Nick said:
Hello All,
My sister's 99 Elantra has 65,000 miles on it and has 20k
miles since the last transmission change. Prior to myself learning how
to do all maintenance on the cars, she had the local Hyundai dealer do
the last transmission change. I have noticed some leakage and was
concerned that the dealer may not have tightened all of the
transmission pan's screws to the correct specifications. While
checking the transmission oil it was low about a 1/4 of a quart low,
but what I noticed was that the transmission fluid was colored brown.
From earlier posts I have read on this issue, Hyundai says that this
is normal? I haven't seen any other car manufacture make a claim like
that.
See below. I'm not comfortable with it, but I guess as long as the
stuff doesn't have a burn't smell, you're ok. Regular AT fluid turns
brown as it ages and deteriorates. It's a good indication that you
need to change it. Other than putting a dent in your wallet, you
can't do any harm by changing the AT fluid more often, at least
every 30K miles, more often if you find your AT actually performs
better after a change (less slippage between gears, less slamming
while shifting gears).
Anyway I plan on changing it (call me paranoid) and have a few
questions about what parts to use. As far as the transmission filter
goes do I need to buy a filter and transmission fluid from Hyundai, or
can I get a Puralator and Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF Dexron III?
STOP!!!
As has been stated many times in this newsgroup, Hyundai AT's *don't*
use Dexron III/Mercon V AT fluid, and using it will royally screw up your
AT (but it's better than nothing in an emergency).
Hyundai uses a variety of Type 7176, a/k/a ATF++3 tranny fluid,
which is more viscous than Dexron III. They aren't interchangeable,
and Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF is *not* a substitute, unfortunately.
With all the problems Hyundai has had over the years with the AT's,
they've developed their own version of ATF++3 which they call
ATF SP-II.
From Hyundai TSB 98-40-010:
SP-II AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FLUID
09-1998
Model
Accent 1995-1999, Elantra 1992-1999, Excel 1986-1994, Scoupe 1991-1995, Sonata 1989-1999 and Tiburon 1997-1999
SP-II AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FLUID
DISCUSSION:
SP-II ATF has been used as a factory fill for Hyundai automatic transaxles since the production dates shown below. Previously, type 7176 ATF was used as a factory fill.
VEHICLE EFFECTIVE DATE
Accent, Elantra
9/16/95
Sonata 2.0L and 3.0L
9/23/95
Tiburon
ALL
SP-II is blended to a different specification than type 7176. It has a different additive package and was designed to give ideal friction characteristics to the new transaxles used by Hyundai. The benefits of SP-II are:
a.. The low temperature shifting characteristics of the transaxle have been improved, due to the low temperature characteristics of SP-II.
b.. The chemical stability and oxidation resistance of SP-II has been improved, which allows a longer maintenance interval.
MAINTENANCE INTERVAL:
The maintenance interval for the ATF and the filter has been changed as follows:
ATF MODEL YEAR TYPE ATF NORMAL USAGE SEVERE USAGE
PREVIOUS
1986-95
TYPE 7176
Replace at 30,000 miles/24 months
Replace at 15,000 miles/10 months
NEW
1996-99
SP-II
Inspect fluid at 7,500 miles/6 months
Replace at 30,000 miles
Severe Usage is defined below:
a.. Repeated short distance driving.
b.. Driving in dusty, rough or sandy areas.
c.. Driving in mountainous areas.
d.. Extensive idling.
e.. More than 50% driving in heavy city traffic during hot weather above 90°F (32°C).
f.. Driving in areas where salt or other corrosive materials are used.
g.. Driving in very cold weather.
h.. Towing a trailer.
PARTS INFORMATION:
ATF PART NUMBER TYPE ATF
PREVIOUS
00212-11100
TYPE 7176
NEW
00230-18000
SP-II
NOTE
The previous ATF is no longer available from the Hyundai Parts System. Only SP-II ATF will be provided to Hyundai dealers in quart bottles.
INTERCHANGEABILITY:
For 1996-99 vehicles, use only SP-II ATF.
For 1986-95 vehicles, use either type 7176 or SP-II ATE. Type 7176 and SP-II ATF can be mixed in any proportion. If type 7176 ATF is used, or type 7176 and SP-II ATF are mixed, the previous maintenance interval must be followed.
<end of Hyundai TSB>
In 2000, Hyundai improved SP-II and called it SP-III. SP-II is no longer available
and has been replaced by SP-III.
From Hyundai TSB 98-40-013:
SPIII Automatic Transaxle Fluid
10-2000
Model
Accent 1995-2001, Elantra 1992-2001, Excel 1986-1994, Santa Fe 2001, Scoupe 1991-1995, Sonata 1989-2001, Tiburon 1997-2001 and XG 300 2001
SPIII AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FLUID
DESCRIPTION:
The 2001 Hyundai Shop Manuals specify "SPII-M" automatic transaxle fluid (ATF) for use in automatic transaxles; however, "SPIII" ATF has been installed in all 2001 model year Hyundai vehicles beginning in July, 2000. SPIII is a new ATF formulation that provides thefollowing improvements to SPII and SPII-M:
a.. Improved low temperature viscosity
b.. Improved friction modifier additives to provide superior shift quality
Currently, only SPII (P/N 00230-18000) is available to your dealership. SPIII will be made available later this year. SPII has most of the benefits of SPII-M and SPIII, including good low temperature viscosity and oxidation resistance for long life of the ATF. No durability or shift quality conditions will occur if SPII is used on 2001 vehicles. SPII and SPIII are compatible and can be mixed in any proportion; however if more than 10% SPII is mixed with SPIII, the benefits of SPIII will be reduced.
The ATF maintenance interval has not changed from the previous SPII interval:
DESCRIPTION
NORMAL USAGE
SEVERE USAGE
Change ATF and filter
105,000 miles/84 months
30,000 miles
NOTE
Severe usage includes:
a.. Repeated short distance driving
b.. Extensive idling
c.. More than 50% driving in heavy city traffic during hot weather above 90°F (32°C)
d.. Driving in very cold weather
e.. Towing a trailer
f.. Driving in mountainous areas
SERVICE INFORMATION:
Both SPII and SPIII have a red color when new; however, the ATF may change color to a dark brown after 10,000 to 25,000 miles in service. According to the manufacturer of SPII and SPIII, this color change is normal for this type of ATF and does not indicate an internal transaxle condition.
<end of Hyundai TSB>
How many
quarts drain out of the pain, because I am used to draining 3 quarts
from all of my Hondas.
IIRC, you can drain out 2 - 2.5 qts at a time. I would buy 8 qts and
do a drain and refill 3 times (running the engine & going thru the gears
between fills) to change 80-90% of the old fluid. I would do it 4 times,
but the SP-III is $4-8/qt, as opposed to $2.50/qt for ATF++3 at
Walmart.
Change the filter and use a new pan gasket before the first fill. Don't
forget to clean the crap (clutch material) out of the pan, and clean any
magnets in the pan. Flatten out any deformed pan bolt holes caused
by excessive tightening. If you use any gasket sealant (not needed),
use it on the pan side only, never on the housing side.
Also for the drain plug, do I need to buy a
new washer like I do for the oil drain plug or can I reuse the
existing one without worrying about any leaks?
The oil drain plug washer fits the AT drain plug too. Use the new
washer only after the last refill.
Thanks for your help in advance,
Nick
Bob
