What type of oil does the Kia K3 use?
1 Answers
The Kia K3 engine can use either 5W20 or 5W30 oil. For vehicles under 100,000 kilometers, it is best to use 5W20 oil due to its lower viscosity and reduced resistance. However, after exceeding 100,000 kilometers, it is necessary to switch to 5W30 oil, as its higher viscosity helps form a better protective oil film on the engine. The Kia K3 requires oil with an API rating of SM or higher. Engine oil quality is often indicated by API ratings, where the "S" series denotes oils for gasoline engines. The ratings include SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF, SG, SH, SJ, SL, SM, and SN. Each successive letter indicates improved performance and more protective additives for the engine. Methods for selecting engine oil: Choose oil from reputable brands or manufacturers: Examples include Shell, Mobil, Castrol, Caltex, Total, BP, Valvoline, Fuchs, GS, and domestic brands like Kunlun, Great Wall, and Longpan. Select by category: Engine oils are divided into gasoline (S-series) and diesel (C-series) oils. Regular passenger cars should use gasoline engine oils, indicated by an "S" on the API rating on the packaging. Diesel oils are used for diesel vehicles like pickups and trucks, marked with a "C." API ratings for engine oil: For gasoline oils, lower-grade oils (e.g., SA-SJ) are purely mineral-based and suitable for older vehicles or commercial vans. SL-grade oils are mostly mineral-based, though some brands offer semi-synthetic SL oils, recommended for cars over five years old. Seasonal oil selection: The most common oils are 5W-30, 5W-40, and 10W-40. In winter, 5W-30 is preferable, with 0W oil recommended for northern regions. 5W-40 is suitable for year-round use in most areas, while 10W-40 is best for summer.
