Hyundai ATF?

[Reginald]

Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Solstice, Happy New Year, and Jolly Whatever Else BITOGers Celebrate,

My daughter's fiance has a 2008 Hyundai Accent with an automatic transmission. The owner's manual says this about ATF: "Only use Hyundai genuine ATF SP III, Diamond ATF SP III, SK ATF SP III or other brands meeting the SP III specification approved by Hyundai Motor Co."

Does anyone know whether this SP III ATF is a special, magic fluid available only from dealers? Or is it Hyundai's name for a fluid that also goes by other names?

Thank you.

 

[csandste]

I'm going to be faced with a similar decision since I have a Kia Optima-- at least in my case the fluid changes are very short, probably to give them revenue to make up for the long warranty.

If I'm not mistaken HyunKia and Mitsubishi share the same ATF spec and that's about it. Hopefully someone else will post who knows more than I do.

 

[Chris Meutsch]

The Critic (I think) has said Hyundai uses a tracer in the fluid that identifies it vs. any other type. That would probably be used for warranty purposes.

 

[Cup of Joe]

Its not special or magic, I've done a VOA and UOA of my Rio with 25k miles on the fluid. I have been using Amsoil ATF for 16k miles so far. Allot of owners report good results with Pennzoil multi-vehicle as well.

 

[jcwit]

There are other fluids that claim to meet the specs. However for warrenty or the cost of a new transmission I use the OEM fluid. I even do a drain and fill at each oil change {5,000 mi./6 months}. Costs a tad more but gives me peace of mind.

 

[Pablo]

I've been told Hyundai Diamond SP III is essentially the same as Chrysler ATF+4. I'm not telling YOU to run ATF+4. I'm just saying.

I would love for someone to post the list of ATF's officially on the "SP III specification approved by Hyundai Motor Co" list.

 

[Eddie]

If under warranty then, I would buy the Hyundai spec fluid from the dealer. This is not the the type of ATF to be guessing about.

 

[Reginald]

Thanks, all. I wouldn't use anything but the spec'd fluid for service. I was just wondering if anything else would be okay to add in a pinch--to top off the transmission, for instance.

 

[zrxkawboy]

Other than the warranty issue, I'm sure ATF+4 would be fine.

 

[jcwit]

But the question remains WHY WOULD YOU?

 

[BearZDefect]

Why? Because BITOGers are curious, enjoy experimenting, and potential debunking.

Pablo summed it up nicely.

 

[The Critic]

Keep it flushed with SP-III from the dealership until the 10/100k warranty runs out. Hyundai has a reputation of rejecting warranty claims for the most ridiculous reasons. After the warranty runs out, run whatever fluid your heart desires.