2004 santa fe trans oil leak

I have a 2002 SantaFe V6 - auto trans. No problems . I have 23,000 miles on it. I change the trans fluid every 10,000 miles with synthetic
 
dave said:
I have a 2002 SantaFe V6 - auto trans. No problems . I have 23,000 miles on it. I change the trans fluid every 10,000 miles with synthetic
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Synthetic WHAT?

Your transmission is very peticular about what you pour in it. If it does not specifically meet Diamond SP-III specs, you just kissed your warranty on that part goodbye.

"Universal" fluids don't count, and Hyundai seems to frown on Lubegard (for good reason, its a bottle of o'lean cooking oil gone awry) for good reason.

Pouring in the incorrect substance is doing entirely more harm than good, no matter how often you change it.

JS
 
'
Synthetic WHAT?'

REPLY: QuakerState Synthetic Trans fluid from Lube Pros, which i confirmed (with QuakerState) meets the specific original Hyundai specs.

'Your transmission is very peticular about what you pour in it. If it does not specifically meet Diamond SP-III specs, you just kissed your warranty on that part goodbye. '

REPLY: I dont think so. The trans. has been running fine.

'Pouring in the incorrect substance is doing entirely more harm than good, no matter how often you change it.
JS'

REPLY: Its not the incorrect substance.
 
P.S. Sorry, i was incorrect. It is Valvoline Max LIfe ATF. I have a letter from Valvolines Technical Director Thom Smith dated 8-14-03 stating that their MaxLife ATF meets Hyundais specs. Further, the letter states that :' The above listed vehicles (which includes Hyundai) has recieved in-house testing to support MaxLife ATF in these transmissions.'

His email is : in case you wish to verify .
 
dave said:
'
Synthetic WHAT?'

REPLY: QuakerState Synthetic Trans fluid from Lube Pros, which i confirmed (with QuakerState) meets the specific original Hyundai specs.

'Your transmission is very peticular about what you pour in it. If it does not specifically meet Diamond SP-III specs, you just kissed your warranty on that part goodbye. '

REPLY: I dont think so. The trans. has been running fine.

'Pouring in the incorrect substance is doing entirely more harm than good, no matter how often you change it.
JS'

REPLY: Its not the incorrect substance.
Click to expand...

Does it speficially mention the SP-III spec? Thats what Hyundai cares about. Quaker State can claim its "ok" for your car until their marketing reps turn blue, that doesn't actually make the oil compliant.

JS
 
You need a letter from a certified Hyundai representative to not be worried about anything. Hyundai determines what meets their requirements.

Good luck.
 
I agree with the letter from Hyundai suggestion. Or at least the product must say it meets the SP-III specifications. I have heard many stories from folks who lost thier warranties due to other brands that they were "told" would meet the same specs. Never heard of another produc`t except Hyundai fluid that meets the requirements. Good Luck. I hope you do not need it!
 
dave said:
P.S. Sorry, i was incorrect. It is Valvoline Max LIfe ATF. I have a letter from Valvolines Technical Director Thom Smith dated 8-14-03 stating that their MaxLife ATF meets Hyundais specs. Further, the letter states that :' The above listed vehicles (which includes Hyundai) has recieved in-house testing to support MaxLife ATF in these transmissions.'

His email is : in case you wish to verify .
Click to expand...

Hyundai has built cars around a lot of transmissions with different lubrication requirements. Did this person specifically mention compatability with Diamond SP-III?

Their own documentation says otherwise...

I'll list the compatabilities by line:

1: Dextron IIIG, Mercon
2: Chrysler ATF+3 and ATF+4
3: Nissan Matic D, J and K.

No mention of Diamond SP-III, which is *exactly* what Hyundai *requires* to maintain your warranty. If you've ever experienced SP-III, you'd understand there is a difference. It feels *odd*, like gear oil. Its pretty thin, but it leaves this coating on your skin that dextron-compatable (even synthetic) does not.

All Hyundai cares about is the spec, not some jerk claiming compatability. That letter might give you a bit of a leg to sue Valvoline/Ashland, but that will be up to you to fight while your car is dead in the shop or being repaired out of your wallet.

JS
 
Good points you both raise. I think what ill do, is, go to Hyundai for the next Trans Oil Change so i can get theirs back in the Trans without them knowing .
 
dave said:
Good points you both raise. I think what ill do, is, go to Hyundai for the next Trans Oil Change so i can get theirs back in the Trans without them knowing .
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I butting in here but IMO I would go to Hyundai and purchase their trans fluid and have a local oil change place do it and then the NEXT time take it to Hyundai, just in case they notice the diff and slap a notation on it...... but then I'm kinda anal .

YMMV
 
dave said:
Good points you both raise. I think what ill do, is, go to Hyundai for the next Trans Oil Change so i can get theirs back in the Trans without them knowing .
Click to expand...

Thats one method.

The correct oil can be found at any Hyundai, Chrysler (MOPAR), or Mitsubishi dealer, possibly others.

I personally raided my Chrysler dealer for all they had onhand (a case) when the (obvious) trainee decided it was the same price as their old dusty ATF+3 stock ;)

It specifically says "Genuine Diamond SP-III ATF" in a MOPAR branded bottle, I'll snap a pic later. Its normally reasonably inexpensive - about the same as Mobil1 ATF

Using this stuff on 30k changes yields no major change in shift quality after change. This tells me what I poured out was still good fluid.

I'm pretty sure SP-III is at least a high quality oil + synthetic additives, if not a full synthetic mix. I'm pretty sure we're not buying an inferior quality oil.

JS
 
Just got back from Hyundai dealer. Had them do the trans flush and install the hyundai fluid. They made no comment about the fluid that they drained out. WHEW !
 
I had 12,000 miles on that trans fluid. The Hyundai Dealer charged me $139 plus tax for a complete trans flush including hyundai special recipe trans fluid.
 

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