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Maintenance schedule 6 mths or 12k?

3K views 15 replies 9 participants last post by  Sloppy 
#1 ·
Since this is my first new car. I'm not sure about the maintenance schedule. It says 6 months or 12000km. Do you have to take it in at 6 months if that comes first? Or if you wait for 12000km, will you void the warranty? I tried asking them, but I don't believe them. We usually only drive the sorento on the weekends and rarely during the week.

Thanks!
 
#3 ·
Section 7 page 13 of my 2017 owners manual (PDF version) under normal maintenance schedule 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months it says ...

Replace engine oil and filter *6
(every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 12 months)

*6: Engine oil (2.0 TGDI) Replace every 6,500 miles (10,000 km) or 6 months
 
#5 ·
If you do it yourself,,, just make sure to do a 100 point inspection and log it. you'll need a set of ramps to at least get the front up and take off the lower engine guard. or take it in but if you take it in, it may cost you an arm and a leg. Maybe even to the tune of 500 if they find things to up-sell (which at mine, they would).
 
#6 ·
Ontario is considered to be a severe condition area. Your vehicle needs to go for an oil change every 6 months. If you wait for the 12,000 km mark to do it and you have issues, Kia will say you failed to maintain your vehicle and refuse to cover the warranty work.
If you choose to do your own maintenance, you must keep all records and receipts of oil & oil filter purchases.
One very strong word of advice. Do not use non-Kia oil filters. There have been a few discussions on here about owners being out of luck on major engine repairs because of the use of non OEM filters. Personally, for me, the extra cost and inconvenience of taking my vehicle to a Kia dealership for oil changes during the warranty period far outweighs the risk of doing it myself or going to a quick lube place. Also, quick lube places do not use OEM oil filters. If you must go to one, make sure you purchase a filter from Kia and take it with you.
 
#7 ·
Since this is my first new car. I'm not sure about the maintenance schedule. It says 6 months or 12000km. Do you have to take it in at 6 months if that comes first? Or if you wait for 12000km, will you void the warranty? I tried asking them, but I don't believe them. We usually only drive the sorento on the weekends and rarely during the week.

Please read the following post:

>Oil Change Intervals<

P.S.

No, living in Ontario/Canada does NOT automatically qualify you for the "severe service schedule".

However, that said, I would still probably try to stick with the 6 months intervals.

I do agree with the comment about sticking with the OEM Oil Filter (I do).

:)

Richard
 
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#9 ·
Sure you can.

Just make sure that the Oil Filters are the correct ones that match the OEM filters.

Also, be sure to keep all your receipts and detailed records.


Richard
 
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#10 ·
Hey Pretender
Not trying to be argumentative, but curious as to why you would say that Ontario doesn't necessarily qualify as being part of the severe driving conditions maintenance.

From the 2016 Sorento Manual

"SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS
D-Driving in areas using salt or other corrosive materials or in
very cold weather"

I think anywhere in Ontario qualifies for one of the above and most places in Ontario qualify for both ;).

As far as the oil filters go, there is a risk in using a non-OEM filter even if it is the correct one according to the filter supplier/manufacturer. There was an issue of this in a 2014 Kia Soul in the Hamilton area back in 2015 (https://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/5330635-who-ll-pay-for-kia-owner-s-new-engine-/). Long story short: The Soul's engine blew. Cost of a new engine $8,500. Oil change had been done at Jiffy Lube using a non-OEM filter provided by Jiffy Lube. After testing, Kia said the filter was too small. Both Jiffy Lube & the filter manufacturer said it was the correct one. After much back-and-forth and 15 months later, Jiffy Lube agreed to cover the cost of the new engine (https://www.thespec.com/news-story/6483003-action-line-jiffy-lube-will-pay-for-kia-s-new-engine/) while still saying they weren't at fault. For me, while the car is under warranty, it's not worth using a non-OEM filter. Just my opinion for what it's worth :laugh: .
 
#11 · (Edited)
Not trying to be argumentative, but curious as to why you would say that Ontario doesn't necessarily qualify as being part of the severe driving conditions maintenance.

From the 2016 Sorento Manual
"SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS
D-Driving in areas using salt or other corrosive materials or in
very cold weather"

I think anywhere in Ontario qualifies for one of the above and most places in Ontario qualify for both.
What if you only drive it in the summer?

What if you spend most of the winter down south, say Florida?

What if you only drive it on warmer winter days and have a heated garage?

The "salt" issue is debatable, but what if they don't salt the road you normally drive on?

What if you use a "engine block heater", like I do, and always have it plugged in when it's cold out?

I could give many more examples...

But the point is, the dealerships cannot declare that the entire population of an entire Country (especially one as large as Canada) HAS to follow the "severe service schedule".

You just can't put everyone in the same boat and make a blanket statement saying that "if you live in Canada (or Ontario), you automatically fall under "severe driving conditions" (no exceptions).

Regardless of what a local dealership tries to tell you, your warranty is with "KIA corporate" not with them; therefore, the Owner's Manual always takes precedence over what they say. So it's up to you to decide which "service interval" you fall under, not them.

If you can't decide for yourself and need your local dealership to tell you... well then I guess there is not much more I can say, just go with whatever they tell you. :D ;)

As far as the oil filters go, there is a risk in using a non-OEM filter even if it is the correct one according to the filter supplier/manufacturer. There was an issue of this in a 2014 Kia Soul in the Hamilton area back in 2015 (https://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/5330635-who-ll-pay-for-kia-owner-s-new-engine-/). Long story short: The Soul's engine blew. Cost of a new engine $8,500. Oil change had been done at Jiffy Lube using a non-OEM filter provided by Jiffy Lube. After testing, Kia said the filter was too small. Both Jiffy Lube & the filter manufacturer said it was the correct one. After much back-and-forth and 15 months later, Jiffy Lube agreed to cover the cost of the new engine (https://www.thespec.com/news-story/6483003-action-line-jiffy-lube-will-pay-for-kia-s-new-engine/) while still saying they weren't at fault. For me, while the car is under warranty, it's not worth using a non-OEM filter. Just my opinion for what it's worth :laugh: .
Which is why I said in my previous post:

"Just make sure that the Oil Filters are the correct ones that match the OEM filters."

Apparently that was NOT the case in your example above.

Here is a quote from a KIA rep (taken from that article above):
"We do not deny warranty claims where an after-market part is used that meets Kia's specifications," John Adzija told us. "Unfortunately, the aftermarket part used by Jiffy Lube in Mr. Berryman's vehicle did not meet Kia's specifications and, in particular, was the wrong size filter for the vehicle..."
(Also check out >THIS POST<)

Incidentally, I always use OEM oil filters myself. And... I would NEVER take my car to a place like Jiffy Lube for oil changes.

Just sayin' ;)

Richard
 
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#13 ·
there just isn't any downside to using the KIA OEM filter. i don't understand why people would take the chance on some place like a Jiffy Lube. Whoever does the oil change at the dealer can't be any worse than the under paid student at Jiffy Lube.
 
#14 ·
The Canadian manual for the 2.0T engine calls for 5,000 km (3,100 miles), or 3 month oil change intervals which is nuts! I questioned the service manager and he said that Kia will not void the warranty if I were to do 6 month intervals. I realize that probably wouldn't hold up in an argument with Kia but I will deal with that if it ever comes up. Therefore I have been trying to stay close to the 5,000 km interval which is probably 3-4 months for me anyway.

Interestingly, the dealership goes by 6 months or 6,000 km on the service sticker they apply in the windshield. I assume they do this for every car regardless of engine. If the dealership doesn't even follow the manual, what does that mean? All of the service schedules are based on multiples of 6,000 km. If you go with anything else it starts to confuse the dealership.
 
#16 · (Edited)
I use 8000km or 6 months with dealer oil changes on my SX. I bring my own oil for every change, 100% synthetic, 5w30 year 'round, usually Mobil 1. KIA supplies the filter. My service manager has told me this is all just fine and would not present any warranty issues in the event of engine problems of any kind. I always staple the receipt for the oil I purchased and supplied to the invoice I get from the dealer after servicing.

Currently at around 37000 km and the car runs great, not using virtually any oil between those changes (maybe an 1/8 of the way down between full and add oil marks) at change time. 6000 km is quite conservative but it's your engine and it isn't likely going to hurt anything but your wallet. However, with a turbo motor you should use 100% synthetic for it's greater hi temperature tolerance over standard oil but it's not required by KIA, just a good idea. Could pay benefits in turbo longevity by avoiding oil coking on the hot bearing after shutdown.

As for maintenance, I don't pay a lot of attention to the dealerships little 1, 2, 3, 4 set of things to do. I review the owner's manual and just ask them to do whatever it says should be done and to advise me if they find anything else they think requires attention.

I've not had any problems with the dealer I use and have purchased 4 kias from them and recommended them to three other people that also bought cars there. They all seem happy with this dealer as well. The dealer is quite accommodating to my servicing requests. I make a point of telling them that I'm a cranky old fart and don't like anybody working on my car, so please give me a good tech and make sure he is aware of me. in fact most of the time I get to talk to the tech before he works on the car.

So far I've not had anything to complain about with them other than keeping an eye on what they charge me for and, on one occasion, objecting to an extra charge to swap snow tires, which they refunded no questions asked. I believe in hindsight that was an honest oversight.

It pays to try and establish a repertoire with the people at the service department if you can. Talk to them and let them know what you expect in a polite and professional manner and you will likely be treated in the same way. If you don't find that to be the case then look for another dealer. There are definitely good ones and bad ones, no doubt about that. And ALWAYS ALWAYS check the oil yourself after service before you drive it off the lot.
 
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