New (to me) XG350 has brown transmission fluid

Discussion in 'Hyundai Grandeur / Azera / XG' started by Dan Kuechle, Jun 14, 2004.

  1. Dan Kuechle

    Dan Kuechle Guest

    Just bought a 2002 XG350 with 38,000 miles on it. I was surprised to see
    that the transmission fluid
    was brown. No burn smell and the transmission seems to be operation
    perfectly, so I'm guessing this
    is "normal" - I see the transmission fluid change interval is 30,000 miles
    under "severe" conditions
    (and 110,000 miles under "normal" conditions). I'll change the fluid and
    filter and keep an eye on things
    if this truly is "normal". But if its not "normal" I would appreciate some
    advice as to what to do about it.

    Also, has anyone ever changed transmission fluid like the service manual
    tells you to...by disconnecting
    a hose and running the engine to pump out the transmission fluid? This
    makes me a little nervous. Am
    I being overly cautious?

    Thanks
    Dan
     
    Dan Kuechle, Jun 14, 2004
    #1
  2. Dan Kuechle

    hyundaitech Guest

    A drain and fill every 30K should normally be enough. The filter isn't
    serviceable.

    Is the fluid muddy brown, or does it look more like atf with a brown tint?
    Some of the cars came with very little red coloring in the atf, so if
    it's not real muddy, it could be ok. The thing that scares me is that
    Hyundai claims brown atf is normal. If my car had fluid like that, I'd
    change it.

    Many shops now have transmission fluid exchangers. If your fluid is
    really muddy brown, this will clean it up very well. I recommend this on
    cars whose fluid looks so bad that I think a drain and fill will still
    leave it brown.
     
    hyundaitech, Jun 14, 2004
    #2
  3. Dan Kuechle

    Conrad Bates Guest

    Just make sure you get Hyundai specific SPIII fluid. Might as well get a
    case from your local dealer.

    Conrad
     
    Conrad Bates, Jun 15, 2004
    #3
  4. Dan Kuechle

    Bob Guest

    When you say the filter isn't servicable do you mean it must be replaced?

    If I go to a shop that has a transmission fluid exchanger how can I be sure
    they put in SPIII fluid? I just know they're gonna say their fluid is OK for
    Hyundais but my owners manual stresses using only SPIII fluid.

    Thanks for sharing your expertise hyundaitech It's greatly appreciated.
     
    Bob, Jun 16, 2004
    #4
  5. Dan Kuechle

    B Crawford Guest

    Hi Dan,
    I have an XG 300 (2001) & my tranny fluid went dark (brownish) last August
    while driving all day through high heat in Montana. It seems that the
    semi-synthetic fluid will change to this colour under high heat. Mine did
    not smell burned either but I did change the fluid & filter. I did not do as
    you suggest about running the motor but have since talked with the local
    dealer's mechanic & he advised something similar. I was only able to get out
    5 litres of the 8 that it would hold, so my fresh fluid change took on a
    dark hue right away. Hyundai states this is normal by the way & my tranny
    runs fine..........but still I'd feel better if it was a nice cherry red.
    BCinBC
     
    B Crawford, Jun 17, 2004
    #5
  6. Dan Kuechle

    PC Guest

    I just traded my 02 XG350L (with 32,000 miles on it) and I can tell
    you brown is normal for Hyundai. I changed the fluid myself (which BTW
    is VERY easy) and there is NO transmission filter on the 2002 on. That
    said, I always change the fluid at 20,000 miles.
     
    PC, Jun 17, 2004
    #6
  7. Dan Kuechle

    The Maj Guest

    Traded at 32K? Was something wrong?

    Thanks
    Bob
     
    The Maj, Jun 17, 2004
    #7
  8. Dan Kuechle

    PC Guest

    Nope, ran just like it did when I bought it. I still have my wife's 02
    Santa Fe. I really missed riding up high, so I wanted to go back to an
    SUV. The Santa Fe is nice (and reliable), but it was a little too
    small for me (I'm a big guy).
    I really liked the Kia Sorento. In fact I liked the Kia Sorento so
    much I bought it (a 2004, EX, Band new from Cal Worthington Kia in
    Long Beach California). After owning it for one week, I noticed some
    overspray. I took it to my local Kia dealership and we found out it
    was involved in an accident and sold to me as brand new! Well on the
    positive note, Cal Worthington of Long Beach agreed to "unwind" the
    deal. Luckily, they still had my XG350L so I go that back in good
    shape.
    But after all that, I got a bit nervous about Kia and went with a
    Toyota 2004 4runner. It's too bad too, I really liked the Kia Sorento,
    I just don't trust the dealers.

    You can email your questions to: k1124@<removethis>juno.com
    and I will answer any questions you have.
     
    PC, Jun 18, 2004
    #8
  9. Dan Kuechle

    theta00k Guest

    Dude, it's not what Hyundai "claims." Read the friggin' TSB. They are just
    relaying the info from the ATF manufacturer.
     
    theta00k, Sep 7, 2004
    #9
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