My 2017 Sonata has a 6 speed transmission calling for SP4-M , unfortunately both Hyunda and Kia want over $20 per qrt. for it ... *I believe I can run Maxlife Multi Vehicle ATF (if upgraded to meet SP4-M) or I can use Redline D6 (not sure of the price) - any other SP4-M compatible ATF's you have used with good results in place of the OEM SP4-M ?
Hyunda SP4-M Compatible ATF ?
- Thread starter ChrisD46
- Start date
Ive had excellent results with this fluid 
Schaeffer All-Trans https://www.schaefferoil.com/documents/90-204SAT-td.pdf
Schaeffer All-Trans https:/
From what I've read, Hyundai/Kia is not like the other auto makers when your engine or transmission goes kapluey under warranty.
They want absolute proof you properly maintained your vehicle according to the owners manual or your screwed. Spend time on Ripoff Report.com if you think otherwise.
I don't care much for Amsoil, but if I wasn't under warranty, I'd use it in this application.
https://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-prod...-synthetic-automatic-transmission-fluid/
Originally Posted by Diesel12
Ive had excellent results with this fluid
Schaeffer All-Trans https://www.schaefferoil.com/documents/90-204SAT-td.pdf
Schaeffer All-Trans https:/OP: I'm not sure how picky Hyundai's are when it comes to trans fluid. All the dealers around here use BG ATF, unless OEM is requested by the customer. Historically, Hyundai/Kia ATF hasn't been a very good product, although now it apparently is quite stout.
Maxlife and castrols Synthetic LV trans fluid work fin e in Hyundais.
https://sharena21.springcm.com/Publ...bd3/3fa3136a-09bd-e711-9c12-ac162d889bd1
There's been lots of buzz about SP4-M lately due to the apparent price hike of the OEM products. In my area, 6 local dealers (Jeep,Kia, Hyundai) use what JustN89 stated (BG) even on vehicles still under warranty . This goes against what skyactive claims about dealers insisting by-the-book OEM fluids only.
To the OP, dig around a bit and you will find about a dozen products that list "compatible with" SP4-M. Even the Warren MAG 1 product claims SP4-M compatibility. What's odd is that the Asian and European brands (Eneos, etc,) have not changed their labeling from SP4 to SP4-M. Something I "imagined" that I read somewhere was that the U.S. version initially came out as a synthetic blend and the M version is now full synthetic, just like the Asian and European brands have always been. Just my thought that I wish someone would try to disprove.
Battles rage on Hyundai and Kia forums that their trannies are especially sensitive to fluid and the use of a universal product is hotly contested. LOTS of evidence shows up at BITOG to suggest people are getting very long life using non OEM fluids.
FWIW: In talking to the Kia tech who replaced my engine this past December (under warranty for the "Rod knock of death"), the transmissions are seen as very reliable and also pretty inexpensive (as far as transmissions go) to replace (~$1.5K). Thought that was very interesting if universally true (not just this dealership's service departments experience).
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*I believe that even if my 2017 Sonata is under warrantee - as long as the Maxlife all vehicle ATF states suitable for SP4-M on the container - then you should be covered with Hyundai ... Otherwise you threaten them with the " Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act" which essentially states that if Hyundai only states their SP4-M ATF be used , then Hyundai has to supply it for FREE !!
I'm out of power train warranty with a used car purchase but when I change it will be Max Life.
Maxlife will work fine 
Another good choice is Castrol Full Synthetic ATF, when it goes on sale for $5/qt
Another good choice is Castrol Full Synthetic ATF, when it goes on sale for $5/qtOriginally Posted by JustN89
Originally Posted by Diesel12
Ive had excellent results with this fluid
Schaeffer All-Trans https://www.schaefferoil.com/documents/90-204SAT-td.pdf
Schaeffer All-Trans https:/Originally Posted by Diesel12
Originally Posted by JustN89
Originally Posted by Diesel12
Ive had excellent results with this fluid
Schaeffer All-Trans https://www.schaefferoil.com/documents/90-204SAT-td.pdf
Schaeffer All-Trans https:/
Originally Posted by doitmyself
...
Battles rage on Hyundai and Kia forums that their trannies are especially sensitive to fluid and the use of a universal product is hotly contested. LOTS of evidence shows up at BITOG to suggest people are getting very long life using non OEM fluids.
If OEM Hyundai SP4-M is now the full synthetic version then it stands to reason that Maxlife All Vehicle ATF (full synthetic) or the Castrol All Vehicle ATF (also full synthetic) claiming SP4-M compatibility would also be just as good ? Currently , the OEM Hyundai SP4-M ATF is over $20 per quart (ouch) . *When Maxlife ATF is $18 per gallon and Hyundai OEM is $80 per gallon - that is a significant cost difference to consider !
Both of my Kias call for SP-IV and both are running on MaxLife with Forte over last 35K miles and Sportage over 20K miles with great results.
There is a Canadian ATF producer local to me that makes universal ATF too, so universal ATF isn't very special I guess:
https://klondikelubricants.com/wp-c...nthetic_Automatic_Transmission_Fluid.pdf
This one lists SP-4M.
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Originally Posted by ChrisD46
*I believe that even if my 2017 Sonata is under warrantee - as long as the Maxlife all vehicle ATF states suitable for SP4-M on the container - then you should be covered with Hyundai ... Otherwise you threaten them with the " Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act" which essentially states that if Hyundai only states their SP4-M ATF be used , then Hyundai has to supply it for FREE !!
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Ok, so the "mfg must provide for free" thing kept bugging me and I was able to locate where that language came from. While that specific language isn't contained in the Act itself, the Federal Trade Commission did issue a bulletin interpreting the Act and in the FTC's bulletin is found the explanation of the "free" thing. So you were accurate. I wasn't aware that the FTC issued a bulletin.
Here's a link 👇to the bulletin in case you're curious.
FTC Bulletin Magnusson-Moss
I'm also planning on doing my own ATF drain and refill on my 2017 sonata sport. So after reading all the good info here I did some research online and looks like SP4 can be used on transmissions that already have SP4-M, and the M "provides improved ultra-low viscosity and friction mofdifiers" as was mentioned before on this thread.
So looking in Amazon I found a bottle of SP4-M and took a screenshot of the label.
So looking in Amazon I found a bottle of SP4-M and took a screenshot of the label.
