Owner guide · Michigan City Kia · Michigan City, IN

Kia Telluride Oil Type and Capacity

This guide covers the engine oil the Kia Telluride takes, how much it holds, how often to change it and how to check the level. It is based on the 2027 Telluride owner's manual for the 2.5L turbo gas engine (Smartstream G2.5 T-GDi), published on ownersmanual.kia.com under code LQ2 and read October 28, 2026. The Telluride Hybrid has its own manual, and other years can differ, so check the manual for your vehicle.

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Kia Telluride
Kia Telluride. Image: Kia America
SAE 0W-30full synthetic, API SN PLUS/SP or ILSAC GF-6
6.13 US qt.drain and refill (5.8 L)
8,000 milesor 12 months, normal schedule
5,000 milesor 6 months, severe usage

What oil does a Kia Telluride take?

Per the 2027 Telluride owner's manual, the 2.5L turbo gas engine (Smartstream G2.5 T-GDi) takes full synthetic SAE 0W-30 oil meeting API SN PLUS/SP or ILSAC GF-6 and holds 6.13 US qt. (5.8 L) for a drain and refill. Change the oil and filter every 8,000 miles or 12 months, or every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 months under severe usage conditions D, H and I.

Telluride engine oil type and capacity

Item2027 Telluride, Smartstream G2.5 T-GDi
OilFull synthetic SAE 0W-30, API SN PLUS/SP or ILSAC GF-6
Capacity (drain and refill)6.13 US qt. (5.8 L)
AdditivesNever add any additives to the engine oil

From Recommended lubricants and capacities and Recommended SAE viscosity (thickness) number in the 2027 Telluride owner's manual (LQ2), read October 28, 2026.

The manual says to use only engine oils marked with the API Certification Mark, and that using oils of any viscosity other than those recommended could result in engine damage. It explains that lower viscosity oils can give better fuel economy and cold weather performance, while higher viscosity oils are required for lubrication in hot weather.

Telluride oil change interval

ScheduleEngine oil and engine oil filter
Normal maintenanceReplace every 8,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first
Severe usage (conditions D, H and I)Replace every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 months
Recommended oil not usedReplace on the severe usage schedule

From the normal maintenance schedule and the Maintenance Under Severe Usage Conditions schedule in the 2027 Telluride owner's manual (LQ2), read October 28, 2026.

The manual also recommends the severe usage schedule after 10 years or 100,000 miles (150,000 km). It adds that it is normal for the vehicle to consume engine oil while you drive, so check the level regularly; the oil change schedule is there to prevent oil deterioration and is not related to oil consumption.

When the Telluride is on the severe usage schedule

For engine oil and filter, the 2027 Telluride manual applies the 5,000-mile or 6-month interval to these driving conditions:

ConditionFrom the manual
DYou drive in areas that use salt or other corrosive materials, or in very cold weather
HYou use your vehicle for towing or camping and drive with cargo loaded on the roof
IYou drive your vehicle as a patrol car, taxi, or for other commercial purposes

How to check the Telluride engine oil level

The 2027 Telluride manual's steps are:

  1. Be sure the vehicle is on level ground.
  2. Start the engine and allow it to reach normal operating temperature.
  3. Turn off the engine, remove the oil filler cap and pull out the dipstick. Wait 15 minutes for the oil to return to the oil pan.
  4. Wipe the dipstick clean with a clean cloth and fully reinsert it.
  5. Pull the dipstick out again and check that the oil level is between the F and L lines.
  6. If it is below the L line, add enough of the specified oil to bring it to the F line.

Kia says to be very careful not to touch the radiator hose, which may be hot enough to burn you, to use a funnel, and to wipe off spilled oil immediately. Oil consumption may increase while a new vehicle breaks in and stabilizes after 4,000 miles (6,000 km).

Oil Life Management and the oil pressure light

The manual says the Telluride may be equipped with an Oil Life Management System that predicts engine oil life from your driving history. If the oil deteriorates more quickly because of severe driving, the remaining oil life alert appears on the instrument cluster before the normal replacement interval; have the oil and filter changed by an authorized Kia dealer. The system works when the recommended engine oil is used, and the remaining oil life should be reset every time the oil is changed.

If oil pressure is low because there is not enough engine oil, the engine oil pressure warning light comes on. If the vehicle keeps being driven that way, the enhanced engine protection system limits engine power and the malfunction indicator light comes on.

Michigan City Kia service hours

DaysHours
Monday to Friday7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday7:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
SundayClosed

From Michigan City Kia's website, October 28, 2026. The website lists Monday to Saturday service hours and none for Sunday. Holiday hours can differ.

Telluride engine oil questions

What type of oil does a Kia Telluride take?

The 2027 Telluride owner's manual (2.5L turbo gas engine, Smartstream G2.5 T-GDi) lists full synthetic SAE 0W-30 engine oil meeting API SN PLUS/SP or ILSAC GF-6.

How much oil does a Kia Telluride hold?

The 2027 Telluride manual lists 6.13 US qt. (5.8 L) of engine oil for a drain and refill of the Smartstream G2.5 T-GDi.

How often does a Telluride need an oil change?

On the normal maintenance schedule in the 2027 Telluride manual, the engine oil and filter are replaced every 8,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first. Under severe usage conditions D, H and I, they are replaced every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 months.

What if I do not use the recommended oil?

The manual says the normal oil change interval is based on the recommended engine oil specification. If you do not use it, replace the engine oil on the Maintenance Under Severe Usage Conditions schedule.

Should I add an oil additive?

No. Kia says never to add any additives to the engine oil, because additives can change the properties of the oil and may cause serious engine failure.

Does this cover the Telluride Hybrid?

No. Kia publishes a separate 2027 owner's manual for the Telluride Hybrid (listed as LQ2AH on ownersmanual.kia.com), so check that manual for the hybrid.

Sources

Oil type, capacity, change intervals, severe usage conditions, the level check and the Oil Life Management and oil pressure notes are from the 2027 Telluride owner's manual (LQ2, 2.5L turbo gas, Smartstream G2.5 T-GDi) on ownersmanual.kia.com, read October 28, 2026. The Telluride Hybrid and other years can differ, so the manual for your vehicle is the final word. Address and hours are from Michigan City Kia's own website. Image: Kia America.

  1. 2027 Telluride owner's manual (LQ2): Recommended lubricants and capacities (Smartstream G2.5 T-GDi), Kia America, read October 28, 2026
  2. 2027 Telluride owner's manual (LQ2): Recommended SAE viscosity (thickness) number, Kia America, read October 28, 2026
  3. 2027 Telluride owner's manual (LQ2): Scheduled maintenance service (severe usage conditions, Oil Life Management note), Kia America, read October 28, 2026
  4. 2027 Telluride owner's manual (LQ2): Normal maintenance schedule, Kia America, read October 28, 2026
  5. 2027 Telluride owner's manual (LQ2): Maintenance under severe usage conditions, Kia America, read October 28, 2026
  6. 2027 Telluride owner's manual (LQ2): Checking the engine oil level, Kia America, read October 28, 2026
  7. 2027 Telluride owner's manual (LQ2): Changing the engine oil and filter, Kia America, read October 28, 2026
  8. Kia Owner's Manual site (manual list: Telluride LQ2 2027; Telluride Hybrid LQ2AH 2027), Kia America, read October 28, 2026
  9. Telluride (image), Kia America, October 28, 2026
  10. Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Kia, October 28, 2026
  11. Kia service center at Michigan City Kia, Michigan City Kia, October 28, 2026