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 with filter); the Base, Standard takes 5W-20 (4.86 quarts with filter); the EX, 2.4 1, 4WD takes 5W-20 (4.86 quarts with filter); the EX, 2.4 1, FWD takes 5W-20 (4.86 quarts with filter); the EX, 3.5 2, 4WD takes 5W-20 (5.49 quarts with filter); the EX, 3.5 2, FWD takes 5W-20 (5.49 quarts with filter); the LX, 2.4 1, 4WD takes 5W-20 (4.86 quarts with filter); the LX, 2.4 1, FWD takes 5W-20 (4.86 quarts with filter); the LX, 3.5 2, 4WD takes 5W-20 (5.49 quarts with filter); the LX, 3.5 2, FWD takes 5W-20 (5.49 quarts with filter); the SX, 4WD takes 5W-20 (5.49 quarts with filter); the SX, FWD takes 5W-20 (5.49 quarts 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. | — | — |
Buy the right oil
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More specs & repair guides for your Sorento
2011 Kia Sorento factory service manualAll fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner site 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.
How much oil does a 2011 Kia Sorento take?
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.
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.