2004 Sonata Transmission Fluid

Is there a special transmission fluid I need to use to add or flush an
automatic, 6 cylinder 2004 Sonata? The owner's manual is somewhat
confusing. I really don't want to void the warranty by adding the
wrong fluid. TYIA for any/all help.

Brian

 

Your 2004 Sonata tranny fluid is "Diamond ATF SP3" which can only be bought
at Hyundai, Kia or Mitsubishi dealership.
Use any other type of fluid, and you will most likely regret it down the
road.

TheIceAge05
www.hyundai-forums.com
www.hmaservice.com

 

In what way is it confusing Brian?

 

Brian - if finding a Hyundai/Kia/Mitsubishi dealer is hard due to distance,
or the price they charge for Diamond ATF SPIII (I think it is actually IV
now) is prohibitive, just recently, Castrol has started making an IMPORT
Multi-Vehicle ATF.

It is the first multi-vehicle ATF that is not a Dexron-based formula, and
the first one that lists full compatibility with Hyundai/Kia/Mitsubishi
SP-III. It is available through popular auto parts stores like Advance
Auto.

But make sure that it is the IMPORT, and not any other one. And make sure
you NEVER use any kind of Dexron-based fluid in the transmission. If you
do, you will be fine with this.

 

Rev. Tom;
If you are suggesting that Hyundai will accept warranty repairs to your
transmission, after you put in this Castrol ATF....
I hope that God is by your side in a court of justice, cause their is no way
that Hyundai will warranty their transmission with anything else then
Diamond ATF SP-3 in it.
Castrol list their product as compatible, will they help you out in court,
when Hyundai refuses warranty claims?
I do all my maintenence myself, but will always make sure to use the
recommanded fluid from the car manufactured.
You might save a dollar now with Castrol; but how much will you save down
the road with a breakdown?!?

My 2 cEnTs
TheIceAge05
www.hyundai-forums.com
www.hmaservice.com

 

The two vehicles I have used this fluid in are out of warranty.

And these are transmissions that I get the impression will last far longer
than the rest of the car will (not that there is anything wrong with the
rest of the car, but something would have to wear out at some point, won't
it? But it won't be the transmission).

And, BTW, I contacted my own Hyundai dealer before I did. What they said to
me was exactly what I did - SPIII preferred, but use a fluid that is LISTED
as compatible with SPIII (or IV) and ABSOLUTELY NO Dexron-based fluid.

 

I ended up taking it into the dealer and having them do it.
Trans flush and oil change came out to a little over $230.00.
Too much, IMO, but since I can't do it myself, my choices were my
local mechanic, who would have put in a "compatible" fluid, or the
dealer. It's not worth the risk, as others here have pointed out.

While I was at the dealer, I got the price for the timing belt change
I'll be needing soon. They quoted me 3 different prices.

1. Timing belt only; $673.08
2. Timing belt and new V-Ribbed belt; $697.54
3. Timing belt, new V-Ribbed belt and water pump; $1228.81

Does the price of option #2 seem too high? Should I get a quote from a
different dealer?

Quote #3 is out of the question. The water pump is under warranty
until 100,000 miles. I see no reason for making it easier for them at
my expense.

Thoughts?

 

The difference between #1 and #2 does not seem so bad.
#1 and #3 are too high.
My thought, check with a good independent shop.

 

Yes, I would go for #2 for sure if I had the dealer do it.
I have a great mechanic I've been going to for many years.
Probably close to 18 years or so. Not only are we on a first name
basis, but he always does small repairs for me for nothing.
For instance, I had a burned out tail-light on my Saturn and he caught
it. (I didn't know about it) He put a new one in there and when I
asked him how much? He just waved me off and told me to have a nice
day. He has a professional shop with the same workers for years. But
when I bring my cars in, he works on them himself. He's put free
clamps on my exhaust system, greased up my hood cable and has done
several other thing, all at no cost. He even allows me in the repair
bay while he works on my car, something just about every shop won't
allow because of insurance reasons. He also doesn't gouge me (or
others) on parts. Sure, there's a mark up, but not like every other
place. For instance? When my Sonata needed brakes, I got the price
from the dealer and it was something like $1200.00 for all 4 pads and
4 rotors. Abe (my mechanic) did the job for something like $600.00. I
don't remember the exact numbers, just that it was a no-brainer. I
remember the dealer told me it was a 6 to 9 hour labor charge and my
mechanic had the entire job done in 3 1/2 hours. And that was waiting
for the parts too.

That being said? I'm not sure if I want him to do the timing belt. Not
that I don't trust him, more because of the extended warranty I have.
I really don't want to get it voided out if the engine fails. But I'll
tell you what, when I was at the dealer yesterday, they told me the
price to change my spark plugs (6 cylinder) It was crazy and went in
one ear and out the other. I know it's a little tricky getting to
these plugs, but Abe can do it for probably about 1/3 of the cost.
I'll supply the plugs, bought from the dealer and all I'll pay is
labor.

Anyway, I went on a rant. Sorry. That's what happens when I start
discussing ripoff dealers. So to make a short story long, thanks for
the advice. : )

Brian

 

"I'll supply the plugs, bought from the dealer and all I'll pay is
labor."

Dealer wants $20 for each plug, you can buy at auto-zone for 10.

 

Brian Matthews wrote:

Datapoint: The Hyundai dealer here quoted me $400 for the timing
belt, and $600 with the water pump.

I was told here that was too high for the water pump, since the
labor is essentially the same.

I am still thinking of doing it myself in the spring; my 2002
Sonata 2.7 is out of warranty.