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Kia Rio Oil Change Frequency Issue

46K views 55 replies 20 participants last post by  dawnmdm 
#1 ·
We bought a new 2012 Kia Rio. The oil burns black on this car FAST. Checking the oil after the first oil change around 3000 miles at the dealer I found that at 4800 miles the oil was BLACK. I was shocked and changed it immediately myself. Checking every 500 miles since then I have found the oil very dark by 1500 miles of NORMAL driving. I have been changing oil for 40 years in many cars and have never seen this at such low miles. I intend to be changing my oil at 1500 miles or less in the future on that car. BURNT BLACK OIL IS NOT GOOD. That little engine must run hot - but I believe it only holds 3.5 quarts. That is likely why it is "burning" black, my guess. Those changing oil on this car at 3000 miles and above will be cheating themselves out of engine life no matter what they use for oil. WORD TO THE WISE HERE, watch your oil on the Rio AND Hyundai Accent. ANY comments email me at gjburns@cox.net
 
#4 ·
old thread i know.

i just had a 37,500km service done. They advise 15,000km service intervals here and it's RIDICULOUS, i do mine every 7500km. The car came back from the dealer and with about 25km on the new oil, it's already a moderate dark colour, but that's open to interpretation. It's still see through, but not like new oil has been in any other car i've owned and i've had a lot. It does not smell burnt in the slightest but i've noticed since day 1 this thing blackens its oil very quickly.
 
#6 ·
yeah it's the best way to be - most if not all cars here in Oz come with a 15,000KM service interval which is total BS, nothing more than marketing to make new cars seem even more affordable. Used to be 10,000km as a standard here but i do mine earlier anyway.

the dealer put 7.5w30 oil in which i've never used before, didn't list brand either haha
 
#12 ·
There is an odd lack of concise information on regular maintenance on this car.

I asked people at the dealership about maintenance intervals and they looked at me like I was speaking Klingon.

I change my oil between 6000 and 7000 miles.

I use Castrol Syntec 5W20 oil, the stock Kia oil filter hand twisted tightly on,and bolt washer torqued on to 30 ft pounds.

When replaced, the oil in our Kia is dirty but not destroyed.

Our Kia stays on the interstate everyday for at least 120 miles a day -five days a week.

Just remember it's only -three and half quarts of oil- get great oil and change it as often as you feel comfortable but change it-oil is cheaper by far then a new engine-don't count on the Kia warranty to replace a badly maintained engine.

Remember also to use premium fuel if you hear any engine pinging.
 
#13 ·
I have 8500KM on my Rio and a "Check Engine Oil" notice came up on the dash a day or two ago when you first start the car. Its first service is only at 15000KM

Should I just change it myself or take it in? It's got a maintenance plan so I shouldn't have to pay for it.

Also why would it display this message if the first service is only supposed to be at 15000KM?

Thanks
 
#15 · (Edited)
Should I just change it myself or take it in? It's got a maintenance plan so I shouldn't have to pay for it.

Also why would it display this message if the first service is only supposed to be at 15000KM?

Thanks
My mom's Taurus does this all the time, just came on a couple weeks ago and it's only been 900 miles since I changed the oil and reset the computer. I think it keeps track of time or something too, it seems to go off every couple months or so regardless of mileage. (in other words I just ignore it and reset most of the time).

This is Ford's explaining of their oil reminder but they're all pretty much the same. http://owner.ford.com/Storage/CommonImages/images/IOLM%20FAQ.pdf
 
#14 · (Edited)
The color of the oil really has no bearing at all on how worn out it is. Modern oils, especially the synthetics, are capable of working well far beyond what they could in the past. For some reason everyone I know fell for the 3k mile interval myth, it just isn't true. It started back when oil was very unrefined and would sludge an engine but that was 60 years ago, since then it's just become a myth perpetuated by service shops just so they can make more money faster.

Stop Changing Your Oil! - Edmunds.com

Your engine will be fine whether you follow the manufacturer's interval or change it every 1k miles, doesn't matter. I've seen many engines ruined by oil issues, but only 2 kinds: NEVER changing the oil, or letting it run dry, that's it.
 
#18 ·
The color of the oil really has no bearing at all on how worn out it is. Modern oils, especially the synthetics, are capable of working well far beyond what they could in the past.
firstly, colour is a bearing on the condition of oil, along with, and more importantly, consistency, smell and any obvious contaminents. Changing your oil more frequently (around 7500 give or take) WILL increase the life of your engine, in the form of how closely it will keep performing to OEM spec, for longer. The only marketing spin that has been put on it is car manufacturers increasing the service intervals from the traditional 10,000km to 15,000km. Makes the car seem cheaper to run doesn't it. Yet what was changed to cope with this?

Not changing your oil sooner won't instantly lunch your engine, the older your oil is, the harder your engine works to do what it should do freely and the more wear you will get on the componentry, causing slack and wear which will in turn reduce efficiency and power levels.

this is not new information.
 
#19 ·
also, oil change intervals should be relative to the kind of driving you do and the traffic in the area you live in. Ours is a densely populated area with lots of hills and slow peak-hour traffic each end of the day.. actually pretty much all day. Changing the oil at 15,000km in these conditions, with this motor, would not be pretty.
 
#20 ·
This is what I was thinking as well. I do have a fair amount of hills and stop start traffic in my daily commutes but it's not excessive. Some of that 8500km has been on the open road as well.

So I was just curious if I should change it or leave it.
 
#22 · (Edited)
I'm not wrong at all. Colour can be indicative of contaminents, eg metal shavings and other health signs of your engine. It can also signal cross contamination along with smell. It's just one of many things to be aware of. The rapid colour change in the Rio 1.6 is no doubt due to fuel dilution inherent to GDi motors.

like i said already, your oil change intervals should be relative to the type of driving you do, and your environment, and for that matter what style of driver you are, sedate or spirited, among several other factors. 5000km or thereabouts is a load of crap - even for older engines. 10,000KM is the absolute maximum you would want to do in my opinion, but my Rio is used for peak hour/heavy traffic and relatively short trips, my V8 Ford is higher km and my XR6 Turbo is a high performance car which sees some spirited driving from time to time and for all these reasons i change my oil at 7500km.

I've bought 5 new cars and about 14 second hand, and no you will never hear the oil change intervals voluntarily from a salesman because they couldn't give a crap, they are there to sell you a car and nothing else. I've also worked in sales! A mechanic can be a big variable, there are good and bad. Some will tell you to change your oil and many other things regularly to make a buck - the good ones will tell you to do it when it needs to be done. Whoever told you about the 'severely damaging' part is talking BS.

i've been around the block a few times and i live and breathe cars. What other people want to do with their own cars is their business, i can only offer helpful advice.

Having said what i said, maybe the states/ca has a monopoly of sorts going on the oil change guilt trip - it's not a big thing over here and you'll rarely be guilted into doing it unnecessarily.
 
#24 ·
My manual says 12,000kms/12 months unless in severe conditions lol.

A look at those conditions pretty much means everyone has to do the oil change 6000kms or 6 months...
So far I am on track for 14000 kms (8700miles) for the first year.
Running synthetic but looking like I will change twice a year anyway, which works out to be around $50 cdn a year minus the beer :)

Cheers,
Paul
 

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#29 ·
Not 100% my opinion but this article basically sums up that the synthetic maybe better than conventional oil but the filter will be dirty so honor your manufacturer recommended intervals ...

Filtering the truth on synthetic oil - The Globe and Mail

The bottom line is IF something happens to the engine you give the Manufacturer a way out if you don't do the suggested intervals stated in your owners manual. If your dealer says otherwise I would make sure you have a paper signed by them and put it in the back of your manual.

It is very easy to do the oil change on these cars so if you are so inclined buy a set of ramps on sale and just do it yourself.
If DIY is not an option (for whatever reason) look for a garage that you trust. They usually have deals with tire rotation and chassis lube etc, but I would buy a KIA filter/washer and have them install it. They should give you partial credit for not putting in their filter...

If you look at the difference from 12,000 to 6,000 kms from regular driving to severe it gives a pretty big range and it makes sense to use your own judgement on your type of conditions to when you change your oil ;)

For me any excuse to hide in the garage with tunes blaring and beer fridge close buy >:D
Cheers,
Paul
 
#32 ·
There has been some mention here about gauging oil life and condition by the color and smell. While yes this can be an indication of severe problems (water or coolant in the oil, heavy metal shavings, strong fuel smell) it is hard to determine much else.

If you want to get right down to it, send a sample off to Blackstone for a used oil analysis.

Laboratory Analysis of the Factory Fill Oil

This is an analysis of the factory fill oil from a Veloster which shares the Rio engine. So the readings are during the break in period. A UOA is the only way to know the actual condition of the oil in your engine.

Everyone has their own routine for maintenance. As such, I am very picky with my vehicles and always have been. So I go above and beyond what is required as far as change interval etc... Yes I am wasting money. No I don't care. I enjoy working on my vehicles and if my ocd about preventative maintenance saves my engine then woohoo! If not, whatever, I am having a great time :)

As for the fuel or moisture in the oil I suggest adding an oil catch can to your vehicle. I had one custom made by these guys:

Saikou Michi Co. 2013

Easy install, easy to empty, and definitely does as advertised. I empty it about every 1500 miles. I am not to that point yet but I can dump out what is in there and post pictures if you'd all like to see.

Just wanted to spread some knowledge and not just spew my own maintenance views and present them as gospel ;)

Keep being awesome y'all!
 
#36 ·
This was my first change oil so its my first run on this car with synthetic so nothing to compare it to. Plus the car is new and garage kept. Even when -40C out my car is always above 0C in the morning coming out of the heated garage. Usually the afternoons when coming home are always warm, above -20C :p so cold starts are no problem.

I don't think you would be able to notice much difference unless you where having problems.
Part of the reason for the 0W-20 was due to the fact that I had a couple jugs left from last sale.
My memory is very foggy as I get older but I thought I read that the 0w-20 was brewed in Germany and was of higher grade oils. ..
 
#37 ·
You do realize parking your car in a heated garage is about the worst thing you can do for it. Salt will do no damage below freezing, but above freezing it is eating the crap out of your car.

Pat.
 
#40 ·
I've noticed the exact same thing with my Rio, as OP mentioned. Oil starts turning black after 1,500km and is completely dark after 2-3K. I'm using Castrol Syntec and OEM oil filter. I've used same oil in other vehicles and they typically stay light brown until it is time for a change. Only exception, I've noticed is with the VW GTI but I figure it was because of the turbo and engine being worked hard (I was a bit of a speed demon w/ it lol) That motor also drank oil, like it was soda pop :eek:

I've come to terms with the oil turning black but I do plan on sending in a sample to the labs for an analysis. Hopefully, it will be good news and nothing to worry about.
 
#42 ·
Yeah, I think that is what other members are saying. I don't understand it myself but I guess it is what it is. I just got an oil change done two days ago and oil is already dark. Almost looks like the oil was never changed lol (Yes, it was done by Mr Lube and you can watch the process)
 
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