Which engine oil should I use for my 2014 Kia Optima SX Turbo

It is very important to use the proper oil with the proper weight in your 2014 Kia Optima SX Turbo because the tolerances on these modern Kia engines are very exact.  If you use a heavier oil than Kia recommends, you may expand the area between lubricated parts.

What does this mean?  It means that the heavier oil may cause oil loss and smoking.  Kia recommends you use 5w-20 weight motor oil in your 2014 Kia Optima SX.  The 5w-20 weight oil is lighter and when it leaks into the cylinder (which is normal), it is burned off and does not smoke.  The heavier oil is not as easily burned off.

If you have an emergency and you don't have 5w-20 oil, you can add a different oil weight temporarily.   Use no more than you need and then change the oil and filter as soon as you can and replace oil with 5w-20 oil.

Kia Optima, Engine Tapping Sound

Recently, I did work on the power steering system of my 2002 Kia Optima.  Because I work many hours, it took me a few weeks to complete.  During this time, the car was cranked only briefly a few times.  Most of the time, it sat in my garage without being cranked.

When I finally cranked the car, there was a loud tapping sound coming from the top of the engine.  Since I had not done any recent work on the engine itself, I realized that this probably had to do with the car sitting still for so many days.

Someone suggested to me that I do an oil change with a new filter because the filter could be disallowing the proper oil pressure.  So I changed the oil and filter.  I then cranked the car and the tapping sound was still there.

Another person suggested that the valves were not being "pumped up" adequately.  He suggested that if I allow the car to idle for about 20 minutes, the valve might pump up and the noise would cease.  So, I allowed the car to idle for about 25 minutes.  When I returned to check on the car, the noise was almost gone.  I turned the car off and let it sit for about 10 minutes.  I then cranked the car and I did not hear the noise.

I drove the car a few miles yesterday and today and the tapping sound seems to be gone.  So, if this happens to you, before you freak out, do what I did and...

1. Do an oil change with a new filter
2. Allow your car to idle for 20 minutes at a time
3. Make a note if the noise increases or decreases

I did not get around to it, but if this were to happen again, I would probably add some "Sea Foam" lubricant to the crank case for good measure.

I hope I have helped you.