LX, 3.5 2, 4WD: 5W-20, 5.49 quarts with filter
- LX, 3.5 2, FWD: 5W-20, 5.49 quarts with filter
- SX, 4WD: 5W-20, 5.49 quarts with filter
- SX, FWD: 5W-20, 5.49 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base, Automatic — 2.4L Eng | API - SJ, SL, ILSAC GF-4, SAE 5W-20, SAE 5W-30 | 4.86 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, Standard — 2.4L Eng | API - SJ, SL, ILSAC GF-4, SAE 5W-20, SAE 5W-30 | 4.86 QTS. | — | — |
| EX, 2.4 1, 4WD — 2.4L Eng | API - SJ, SL, ILSAC GF-4, SAE 5W-20, SAE 5W-30 | 4.86 QTS. | — | — |
| EX, 2.4 1, FWD — 2.4L Eng | API - SJ, SL, ILSAC GF-4, SAE 5W-20, SAE 5W-30 | 4.86 QTS. | — | — |
| EX, 3.5 2, 4WD — 3.5L Eng | API - SJ, SL, ILSAC GF-4, SAE 5W-20, SAE 5W-30 | 5.49 QTS. | — | — |
| EX, 3.5 2, FWD — 3.5L Eng | API - SJ, SL, ILSAC GF-4, SAE 5W-20, SAE 5W-30 | 5.49 QTS. | — | — |
| LX, 2.4 1, 4WD — 2.4L Eng | API - SJ, SL, ILSAC GF-4, SAE 5W-20, SAE 5W-30 | 4.86 QTS. | — | — |
| LX, 2.4 1, FWD — 2.4L Eng | API - SJ, SL, ILSAC GF-4, SAE 5W-20, SAE 5W-30 | 4.86 QTS. | — | — |
| LX, 3.5 2, 4WD — 3.5L Eng | API - SJ, SL, ILSAC GF-4, SAE 5W-20, SAE 5W-30 | 5.49 QTS. | — | — |
| LX, 3.5 2, FWD — 3.5L Eng | API - SJ, SL, ILSAC GF-4, SAE 5W-20, SAE 5W-30 | 5.49 QTS. | — | — |
| SX, 4WD — 3.5L Eng | API - SJ, SL, ILSAC GF-4, SAE 5W-20, SAE 5W-30 | 5.49 QTS. | — | — |
| SX, FWD — 3.5L Eng | API - SJ, SL, ILSAC GF-4, SAE 5W-20, SAE 5W-30 | 5.49 QTS. | — | — |
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More factory specs & repair guides for your Sorento
🛞 2011 Kia Sorento Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 2011 Kia Sorento Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 2011 Kia Sorento Light Bulb Sizes →📖 2011 Kia Sorento Factory Service Manual →All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner network AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
6.97 quarts (6.59 L) — 50/50 mixture of Ethylene Glycol Antifreeze and distilled water. The engine coolant should be compatible with aluminum engine parts.
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 2011 Kia Sorento take?
It depends on the engine: Base, Automatic uses 5W-20; Base, Standard uses 5W-20; EX, 2.4 1, 4WD uses 5W-20; EX, 2.4 1, FWD uses 5W-20; EX, 3.5 2, 4WD uses 5W-20; EX, 3.5 2, FWD uses 5W-20; LX, 2.4 1, 4WD uses 5W-20; LX, 2.4 1, FWD uses 5W-20; LX, 3.5 2, 4WD uses 5W-20; LX, 3.5 2, FWD uses 5W-20; SX, 4WD uses 5W-20; SX, FWD uses 5W-20.
What is the oil capacity of a 2011 Kia Sorento?
Oil capacity depends on the engine: Base, Automatic holds 4.86 quarts with filter; Base, Standard holds 4.86 quarts with filter; EX, 2.4 1, 4WD holds 4.86 quarts with filter; EX, 2.4 1, FWD holds 4.86 quarts with filter; EX, 3.5 2, 4WD holds 5.49 quarts with filter; EX, 3.5 2, FWD holds 5.49 quarts with filter; LX, 2.4 1, 4WD holds 4.86 quarts with filter; LX, 2.4 1, FWD holds 4.86 quarts with filter; LX, 3.5 2, 4WD holds 5.49 quarts with filter; LX, 3.5 2, FWD holds 5.49 quarts with filter; SX, 4WD holds 5.49 quarts with filter; SX, FWD holds 5.49 quarts with filter.
How often should I change the oil in my 2011 Kia Sorento?
Most 2011 Kia Sorento 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 2011 Kia Sorento?
Yes. 5W-20 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 2011 Kia Sorento. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.