Santa Fe Transmission Fluid

Discussion in 'Hyundai Santa Fe' started by ghe, Mar 11, 2008.

  1. What does it do that makes you more satisfied? How can you tell the
    difference?
     
    Edwin Pawlowski, Mar 15, 2008
    #21
  2. ghe

    hyundaitech Guest

    Since I don't know the specs for all the different fluids, it's difficult
    for me to make a good judgment. If it says it meets SPIII, I figure
    there's something to that. We had some sort of multi-fluid at our
    dealership that was supposed to meet just about every spec except SPII,
    SPIII, and ATF+4, and we seemed to have no problems with it if used in the
    appropriate vehicles. I believe there were some problems when it was
    installed in ATF+4 vehicles. (Who'd have thought?)

    Probably it'll be okay. If it were my car, I'd probably figure the
    savings wasn't enough to risk it, though.
     
    hyundaitech, Mar 17, 2008
    #22
  3. ghe

    nick Guest



    My personal experience with our old 99 Elantra was that the fluid
    turned brown within a few thousand miles of use. Most shops that don't
    know any better will tell you that the fluid is bad even though it is
    perfectly normal on Hyundai's. Each manufacture's formula is
    different. On our Honda's even after 30k miles the fluid is usually
    the same color as the new fluid I put in it (red).

    Hopefully you charged your service instead of paying cash. Go back to
    them and demand that they drain and fill the fluid with Hyundai OEM
    fluid. If you get any pushback call your credit card company and
    dispute the charge. Make sure you have information on hand and if you
    can get any word from Hyundai to back up your claim the better.

    Worse case, take it to your dealer and explain to them what the other
    shop did. You'll probably need to do a drain and fill 3 times to
    ensure you get most of the fluid out since a drain and fill only
    drains a partial amount of fluid from the transmission.

    Good Luck
     
    nick, Mar 18, 2008
    #23
  4. Agree that within a few thousand miles, the fluid in these Hyundais and Kias
    does seem to turn brown.

    I have not seen that with any other transmission fluid except for the
    Diamond ATF SPIII.

    I also agree that it does not necessarily mean there is a problem, but is
    not the red coloring supposed to always keep it looking separate from engine
    oil?

    I just did a drain and refill on my son's '02 Elantra after puttting 31,000
    miles on the current fluid. The old fluid looked a LOT like engine oil
    coming out.
     
    Rev. Tom Wenndt, Mar 20, 2008
    #24
  5. ghe

    hyundaitech Guest

    I think the real issue is that there's actually very little dye in the
    fluid, allowing particles from wearable components discolor the fluid
    quickly.
     
    hyundaitech, Mar 20, 2008
    #25
  6. ghe

    Mike Guest

    I had a problem with the OEM fluid burning. The Amsoil seems to have a
    higher operating temperature. ]I was having to change the OEM fluid
    twice a year. There is no transmission cooler on my 02 Accent, my commute
    is 150 miles round trip. The OEM fluid would get hot, turn brown, and
    smell burnt. The full synthetic Amsoil does not do any of these things.
     
    Mike, Mar 21, 2008
    #26
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