Santa Fe Transmission Fluid

  • Thread starter Thread starter ghe
  • Start date Start date
Mike said:
I've been using Amsoil's full synthetic for some time now. It's also
Hyundia SPIII approved. I'm much more satisfied with it than the OEM
fluid.
Click to expand...

What does it do that makes you more satisfied? How can you tell the
difference?
 
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.
 
Hi, Hyundai Tech,

I have a 2006 Santa Fe. my local shop found that my transmission fluid is
in dark brown color and had burn smell though there is only 15k miles,
then they changed the transmission fluid 3 days ago, but they used ATF+4,
they said it is compatible with SPIII.

After search this forum, I am concerned about it, Some recommend to use
OEM type fluid, while others said it is okay to use ATF+4 which is a more
advanced product.

In your opinion, is it okay? or should I have it re-flushed with SPIII?
Click to expand...



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
 
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.
 
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.
 
What does it do that makes you more satisfied? How can you tell the
difference?
Click to expand...

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.
 
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