transmission fluid power flush

05 hyundai elantra. 40000k's. Any thoughts on Valvoline's transmission
power flush compared to say the Cottman method of draining the
conventional way and changing the filter?

 

You need to check your owner's manual and make sure that Valvoline can
service the tranny with exactly the fluid specified in the manual - not a
"compatible" or "equivalent" ATF. Last I knew, the aftermarket did not have
a product that Hyundai approved, or that would work in a Hyundai tranny.
Maybe that's changed by now, but you need to make 100% certain before
accepting anything but Hyundai approved tranny fluid. It's not a marketing
scam - there are real reasons for using the right product.

 

You’ll replace more of the fluid with a flush. You don’t have a
serviceable filter.

If your fluid is in relatively good condition, a drain and fill is
probably all that’s needed, but it won’t hurt to do a flush.

Either way, make absolutely certain that only SPIII fluid is used

 

I would hardly ever take issue with you, Mr. Hyundaitech, especially
considering who and what you are.

I agree that no Dexron- or Mercon-based fluid (which is the VAST majority of
fluid out there) should be used. I am also highly suspicious of
multi-vehicle fluids for these vehicles, since most of them are also, at
some point, Dexron-based.

But my dealership, who has had a couple of issues of getting SPIII fluid,
uses Chrysler's ATF+4. And they are insistent that, while the old (and
still fairly common) ATF+3 was not compatible, ATF+4 is. And they have not
reported one transmission issue since they started using ATF+4.

I am getting ready to change my fluid soon, and bluntly, I am inclined to
use ATF+4. Your comment would be helpful.

Tom Wenndt

 

Is SPIII the same as ATF111? The latter is what they use at Midas.

 

The same? No, I'm quite sure of that. And if you are talking ATF (+) III,
as I understand it, no that isn't compatible.

But the new ATF+4 supposedly is, and my Hyundai/Kia dealer is using it in
all of these types of transmissions.

Tom Wenndt

 

The same? No, I'm quite sure of that. And if you are talking ATF (+) III,
as I understand it, no that isn't compatible.

But the new ATF+4 supposedly is, and my Hyundai/Kia dealer is using it in
all of these types of transmissions.

Tom Wenndt

 

I don’t think either ATF+3 or ATF+4 are equivalent. Even the newest
Mitsu products offered by DaimlerChrysler still require Diamond ATF,
not ATF+3 or ATF+4 like the other products. Diamond ATF is equivalent
to SPIII

 

I do not understand why people do not go to the dealer and have it done
right. Your talking about saving 20$ on something that could end up costing
you 1000$ to replace.

just my 0.02

Finn

 

Maybe because going to the dealer doesn't really gain you anything, and I
suspect the price spread is more than $20. The dealer I bought both of my
Sonatas from DOES NOT use SPIII. The use a "BG" magic universal fluid. Yes
they are a Hyundai dealer.

 

I work in the auto industry and transmission fluids are one of the
most confusing lubricants/fluids for everyone but here is some
information that may help you.

Diamond SP III(Mitsubishi), Kia SP III, Hyundai SP III and Chrysler
ATF +3 (Type 7176) are all the same fluid with different trade names.
Kind of like drugs with different names but use the same ingredients
(i.e. Tylenol, etc). It was originally developed for Chrysler but if
you want to call the fluid ATF +3 you would have to pay Chrysler a
licensing fee, hence the different trade names but because of certain
laws for the auto industry Chrysler must allow other companies to make
their own versions.

Another example is Dexron III (GM) and Mercon I (FORD). These are
both different trade names for the same fluid.

For warranty purposes you can use any fluid as long as it has passed
certification but I would only use fluids from a reputable company
that will guarantee its products. The dealer/manufacturer actually
has to prove that transmission failure or damage was caused by fluid
failure or whatever. They cannot tell you that you must use their
fluid! This is illegal according to the Moss-Magnuson Act for
automobile aftermarket repairs. But it is your responsibility that
you do use a fluid that does meet warranty requirements.

As for ATF +4 this is essentially an upgrade from ATF +3 that Chrysler
had developed for their newer transmissions. According to Chrysler
ATF +4 is backwards compatible with ATF +3 and they actually recommend
using ATF +4 for all applications that used to recommend ATF +3.

Hope this helps