2020 Elantra not smooth gear changes

S

Summer077

Joined
Dec 27, 2024
Messages
4
Hi all,


I recently got a 2020 Elantra with around 63K miles. As usual on cars without transmission dipstick, I don't how if the tranny has ever been serviced. After a few weeks with the car, I've been noticing the shifting between gears is not as smooth as it should be. When changing from P to R or D everything is smooth and no sounds or anything strange. But, when I start driving, the change from 2nd to 3rd gear and 3rd to 4rd gear, I feel some "jerkiness" or some kind of "delay" if we call it that way. Doing some research online, I see the probable reason is low ATF level. What do you think would be the reason?
 
Could be many reasons, from low fluid, to transmission theromostat issues. Try disconnecting the battery and having the tranny adaptive relearn. To Check the fluid (assuming it’s the six speed) it’s gotta be on stands or lifted and the plug pulled to see if any drips out. 60k wouldn’t hurt to do a fluid exchange as well.
 
My apologies, it's a 2018 Elantra with 6-speed automatic, it's not 2020.


When I'm pushing the car a little hard, the shifting seems to be smooth as butter. That small "delay" on the shifting is more noticeable when driving a lower speeds. I think that can only be felt as driver, I don't think the passengers notice anything.

Should I do a drain and fill? If so, would you go with MaxLife? I have access to an ATF from Motul called ATF VI. It's not widely known in the US but I have a friend running it on a Lexus GX without issues. That Motul carries most of the OEM specs of the MaxLife including Toyota WS and Hyundai SP-IV. However, MaxLife can also be used on CVTs but Motul clearly says their ATF VI is not recommended to be used on CVTs.
 
Summer077 said:
My apologies, it's a 2018 Elantra with 6-speed automatic, it's not 2020.


When I'm pushing the car a little hard, the shifting seems to be smooth as butter. That small "delay" on the shifting is more noticeable when driving a lower speeds. I think that can only be felt as driver, I don't think the passengers notice anything.

Should I do a drain and fill? If so, would you go with MaxLife? I have access to an ATF from Motul called ATF VI. It's not widely known in the US but I have a friend running it on a Lexus GX without issues. That Motul carries most of the OEM specs of the MaxLife including Toyota WS and Hyundai SP-IV. However, MaxLife can also be used on CVTs but Motul clearly says their ATF VI is not recommended to be used on CVTs.
Click to expand...
You can get away with the maxlife. I would recommend going with the SP-4M. I don’t know enough about the Motul to recommend it or not. ATF VI sounds like a dextron 6 equivalent to me, and a no-no for that tranny. Drain and fill only, do not flush. Are you familiar how that transmission is serviced?
 
Propflux01 said:
You can get away with the maxlife. I would recommend going with the SP-4M. I don’t know enough about the Motul to recommend it or not. ATF VI sounds like a dextron 6 equivalent to me, and a no-no for that tranny. Drain and fill only, do not flush. Are you familiar how that transmission is serviced?
Click to expand...

The Motul ATF VI is dexron 6.


I think I will go with Maxlife. and yes, I'm familiar with the service process.
 
Summer077 said:
The Motul ATF VI is dexron 6.


I think I will go with Maxlife. and yes, I'm familiar with the service process.
Click to expand...
Then I would not use it. I e used maxlife in an Elantra with no ill effects. As for the familiarity, was just making sure as lots of people try and service it back up from the top of the tranny.
 
michaelluscher said:
The 2.0 Nu engine?
Any ignition maintenance done on it, I remember that being a bad era for bogus plugs and marginal coils that caused drivability issues (that kinda felt like a transmission issue?)
Click to expand...
I changed the coils in my daughters Elantra also the transmission has different modes the economy mode is a delayed lazy shift. There's a button to choose from regular, sport and economy
 
michaelluscher said:
The 2.0 Nu engine?
Any ignition maintenance done on it, I remember that being a bad era for bogus plugs and marginal coils that caused drivability issues (that kinda felt like a transmission issue?)
Click to expand...
I don't rule out the possibility of ignition issues since I'm feeling rough idle from time to time. Will have the spark plugs checked. I think that checking on the throttle body is also a good idea.
 
I cannot add too much. There are so many computer interconnections on today's engines and transmissions that one has to be careful about assuming that it is a transmission issue, when it fact it is something else.

Visit the Elantra forums. I'm wondering if there are diy methods to reset your transmission adaptive (learning) programs back to default and if lucky maybe cause smoother shifts. With my vehicle, disconnecting the battery will reset the transmission and there are gas pedal procedures to reset some other systems.
 
Summer077 said:
I don't rule out the possibility of ignition issues since I'm feeling rough idle from time to time. Will have the spark plugs checked. I think that checking on the throttle body is also a good idea.
Click to expand...
Last time I bought for that engine, the Beck/Arnley coils off Rockauto were reboxed (improved design) Hyundai parts for less than half the price
Add in 4 quality NGK or Denso plugs, and you've ruled out the ignition system

@OilMagnate gave us some insight about ignition issues

O

Thread 'PSA for Hyundai Nu engine owners: Check your ignition system!'

Within the last year I purchased a 2018 Hyundai Elantra with 23K miles. It's not my first Nu engine, but it's the first one I've had an issue with. It currently sits at 28,718 miles. During the extreme cold we saw recently, it developed what I truly thought was some sort of transmission issue. It reminded me of a 4R70W with a torque converter shuddering, just a little less rapid and less consistent. No check engine lights, no other indicators. I monitored it carefully and it persisted, regardless of gear, throttle, or speed. The final straw was when it tried to surge forward while I was in...
  • Like
  • Wow
  • Sad
 
Propflux01 said:
Then I would not use it. I e used maxlife in an Elantra with no ill effects. As forr the familiarity, was just making sure as lots of people try and service it back up from the top of the tranny.
Click to expand...
Looks like you may be moving from just looking at transmissions but I had excellent luck with Maxlife. Daughter's still driving my '17 Soul at 140K without problems. Changed at 75K.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

john_pifer
Notchy 3rd Gear Engagement in 2024 Elantra N
Replies
15
Views
358
haggler
S
Bizzare issue with 4t65e transmission/06 Buick Lacrosse
Replies
3
Views
412
eljefino
Number_35
2017 Kia Sportage - P0010 - Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1)
Replies
13
Views
610
Number_35
S
Shift flare after fluid change
2
Replies
37
Views
3K
Astro14
D
[2009 Honda Accord 4 cylinders] Transmission shudder at low RPM (2nd gear)
2
Replies
25
Views
1K
meep
Back
Top Bottom