Quick answer: the 2014–2018 Kia Forte 1.8L and 2.0L take 4.23 US qt (4.0 L) of oil at an oil change, with SAE 5W-20. The 1.6L Turbo (Forte5 and Koup SX) takes 4.75 US qt (4.5 L) of 5W-30.
| Engine | Oil capacity (drain and refill) | Oil type |
|---|---|---|
| 1.8L MPI / 2.0L GDI | 4.23 US qt (4.0 L) | 5W-20 (API SM / ILSAC GF-4) |
| 1.6L Turbo GDI | 4.75 US qt (4.5 L) | 5W-30 (ACEA A5 or above) |
One 5-quart jug covers any Forte.
Oil capacity by year
| Model year | 1.8L / 2.0L | 1.6L Turbo |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 4.23 US qt (4.0 L) | 4.75 US qt (4.5 L) |
| 2017 | 4.23 US qt (4.0 L) | 4.8 US qt (4.5 L) |
We read the “Recommended lubricants and capacities” tables and viscosity notes of the 2014 and 2017 manuals.
Recommended oil type
1.8L and 2.0L: for better fuel economy, SAE 5W-20 (API SM / ILSAC GF-4).
1.6L Turbo: 5W-30 (API SM / ILSAC GF-4 / ACEA A5 or above).
How to reset the oil change reminder on the 2014–2018 Kia Forte
See also: Oil life reset by brand.
Kia handles the oil reminder through the Service Interval item in the instrument cluster’s User Settings. There you can turn the reminder on or off and set the interval in miles and months; newer manuals also add a Reset option. Use it after each oil change so the next reminder counts from the right point.
Oil change tips
- Add 4 quarts, check the dipstick, then top up.
- Kia lists a “drain and refill” volume. After refilling, run the engine briefly, turn it off, wait a few minutes and check that the level is between the F and L marks on the dipstick before adding more.
Sources and how we checked
All capacities and oil grades on this page come from Kia’s owner’s manuals for the U.S. market, published on Kia’s official owner’s manual site (section “Recommended lubricants and capacities”):
If your owner’s manual shows something different, follow your manual and tell us.
Last checked: October 26, 2026.
FAQ
How much oil does a 2014–2018 Kia Forte take?
4.23 US quarts (4.0 L) for the 1.8L and 2.0L, 4.75 US quarts (4.5 L) for the 1.6L Turbo.
What oil does a 2014–2018 Forte use?
SAE 5W-20 for the 1.8L and 2.0L, 5W-30 for the 1.6L Turbo.
Can I use 5W-30 in a Forte 2.0?
The viscosity chart allows 5W-30; 5W-20 is recommended for fuel economy.
Is a 5-quart jug enough?
Yes.
How do I reset the oil light on a Forte?
In the cluster User Settings, open Service Interval.
Newer Forte? See the 2019–2024 Kia Forte oil type and capacity.